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For pba, inclusive design means creating solutions that open doors – both literally and metaphorically – to ensure that every built environment is accessible to all. Specializing in stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and other materials, pba manufactures a broad range of products, including idoor and window levers, pulls, locking pulls, millwork pulls, hands-free pulls, and a comprehensive array of bathroom accessories designed to foster a life safe and without barriers. In the design and manufacture of all these products, the firm prioritizes sustainability and inclusiveness, believing that every product must be both futureproof and deliver universal accessibility. Consequently, one of pba’s key challenges is to develop solutions that are not only unique in their category, but also – and in particular – accessible, providing high quality, without sacrificing aesthetics or functionality, across diverse project types and sectors, from hospitality to offices, museums, healthcare facilities, and airport terminals.
In developing its product lines, pba pays close attention to both sustainability and its manufacturing processes, so that besides being hardwearing, its products are produced responsibly with care for the environment. Both materials and manufacturing processes are selected for their low environmental footprint, while ensuring durability as well as technical and aesthetic quality. All products carry an EPD and a Red List Free Declare Label and contribute towards LEED credits.
The firm believes that the built environment should not only engage us with its appearance but also be designed with an awareness of its impact on both people and the environment, ensuring equal opportunity and a sustainable future for generations to come. And pba’s commitment to making a positive contribution goes beyond environmental sustainability, extending to the well-being of people with products that respond to the needs of every project and user.
Barrier-free design is central to pba’s approach to every product and project. This philosophy makes it possible for a diverse range of people to interact with the built environment and enjoy spaces that are comfortable and suited to their individual needs. Its Design for All range of bathroom accessories and handrails for hallways and staircases, along with its Hand-Rail collections, also created for hallways and stairs, embody this approach. The company places particular emphasis on the environments of people with physical and sensory disabilities, applying a universal design approach at each stage to address diverse needs and eliminate the need for later modifications.
As the criteria for inclusive design evolve, the concept of neurodiversity – the broad spectrum of differences in brain function and behavior, including autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and dyslexia – has become increasingly central to product design. In this regard, pba believes that collaborating closely with architects and designers is essential to create products and spaces that recognize and address these differences.
Extending this philosophy to the workplace, the firm embraces purpose-driven design to promote inclusivity in corporate environments.
“Design is instrumental in mitigating disability by creating products that accommodate physical and neurological impairments - says pba CEO Erica Anesi -. Thoughtfully designed products can significantly enhance the experience of individuals, eliminating marginalization and fostering foster a more inclusive interaction with the built environment with the built environment and finally a general positive impact on society.Understanding the effects of sensory stimulation underscores the importance of designing spaces and products that reflect the diverse needs of different users and uses. We must offer solutions and options that empower individuals with greater control and autonomy, with the goal of reducing stress particularly for those with sensory sensitivities”.
To determine how its own products – Tocco door handles and pulls – are perceived in terms of inclusiveness and sustainability, pba conducted a study in collaboration with IUAV University of Venice. Made from 316L stainless steel and ECONYL®, the range not only offers a wide palette of colors and textures to cater to different tactile and visual needs, but it also promotes the concept of a sensorially inclusive environment. These attributes were clearly confirmed by the study.
More info: www.pba.it
