Architecture is experienced in a multisensory
way. Moreover, human capacities to
perceive architecture are highly diverse. Unfortunately
the emphasis in designing and
creating architecture lies in large measure
on the visual representation. Other senses
are hardly represented or even considered
during the design process. Because of this,
the resulting building does not always comply
with the human needs. This paper reports
on a research project that calls in the
experience of people who are blind to restore
the multisensory qualities in the built
environment. These users/experts are more
attentive to other senses. Their spatial experience
relies mostly on the haptic sense,
which appears to be the foundation for cognitive
spatial representation. In this paper
we point out the differences and similarities
between visual and haptic perception
related to architecture. This should allow to
identify design parameters which create the
opportunity for architects to take the haptic
sense into account during the design process.
In this way the paper hopes to point
out the potential contribution of Design for
All for improving the multisensory quality of
the built environment.status: publishe