Principal | JSA/MIXdesign
Professor | Yale School of Architecture
Joel Sanders, FAIA is the founder of MIXdesign, an inclusive design think tank and consultancy that is a branch of his New York based, LGBTBE-certified architecture studio JSA (Joel Sanders Architect). MIXdesign is dedicated to making everyday building types like restrooms, art museums, and university campuses accessible and welcoming to people of different ages, genders, abilities, cultural identities, and religions. MIXdesign initiatives include Stalled!, an AIA award-winning project that responds to national controversies surrounding transgender access to pubic restrooms. In addition to being Principal of JSA/MIXdesign, Sanders is a Professor at Yale School of Architecture, where he directs the M.Arch II program.
Courses
Designing for All: Creating Inclusive and Compliant Restroom Spaces
Tuesday, October 14, 2025 | 2:00-3:00pm ET
This course examines inclusive restroom design, addressing the diverse needs of various populations and emphasizing the need to both comply with evolving codes and standards but also to move beyond code compliance. It begins with an introduction to Stalled!, a design/research initiative headed by Sanders’ office JSA/MIXdesign that is dedicated to the design and implementation of safe and accessible restroom and locker room prototypes and guidelines, then will move on to discuss examples of Stalled! principles as applied in JSA/MIXdesign’s projects. The course will also explore recent amendments to the International Plumbing Code (IPC), detailing provisions for all-gender multi-user restrooms and single-user facilities. Participants will explore social constructs that have led to spatial discrimination, promoting spatial equity through design. The course will cover best practices for creating safe, accessible public restrooms that address the health, safety, and well-being of people of different ages, genders, religions, and disabilities. Additionally, the course will cover sustainable design practices, including water and energy conservation techniques. You'll gain an understanding of how fixture calculations and placement play a role in accessibility. Finally, the course will address how to navigate code challenges and utilize alternative materials and methods to achieve innovative and inclusive designs. This course is tailored for architects and designers aiming to create inclusive and sustainable spaces while adhering to updated codes and promoting equality of experience.