Creating a place where the building would reveal the sense of connection Deafpeople feel• between one another—a strong sense of community.• to openness and light—a space of well-being.• to nature as constant reminder of the natural condition of deafness• and of the physical image of a place that expresses Deaf history andculture

Deaf architecture

Space: addresses desired qualities of the place we inhabit

Light: addresses the natural condition we desire that enables our eyes to see the place we inhabit.

Composition: identifies the broad concepts that ultimately form light and space. Form: addresses the physical elements that build-up from the plan concept and enclose space.

Materiality: addresses the qualities of form that influence the place we inhabit.

Deaf architectural principles.

SPACE

An overarching spatial condition ofopenness—a smooth flow of space from public to shared to private spaces—shall envelop the building to provide the visual access necessary to understandand navigate through the building.

• “Openness is a metaphor for no barriers”

• “See all floors like the Grand Hyatt”

• “Allow space to flow through the building”

SPACE

The public areas should feel comfortable for everyone….”where we can see one another from a distance… but also have a private conversation.”

The building should be easy to get around in but the experience of moving through the building should be [spatially] interesting—there needs to be some surprise in the building!

“Provide different spaces in the public area that allows for several different kinds of events to take place at once.”

SPACESPACE

Stairs that have a vertical opening between switchback flights accommodate a more graceful movement and allow views to others across the open space. Seeing a colleague descending the opposing stair flight reduces the chance of collision on the intersection

Stairs

SPACE

Space Dimension & Well-being

Increased dimensions - signing spaceEngaging in a signed conversation, observers will position themselves at a distance from one another for a clear view of of the signer’s “signing space” Large and small groups alike naturally take on an arc configuration as they position for a clear sight line to one another. As a result, the dimension of gathering places for the deaf community such as meeting rooms, classrooms and even outdoor spaces will tend to be greater than standard requirements. The person per square foot ratio for deaf spaces tends to be less than standard requirements. These are important considerations early on in the programming phase of a project.

Degree of enclosure

For the hearing, physical enclosure is associated with a sense of security. But for the deaf, open spaces that allows for visual control over the surrounding area brings a sense of security and wellbeing. Too much enclosure creates feelings of isolation which tends to reduce “pro-social behavior”. Too little enclosure creates feelings of exposure which tends to reduce concentration and productivity and increase stress. What is the right balance between visual access and enclosure for the deaf

Mobility & Language

In order to facilitate signed conversation while walking, deaf people require wider sidewalks and pathways to accommodate movement while signing, especially in groups of more than two people. Pathway flow should course smoothly without abrupt transitions and sudden angles.

Pathway dimension and flow

Primary walks and paths should be a minimum of eight feet wide. This is true for corridors and hallways as well as outdoor pathways

Pathway dimension

Sensing vibrations is one way Deaf persons are aware of their environment.Vibration can be controlled to heighten awareness. The controlled transmission of vibration can heighten the awareness of a space and the activities within it. Vibration between spaces, however, can mask beneficial vibrations and cause confusion.

1 Enhanced vibration for spatial awareness2 Reduce unwanted neighboring vibration3Sound absorptive walls and ceilings4Reduce background noise from equipment

Vibrations within and between spaces

LIGHT

To clearly see sign language there should be light without shadows orglare—no backlighting!

Spaces should be lit using an even, balanced day lighting strategy whenever possible. Windows and/or clerestory windows on at least two sides of any space will help create an even, balanced lighting condition.

Outdoor night lighting is very important for safety and a feeling of well-being. Light sources should be diffused or shielded so that the light source is not directly visible, to avoid glare. It is desirable to light buildings, surfaces, and objects as well as pathways.

COMPOSITION

The center is a Circle [or Square] an open area with a mobilecelebrating the Deaf Experience, signifying freedom from oppression

Building layouts shall enable an intuitive understanding of public, shared,and private zones and easy visual orientation.

Key destination points such as entries to shared spaces and academicdepartments should be easily viewed from a central public area.

All concepts focused on a central public space, tiedinto the campus pedestrian circulation system

Public spaces: In the public areas of the building, configure forms such as stairs, and balconies to provide a variety of opportunities to see othersand to be seen by others. (e.g. “The stair could function as a seating areafor the amphitheater.”)

FORM

The main public area could have level changes to see-out from and bemore like a landscape.”

The “space in-between”

FORM

Stepped forms for seating

Simple forms or even furnishings that places to set belongings down in order to free-up ones hands for conversation”.

Deaf people in conversation form circles and arcs. Fixed landscape seating can be provided in flowing, arched arrangements that allow for informal conversation

Street furniture such as benches, bus stops, signage, etc. should be placed out of primary pedestrian circulation to ease flow, Clusters of street furniture can make good stopping and conversation points, especially when the furniture is chosen to create places to put things down. Places to lean and to perch are also appreciated. Deaf people who have their hands full cannot engage in conversation. Choose or design landscape and furniture elements that incorporate flat surfaces and ledges.

Street furniture

MATERIALITY

The color palette should account for varying skin tones to provide a contrasting background to better see sign language.

“Tiles with sign language features as part of the floor design”

Signage could include images of sign language

Use “glass exterior surfaces for visual interaction with the environment”

“Provide glass walls at entry points of public and shared spaces to createmore inviting entries.

Provide glass walls that allow views into collaborative/shared spaces frompublic spaces to view/display work in progress.

Use mirrors or glass at corners to enable visual access “around corners”

MATERIALITY

Keep the overall contrast of materials to a minimum

Use glass and other reflective surfaces carefully, glare and unwantedreflections are visually distracting

Use surface articulation to strategically to enhance orientation and “wayfinding”

MATERIALITY

Way finding elementsLandmarks, artifacts, nodes, gateways and points of interest are all orientation devices within a larger scheme of wayfinding.

Way finding systemsVariations in color, texture, design motif, and numbering systems can help break down large structures into comprehensible parts, providing coded systems that help the viewer understand where they are within a larger whole.

Way finding

A well-designed environment minimizes the need for signage, incorporating features that suggest intuitively where to go. When needed, signage should emphasize clarity.

District Markers •Visual Icons that announce arrival to each district along the corridor.•Markers act as orienting and way-finding elements within the streetscape•Markers are color-coded to differentiate districts

Way finding

2.9 Seating nodes and pathway flowDeaf people in conversation form circles and arcs. Fixed landscape seating can be provided in flowing, arched arrangements that allow for informal conversation. These seating pockets can be formed from widened areas along pathways, and marked with textural cues

Major buildings should contain clear directories located at all building entrances that provide a clear plan of the building with major destinations marked. At major pedestrian entrances to the campus, overall campus maps and directories should be provided with a clear visual map showing major destinations

Building and campus directories and plans

Deaf people inhabit a highly visual world; they have a visual and spatial language anda visually-centered way of orienting within the world around them. It shouldfollow, then, that the environment they build be completely responsive to andexpressive of deaf ways of being

conclusion