Interactive Tactile Model of the Houses of Parliament, London

The stand and case for the large wooden three dimensional model and tactile plan of the Houses of Parliament are on a blue carpet with a gold motif on it. Light comes from a window behind the model. There is wooden panelling in the background with gold highlights on it. To the right of the model the Victoria Tower is the tallest feature and on the left is the tower with the clock, Big Ben. The stand for the model has a frame each end with a support in the centre to match the tables by the Architect, Pugin.

The Houses of Parliament model

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Standing resplendent in the 'Robing Room' of the Houses of Parliament, this model and plan guides the visitor through the huge complex on the line of the route taken by visitors. Two computers and amplifiers run the commentary, which was recorded in the actual debating chambers and other important rooms within the building. The stand itself was handcrafted to a design by Peter Howell following Pugin's original furniture for the building.

A grey haired woman in patterned jacket and wearing glasses, listens to the commentary of the three dimensional tactile model on a headset. Her right hand explores the model which is in front of her. Her hand is on the clock tower which houses Big Ben. To her left are two grey haired men in grey suits, one with a white beard. The model stands in the Robing Room in the Lords end of the Houses of Parliament and in the background is wooden panelling with gold painting on it.

Listening to the commentary

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The design of these interactive tactile plans, the Dorcas Project, has been chosen as one of just over 1000 Millennium Products by the Design Council of the UK.

On the left of the picture, a visually impaired visitor, with dark glasses and a bald head, is exploring the three dimensional model of the Houses of Parliament. He is wearing a headset and listening to the commentary at the same time. To the right of the picture is a woman with the headset around her neck; she is touching the model with her fingers.

Exploring the 3D model

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The Dorcas Project is named after 'Dorcas', a Guide Dog who belonged to Eric Sayce, consultant to The Dog Rose Trust. Dorcas died two years ago. Eric now has a Guide Dog called Harry, and one of the Trust's current research projects is named after him.

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