NeuroPlaces Visits RNIB (Royal Institute of Blind People) London
- esearsy
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
The Grimaldi Building was a collaborative design effort between Buro Happold, Kay Elliot Architects, and the RNIB. It is the first UK building to fully adopt the BSI PAS 6463 standard.
“Inclusivity and accessibility are at the heart of RNIB’s mission. Our new London Office stands as a testament to our values and serves as a beacon of best practice for others to follow." (Tricia-Maria Smikle, Head of Programmes - Office of CEO).
From Vision to Inclusion: Lessons from the RNIB
As founders of NeuroPlaces, we are always seeking visits that are rich with learning opportunities in sensory accessibility and inclusion. The RNIB embodies this completely. With invaluable insights into how environments can be designed to support those with visual impairments as well as neurodiversity. These are lessons that resonate powerfully with our mission at NeuroPlaces, to help public venues and workplaces to create sensory-friendly spaces for everyone.
We were lucky enough to have a tour from the wonderfully knowledgeable Tricia-Marie Smikle (Head of Programmes – Office of CEO). We also met one of our Advisory Board members, Jean Hewitt, who happened to be at the RNIB at the same time as us. This was a delight. It was great to meet in person after many emails, we shared our mutual enthusiasm for inclusivity and progress of the show so far!
Accessibility in Action
From the moment we arrived at the RNIB, the impressive building appears serene in the hustle and bustle surroundings of King’s Cross. Upon entering the ground floor, we were instantly struck by the attention to detail in the small yet deliberate design features.
The first thing we noticed was the tactile flooring, which allows visitors to identify where they are. This is not only useful for visually impaired individuals who might be using a cane but also for those with sensory profiles that are particularly in tune with their physical surroundings. The ceiling is adorned with acoustic panels which aid in absorbing unwanted background noise, helping those who are sound sensitive to concentrate on tasks or conversations. Sound clarity is so evident the moment you walk in and creates a real sense of calm.
Signage and wayfinding are consistent throughout, clear and thoughtful. Vibrant colour coding and contrasts provide a simple navigation system which aids towards both visual and cognitive needs. Small touches such as a colour coded walls upon exiting a lift indicates the floor you are entering. The lift itself has clear audio queues, with tactile buttons and flooring. Working spaces are uncluttered and desks spaces can be prebooked. Desks are labelled with tactile desk numbers so people can find their space. Each working space offers different benefits such as multiple screen options and impressive individual light panels that can be easily adjusted based on personal preference (anywhere from blue light to warm light, facing upwards or downwards etc.).
The staff kitchen areas are kitted out with various discreet but important design tweaks. Kitchen cabinet doors do not open further than the counter edge, tactile taps, talking microwaves, contrasting handle and cabinet colours, feel able labels on each cupboard, as well as many inclusive household gadgets for people to try out. In the cafeteria, the counter side has a handy lip which catches any liquids or spillages. Toilet and hygiene areas are all self-contained, wonderfully equipped which automatic lights that stay on for up to 20-45 minutes to ensure that no one is left unattended in the dark or feels the need to rush. Oh, and there’s absolutely no hand dryers!
The Serenity Space is particularly special, it offers a complete soundproof zone, with soft tactile walls, furnishings and lighting. Signposted as ‘a quiet room for restoration’, the complete inability to hear even a hum of the busy road outside is truly considered. The lighting is designed so that the space would not work as an office space or meeting room. This demonstrates the commitment to inclusivity - built with one sole purpose.
Conversations and Key Insights
We were so impressed with Tricia’s commitment to the cause; she is all in. Listening to lived experience accounts and adapting the environment accordingly is at the heart of this ever-evolving project and her integrity is profound.
“Inclusivity and accessibility are at the heart of RNIB’s mission. Our new London Office stands as a testament to our values and serves as a beacon of best practice for others to follow."
What’s so great about the RNIB inclusivity is that it doesn’t stop at the built environment, it threads into the overall ethos of the place and the people within it. Open communication is a vital part of the shared respect that the team have for one another’s needs. The project is never stagnant, it is always evolving, and it evolves off the back of lived experience accounts from within the space itself – what could be more inclusive than that?
Shared Principles
There are clear parallels between visual accessibility and neuroinclusivity. Overlapping design needs that tend to benefit everyone offer sensory regulation, predictability, and autonomy. The RNIB demonstrates clearly that whether someone is blind, partially sighted, autistic, or otherwise neurodivergent, the goal is the same – spaces that empower and comfort a group of people all with different needs.
These are all lessons that will inspire and shape NeuroPlaces moving forward. It’s clear how cross-sector collaboration between organisations like RNIB and NeuroPlaces can help make inclusion the norm, not the exception. This is at the heart of what the show is aiming to achieve, a place where collaboration can occur between often fragmented sectors, in order to create real change within public places. Our visit to the RNIB allowed us to experience what is possible when inclusivity is at the heart of a project, and it's truly inspiring.
Written by Eliza Reuby , NeuroPlaces
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