DANCING IN SILENCE; A CENTER FOR DEAF ART AND CUTURE

Abstract

Dancing in Silence is a thesis project that explores the idea of bridging the gap between hearing and Deaf worlds, normalizing the Deaf Culture, and introducing Deaf Gain to the design to enrich spatial experience. The thesis aims to design a space that facilitates the communication between people with different sensitivities. Language is often used as a tool for communication, but architecture can also serve as a platform for creating a space for people interactions. The proposed site is part of the Gallaudet University development projects next to the 6th street in Washington DC. It involves a Deaf Art & Culture Center which welcomes hearing individuals. The design relays on Deafspace and multisensory principles to stitch the boundary of the Gallaudet along 6th street to union market neighborhood.