Stillwater Lift Bridge Model created by Feyereisen Studios, Photo by Ted Wentink
Minneapolis, Minn., — Feyereisen Studios, a Minneapolis architectural model builder, presents their model of the Stillwater Lift Bridge, designed with the blind community in mind, at the Minneapolis Convention Center for the American Institute of Architects Minnesota convention, November 10th-12th, 2009.
“We were asked to design a model that allowed individuals with visual impairments to really experience the model,” said Robert Feyereisen, President of Feyereisen Studios. “By increasing the scale and using high tactile materials, we allow visually impaired individuals to actually see and/or feel the three-dimensional features, so they can better understand the project.”
The 2 ½ foot tall by 6 foot long model was built earlier this year by Feyereisen Studios, with the assistance of blind consultants Ken Rodgers and Jo Taliaferro. A number of other visually impaired and blind individuals visited Feyereisen Studios during the construction to provide additional feedback and insights on how to best represent the bridge’s proposed pedestrian features.
Everything on the model was labeled in both large text and Braille to help low vision individuals identify and understand the bridge plan. Feyereisen builders also utilized a number of unconventional materials and techniques to create a touchable model, including magnetic breakaway lamp posts, sandpaper to indicate detectable sidewalk warnings, raised markings to indicate crosswalks and traffic flow, and fuzzy grass. A tactile legend with Braille identifiers denotes what each texture represents.
“The unique features of this model allow individuals to identify what they are feeling in order to gain a deeper understanding of the project as a unified whole,” said Feyereisen. “We undertook this effort to help engage the participation of the disabled community, and I believe we really accomplished that goal entirely.”
The model will be located at booth 608 at the 75th AIA Minnesota Annual Convention and Product Exposition. The event expects over 1,500 people and exhibitions from over 200 companies.
For more information about Feyereisen Studios and their work on the Stillwater Lift Bridge, call 612-910-7268 or visit feyereisenstudios.com.
