Skip to Main Content

DeafSpace

A Library Guide to information about Deafspace, which is an architectural design concept for the Deaf Community. DeafSpace principles are followed to ensure buildings and other environments are essentially Deaf-friendly.

The 160 bed residence hall for the Model Secondary School for the Deaf at Gallaudet University.

MSSD Residence Hall

"This 160 bed residence hall for the Model Secondary School for the Deaf at Gallaudet University consolidates boys and girls together in a single shared facility. Built to replace aging and inefficient existing facilities, it is the first new residence hall built on campus since the 1970’s. Conceived of as a 'home away from home' the building is comprised of two main wings connected by a single story entrance lobby. Beyond housing its students, the new dormitory creates an iconic campus space for the MSSD and strengthens the relationship to the existing campus buildings. The three story building steps with the site's topography to reduce its apparent height and allow for seamless and accessible connection between inside and out. Finished with warm materials, comfortable furniture and flooded with daylight, the residence hall employs the principals of DeafSpace to create a homelike environment that is tuned to deaf sensibilities." (Dangermond Keane, MSSD)

Stairs and shared living spaces in the residence hall for the Model Secondary School for the Deaf at Gallaudet University.

An outdoor photograph of the residence hall for the Model Secondary School for the Deaf at Gallaudet University.

 

 

Sharing living spaces in the residence hall for the Model Secondary School for the Deaf at Gallaudet University.

Shared living spaces inside the residence hall for the Model Secondary School for the Deaf at Gallaudet University.

 

 

Architectural maps of the residence hall for the Model Secondary School for the Deaf at Gallaudet University.

Location: Washington, DC
Photos: Lincoln Barbour

© Dangermond Keane Architecture

An outdoor photograph of the Fay and Ballard residence houses on Gallaudet University’s campus.

Fay & Ballard Residence Halls

"Originally a part of Faculty Row on Gallaudet University’s campus, the Fay and Ballard houses have served as administrative offices for the past several decades. In response to the 2022 Campus Plan, both houses were recently renovated as group living residence halls. Each house is now home to 12-16 students, with bedrooms on the upper floors and a shared kitchen, study and living area on the ground floor. A modern update to these beautiful examples of Victorian Gothic architecture, the interiors were designed around the recently developed Deafspace Design Guide." (Dangermond Keane, Fay & Ballard Residence Halls)

 

Shared kitchen, dining, and relaxed spaces inside the Fay and Ballard residence houses on Gallaudet University’s campus.

 

Shared kitchen and floor plan of the Fay and Ballard residence houses on Gallaudet University’s campus.

© Dangermond Keane Architecture

 

 

A photograph of the outside of Living and Learning Residence Hall 6 (LLRH6), located at Gallaudet University.

LLRH6

Living and Learning Residence Hall 6, Gallaudet University

LTL Architects (Lewis.Tsurumaki.Lewis)

Completed in 2012, LLRH6 was the first new building in Gallaudet’s long-term plan to renew the University’s student housing accommodations. The building conforms to DeafSpace principles, which were developed by the University’s ASL and Deaf Studies Department, under the direction of architect Hansel Bauman. An organic, holistic approach is used, as Baumann describes in his GallaudetXTed Talk.

A student gathering, possibly a lecture, located inside the Living and Learning Residence Hall 6 (LLRH6), at Gallaudet University.

Two floors of shared study spaces inside the Living and Learning Residence Hall 6 (LLRH6), located at Gallaudet University.

Shared study spaces inside the Living and Learning Residence Hall 6 (LLRH6), located at Gallaudet University.

 

Sorenson Language and Communication Center (SLCC), located at Gallaudet University.

Sorenson Language and Communication Center

Sorenson Language and Communication Center (SLCC), designed by SmithGroup and Gallaudet University's Campus Architect, Hansel Bauman.

Opened in 2008, SLCC is the first building designed according to the concepts of DeafSpace. In his 2015 TedxGallaudet Talk entitled, "A New Architecture for a More Livable and Sustainable World," Bauman notes that the SLCC has a few design concerns, which he attributes to using a modern design paradigm instead of an "organic Deaf paradigm."

 

Atrium lobby space at Sorenson Language and Communication Center (SLCC), located at Gallaudet University.

Atrium lobby space inside Sorenson Language and Communication Center (SLCC), located at Gallaudet University.

 

DeafSpace Design Guide

"Working directly with the Gallaudet University DeafSpace Project and Campus Architect Hansel Bauman, DKa is helping develop an innovative series of guidelines for the design of environments for deaf individuals. Defining for the first time the principles of DeafSpace, the guide will provide a framework for the development of future projects at Gallaudet, from master planning to individual building design. Developed through a rigorous examination of Deaf culture, the guidelines will be applicable to all institutions that serve deaf individuals."  (Dangermond Keane, DeafSpace Design Guide)

More details about DeafSpace "guidelines for the design of environments for deaf individuals," are presented in the Principles section of the Library Guide.

DeafSpace "guidelines for the design of environments for deaf individuals," presented in the Principles section of the Library Guide.

 

DeafSpace "guidelines for the design of environments for deaf individuals," presented in the Principles section of the Library Guide.

DeafSpace Design Guidelines