CASE STUDY

Universal Access (Applied Ergonomics)

1. Carnavalet Museum / Snøhetta
Renovation Details
• The renovated museum offers an enhanced visitor’s experience that
provides a unique journey through time to discover the rich history of
the city of Paris – a story told through 625,000 artefacts, including
paintings, sculptures, furniture, woodwork, art pieces, and
photography.
• Snøhetta has participated in the overall reorganization of the layout of
the museum, working hand in hand with Chatillon Architectes to offer
a new visitor experience that can accommodate a large number of
visitors all while carefully respecting the original features of the
museum.
Existing staircase in the museum
Staircase and
handrails inside
the museum.
New Designed staircase
 Staircase Design
• The new and monumental staircases are designed as bold organic shapes in
dark steel with a refined timber step work. Throughout, Snøhetta has chosen
to provide a dark consistent palette in coordination with the rest of the project
and in particular with the new permanent scenography created by Agence NC
(Nathalie Crinière) highlighting the detail and complexity of the displayed
artefacts.
• A Timeless Approach. The shapes and materials used in our design for the
museum are timeless. The design comprises sustainable energy solutions, as
well as high-quality and long-lasting materials. The choice of powder-coated
metal for the staircases and solid wood finishes provides a strong resistance to
use and a longer material lifecycle. Plastics and disposable materials (such as
paper for signs) have been replaced by flexible multimedia solutions.
Modern Staircase Designed
inside the museum, in
contrast to the interior view
and elements.
Ramp for wheelchair access
Lift for accessing each floor
Because of its significant historic
importance, the overall design of the
museum is developed in close collaboration
with the museum’s scientific and cultural
teams, as well as a wide range of experts in
the city of Paris. The renovation carefully
respects the original features of the building
while restoring it to comply with current
standards and enhancing the overall
museum experience for all visitors. The
latter is attained through the establishment
of a more intuitive journey through the
museum, the courtyards, and gardens, but
also by making the building more adapted to
children and people with disabilities. 10% of
all artefacts are displayed at children’s eye
level.
2. Deyang School for Deaf & Intellectually
Disabled Children / China Southwest
• Deyang School for Deaf & Intellectually Disabled Children is a
charitable educational institution, recruiting children with talking and
hearing disabilities or mentally retarded pupils. The school includes
teaching, sports and accommodation facilities.
• The atriums, courtyards, as well as
the different-sized windows
provide various opportunities for
those special children to explore
the world from different heights,
inspiring them enhance the
interactions with each other and
discover the surrounding world
together, which helps developing
intelligence better. Architecture is
becoming the tool of education.
Site
Square windows at different levels

• SQUARE WINDOWS
Stairways

Staircase having thread with more width

for the comfort of people.
Building Connection And Accessibility
• Ramps connecting near
building