ARCHITECTURE FOR THE DEAF: DEAF SPECIAL SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY CENTER IN KOTA BARU PARAHYANGAN

• Main Author: Abdulaziz, Usman
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/73130
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

Deafness is a term that refers to hearing impairment, which results in partial or complete loss of hearing ability in individuals. The main impact of deafness is the barrier to language development, which leads to more complex and significant effects on the lives of those affected. The consequences of impaired language development affect aspects such as education, communication, social adaptation, behavior, and the personality of deaf individuals, often resulting in isolation and discriminatory treatment in social life. This project is a Special School project, which is a special education facility for the deaf integrated with a community center, with a visually-centered environment as a platform for the deaf to grow, receive education, and acculturate themselves with the deaf community. The project encompasses three main functions: school, dormitory, and a special community center for the deaf. The project occupies a land area of 11,000m2, covering the Bandung Raya region, located in Kota Baru Parahyangan, specifically on Jalan Guru Gantangan, Kecamatan Padalarang. The design issues in this project focus on three aspects: a deaf-friendly physical environment (deaf space), an optimal learning environment, and integration with the deaf community. The main concept in this project is the Deaf Space to Place, which involves creating a visually-centered environment to support deaf individuals in their activities, spatial orientation, and interaction with each other using sign language. The spatial configuration in the project is designed to minimize visual barriers and enable the deaf to see and communicate using sign language. The spaces are interconnected, centered around a courtyard and communal spaces used as interaction spaces for deaf students. The building mass is designed radially and circularly, accommodating the way deaf individuals communicate using sign language. Visual elements such as color and materials are incorporated into the building design to facilitate the orientation of the deaf. The project consists of three building masses: the community center, school, and dormitory, with the school building at the center. The three building masses are connected to outdoor spaces for interaction and play for deaf students. The outdoor spaces are designed with a plaza, retention pond, amphitheater, and gardens that support outdoor activities for the deaf.