In our most recent episode of Archinect Sessions, we briefly discussed the (hilarious) news of people running into glass walls and dodging deadly icicles at Apple-designed buildings. It was also mentioned, however, that Apple is one of the few mega-corps that are truly pushing excellence in design, so it's understandable that innovation also comes with its fair share of failures. 

Over the weekend Twitter user @xarph shared some photos of the impressive approach to (architectural) accessibility at Apple Park Visitor's Center, the publicly accessible component of Apple's new campus. 

The Apple Park Visitor's Center is a demonstration of an accessible building when cost is no object. 1/?

— PG&E delenda est (@xarph) February 25, 2018

Every exterior door has *motion-activated* auto-open triggers that can trigger on both wheelchair and foot height, placed away from the door. Usually the button (when it's working; often it's not) is mounted to the frame and is awkward to press from a wheelchair. pic.twitter.com/vfEhNLchf5

— PG&E delenda est (@xarph) February 25, 2018

Extremely wide open spaces on the interior. There are no "alternate paths" for wheelchairs or assist devices. If you can walk there, you can roll there. pic.twitter.com/Ryru65fmB7

— PG&E delenda est (@xarph) February 25, 2018

A second set of bathrooms specifically for disabled guests. All fixtures in these rooms seem to be mounted lower than in the other restrooms, surpassing ADA requirements. Stalls are all wider than in most multiple-occupant bathrooms. pic.twitter.com/eQnzicJq8Q

— PG&E delenda est (@xarph) February 25, 2018

Floor-mounted rails so people who are using canes don't stray into low-overhead areas. pic.twitter.com/4yQ81TUe4Y

— PG&E delenda est (@xarph) February 25, 2018

Instead of ramps, the entire structure is built on the exact level as the parking lot. Usually buildings are a curb-height higher since it's cheaper to use an elevated concrete pad than get the earth at the site completely flat for the foundation. Money was no object here. pic.twitter.com/IQBVaRHGAz

— PG&E delenda est (@xarph) February 25, 2018

The only case of a facility that could not be used by both able-bodied and disabled people was the water faucet at the coffee bar. It's mounted too far back to reach from a wheelchair. Disabled folks have to use one of the standard water fountains near the restrooms. pic.twitter.com/2POaBtjQBU

— PG&E delenda est (@xarph) February 25, 2018

A very subtle thing: the fire extinguishers are mounted at wheelchair height and behind a door that is not secured with anything more than some magnets. No glass to break. pic.twitter.com/3AXyNEdsZE

— PG&E delenda est (@xarph) February 25, 2018

Same with the AED. I usually see these mounted around 5 feet above the floor so it is eye level with an upright adult. If this is not intentional, it's a happy accident. pic.twitter.com/KxRDr6IWPH

— PG&E delenda est (@xarph) February 25, 2018

Basically, go to the Apple Park Visitor's Center if you want to see how to design a building for maximum disabled access when cost is no object.

— PG&E delenda est (@xarph) February 25, 2018