1. HOLARCHIES FOR BETTER UNDERSTANDING
OF UNIVERSAL DESIGN AS A SOCIALLY INCLUSIVE FACTOR
Marcelo Pinto Guimarães
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais - Laboratório ADAPTSE
ABSTRACT is a flow [2] between essence and significance
that may vary according to the perspective an
Applying the „universal design‟ concept observer may adopt to consider recognizing a
effectively involves deeper understanding of a pair or more of hierarchical holons.
complex philosophical approach to human
cultural values, attitudes and behavior through This paper contains some consideration about
design practice. This paper suggests that the the structure of relationships between human
concept of universal design can be explained in oriented design principles, which is based on
the context of holarchies: a holistic hierarchical holarchies and may explain the links of
structure of major dimensions that address important concepts such as autonomy, personal
social inclusion of all, and particularly, of people space, universal design, accessibility and socially
who experience disability as result of mobility inclusive practices.
and wayfinding problems in built environments.
Sample holarchies were organized as follows: DIALECTIC AND HOLISTIC PERSPECTIVES
(a) the holarchy of human logical order, (b) the ABOUT HUMAN CENTERED DESIGN
holarchy of human social groups, (c) the
holarchy of human environment fit and (d) the Through dualistic thinking processes, the
holarchy of socially inclusive design. The aim of essence of understanding is due to analysis,
the approach is to illustrate the holistic nature of which is breaking the whole in its constituent
universal design from the cross-combinations in parts. As we understand each part and the joints
hierarchical structure of complementary one makes with others, we progress through an
perspectives. opposing synthesis process; that is, of
reconstruction of the whole. We may even
INTRODUCTION
develop synthesis that creates other wholes, all
different from the original, built by parts whose
A holarchy is a term coined by Koestler [1]
relationships are strong enough to assume new
that refers to a hierarchy of holons. A holon is a
forms.
„phenomenon‟ or „particle‟ that is a whole in
itself and it is nested in larger wholes; this
This sort of thinking process occurs mostly in
system of multiple hierarchies of holons causes
the Western world [3] through a linear, plain,
mutual influences between them. Consider, for
dualistic Cartesian mode of reasoning. Everyday,
instance, a drop of water and an ocean as
we define ourselves through linear thinking that
holons. Both of these concepts include H 20
is based on exclusion. This exclusion sets the
(another holon); however, we cannot say,
limits of the fragmented universe.
simply, that a drop of water is just part of an
ocean since for its own characteristic the water
Understanding a new logic for socially
drop makes itself an unique concept as a whole.
inclusive practices is needed for everyone to
One could even say in respect of distinct scales
share accessibility provisions on similar grounds,
to the intertwined nature of both that an entire
instead of few people integrating limited
ocean can be found in a single drop of water.
accessibility into their life experiences only. In
Therefore, the holon named here as „water drop‟
spite of sensible progress worldwide for full
can be structured in a hierarchical relationship
compliance with legislation and technical
of holarchy that also includes the holon
standards for accessibility, many built structures
understood as „ocean.‟ In such a holarchy, there
still preserve certain indication that the

2. accessibility features are there to assist only The proposition here is that we may
certain target types of users who experience understand holarchies related to Universal
disability permanently... Design easily by visualizing them through a
metaphoric representation of holarchy
A holistic approach to human-centered design
dimensions in a flat configuration of waves in
practice seems to be necessary for architecture
ellipses. Let‟s consider such ellipses that
and design professionals to understand and
expand, some inside of others in ways that each
apply the full meaning of universal design
one is an essential whole, and each whole
concept. „Universal design‟ should not become
embraces and connects with other wholes up to
another sexy label within certain culture only by
the significance of the outer wholes. Applying
which we could identify a specific product,
this analogy in the realm of universal design
object, equipment or functional element out of
applications, we may examine interactions
the context for usage of built environments and
among different dimensions whose holistic
information systems. The overall understanding
nature is structured by holarchies [6], as every
of the idea about universal design may become
holon embraces other holons. They grant us a
just a fragment of the original concept [4] that is
wider view of factors that might constitute the
best translated here as “the approach to good
nature of an inclusive society as a whole:
design that responds to uncommon abilities and
aging without relying on specialized and
segregated solutions,” or “the designing process
for human-centered satisfactory performance
and socialization in built environments.”
1 2 3 4 5 6
The universal design concept can be well
understood by application of general principles
and design guidelines as long as such principles
are well intertwined with other aspects of good 1- concept, idea, insight
design practice. That reaches everyone beyond 2- fact
3- mechanism
knowledge measured by standard requirements
4- model
of regulations and human factors methodology.
5- network
6- system
ENVISIONING HOLARCHIES OF
Figure 1: Suggested illustration for the holarchy
UNIVERSAL DESIGN
of human logical order
According to Wilber [2] and Alexander [5], we
may consider that, a structure is just a stable In the context of the human logical order, the
pattern of events. However, structural holistic baseline of a holarchy can be represented by our
patterns may behave erratic depending on the 'ideas' and 'insights' that format „concepts‟ and
standpoint in multiple perspectives. The help us make something becomes real.
horizontal and vertical configuration of
relationships among holons varies according to The concept, idea or insight are a pure mind
context, the intent and the attention of the one energy that needs to be molded by its
who studies them. relationships with the external context (fact or
expression). By means of mechanisms, models
In holistic thinking processes, analytical
and the network of interconnections with other
breaking points that separate contextual factors
concepts, ideas debate those preceeding them
do not seem to exist, and as result, there are
and flow up to make sense as a coherent
not parts that lack coherence and seem empty,
system. We may understand a 'new system'
meaningless as detached from the whole. Thus,
exists only as we recognize that a ´new concept'
instead of parts, the holistic universe is
has becomes well accepted in different minds as
organized in inclusive layers of interactions is
'fact or expression,' and that turns such idea,
that form 'holarchy structures.' In such
plausible, and the experience, shared. We may
structures, a single holon (whole) transcends
recognize 'mechanism' as the means shared
but includes other wholes from where it stands,
ideas that became facts have acquired
just as colors of the rainbow do [2].
operational dimensions through procedures.

