Differences in Sweden´s & Minnesota´s Building Legislation with a focus on accessibillity

This bachelor thesis examines and compares the differences between the functional requirements according to accessibility that exist in the construction and design for a single-family dwelling in Sweden, compared to the US state of Minnesota. During the construction of a single-family dwelling there is a building legislation that both Sweden and Minnesota need to consider and follow. Accessibility is one of the areas that is affected by the building legislation. The building legislations for Sweden and Minnesota differ as Minnesota as a state does not have any requirements for accessibility adaptation for single-family dwellings. Sweden on the other hand requires that all new buildings, extensions, and reconstructions meet accessibility requirements and standards. The building legislations for Sweden and Minnesota and their differences are presented in this bachelor thesis by depicting the countries view on accessibility for a single-family dwelling, and how this subject is reflected in the legislation that Sweden and Minnesota have. A comparison between two floor plans has been done, where one floor plan is from a Swedish house manufacturer and the other one from a house manufacturer in Minnesota. There is also an investigation into how accessibility is considered in floor plans, and how they relate to the relevant building legislation. The floor plans have been weighed against each other, and analyzed whether they would be approved based on requirements and conditions in each country. The differences in the building legislation showed that the Swedish floor plan would be approved in Minnesota, while the floor plan designed for individuals without disabilities in Minnesota, on the other hand, would not be approved in Sweden. The facts that have been obtained were considered in the design of an alternative floor plan in the Revit software. A single-family dwelling has been developed based on both Sweden´s and Minnesota´s building legislation according to accessibility. A result of a single-family dwelling with approved accessibility in both countries is presented in this thesis.