Waves of senses; a focus on enjoyful outdoor bathing experiences tailored to individuals with a visual impairment
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Master's Thesis
Master's Thesis
Program
Architecture and planning beyond sustainability (MPDSD), MSc
Publicerad
2024
Författare
Larsson, Rebecca
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
Vision is the most dominant of our senses and not only shapes our learning but
also influences our orientation and social interactions in society. However,
architecture has long been dominated by visual aesthetics, neglecting the
potential of other senses in shaping our environments. Pallasamaa (2012)
urges architects to transcend the emphasis on vision and look beyond the
privileged sense.
In alignment with these perspectives, this thesis will investigate how
multisensory design can promote greater experiences in architecture. It seeks
to investigate whether incorporating senses beyond vision—such as touch,
sound, and smell—into the design process can foster a deeper understanding
of spaces.
Drawing from personal experiences, including memories of outdoor swimming
with my grandmother, whose sight during later years has increasingly gotten
worse and limited her everyday life. Engaging in activities she used to love,
for example, going for a swim, is a challenge today due to fear of falling
or being unable to enter or exit the water. I believe this is not just a concern
for my grandmother but for others as well, young and old with a visual
impairment. Everyone should have the same rights and possibilities to enjoy
our public spaces. Therefore, this thesis has investigated how an outdoor
bathing area in the Gothenburg archipelago could be developed tailored to
individuals with varying degrees of visual impairments.
The thesis has had a combination of research for design methods where the
process has been influenced by a norm-creative perspective process. The
design has resulted in an enriched sensory experience and provided an
outdoor bathing area accessible and enjoyable for the target group and
those beyond.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Visual impairment, multisensory design, outdoor swimming