Th is learning center for blind children is about designing a building with space and haptic sensory, which aims to help them learn to percept the world better. Through the literature of the psychology of blind children, there comes to two common phenomena: one is that blind children are lacking the sense of space, the other they use more tactile or auditory to percept rather than the sense of smell and taste. Therefore, this learning center focuses on space and haptic sensory design. About the space, scales are made fully used to help blind children develop a sense of space. Topography on the ground, the pavilion in the playroom, and the form of the learning center itself, the repeating form in different scales for children to feel aims to help them understand the space better. When it comes to haptic sensory, an interesting way is created for blind children to experience by offering haptic textures like folding handrails, navigation patterns to hear while using tactile, and the experience wall as shelves with something can smell on them.

By restricting the material, it is urged to consider the use of the material profoundly. Not only has steel been used as haptic texture, but it is also applied thoroughly for structure. Space frame with steel panels cladding on it provides a free but firm structure, while both sides cladding plays a role in thermal. Besides, the experience wall works in supporting the second floor as well. Though the steel is the main material, concrete slab and timber floor and topography are used in case collision.

Overall, a profound study of steel usages has been shown through 3 scales’ spacing design and the series of haptic sensory design, which aims to let blind children percept the building and form their orientations in the building. Furthermore, the ramp and garden element applied in the landscape design, not only complete the design but also provide accessibility.

Group work: Xiangyu Lu