In the heart of Bacolod City, where coffee culture meets community, Lia M. Lagaras, a recent graduate of BS Interior Design, asked a question too few in the design world consider: What if cafés didn’t just accommodate, but celebrated the deaf community?
Her thesis project, “Echoes of Inclusivity: Crafting a Sensory Integrated Café Environment for the Hearing Impaired in Bacolod City,” is more than a design concept. It’s a call to rethink the way we build commercial spaces—turning inclusion from an afterthought into an architectural principle.
A Spark from Silence
Lia’s journey began not in a studio, but in the rhythmic movements of deaf dancers in Bacolod. “It struck me as a beautiful form of nonverbal expression,” she shared. Later, a visit to a deaf-run café turned curiosity into conviction. “Despite what many would see as limitations, they had built an efficient system using visual cues and adapted communication methods.”
That moment stayed with her.
“I realized how often communication is taken for granted,” she reflected. “In contrast, the deaf community thrives by being intentional with it. Designing with that awareness became both a challenge and a responsibility I wanted to take on.”
Designing with Intention, Not Assumption
Lia’s café design is a masterclass in intentional space-making. At its core is a seamless blend of visual communication and sensory integration—where every detail supports both the workflow of hearing-impaired staff and the comfort of customers.
From interactive sign language walls to POS-integrated lighting systems, her space hums with silent fluency. Table numbers light up to signal service. Sightlines between the kitchen and dining area are clear and purposeful. Warning lights replace alarms. Flooring textures guide without words.
But her innovation wasn’t just technical—it was emotional. “The design creates a space where the environment actively supports, rather than challenges, the way the team communicates and works.”
Sensory Strategy Meets Café Culture
Lia didn’t stop at functionality. She redefined what sensory design could look like in a cozy café setting. Soft transitions in flooring, natural lighting, gentle scents, and textural shifts became silent narrators—directing, calming, and unifying the space without stealing attention.
“I focused on subtle yet effective design strategies,” she said. “The result is a space that feels warm and inviting for guests, while being functional and empowering for the hearing-impaired staff.”
A Future Built on Inclusion
Lia’s design is more than a solution—it’s a standard she hopes the industry will adopt. “I want future spaces to be intentionally designed for everyone, including persons with hearing impairments,” she said.
Quoting Baker (2014), she emphasized: “Visuals are not just decoration; they are an integral part of the message.”
With her thesis landing in the Top 3 Best in Thesis, Lia has proven that design can—and should—speak to everyone, even when words aren’t spoken.
In a world often too loud to hear the quiet voices, Lia built a space that listens with light, layout, and care. And that, perhaps, is the most powerful echo of all.
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