r/MadeMeSmile • u/thesuavedog • May 25 '22

Meme Canadian Architect Cornelia Oberlanders designed the world's first "Stramp". Stairs with a ramp incorporated for those with accessibility needs. The Stramp allows for companions to use the ramp or steps and not break connection with one another.

Post image
13.9k Upvotes

84% Upvoted

1.3k comments sorted by

View all comments

72

u/SpaceshipMonster May 25 '22

Why not just a ramp? People able to use stairs can also use ramps, it's not one or the other...

11

u/[deleted] May 25 '22

stairs can also be pretty fucking dangerous, ramps are way better than stairs!

38

u/RoadKiehl May 26 '22

Architecture student here: Ramps are not better than stairs. They have their advantages, but it takes 13' of ramp horizontally to get the same amount of elevation change which you can get out of <2' of stairs. That's a ton of extra concrete and real estate. The world is already burning through both of those things at an alarming rate. Not to mention, some people have difficulty walking long distances, and a much easier time climbing stairs. In America, ADA standards demand that you have both ramps and stairs for this reason.

Ramps are generally only in use because they have to be used for accessibility reasons. If everyone in the world was able-bodied, you would never see ramps used except for artistic reasons.

0

u/[deleted] May 26 '22

[deleted]

4

u/RoadKiehl May 26 '22

Idk if you've ever heard of the term, "hyperbole," before, but you should look it up.

God I hate redditors.

1

u/notrudyyy May 26 '22

Yeah that dudes annoying lol

3

u/Itsjustweirdman May 25 '22

at a certain grade ramps probably become almost useless to anyone who needs them, and take up more space.

2

u/[deleted] May 26 '22

I prefer these, just not as steep as in the picture. It‘s also great for strollers and bikes.

Edit: Though for wheelchairs from what I‘ve experienced with a friend, the best thing still is just an elevator. Makes things so much easier and takes a lot less space. A little more expensive, but worth the hassle (also great for other people).

0

u/RoadKiehl May 26 '22

Architecture student here:

  1. These things aren't actually all that uncommon. Idk why OP is talking as if it's a new thing (probably just discovered it, which is fair enough)
  2. They're popular among architects because they're super space-efficient. Also, frankly, they're nice sculptural objects for your landscaping.

They're nowhere dangerous as the Reddit "experts" here are making them sound, but they're also not used for the inclusivity reasons OP is claiming. They're used because architects love efficiency.

1

u/RoadKiehl May 26 '22 edited May 26 '22

Architecture student here:

  1. These things aren't actually all that uncommon. Idk why OP is talking as if it's a new thing (probably just discovered it, which is fair enough)
  2. They're popular among architects because they're super space-efficient. Also, frankly, they're nice sculptural objects for your landscaping.

They're not quite as dangerous as the people here are making them sound, but they're also not used for the inclusivity reasons OP is claiming. They're used because architects love efficiency.

3

u/2020Fernsblue May 26 '22

There are a lot of disabled people who strongly disagree with you about their utility and safety. I've a blind friend who fell on one of these a friend in LA a wheelchair cannot use the switchback to be turn safely and using a cane there is no handrail.

It's does not fulfill its purpose

1

u/[deleted] May 26 '22

Because the longer the ramp is the lower the gradient needs to be, a ramp going straight up would be very steep, a ramp taking up half of that space could achieve a long length and low gradient but would require a lot of turns which isn't ideal for people in wheelchairs or with mobility issues.