Design, at the core, is more than mere arrangements of color and materials. It is a careful orchestration of elements that come together to create an experience. Design has the power to connect, evoke emotion, and craft stories. It’s even more powerful when it can bridge gaps in society, such as accessibility. Details, often overlooked, hold the power to transform and connect us to spaces that resonate with deeper human senses. In Gandhinagar, Gujarat, a school for the blind embodies this ethos by using details and a vision that transcends traditional design.
The vision of the inclusive space is brought to life by intentional design elements that aim to prioritize creating a tactile, navigable space that extends beyond the visual. Thoughtful elements such as material, texture, and structural choice contribute to a story that users can touch, hear, and experience as they move through it.
The school uses sensory cues such as texture, smell, and sounds to enhance spatial awareness and aid independent navigation of the space. Flowers enhance the smell, and the heights and widths of walls vary to identify different areas of the buildings. Strategically placed skylights make them open and well-lit. They have created a code using textural elements explicitly developed for the school, such as a rough texture for the entrances of the classrooms and a smooth texture for the rounded corners of the rooms, along with braille signage, allowing the students to navigate through the space safely and confidently. The design allows these students to function independently and safely compared to traditional buildings, which have minimal to no inclusivity features that end at ramps and textured floors. The use of details in this design is a landmark in inclusive architecture and has set a new standard for how an accessible space can look.
Much like the architects of this inclusive school, we believe that details matter. Whether a curve in a door handle, the texture of decorative cabinet hardware, or the finish of high-end kitchen hardware, it all tells a story of the space. Every product that we add to a home is not just aesthetically redefined but an experience in itself. Cabinet hardware stores, brass cupboard door knobs, black cupboard door handles, and luxury kitchen door handles are some of the most interacted-with details in a home but often forgotten about. Much like the design ethos of the school in Gandhinagar, we are guided by the idea of thoughtful details and are inspired to craft stories through material and texture and shape the experience a space as personal as a home can offer.
Details can bridge gaps, empower communities, and turn spaces into functional havens of dignity and care. At Mantara, we aspire to embody the same spirit with products that elevate everyday moments into timeless experiences—whether it’s high-end cabinet handles, kitchen drawer hardware, furniture cabinet hardware, handles for cabinets and drawers, or kitchen cabinet handles.