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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 Next House: USA — A Global Call to Reimagine the American Suburb

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Competition organisers

Buildner is launching The Next House: USA, a global architecture competition that challenges architects, designers, and thinkers to reimagine the American suburban home for the 21st century. For decades, the suburban house has symbolized comfort and stability, but today it often reflects excess, isolation, and environmental strain. This competition asks: how can the American home evolve to address climate urgency, economic pressures, and shifting social values?

Participants are tasked with designing a prototype home of no more than 1,500 sq ft (≈140 m²) for a household of two adults and one child. The design should be compact yet generous, adaptable, sustainable, affordable, and replicable across diverse U.S. contexts. More than a design exercise, the competition aims to spark a conversation about how homes can support healthier, smarter, and more connected communities.

The total prize fund is $20,000 USD. The final registration deadline is May 20, 2026, and winners will be announced on September 22, 2026. The Next House: USA invites architects, students, and visionaries worldwide to redefine what the American home means today—and what it should mean tomorrow.

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