UTSA Architecture: Design Navigable Buildings for the Blind

Architecture students at the University of Texas at San Antonio have created tactile 3-D and floor plan models specifically designed for the blind and visually impaired community. Wendy Walker, local chapter president of the National Federation of the Blind, collaborated with 10 students on conceptual designs for a theoretical health care campus near the Mission Reach of the San Antonio River.

“I was kind of surprised that [UTSA] were focusing specifically on sight loss. Because that’s not something we generally come across,” said the local chapter president of the National Federation of the Blind. It’s estimated that more than 700,000 Texans are visually disabled.

The models, developed in partnership with the local American Institute of Architects chapter and disABILITYsa, were designed to be touched and experienced by those with visual impairments. This unique focus on visual impairment is a departure from previous courses centered on special needs, marking a significant shift in the design approach of these future architects. The projects presented include innovative features such as vibrating handrails, textured walls, and adjustable lighting, emphasizing the importance of inclusive design in architecture for a diverse range of needs.

She continued, “But this is the first class that is solely focused on visual impairment. These models are designed and built to be touched. We wanted to make sure individuals who are blind could touch them and then could understand them and tell us if we’ve done them correctly or if we need to change something.”