Final Speech

Final Speech

870 WORDS 

Mikaela: 

What do you think of when I say, ‘the sound of silence’? For some, perhaps that would mean serenity or peace. However, for many, the reality of silence is confining, where pure assumption becomes a form of survival. Living in an ocular centric world, we assume we can adapt critical information by simply seeing. Those whom suffer know in themselves that they are deaf, however the world seems to be deaf by blindness.  

Today within architecture, informed design judgement is required more than ever. Capturing the lived, embodied experience is essential in creating an environment that invites not only the occupant, but all of their senses. Architecture has formed a narcissistic notion unlike this towards the visual realm,seeking to pleasure the aesthetic desire. 

This investigation will involve an inquiry into sensory design which will be conducted in the form of an experiment and interview. These findings and observations will further educate our design judgement and allow our attitude to become more in tune with creating spaces that promote inclusivity and invigorate the senses.  

Bronte: 

The objective of the experiment was to gain knowledge and insight about the daily experiences of the hearing-impaired community. The inability to use a highly relied upon sense brings many uncertainties, therefore the experiment followed by the interview was a necessary step.  

The experiment was pre-planned to take place at The Junction Café at the Gold Coast Campus which was a familiar space to ensure safety.  

The participant used earbuds and noise cancelling headphones to recreate public interaction with hearing deprivation. The experiment made it clear that the loss of hearing creates a barrier between the individual and their surroundings. The participant noted post experiment that the overwhelming feeling of vulnerability effected her other senses, - 20  rather than heightening them, however her habitus guided her through the exchange and influenced her behaviour.   

The absence of reassurance caused her to overanalyse everything which was further enforced by the architectural design of the space. The undefined space and the placement of the tables, caused her to feel vulnerable, judged and excluded. This was prevalent through the constantly shifting direction of eyesight, reliance on others and uncertainty to proceed.   

These observations broadened our insight into the world of hearing and sensory impairments. To further inform our design judgement, we then interviewed a participant with a hearing impairment.  

Mikaela: 

For our interview, we approached a participant named Nancy White, who has a hearing impairment. 

Nancy expresses her ability to rely on sight as a predominant sense by her ability to read lips and recognize emotions through body language, which allows her to interpret situations. 

Nancy states that these public spaces do not cater for hearing loss, (20) specifically in relation to business retail environments and hospitality venues. Music is frequently at a high volume which results in sound becoming trapped within the structural barriers creating an unbearable situation.  

Due to the participants habitus being formed by her upbringing in 40’s and the correlation to Nancy’s sheltered, reserved life, she finds it extremely difficult to integrate herself into these fast paced, sensory overloading environments.  This is reflective of Merleau Ponty’s theory, that the senses mediate our bodies understanding of our actions. 

Bronte: 

By conducting both the experiment and interview, we were able to identify a clear correlation between two. It would appear that in this case, humanities ocular centric tendencies almost compliment the navigation of public interactions. However, these simple systemic responses are redundant beyond a certain point when our emotional needs, comfortability and safety, are not being met.  

This is evident in the case when the participant stated that she was withdrawn from her surroundings, extremely self-aware and had a lingering uncertainty that was almost debilitating.  

Likewise, Nancy had a similar perspective, and stated that if her hearing had completely diminished, she simply couldn't bear the thought of going outside in any public setting at all. In this case the eye has been suppressed in a way that capitalises on the nihilistic and narcissistic view, which is not idealistic or functional. 

Bronte:  

A doctor's surgery is a great example of a place that majority of people feel vulnerable and uncomfortable whilst occupying. The experiment exhibited a spatial layout that exemplified elements that are similar to the environment and atmosphere at the East-Brooke Medical center in Southport.   

This surgery is extremely cold and sterile which follows the same formula of every basic medical center. They have attempted to make the waiting room inviting and pleasant, although have failed to do so. The rows of chairs face each other and when being called upon for your appointment everyone is aware of your presence. This shows that this space is purely designed for optical fulfillment, rather than taking into consideration the senses and the experience of its users.  

Mikaela: 

Through this analysis it is evident that the interaction between our senses and modern (20) architecture is somewhat distant and underdeveloped. It was deducted that when hearing was deprived within an environment that had limited control, sight exhibited dominance and our habitus intuitively was engaged. By this simple investigation, not only are we able to cognitively make better intentional judgments when it comes to design choices, but we are able to tap into what it means to feel excluded and included psychologically within a space.  

It is recommended that life-enhancing architecture is implemented to create an inviting and inclusive environment. With the clarification of the waiting area at the Cafe, involving the sectioning of a queue and additional visual prompts to clarify where to line up and wait, this will provide functionality and avoid confusion.  

As it was said in The Eyes of the Skin, “When experiencing a work of art, a curious exchange takes place; the work projects its aura, and we project our own emotions and precepts on the work.” Because for what good is a beautiful space when it only emits its beauty to the eyes?  

Thank you.