Colourful sensory furniture

Inclusively designed in collaboration with Sense

CLIENT: Sense

CATEGORY: Charity

PROJECT TYPE: Inclusive design, manufacture and installation

LOCATION: Birmingham, UK

MATERIALS: Birch plywood, Formica

PHOTOGRAPHER: Crumb

APPROACH:

A collaborative process of knowledge exchange, curiosity and dialogue with the Sense team enabled the creation of a design concept driven by an inclusive approach which celebrates their community. This led to the creation of a suite of playful sensory furniture which actively supports learning in multiple ways.

In this Children’s studio, they are invited to experience learning in different ways and become sensory explorers. This enables them to decide where they would like to play, learn and rest by choosing an environment or activity to engage with.

A feature storage wall celebrates and showcases braille as part of a playful visual language to establish a sense of place. This is used as both a decorative and functional aspect of the design approach. These braille panels are made 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 branding identity and are used as details throughout the design.

Throughout the space, we have used primary colours and shapes, which create a journey of discovery, to activate sensory exploration. Such as the colourful activity centre with tote boxes of art material, which openly invites creative experimentation.

Sense is a national charity that supports people who have complex disabilities or are deafblind to communicate, connect and take part in life.