Journal of Accessibility and Design for All

Volume 7, Issue 1. (CC) JACCES, 2017. ISSN: 2013-7087

ARCHITECTURAL TRANSFORMATION OF A 92 YEAR OLD

SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF: A HERITAGE OF ACCESSIBILITY

Mohammad Ilham Akbar1

1
Department of Architecture, Institut Teknologi Bandung (Bandung) Indonesia
1
ORCID: ORCID Codes (style H3)
1
milhamakbar.work@gmail.com
Received: xx-xx-xx | Accepted: xx-xx-xx | Published: xx-xx-xx

Abstract: Cicendo school in Bandung, Indonesia, is the oldest school for the
deaf in Indonesia which has been conducting primary and secondary special
education since 1930. The building received the highest level of Indonesian
heritage protection status in 2009. Despite its historical and architectural
significance, there has been very few studies on the building. Previous
studies on accessibility in heritage buildings mostly focus on accessibility
issues that they pose and potential solutions to them. However, few studies
explore the potential positive lessons learned on accessibility from heritage
buildings. This study utilizes field observation, historical archive study, and
interviews to uncover historical accessibility features of Cicendo school. The
study uncovered several accessibility features, including: (1) semi-circle/U-
shaped/horseshoe wooden desk to improve visual communication; (2) frosted
glass for light and visual access while maintaining privacy; (3) …. This study
discusses how historical building elements of Cicendo school is in line with
accessibility concepts, especially the concept of “deaf space”. This study
also explores the transformation of the school, how different building
elements were changed or preserved, while comparing the accessibility
features of past and present.

Keywords: accessibility, architecture, accessibility, deaf space, heritage,

transformation

Article citation

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