Building technologies play a crucial role in transforming our world for the better. Inclusive and accessible design ensures that all people can use and access our shared spaces with ease and dignity. Being one with Mitsubishi Electric’s commitment to create “Changes for the Better,” International Elevator & Equipment, Inc. (IEE) provides technologies to the Philippine market that promote universal design in our built environment.

Read on to explore how inclusive and accessible urban spaces create safety, sustainability, and opportunity, and how Mitsubishi Electric harnesses technological innovation and engineering expertise to build more inclusive, adaptive, and accessible urban spaces in the Philippines.

Reinforcing Safety with Smart and Assistive Technologies

Adopting inclusive and accessible design means redefining comfort and convenience, shifting the perspective on such provisions from being “nice-to-haves” to “must-haves.” For instance, a building’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are not unnecessary luxuries; they are vital in maintaining good indoor air quality, affecting not just occupant comfort but also health and well-being.

We offer an extensive catalog of air conditioning systems that go beyond cooling a room—which in itself is beneficial, particularly for those with sensitivity to heat, and also in regard to rising average temperatures in the country.¹ The Plasma Quad Connect filtration system targets airborne pollutants, allergens, and pathogens, keeping the air clean and safe, especially for those with health conditions like asthma.

Another example is vertical mobility options, such as elevators and escalators. Not everyone can take the stairs, and not everyone that can is able to do so with safety and ease, such as persons with disabilities, those with small children, the pregnant, and the elderly.

Anchoring inclusive and accessible design is the principle that one’s circumstances should not limit their capacity to move freely within a space. Mitsubishi Electric, through IEE, provides various vertical mobility installations built with universal access in mind, like wider doorways and larger elevator cars for wheelchair users, tactile buttons and Braille code, voice guidance, and more. For healthcare facilities, our specially designed hospital bed elevators provide a safe and spacious vertical transport solution.

More than simple extra features in your building, these necessary provisions go a long way in preventing health emergencies and accidents—for everybody.

Unlocking Opportunities and Sustainability with Better Inclusivity

The quest for inclusivity and sustainability go hand in hand. The eco-conscious use of resources requires efficient space planning with the goal of servicing as many people as possible, for the longest time possible. Mitsubishi Electric is continuously crafting long-lasting, energy-efficient building solutions that accommodate diverse demographics.

Beyond expanding your market, inclusive practices also ensure that all resources used can easily be accessed and enjoyed by everyone. Such efforts open new possibilities, not only for your own organization or business, but also in empowering individuals and communities. Our built environment is too often filled with barriers, hindering many people from fully participating in society. By designing our spaces with inclusivity and accessibility, more people can freely take part in the world that is ours to share and shape together.

A Change of Mind to Change the World

Our evolving times call for fundamental changes in how we shape our spaces. At the core of each development should be the question of who we are building for, and the answer should be everyone. Where vulnerable and disadvantaged groups used to be excluded from planning and later poorly accommodated as an afterthought, if at all, there is now a greater push for more inclusive, adaptive, and accessible spaces.

As part of its commitment to transcending limits, Mitsubishi Electric strives to break barriers through IEE by delivering world-class technologies that enable universal access to our public spaces in the Philippines. Start making your own changes for the better today. Contact us for inquiries!

¹PAGASA, 2018: Observed and projected climate change in the Philippines. Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration. Quezon City, Philippines. https://icsc.ngo/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/PAGASA_Observed_Climate_Trends_Projected_Climate_Change_PH_2018.pdf