Panah-Gah:

Abstract

The existing architectural practice is regarded as primarily a visual field where the sense of sight dominates the other senses. Architectural projects are commonly described by their form, color and dimensions rather than their feel, sounds and air quality. The purpose of this thesis is to recognize the potential of a multi-sensory environment in order to create a space for vision-less people who depend largely on the remaining senses. Panah-gah, is a center for the visually impaired community, providing them a space for activity, play, skill learning and social interaction in a city that lacks any such platforms. The research conducted for this project develops a phenomenological approach, aiming to investigate the translation of senses into architectonics of space, creating a multi-sensory experience for the users. The user specificity is taken into account by holding various interviews and questionnaires that clarify their understanding of space and the use of sensory cues for orientation and direction, measuring of distances and recognition of places. This thesis hence ventures into accomplishing a design that is guided by the senses. The design tries to accommodate and explore architecture enriched with haptic, auditory, and olfactory cues. The project divides into zones, each housing a set of programs, and each providing a distinct sensory environment.