cBraille: A Lighting Exhibition to Educate Visitors About Sight Impairment. Most people are unaware that 90% of people who are blind can perceive light. Conceived as both an educational exhibition and a proof of concept, cBraille was designed to raise awareness of the importance of light to people with sight impairment while showcasing cSigns—an innovative signage system that assists people of all vision types in navigating the built environment.

Housed within a custom-built shipping container designed by E2 and constructed by Built, the exhibition featured 14 illuminated panels that spelled out quotes about light and blindness using dome-tipped LEDs in braille configuration. Each LED not only allowed people with light perception to locate the characters, but also enabled tactile reading by touch, just like traditional braille. The experience was layered with audio recordings from students of the Royal Institute of Deaf and Blind Children, who reflected on what light meant to them: “Light gives me independence”; “Light in my window means it’s time to get out of bed.”

A powerful moment during the exhibition occurred when a young boy with minimal sight visited with his sister. While tracing the braille with his fingers, he leaned closer and was unexpectedly able to read the light itself with his remaining vision—a profound confirmation of the concept’s potential.

Beyond the exhibition, cBraille introduced the practical application of cSigns: compliant, backlit statutory signage and room numbering that incorporates standard braille. With long-life LED cartridges and a shell designed for durability and sustainability, cSigns have the potential to improve wayfinding not only in public spaces but also in environments such as aged care facilities, where intuitive, light-based navigation aids can make a significant difference.

The project prioritised sustainability by using low-energy LED technology and repurposing an existing shipping container rather than constructing a new structure.