INSTITUTE FOR VISUALLY IMPAIRED Multi Sensory Architecture

Abstract

The privileging of the sense of sight over the other senses is evident in the architecture of our century. Even we as architects while designing a building consider visual aesthetics as the most important part of our design, and although the rest of the senses are also catered but the sense of sight is a centre of focus. Based on these observation the topic of this thesis focuses on the role of the rest of the senses in architecture and the part they play in achieving the concept of phenomenology in a space. Phenomenology basically talks about the experience of built space and the building elements in their sensory aspects. Since designing an experience is a unique responsibility of an architect so the theory of phenomenology acknowledges this responsibility by implementing sensory design in order to establish experiential, architectural space. The existential purpose of architecture is to make a site become a place that is to uncover the meanings potentially present in the environment. (Norberg-Schulz) Since the concept of phenomenology talks more about the role of the user in architecture, so the users hold a very important position regarding this concept, which in case of this project are visually impaired people. The reason behind choosing these people as users is the fact; that due to the absence or weakness of one sense, the rest of their senses become more alert. So these are the people who are most conscious about the building experience. The experience and ambience of the space guides them. Thus the thesis aims to design an institute for visually impaired kids based on multisensory architecture to achieve experience-based spaces. The age group of children that it caters to is from 3-12 years. In this way a visually impaired child starts his educational journey here and he becomes independent enough by the age of 12 years so he can integrate into the society just like any other kid. Using multisensory architecture as a design technique, the spaces will be designed keeping in mind their sensory aspect on all scales. By all scales it is meant that the spaces will be designed keeping in mind such aspects on macro scale like spatial configuration and also on micro level that includes the minute details like materials' textures, the sounds they make, their smells, all these elements will be integrated in the project, which will assist the users throughout the building, and also enhance their sensory receptions. As nature plays an important role while talking about phenomenology and healing spaces, sointegration of nature into built spaces will also be an important part of thesis. Apart from achieving the above mentioned design objectives, the thesis also aims at accomplishing certain programmatic objectives. These objectives include improving the lifestyle of the users, as the design concept itself revolves around the users. So this project aims at integrating such programmers in the building, which prepare the users to pursue an independent life afterwards, and which brings them to the same level as the other people. The building contains therapy areas, which include therapy rooms as well as therapeutic gardens, also there will be studios teaching the kids certain forms of arts, just like in any other school. Also this building includes a sports centre, where there will be sports activities catering to the special needs of visually impaired kids.