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Thea-Adine Ellingsdalen Sandbech

Department: Furniture and spatial design/interior architecture

Nationality: Norway

E-mail: t.sandbech@gmail.com

 

Turapi

How can a linking of measures in architecture and nature enhance the experience of space for the visually impaired in a suburban natural landscape?

An investigation of how spaces in nature can be made functionally available and sensory for the visually impaired. Based on the wishes and needs of visually impaired persons, the number of barriers in society need to be reduced and the spectrum of experiences increased. By delving into environmental psychology, the goal is to create both constructed and natural environments that contribute to belonging, safety and well-being for this user group.

What did you want to explore?

The project is based on the wish for increased understanding of the environment’s influence – both man-made and natural. With sensory accessibility and environmental psychology as a backdrop, I wanted to explore how space can be adapted to benefit all of our senses, not just eyesight. It was interesting to see what needs and wishes visually impaired people have regarding space, when they actively use the senses more consciously to understand the surroundings. Although much has been done in universal design for the visually impaired, there remains a scope of adaptations and facilitation to expose more opportunities and experiences in the community. Therefore, I wanted to explore how a specific space outdoors in nature can contribute to increased well-being, belonging and safety for this user group.

How have you chosen to solve this task?

With the needs and wishes of the visually impaired as a basis, I have designed space-to-façade rather than façade-to-space. By incorporating functional needs early on in the process, it allowed me to create adapted spaces that contribute to easy orientation, overview and control. Inspired by nature's characteristics, I have used openness, contrast, tactility, sound, light, movement and shape in a spatial translation. It will help create a sensory experience and feeling of space that encourages movement, exploration and discovery. The positive impressions should increase your presence and distract us from worries and stress. People are attracted by what we consider to be beautiful, and we often associate this with positive experiences and good qualities. Therefore, I have looked at the aesthetic qualities that can contribute to increased well-being in a space; order and coherence, moderate complexity, features of natural elements, good maintenance, openness and overview, views and daylight, as well as continuity. In the long term, this way of designing spaces can be a guide and an example of how spaces can and should be designed for both people with visual impairments, but also everyone else. By using Rundemanen, Storfjellet in Bergen as a location, I have explored how these characteristics and qualities can be implemented.

Specifically, who will benefit from your project? 

Primarily, the visually impaired will have the opportunity to be included more in society, where both the spectrum of experiences and the number of opportunities will increase. In most cases, people with a sensory or disability impairment are worse off financially, which also contributes to limitations. This will be free of charge and will offer families and friends the opportunity to go on a trip together. The Norwegian Trekking Association and other outdoor activities organisations will have the opportunity to go on a day trip, as well as everyone else who fancies an adventurous and different trip.

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