3. Mechanisms are at the basis of 'models,' simple individuals (with apparent disabilities or not),
representations of complex reality, which in turn their tribes, families and communities.
expand to form cultural „networks.‟ When
networks are intertwined to the point of 1- autonomy, independence, spontaneity
justifying each other´s existence, then we have 2- privacy
3- accessibility
the whole set as the 'system.'
4- liberty
5- solidarity
The holarchy in the context of social role
6- equal opportunity
modelling indicates that human population is not
simply a gross collection of people, but a system Figure 3: Suggested illustration for the holarchy
where an individual finds references to identify of human-environment fit
himself or herself.
In the holarchy of human contextual action in
built environments, the accessibility dimension
only appears beyond 'autonomy, independence
and spontaneity.' Those essential holons allow
1 2 3 4 5 6 individuals to control time and spatial conditions
for interaction: 'privacy.' Poor 'acessibility' exists
despite „privacy‟ and it means lack of one´s
basic operational resources. Individual social
1- body, mind. spirit experiences of accessibility among neighbors
2- person establish the mutual recognition of „liberty.‟
3- tribe Otherwise, it may become oppression,
4- family segregation and intrusion. The shared liberty
5- community may grow into 'solidarity' and that results in
6- population 'same opportunities for everybody.' We cannot
talk about 'equal opportunities' if essential
Figure 2: Suggested illustration for the holarchy
notions of 'autonomy,' independence' and
of human social groups
'spontaneity' are simply not present. We may
The essence of an individual is at the primary not understand well the notion of 'liberty'
holon as a intertwined mix of 'body, mind and without considering 'solidarity' as better and
spirit.' Every individual finds reflections of the more comprehensive happiness. In the same
self in other individuals' images inside each way, we cannot practice 'solidarity' without
mind. As those images are tuned to reinforce a respects to one´s 'privacy.' Liberty equals to the
particular identity, that forms 'tribes' or groups largest value in some cultures. Nevertheless,
of individuals with similar values. Each individual since an inter-cultural approach should prevail,
or tribe borrow power and support from 'family,' 'solidariety' must be recurrent and continuous.
that is a transcendent holon defining the sense
of 'place' or 'origin' for all of us. As many „Universal design‟ may be regarded in a
'individuals' live in harmony with the core self, holarchy structure that approaches social
that reinforces distinct tribes and families to be inclusion through design as the most
in peace; they act with other holons and live comprehensive dimension. The core holon
together to form 'communities' as wholes. A includes a combination of „assistive technology,‟
population is, by its turn, the widest holon by „technical assistance‟ and „inclusive practices.‟
expansion of 'communities' that lean on Those are specialized essential tools. They are
mutually in local contexts of neighborhood, or in customized for someone to get personal
wider grounds of regions and nations. adjustments and cope with barriers in built
environments. „Adapted design‟ is at outer holon
Individuals are at the baseline of populations. due to (poor) attempts of intervention in social
Design solutions cannot function well for spaces that were originally constructed without
communities and populations if they do not taking special user needs into consideration.
address first the distinct needs of every „Adaptable design‟ adds some flexibility into
individual, or do not strenghten ties between adapted design but it does not empower users
to make changes in environmental configuration

4. as needed. „Standards for accessibility‟ provides distinct points of view of multiple linear
greater reliability of scattered pattern solutions reasoning, and we make them become
but they are too strict to accommodate users´ meaningful through unprecedented multi-
functional diversity of human conditions and dimensional perception.
abilities. „Adequate design‟ may incorporate all
The holistic perspective may become clearer
known resources into a meaningful solution, but
due to context, consensus and knowledge. It is
that may lack conceptual goals of making ideas
by understanding the wealth of contextual
fruitful and marketable for future generations.
factors that complexity becomes easy and
seems simple. The global view of things defines
the context in which they may happen. If we
don't face certain problems along with possible
1 2 3 4 5 6 factors that build their complexity, then we may
realize that envisioned solutions will loose
strength and validity over time. Consensus
means respect for the value of exploring unique
contributions of distinct perspectives despite
1- assistive technology, technical assistance and such contributions coming from the most
inclusive practices vulnerable people. Before we think of reaching
2- adapted design progress up to a certain standpoint we ought to
3- adaptable design consider achieving goals collectively. Finally,
4- standards for accessibility
knowledge guarantees mutual respect to those
5- adequate design
involved in the consensus making process. More
6- universal design
than simple flow of information through
Figure 4: Suggested illustration for the holarchy absorption and ties, knowledge enriches each
of socially inclusive design factors one of the people involved with clear
understanding about the different points of view
DISCUSSION
that best portrays the global context. Knowledge
The universal design factors should be viewed replaces stigma and foster agreements about
through holarchies in which it may be both improvements that can be made in the fit
cause and consequence of users‟ experience in relationship between humans and built
innovative structures for environments and environments. No matter how much delay,
information that aim at providing equal meaningful results can be accomplished and
opportunities for everyone. Universal design preserved through generations.
might become a system of omnipresent, discreet
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
and inspirational ideas as reference of maximum
quality for built structures and information FAPEMIG – Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa de Minas Gerais
networks. It implies the cultural interface that CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de
exists between design professionals and all Nível Superior / NPGAU - Núcleo de Pós-Graduação EAUFMG
expert users as the only representation possible
for addressing the needs of the general REFERENCES
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