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Quiet everywhere, Deaf everywhere - will designing for the Deaf be a given?

26 of January '25
w skrócie
  1. DeafSpace is an accessible space for deaf people, taking into account five principles: mobility, proximity, visual accessibility, sensory reach and acoustics.
  2. You'll encounter wide corridors and bright spaces, but not nooks and crannies.
  3. The principles include using even lighting, avoiding glare and shadows, and using texture to reduce reflections.
  4. Space for the Deaf minimizes noise and vibration, introduces visual and vibration alarm systems.
  5. For more interesting information, visit the home page of the AiB portal

Gallaudet University's campus is a place that combines historic heritage with modern design principles for accessible spaces based on sign language and the needs of deaf people, according to DeafSpace guidelines.

Washington, D.C., Gallaudet University. Architecture fans flock here to photograph the campus, which was designed in 1866 by Frederick Law Olmsted, known for his design of Central Park in New York City. Since 2005, however, the site has attracted attention with something else - the DeafSpace project. That's when Hansel Bauman of HBHM Architects began working here with the American School for the Deaf on the creation of anAmerican Sign Language (ASL) accessibility compliant site.

The university was to become the first accessible place for Deaf people - the goal was to create the aforementioned DeafSpace. The partnership resulted in a design guide with recommendations for more than 150 architectural elements. The guidelines address five key areas that should be considered when creating accessible places - especially for Deaf people. The principles include: mobility, proximity and neighborhood, visual accessibility, sensory outreach, and acoustics.

DeafSpace - spaces designed for deaf people

These are not rules that are completely different from spaces encountered every day. The rooms are designed to allow free communication in sign language - we have a wide field of vision available, without massive columns or narrow passages. Corners and dark alleys are avoided. To start a conversation, eye contact is required, and there is ample space around the shoulders to blink comfortably (space to blink). When gathering in larger groups, Deaf people tend to form circles that allow all individuals to communicate with each other. This way of communicating requires stepping outside the rigid corset of cramped spaces; space is needed to accommodate all types of interaction.

Space is not only a place to be, but also to move around, which is why DeafSpace also relies on the width of the corridors. This layout allows sign-language speakers to keep their gestures natural and their communication clear, without having to turn their heads frequently or worry that they will accidentally hit something. It's quite logical - if we are signing, we should have enough space to fit at least two people walking side by side. Sudden turns, sudden changes of direction should be avoided. The creators of the guidelines argue that ramps are better than stairs because they promote a smoother flow of traffic and reduce the risk of tripping. Stairs, if necessary, should be configured to facilitate ease of use, providing the ability to communicate in sign language while maintaining smooth movement. Peripheral vision is also used to help orient oneself and anticipate changes in one's path. Therefore, it is advisable to use spatial cues - arcades, rhythmic elements that help with navigation.

How does sign language affect space design?

Emphasis has also been placed on even lighting. Deaf and hard-of-hearing people rely heavily on visual communication methods such as sign language, lip reading and facial expressions. Bright but non-glare light eliminates contrasting, harsh shadows that make it difficult to read facial expressions and gestures. Glare and expressive shadows not only interfere with this process, but also lead to eye fatigue and decreased concentration. Throughout the university campus, elements have been used to help control daylight and disperse the sun's harsh rays. One such solution is blinds, which not only reduce direct sunlight, but also create a more comfortable visual environment. Canopies over outdoor paths serve a similar function, providing pleasant shade and protection from blinding light. Complementing this strategy is artificial light, which can easily be adapted as needed. In the presentation rooms, variable lighting systems have been designed to suit different types of speeches. Lights can be dimmed in selected areas, while providing adequate lighting for presenters and sign language interpreters to facilitate visibility of gestures and facial expressions. In the evenings, public spaces are enlivened by subtly placed "pools of light" - subtle zones of illumination that encourage meetings and interactions in larger, open spaces. In most places, light is directed at surfaces, eliminating pinpoint glare and shadows.

Colors matter, too. In DeafSpace, colors are chosen to create a harmonious but legible arrangement, making it easier to observe facial expressions and movements. Surface texture also matters - it helps reduce reflected light that can interfere with visual communication. Instead of highly reflective or even mirror-like materials (steel, glass, polished stone), it is better to use matte or slightly rough finishes. And here's a little asterisk - in selected spaces, strategically placed mirrors can help visually, allowing users to better perceive their surroundings. As they write on their website: "We use mirrors and other reflective surfaces to let you know if someone is approaching you from behind." All of this works to make the space clearer and friendlier.

Acoustics and sensory, or minimizing noise

Acoustics is also included in the accessibility guidelines. This one matters, albeit in an unusual way - the idea is to minimize vibrations and unpleasant sounds that can disturb the environment. Also very important is the accessibility of alarms and audio messages - in a situation where hearing people immediately respond to a signal, for the Deaf, accessibility is provided by visual systems. Thus, for example, doorbells activate lighting inside a private space to contact the occupant of the room, and clock alarms are vibrating devices. Alarm systems, on the other hand, use a combination of visual notifications and vibration. All of this is done to be sure that all residents are notified, even if the alarm starts when someone is in the restroom. People have different hearing abilities, and many people use hearing aids, cochlear implants or other assistive listening devices to help their hearing range - but this is not a system that replaces "normal" hearing. These devices amplify all sounds, including background noise, often to uncomfortable and even painful levels. Proper design involves minimizing unnecessary noise and reverberation.

A vision for accessibility on the Gallaudet campus

Hansel Bauman has been the campus architect at Gallaudet University for 20 years. In an interview about the site, he said the entire plan is based on the site's heritage and desire for accessibility. Gallaudet was founded as a school for deaf and blind children, and at the time it was outside the planned Washington area. The area immediately surrounding the campus has urbanized over the past century and a half, and is now a bilingual institution of higher learning that provides intellectual and professional development for the Deaf and hard of hearing. Over the years, the university has grown, adapting both its teaching methods and spaces to meet the needs of its students, learning from them how to address the challenges they face while creating an increasingly safe and comfortable environment for them. These lessons have evolved into design guidelines, created to educate the architectural community on strategies that can be used to create more accessible spaces.

Magdalena Milert

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