Colossal bordering northeastern France and western Germany the town of Illzach was once home to an institute for the blind Martin Kunz (1847-1923) directed the school at the turn of the century and produced a remarkable series of embossed graphics that visually impaired students could use to learn about nature and geography Kunz’s educational aids depict a wide range of plants he hand-carved two wood pieces that formed a mold into which he sandwiched paper to produce raised illustrations and Kunz soaked it in water before placing it between the blocks so that the natural fibers would soften and stretch into shape and more comprise a wide array of designs that he mass-produced and made available to blind students all over the world Below, learn more about Kunz’s process in a video from the Museum of the American Printing House for the Blind, presented by director Mike Hudson. And keep an eye on the APH’s website for news about The Dot Experience the organization’s museum expansion set to open in 2026 in Louisville that applies inclusive design standards and brings disability access to the fore Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member now Join more than 200,000 subscribers and get the best of art and visual culture from Colossal Copyright © 2025 Colossal. See our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy A vibrant array of colours is the protagonist in the "Multi-childcare crèche" building by Dominique Coulon & Associés The crèche is located at the entrance to the French town of Illzach The building sits on the corner of the plot and features a generous welcoming public space dominated by a majestic horse chestnut tree The building has a square floor plan from which a neutral white volume emerges above which a series of smaller volumes with simple geometries are placed The design by Dominique Coulon & Associés unfolds into different courtyards on three sides with the entrance on the horse chestnut tree side the striking colours and large windows reveal its vibrant interior where a warm and vibrant atmosphere is felt a large space striking in its spaciousness and striking orange colour From it emerges a double-height space with a cylindrical skylight A space of light and colour that activates this meeting space is the beating heart of the nursery allowing the spaces to be flooded with natural light A series of openings allow the interior to be ventilated and cooled during the hottest months Multi-childcare crèche by Dominique Coulon & Associés Project description by Dominique Coulon & Associés This structure resembles a giant sculpture placed in the town The building has pink and orange elevations for the neighbouring dwellings to admire the edifice fits into its urban environment harmoniously The colourful base that underpins the building is crowned with a series of white geometric spaces Their bright silhouettes stand out against the blue sky They contain double-height spaces that punctuate the ground floor The building shell extends beside the courts and gardens of this centre that supports young children in their development and parents in their role as the children’s main educators These courts and gardens are open-air cocoons They offer children a pleasant environment worthy of their high level of energy Thanks to our dynamic colour palette that makes use of natural light and proportions we have created a user-friendly learning facility where children and staff alike can thrive The building stands at the entrance to the town this childcare centre gives an impression of gentleness that evokes early childhood It main entrance is positioned at the plot’s corner A generous forecourt welcomes the public and invites meet-ups beneath a majestic horse-chestnut tree The entrance takes you into the main hallway which surprises you with its spaciousness and pervading orange tone over a double height and in a vermilion hue to a cylindrical skylight with sky-blue circles This gives the architectural project a strong form-based dimension and suggests well-being placing colour and its qualities at the centre of daily life here This hallway is the beating heart of the crèche It is a playful space that connects to all the sections of the architectural programme This space is the symbolic spot where you entrust your child to the centre and where we can imagine small group performances taking place or a Christmas tree installed and which could even become an extra room for development The activity spaces are widely glazed and south-facing Those for toddlers and older children lie next to each other brings in an abundance of golden natural light the spaces can be naturally aerated and cooled down during hot periods Dominique Coulon & Associés David Romero.Worksite supervision.- Brice Franquesa Engineering consulting firm (Structure).- Batiserf Ingénierie.Engineering consulting firm (Electricity and Worksite Fire Safety).- Gilbert Jost.Engineering consulting firm (Fluids).- Solares Bauen.Economics Oversight and Coordination.- E3 Économie.Acoustics.- DB Silence.Kitchen.- ES Services Énergétiques.Landscaping.- Bruno Kubler.Planning.- Tout Un Programme.Inspection.- Alpes Contrôle.Health and Safety Coordination.- Présents Competition.- April 2018.Studies.- March 2019 > September 2021.Project execution.- July 2022 > July 2024 roads and parkland.- Pontiggia.Building shell.- CLB.Watertightness.- SOPREMA., Woodwork and external door and window frames.- Hunsinger.External insulation and outdoor scaffolding.- Mambré.Plastering and suspended ceilings.- Isosystem. Locks.- Roman. Tiling and ceramics.- SCE. Glued-down floors.- Alsasol. Indoor paintwork and end-of-project cleaning.- MSP Peinture. Electrics strong and weak currents.- Huber et Cie. Heating and ventilation.- Maison Fruh. Plumbing sanitary installations and drainage.