Challenging Architects to Include Haptics in Design: Sensory Paradox between Content and Representation

Abstract

Architectural design is characterized by a visual bias, as evidenced in architectural theory and design research. Also in design practice non-visual sensory aspects are often neglected. Consequently many built environments are not sensory accessible for a diversity of people. The paper reports on a workshop with professional architects to evaluate a framework of haptic design parameters. The framework is developed to support architects in paying more attention to the role of touch during design, by informing them about the haptic implications of their design decisions. Additionally design techniques are suggested to assess haptic qualities during the design process. Characteristics of both framework and techniques are based on the expertise of people born blind as they are more attentive to non-visual information, and professional caregivers working with them. Feedback suggests that the architects quickly picked up the idea of the framework, and recognized its relevance, but that the framework‘s representation confronts us with a sensory paradox: while the parameters question the visual bias in architectural design, they are meant to be used by architects, who are used to think, know and work in a visual way. The paper concludes with suggestions for the possible role that CAD may play in stimulating and inspiring architects to implement haptic parameters and assess a design in terms of haptic qualities.