Seeing Beyond Sight: Platiality through the lived spatiality of individuals with blindness

The thesis explores inclusivity in built environment design through the lived experiences of individuals with blindness. It critiques visual centricity in design, which can marginalise individuals with blindness. It argues for a holistic perspective that acknowledges blindness as a whole-body experience rather than merely a lack of sight. Phenomenologically grounded, the research explores how persons with blindness establish a sense of place through their ways of perceiving and experiencing. Through secondary data and interviews, the thesis highlights the importance of integrating diverse sensory knowledge into design. Conceptually, it frames a ‘culture of wholeness’, positioning multisensory engagement as central to inclusivity.