DeafSpace

DeafSpace Design Project at Gallaudet

The DeafSpace Design project at Gallaudet began in 2005 during the designing phase for a new building on campus that later would come to be known as Sorenson Language Communication Center. During the design stage of the project, the university retained the service of a third party—Hansel Bauman of HBHM Architects—to lead a 2-day workshop. The workshop consisted mainly of deaf participants along with several deaf architects, and focused on exploring whether there is an underlying commonality or principle behind the way deaf people design their space. This led to a consensus realization and reaffirmation of the idea that, due to sensory orientation, deaf individuals do hold a unique perspective on what good design means. Participants of the workshop worked together to formulate a broad statement on the principle of Deaf aesthetics. The statement identified three main areas that guide the way deaf people conceptualize and occupy space: spatial awareness, language and communication, and collectivism.

Sensory orientation serves as an epistemological starting point for design research and process. This platform was inspired by countless anecdotes, including remarks and observations made by historical figures in the Deaf community and work by academics like a professor of Deaf Studies at Gallaudet University. Benjamin Bahan published a series of articles that discuss how sensory orientation of Deaf individuals is primarily visual, kinesethic, and tactile. It went on to discuss how it plays a vital role in shaping the way they navigate space, occupy space, and relate to one another.

[Page 293]DeafSpace Design seeks to hold these discussions about sensory orientation and its role in Deaf people’s everyday experiences.