Tactile aluminium for sensory education
Nick Osborne at Mike Ayres Design spoke to us about their work
“Gooding Aluminium has been a great place for us to discover new and exciting metal textures that we have incorporated within our many designs,” said Nick Osborne at Mike Ayres Design.
Mike Ayres Design is an internationally respected supplier of sensory rooms and inclusive learning environments. For over four decades, the company has supported care and education settings to enhance the experiences of people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
“We’ve bought quite a few products from Gooding Aluminium over the years. In fact, I think I originally discovered them at a trade show about 15 years ago,” Osborne said.
Tactile aluminium in special educational settings
One of Mike Ayres Design’s unique product lines is All Things Tactile, which features a collection of textured elements designed to be explored through touch. These products are widely used in schools, sensory rooms and therapy spaces to support cognitive, emotional and physical development.
A key material in these designs is GA Impressional from Gooding Aluminium. These pressed aluminium sheets offer raised geometric forms that are both durable and stimulating to touch. Two patterns from the range – GA IMM201 and GA IMMSQM101 – are featured in current projects, finished with powder coating in RAL colours to enhance contrast and visual appeal.
“Tactile sensation is a fundamental part of your overall sensory experience, and enhances understanding of your environment,” Osborne explained.
He added that as people grow, they build an internal vocabulary for textures: “People learn about safe and dangerous tactile experiences through contact with the materials around them.”
A design feature as well as a sensory tool
“Our tactile panels and murals make a strong statement when you enter a space. They are something you can physically engage with and will provide a much stronger connection to the building,” Osborne said.
The visual impact of these textured aluminium panels also supports the atmosphere and aesthetic of a room. For example, the work at Swiss Cottage School in London has received high praise.
“Mike Ayres Design created something that really reflects our school community. The tactile murals are of the highest quality and have transformed our building,” said a spokesperson.
The result is a unique combination of architecture, art and accessibility.
Durable, safe and easy to maintain
GA Impressional panels are manufactured using a press-forming technique that enhances the strength and rigidity of the aluminium. This makes the sheets highly resistant to damage, even in high-use areas. For busy school and care settings, durability and cleanability are vital.
Depending on the requirements of the space, GA Impressional sheets can be supplied in mill finish, natural anodised or polyester powder coated finishes. The powder-coated option is especially useful for settings where strong colour contrast is important for wayfinding or visual stimulation.
GA aluminium sheets meet BS EN 485/515/573 standards, with common sheet sizes including 1925mm x 945mm and 2415mm x 1190mm, in 1.2mm or 2.0mm thicknesses. Patterns include both round and square options, with raised textures from 1.5mm to 3mm and pitch spacing to suit different tactile needs.
Environmental and practical benefits
Aluminium is a practical and sustainable choice for sensory design. It is lightweight, corrosion-resistant and easy to work with, while being strong enough to handle frequent use. Its non-magnetic and non-combustible properties add to its safety profile for educational and therapeutic environments.
It is also highly sustainable. Aluminium is 100% recyclable, and around 75% of all aluminium ever produced is still in use today. Recycling aluminium uses just 5% of the energy required for its original production, making it an environmentally responsible option.
A lasting contribution to inclusive spaces
Gooding Aluminium’s collaboration with designers like Mike Ayres Design shows how architectural materials can go beyond the decorative. In the right hands, aluminium can play an active role in learning, healing and connecting people with the world around them.
“The tactile panels are something you can physically engage with,” said Osborne. “They help create a much stronger connection between the individual and the building.”