RESEARCH TOPIC

Proxemic as spatial strategy on social space for deaf community Through the eyes of a deaf architect: reconsidering conventional critiques of
AIP Conference Proceedings 2230, 040030 (2020) vision-centered architecture
Natalia Pérez Liebergesell, Peter-Willem Vermeersch & Ann Heylighen (2019)

To socialize with others is a human instinct, that also applies to deaf people. However, there is a distinction in how
deaf people interact with other people. The use of sign language that relies on the ability to read hand and body ges-
tures have created specific visual needs. According to Diani (2012), visual needs affect proxemic zones that are
important in the social aspect of the deaf community. Hence, deaf people need certain spatial configurations that not
only support their communication needs but also creating comfortable distance between people, especially in a
public social place such as café. The objective of this paper is to investigate whether the concept of spatial proximity
might provide physical and social comfort for deaf people. For this purpose, the author observed a café specialized
for the deaf community, Kopi Tuli. Findings from this study show that spatial configurations support their visual needs
so deaf people can interact effectively with sign language and adjusting their comfort distance with various people.
Architects’ visual way of knowing and working is criticized for contributing to an alienating “architecture of the eye.”
This article seeks to challenge this critique by offering a more nuanced understanding of vision and its connecting
potential. It engages with how Deaf architect, George Balsley, uses and attaches meaning to vision, partially prompted
by the highly visual and spatial dynamics inherent to sign language. It relies on several interviews, observations, and
a guided tour through a building he helped design, the Sorenson Language and Communication Center (SLCC) in
Washington, DC. The article looks specifically into the building’s vision-centered features in relation to George’s
d/Deaf ways of being. His way of seeing is reflected in distinct characteristics of the SLCC that sustain (sign) language,
mediate interpersonal communication, and facilitate connection to and under standing of spaces – features that are
relevant for but also beyond the d/Deaf community.

COMMUNICATION
Peripheral vision
Normal Vision

VISION CENTERED
INTIMATE SPACE
ZONES

NORMAL VISION VISUAL ATTRACTION

PERSONAL SPACE
SOCIALIZE LAYOUT ARRANGEMENT COMMUNICATION
PROXEMIC

SOCIAL SPACE
PERIPHERAL VISION
UNINTERUPTED MOVEMENT
PUBLIC SPACE THROUGH SPACE
DEAFNESS UNDERSTANDING ARCHITECTURE

PROXIMICS
COMFORTABLE DISTANCE CONNECTING
DRAWBACKS

TRANSPARENCY LEVEL
PRIVACY MATERIAL
PARTIAL BOUNDARY SIGN- LANGUAGE
REFLECTIVE SURFACES
BLIND
CONTRASTING COLOURS SPOTS

KEYWORDS IDENTIFIED

PROXIMICS COMMUNICATION SOCIALIZE

 COMFORTABLE DISTANCE

Access
PROXIMITY Furniture
COMMUNICATION Boundary

Transparency
INTERACTION MATERIAL
UNDERSTANDING ARCHITECTURE LAYOUT ARRANGEMENT Semi-reflective

CONNECTING
LIGHTING

SIGN- LANGUAGE

Case study Inference

Gallaudet University
Programmatic Analysis
Plan
The environment can be designed Stair landings and atrium floors
Sorenson Language and Living Learning
Communication Center Residence Hall 6 to increase the visual-tactical cues should be staggered to allow sign-
that the Deaf rely upon to navigate ers to communicate across multiple
an environment. levels.

Spatial Type Medium gathering space Large gathering space

Plan
Different programs should be
Seating should be arranged in
designed around a common
Spatial Organization Spatial Type Medium gathering spaceLarge gathering space Small gathering space Small gathering space Conference room circular or semi-circular patterns so
space; inhabitants should be able
that signers can easily see and
to easily see in multiple directions
Spatial converse with each other.
Organization from one location.

Material

Material
40% Concrete 15% GWB 5% Wood 40% Glass
30% Carpet 20% Concrete 30% Wood 20% Glass
Floor Ramp Seating, Finishes Windows
Floor Wall Seating Windows/Railings

40% Concrete 15% GWB5% Wood 40% Glass 30% Carpet 20% Concrete 30% Wood 20% Glass 40% Wood 30% Tile 10% Sisal Rope
30% Brick10% Glass 50% GWB 30% Wood 20% Glass 20% Carpet
Floor Wall Seating Windows/Railings Floor Ramp Seating, Finishes Windows Furniture Floor Hammock Wall Windows Wall Floor Windows Floor

Private spaces should, despite their

Lighting/ Visual communica-tion creates an
opaqueness, still enable inhabi-
Transparency inherent need for more space
Lighting/ Transparency tants to remain connected to the
between signers.
public spaces.