Category: Eric Thiessen

AQ^2 is designed as walking rehabilitation facility for people with restricted mobility. Mobility is commonly seen as a binary between wheelchair users and non-wheelchair users; however people with restricted mobility move in a variety of ways and may use a wheelchair only part time, or not at all. While rehabilitation equipment to improve muscular strength and coordination for walking is already in common use, it is typically installed indoors and features rails, which only allow linear movement.

AQ^2 features posts that allow visitors to move freely about the site and engage with the surrounding plantings. It features touch-responsive technology that illuminates the posts when the handles are held. Overall, the primary goal of this site is to combine utility with a recreational and artistic rehabilitation experience, that is easily transferable to other locations

My project is designed to serve individuals with various degrees of limited walking ability.  It is intended that those who normally may use a wheelchair or other walking aid may be able to move throughout the  the garden with the option to sit or kneel anywhere on the moving surface (Iteration 1) or the assistance of frequent support posts to lean on (Iteration 2).

The execution of my iterations are based on my experiences assisting my grandmother (who used a wheelchair) on a daily basis as well as Passengers with Reduced Mobility while working at YVR Airport.  I noticed that my grandmother often preferred to move along the floor rather than stand and move in and out of chair and different furniture.  This was enabled by the Japanese-style rooms in her house which feature low furniture and soft, comfortable surfaces for sitting on.  Iteration 1 is an attempt to adapt this type of space to an outdoor setting.

Similarly, the rehabilitation activities prescribed by her doctor involved walking while holding on to rails for support.  Iteration 2 uses the principle of walking supports situated along the transportation path, but uses posts with handles rather than rails, which allow the visitor to move in any direction rather than being vectored along a single path.

Simon Fraser University-ACADEMIC QUADRANGLE