Creative Studios

Photography by Crumb 

We took an inclusive approach led to a unique design concept for Sense Arts. Created to celebrate their community and raise awareness of inclusive design in communal spaces.

We created braille patterns as part of a playful visual language to establish a sense of place, that is used as both a decorative and functional aspect of the design approach. The braille design communicates through a lettering and numbering system to help categorise and organise the plentiful storage available. We made the braille panels in relief on the furniture as a sensory aspect that can be read by touch. The contrasting visual qualities help to aid visually impaired users and the orange circles correspond to the overall Sense Arts branding identity and are used as details throughout the design.

“We are delighted with the outcome of the project and feel incredibly proud of the legacy this will create. These spaces will enable us to create innovative spaces for disabled artists’ audiences and communities, where people with complex disabilities are creative leaders, now and in the future.”

Stephanie Stephanie Tyrrell
Head of Arts,
Sense Arts Charity

We used the warmth of the birch plywood to bring a calming tone to the spaces, in contrast to the established clinical interiors and corporate style furniture often seen within wider areas of social care. The pegboards throughout the scheme enable Sense Arts and the community to curate and adapt the space for sport sessions or for exhibition events. A flexible and adaptable storage system was also required for multiple users to enable art equipment to be moved across to different locations, workshops, and events. This is needed to optimise storage solutions for an array of different art disciplines across performance, music, and visual arts.

The furniture we created includes a mobile storage, flip-up desk space and a purpose-built mobile Art Cart. This was specially designed as a fun hub for art adventures and includes activity trays and flip upsides which enable accessibility for wheelchair users. It can be used for a variety of workshops and welcoming events for visitors.