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Textured Walls Enhancing Navigation in a Home for the Blind

Author:
Andre Halim
Textured Walls Enhancing Navigation in a Home for the Blind

Project in-detail

Differentiated by its textured walls that aid in spatial orientation, the residence offers blind individuals a navigable home designed for independence and comfort.
5 key facts about this project
01
Walls are designed as tactile guides to assist navigation.
02
A corridor width of 1.1 meters enhances mobility and safety.
03
Distinct textured patterns on walls provide spatial orientation.
04
Natural light is integrated to create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
05
Internal walls also serve structural functions beyond separation.

The design centers on creating a home specifically for blind individuals, highlighting their abilities rather than disabilities. Located in a mindful environment, the residence aims to provide accessibility and encourage independence. The concept emphasizes how thoughtful design can make daily navigation easier, helping occupants connect with their surroundings without relying on sight.

Walls as Directional Tools

Walls play a crucial role in guiding movement throughout the home. They are not just barriers; they act as helpful assistants for navigation. By using walls as tactile guides, blind individuals can move through the space with confidence. A corridor that is 1.1 meters wide supports this idea, allowing occupants to walk and maintain contact with the walls, ensuring safety and ease of movement.



Differentiation in Wall Patterns

The design includes different patterns and textures on internal and external walls to aid in spatial orientation. By varying these surfaces, the layout provides essential sensory feedback. This enables blind individuals to navigate their environment more easily through touch. The design improves the overall experience by helping occupants understand the space around them better.



Functionality of Internal Walls

Internal walls serve multiple purposes beyond separating areas within the home. They also support furniture and the roof, contributing to the structure's stability. This thoughtful combination ensures that every element is functional, maximizing the use of space. The separation of the roof from the external walls allows natural light to enter, enhancing the home’s quality while avoiding overwhelming visual effects.



Natural Light Integration

Light enters the home indirectly, creating a soft and inviting atmosphere. This approach enriches the indoor environment without relying on direct visual cues. The design prioritizes a warm ambiance, promoting comfort. This detail aligns with the goal of providing a welcoming space for blind individuals, making the home feel both safe and inviting.

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MICROHOME 10: Celebrating Small-Scale Living with €100,000 Prize Fund and Kingspan’s Innovation

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Competition organisers

The MICROHOME 10 competition invites participants to submit visionary designs for off-grid, modular microhomes that push the limits of sustainable, small-scale living. Organised by Buildner in partnership with Kingspan and Hapi Homes, this tenth edition sets the challenge of designing a dwelling for two people within a maximum floor area of 25 m², encouraging bold solutions adaptable to any urban or rural location. The competition continues Buildner’s mission to foster innovative approaches to compact, energy-efficient housing that can address pressing global challenges.

This year’s edition offers a generous total prize fund of €100,000, including the Kingspan Award for designs that integrate high-performance Kingspan products and the Hapi Homes Award for a project selected for real-world construction. In addition to cash prizes, the winners gain international exposure through Buildner’s media partnerships, publications, and a dedicated MICROHOME magazine, further amplifying their ideas to the wider architectural community.

Key dates for MICROHOME 10 include the closing date for registration on 25 September 2025, the submission deadline on 29 October 2025 (11:59 p.m. London time), and the announcement of winners on 9 December 2025. These milestones ensure participants have clear timelines to develop and present their concepts, with early registration discounts available to support students and emerging designers worldwide.

MICROHOME

Design a new small-scale home concept in the 10th edition of MICROHOME — 100,000 € prize + construction

100,000 € Prize Fund / Kingpsan Edition #10 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 € + Potential realisation
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 25 September 2025

Enter an open architecture
competition now

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