"Listening to architecture, creating spaces".
Our team passed the selection panel to participate in grant of European Comission via project of Pro Arte Institute (St.Petersburg) "Design for all" - http://www.proarte.ru/events/master-klass-dizayn-dlya-vsekh/
Client/Object
Karelian State Philharmonic Hall - main philharmonic hall in Karelia region, northwest of Russia, capital city Petrozavodsk.
Objectives
to assess the accessibility of Philharmonic Hall building and its surrounding to the need of all target groups,
provide recomendations on object friendly environment (attention to the need of blind and visually impaired people), implement ideas.
provide recomendations on object friendly environment (attention to the need of blind and visually impaired people), implement ideas.
Process
Our group had a chance to study the issue from the very beginning, to get to know the world of visually impaired people, with the support of main specialists in this field: Marjo Mäenpää (professor, Finland), specialist from Library for the blind (St.Petersburg), defectology specialists from Kids Library for the blind (Petrozavodsk).
Methods
observation, simulation, interview of blind guides, brainstorming, 3d modeling, 3d printing.
Primary data and research
Solutions, provided in several spheres:
physical accessibility
informational availability
objects
navigation
objects
navigation
Adaptation for visually impaired people:
- Navigation system (tactile plan, tactile map, navigational lines on the floor and walls, warning signals)
- Informational and educational resources
- Safety
Core adaptation principles:
- Large, readable signes, relief, Braille
- Elimination of desorienting glare
- Clear route
- Accentuation of objects of attraction
Plan of philharmonic hall, with main navigation lines
Navigation lines to the main points of attractions (cashier office and garderobe), large relief signs, tactile map of the building
Rapms for people who use wheelchairs, family people with baby trolleys, parking slot for bicyiclists
Navigation lines on the stairs, information desk for the 2nd floor
Navigation lines to the seats, navigation route on the walls
Special needs solution for the stairs, tactile beginning and end of the stairs, tactile line on the ramp, info desk
Demonstrative navigation route for the philharmonic hall
Real tactile map of the 1st floor with relief and braille naming
Real tactile map of the 2nd floor
Tactile map and interactive board with musical instruments on the 2nd floor
One of the principles we used for our adaptable environment included "informational interaction".
So our team decided to make interactive tactile map with musical instruments.
1st part of the map is the scheme of symphonic orchestra
2nd part of the map is 3d printed relief of musical instruments with QR coded sound the instrument (we discoverd that visually impaired people are using smartphones and they do use QR-code scan as well).
Tactile orchestra map with braille
3d - printed relief of musical instrument + QR-coded sound
Tactile signes of main attraction points (cashier, garderobe, exit, main hall, toilette)
We suggested color coding for philharmonic hall and presented an idea for communication application, which scan the color code and give notice to a person in which part of the philharmonic hall he is.
We also used this color coding for marketing material which could be used by the institution.
Conept of color coded entrance zone with musical stairs, when every stair is coded with a sound. Step after step creates melody
