Gallaudet UniversityTechnical design decisions of an architect or engineer can greatly impact people of society who have disabilities. While there are policies in place, like ADA requirements, some architects are looking beyond that checklist that must be obeyed, and trying to actively design for deaf people. They are small decisions in the design of a building that could have a positive impact on the deaf community.
Gallaudet University in Washington, DC is using thoughtful architecture to benefit their deaf students. |
Design Decision(s) |
Deaf communication is both visual and kinetic offering some unique challenges. Careful consideration went into the “little things”, like making wide entryways for signers to have more space to gesture as they walk side-by-side, automatic doors that allow for uninterrupted communication (not grabbing a handle), horseshoe, and circular desks and tables to gather. Glass walls facilitate natural light that is extremely important to illuminate signing and reduce glares. Decisions are made, where possible, to include gentle ramps instead of stairs, so people do not have to look down and concentrate on each step and curves in hallways rather than sharp corners for a broader line of sight. Open hallways and lobbies allow people to see and sign between levels of the building. Details down to the choice of wall color and furniture enable deaf communication. The University’s new dorm building, Living and Learning Residence Hall 6 (LLRH6), completed in 2012, incorporated these design aspects and the DeafSpace approach.
|
Social Impact |
There has emerged a new design and architecture philosophy, DeafSpace, which focuses on designing for the unique needs of the deaf. Headed by architects, the DeafSpace Project developed DeafSpace Guidelines that address five elements of the built environment: space and proximity, sensory reach, mobility and proximity, light and color, and acoustics. These architects are going beyond the required ADA checklist and designing with deaf people in mind. Anticipating the challenges these users face in the typical built environment. These design decisions may seem narrow in scope, for a specific part of society- the deaf community. However, these are simple, small details in the building that can also offer other benefits. Open lobbies and wide walkways are appealing for other reasons beyond serving the deaf. These are small decisions in design that could have far-reaching benefits to society.
|
Resources
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/magazine/wp/2019/09/12/feature/the-rise-of-deafarchitecture
https://www.gallaudet.edu/campus-design-and-planning/deafspace
https://www.washingtonian.com/2016/01/13/gallaudet-universitys-brilliant-surprisingarchitecture-for-the-deaf/
https://infoguides.rit.edu/c.php?g=545353&p=3740593
https://www.gallaudet.edu/campus-design-and-planning/deafspace
https://www.washingtonian.com/2016/01/13/gallaudet-universitys-brilliant-surprisingarchitecture-for-the-deaf/
https://infoguides.rit.edu/c.php?g=545353&p=3740593