At Symphony Group, we are proud to support initiatives that make a real difference in people’s lives. Recently, we had the opportunity to work with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to contribute a key feature to their new head office at Grimaldi Building. The RNIB approached us to design and supply a bespoke worktop for a communal coffee area, and we were delighted to offer our support.
About the RNIB and Grimaldi Building
The RNIB is a leading UK charity offering support, advice, and information to over two million people living with sight loss. The organisation’s vital work ranges from practical support and specialist information to campaigning for the rights of blind and partially sighted individuals.
Grimaldi Building, the RNIB’s newly opened head office, is more than just a workspace for employees, it is a hub of innovation and support, designed to empower the visually impaired community. The building provides a welcoming and inclusive environment, where the RNIB can continue its mission to create a world where there are no barriers to people with sight loss.
The purpose of Grimaldi Building is to serve as a central space for collaboration, bringing together staff, volunteers, and visitors in an environment tailored to their needs. Every detail of the building has been carefully considered to enhance accessibility and comfort, ensuring that people with visual impairments can navigate the space independently and confidently.
A Bespoke Surface Designed with Accessibility in Mind
As part of Symphony’s contribution, we provided a bespoke waterfall edge worktop, designed to enhance accessibility in the new communal coffee area of Grimaldi Building. One of the standout features is the contrasting colour edge, with a white surface and a dark grey edge. This contrast allows individuals with visual impairments to easily identify the boundary of the work surface.
The worktop also features a raised lip, which offers a tactile guide for users, helping them feel the edge of the surface and preventing spills from flowing over. This thoughtful design helps make the communal area not only functional but also safer and more user-friendly.
Moreover, the choice of a plain white surface over a patterned or speckled worktop was intentional. For individuals with sight loss, patterns can be confusing, as they might be mistaken for objects placed on the surface. A clean, plain surface allows users to better locate and identify objects, promoting independence.
Symphony’s Commitment to Accessibility
At Symphony, we believe that accessible design should never come at the expense of style or functionality. Our Freedom Kitchens range is designed with inclusivity in mind, offering solutions that meet the needs of people with varying abilities.
Robert Newton, Head of Marketing at Symphony Group, commented on the project, “We are absolutely delighted to support the RNIB in creating an accessible and welcoming space at its new head office. This project is a great example of how we can design solutions that meet the specific needs of individuals, ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability, can enjoy functional and beautiful kitchen spaces.”
A Word from the RNIB
Tricia Smikle, Director of Office of CEO, from the RNIB also commented, “The contrasting edge and tactile features of the worktop provided by Symphony make it easier for people with sight loss to navigate and interact with the space. It’s a great example of how thoughtful design can make everyday tasks more manageable for those with visual impairments.”
Freedom by Symphony: A Kitchen Range Designed for Everyone
Our Freedom Kitchens range is designed with accessibility at its core, offering features such as adjustable worktop heights, easy-to-reach storage solutions, and contrast-rich designs that enhance usability for people with visual impairments. To learn more about how Symphony can help create an accessible kitchen, visit one of our retailers or explore our website at https://www.symphony-group.co.uk/brands/freedom/
