unnormfullconcept — deanweigand

IDEA

Unfortunately, many places in our society are not accessible to people with disabilities, including places for leisure activities. This limited accessibility leads to restricted mobility and the associated exclusion. People who conform to the supposed "norm" rarely meet people with disabilities due to this separation. This not only leads to a loss of enriching exchanges, but also to a lack of awareness of the diversity and different perspectives in our society. As we are convinced that we can achieve the most with a positive and inclusive design, we have designed the bar UNNORM as a social meeting place. Here, everyone should have the opportunity to feel comfortable and celebrate together. Regardless of whether they are on two legs, on wheels or using a blind cane.

The development of the bar UNNORM was based not only on theoretical research into the design of accessible spaces and systems, but also on direct exchanges with people with disabilities about their experiences. These valuable insights, gained through conversations and visits to a bar, flowed directly into our design. This is how the modular counter system was created. The counter is not only the heart of the bar, but also symbolizes exchange and community. Given the strong dependence on environmental factors for accessibility and atmosphere, our project considers the entire spatial composition. The principles of universal design were applied to ensure accessibility for as many people as possible. The holistic approach also extends to the installation of the project, using a modular design that can adapt to different room sizes and shapes. The bar UNNORM essentially represents a transformative idea that redefines the perception and design of public spaces by providing a blueprint for universally accessible and locally adaptable environments.

EXHIBITION

The project was developed as part of the Rimowa Design Award and focuses on the topic of mobility. Various design principles are explained both from the perspective of the users (userside) and from the perspective of the constructors (constructorside). As it could be difficult for blind people to understand these principles without additional guidance, the integrative design approach of the bar was also transferred to the exhibition. The result was a tactile three-dimensional model, accompanied by detailed explanations of the components of the bar and their connection to a tactile material library. In this way, the project can be felt using both a 1:20 scale model and life-size samples, providing a fully accessible and interactive experience.