Human-centred design has increasingly become a hallmark of quality design in recent decades. For the blind and vision impaired, tactile maps afford a different way to experience architecture and design. Extending on a story told through braille, a tactile map is a dimensional object replicating to scale an object, building, or city, guiding users through a physical journey of scale and perspective.  

We are thrilled to announce our collaborations with the skilled team at Modelcraft in producing high-impact tactile maps of the iconic Sydney Opera House and The Sydney Hyde Park Barracks, both honoured as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Sydney Opera House, the tactile map was made by Modelcraft to a scale of 1:800 and finished in handcrafted Axolotl Applied Aged Brass. Assembled from nine seamlessly fused components, the model features a sophisticated array of textures, creating a distinguished and intuitive experience. The hand-polished and aged Axolotl Applied Brass surface was selected to reflect the brass accents featured throughout the landmark building. 

In partnership with Sydney Living Museums and Vision Australia, Modelcraft and Axolotl created a tactile model of The Sydney Hyde Park Barracks. As with all of their models, Modelcraft has utilised cutting-edge technology and 3D printing to create this model, providing visitors with a tactile narrative of this heritage site's storied corridors.

Although miniature in size, these models boast an impressive level of intricate detail and are a true testament to the skill, precision, design, collaboration, and most of all inclusivity required for their production. The three dimensional representations provide the opportunity for a wider audience to appreciate the buildings' forms, cultural significance, and design as a whole.

The versatility of Axolotl Applied Metal knows no bounds. With less than 1mm in thickness, the Applied Bronze metal surface adheres to each grain, curve, step and crevice, allowing the 3D models to achieve the strict guidelines for braille and tactile maps whilst referencing the grandeur and history of this iconic building.

Not only are these artefacts for the visually impaired, but they also bring a sense of connection to architectural scale and detail to all viewers, fostering a deeper appreciation for design. Viewers observe a previously unrealised perspective of a building, inviting them to stop and assess their surroundings, and personal sense of scale in the world.

These models are on public display now at the Sydney Opera House and The Sydney Hyde Park Barracks for everyone to admire these landmarks in an inclusive manner.