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Textured Wood and Braille Features Enhance Accessibility in Residential Design

Authors:
Veron Tordai-soós, Ilinca Ilovan, Andrea Keri
Textured Wood and Braille Features Enhance Accessibility in Residential Design
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Incorporating textured wood flooring and Braille engravings, the residence enhances navigability and sensory engagement, offering a thoughtful environment for individuals with visual impairments.
5 key facts about this project
01
Incorporates textured wood flooring as a navigational aid for visually impaired users.
02
Features Braille engravings on entrance panels to communicate core values.
03
Design includes a central corridor connecting key functional areas seamlessly.
04
Uses carefully designed acoustical treatments to enhance positive sound experiences.
05
Integrates a sensory-rich backyard with varied textures and aromatic plants.

The design prioritizes accessibility and comfort for individuals with visual impairments. The overall concept focuses on reducing barriers between spaces to create a connected living experience. By eliminating door thresholds and unnecessary changes in materials, the design allows for smooth transitions throughout the home. A central corridor connects essential areas like the garage, front door, and backyard patio, making daily activities easy to navigate.

Design Intent

The main goal of the design is to enhance accessibility through thoughtful layout. The central corridor acts as a backbone, enabling users to move through the space without obstacles. By creating specific areas that are still connected, the design aids in orientation and usability, particularly benefiting those who may have difficulty seeing.

Acoustic and Lighting Strategies

Attention to sound and light plays a significant role in the overall experience. Acoustic treatments have been applied to limit background noise and highlight pleasant sounds, such as footsteps, which helps create a peaceful atmosphere. The lighting is designed to be soft and neutral, reducing glare and making the space more comfortable to navigate. This careful control of light contributes to feelings of safety and ease within the home.

Textured Elements and Sensory Landscape

Textured wood flooring is a key feature, offering tactile feedback that helps with orientation. The design continues into the backyard, where horizontal and vertical surfaces provide additional textures. A waterfall serves as a visual and auditory element, adding to the natural ambiance. Aromatic plants and flowers further enrich the sensory environment, creating a vibrant space that engages multiple senses.

Incorporation of Braille

At the entrance, perforated metal sheets carry Braille engravings with words like “trust, home, shelter, and love.” This detail emphasizes the commitment to inclusivity and accessibility. By incorporating Braille into the entrance, the design clearly communicates its values and enhances the experience of all visitors. The entrance becomes a welcoming gateway, echoing the project’s overall aim of creating a supportive and nurturing environment.

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The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025: Celebrating Architectural Creativity and Visionary Unbuilt Designs with a Total Prize Fund of €100,000

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Competition organisers

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 is an international architecture competition dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the value of unrealized architectural designs. It invites architects, designers, and students worldwide to submit visionary projects that have not yet been constructed, highlighting the power of ideas and the creativity behind the design process. By focusing on unbuilt work, the competition aims to bring forward concepts that shape the future of architecture and push the boundaries of the profession. 

Participants can compete in three categories based on project scale: Small Wonders (up to 100 m²), Medium Marvels (101–999 m²), and Large Visions (over 1,000 m²). Each category winner will receive €20,000, and additional prizes include honorable mentions, student awards, and a special Best Presentation Award. Winning projects will gain significant international exposure through Buildner’s publicity campaign and a feature article on ArchDaily, providing a unique opportunity to showcase creative ideas to a global audience. 

The Buildner’s Unbuilt Award 2025 encourages entrants to submit any type of unbuilt project, from conceptual visions to detailed designs, celebrating bold innovation without the constraints of realization. Important deadlines: registration closes on October 30, 2025; submissions are due by November 20, 2025; winners will be announced on December 17, 2025.

Buildner's Unbuilt Award 2025

Celebrating your unbuilt architecture visions with a €100,000 prize

100,000€ Prize / 2025 ideas COMPETITION
Prize 100,000 €
Eligibility Open to all
Final registration deadline 30 October 2025

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