- Labeaune. Kitchen.- Audebert Eugeni Pons Archive Architecture Which language would you like to use this site in? Responding to today’s ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, that the convictions of 11 activists in France for campaign actions calling for a boycott of Israeli products violated their right to freedom of expression, Marco Perolini, Amnesty International’s France Researcher said: “Today’s landmark decision sets a significant precedent that should stop the misuse of anti-discrimination laws to target activists campaigning against human rights violations perpetrated by Israel against Palestinians. “Peaceful activists in France have been increasingly targeted using inappropriate laws and criminalized simply for freely expressing their views and advocating for boycotts, divestments, and sanctions as a tool to end human rights violations against Palestinians. Today’s decision sets a significant precedent that should stop the misuse of anti-discrimination laws to target activists campaigning against human rights violations perpetrated by Israel against Palestinians “The recognition by the ECtHR that these convictions violate their right to freedom of expression should send a clear message to all European states that they must stop the prosecution of peaceful activists. “Since 2010, French authorities have specifically instructed prosecutors to use anti-discrimination laws against BDS campaigners which are not used against activists who participate in similar boycott campaigns targeting other countries. With this decision it is now clear that no state should be exempt from peaceful criticism by campaigners.” Ruling on Baldassi and others v France case finds in favour of Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaigners Amnesty International does not take a view on the BDS movement. It is up to individuals and organizations to determine what strategies to use in furtherance of human rights. We believe that advocates of BDS should be allowed to express their views and take forward their campaigns without harassment, threats of prosecution or criminalization, or other measures that violate the right to freedom of expression. In September 2009, five of the applicants took part in an action inside a hypermarket in Illzach. They called for a boycott of Israeli products, handing out leaflets to raise awareness about human rights violations by Israel in the OPT. Eight of the applicants were involved in a similar action in March 2010. They were charged with incitement to discrimination, a criminal offence in France, and convicted to a suspended fine of 1,000 Euros and 7,000 Euros in damages. The French Court of Cassation upheld their convictions in 2015. In May 2019, the German Parliament adopted a resolution that labels the BDS campaign as antisemitic. Laws that criminalize or restrict BDS activism exist or are being discussed in several countries including Israel, USA and the UK. Together we can fight for human rights everywhere. Your donation can transform the lives of millions. If you are talented and passionate about human rights then Amnesty International wants to hear from you. 2015 8:31 AM EDTEditor’s note: This story was published in error; it incorrectly suggested that Denmark’s ban is new Denmark enacted a sweeping ban on the religious slaughter of animals in 2014 prompting a furious backlash from Jewish and Muslim community representatives which requires slaughterhouse workers to stun animals before killing them now extends to religious communities that were previously afforded an exemption “Animal rights come before religion,” Danish minister for agriculture and food Dan Jørgensen told Denmark’s TV2 will not eat meat unless the animal has been killed with a single slice to the neck Correction: This story was based on old sources and incorrectly suggested that Denmark’s ban is new An Afghan boy attends Eid al-Fitr prayers in Mazar-i-Sharif Sayed Mustafa—EPAMuslim faithful take part in morning prayers to celebrate the first day of the Muslim holiday of Eid-al-Fitr marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan a suburb in Nairobi predominantly inhabited by Somali immigrants within Kenya's capital Nairobi Boniface Mwangi—ReutersChinese Muslims of the Hui ethnic minority hold incense as they pray at the Imam's Tomb before the last Friday prayers of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the historic Niujie Mosque on July 17 2015 in Beijing.Kevin Frayer—Getty ImagesA young Chinese Muslim of the Hui ethnic minority sits on a prayer rug as men stand and pray during the last Friday prayers of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at the historic Niujie Mosque on July 17 2015 in Beijing.Kevin Frayer—Getty ImagesAn Indian Muslim devotee looks on before the start of Jummat-Ul-Vida prayers on the last Friday of the month of Ramadan ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holiday at Jama Masjid Mosque in the old quarters of New Delhi on July 17 Chandan Khanna—AFP/Getty ImagesMuslims offer Eid al-Fitr prayers outside Al Noor Mosque in Sharjah 2015.Francois Nel—Getty ImagesSyrian refugee children dressed in new clothes hold the hands of their grandmother while walking back to their shelter on the first day of the Eid al-Fitr holiday that marks the end of the holy fasting month of Ramadan at Zaatari refugee camp Muhammed Muheisen—APA Nigerian Muslim family takes a selfie portrait before Eid al-Fitr prayer marking the end of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan in Lagos Sunday Alamba—APIndonesian muslims walk on 'sea of sands' as they prepare for Eid Al-Fitr prayer at Parangkusumo beach in Yogyakarta 2015.Ulet Ifansasti—Getty ImagesA picture taken from the Abraj al-Bait Towers also known as the Mecca Royal Hotel Clock Tower shows Muslim worshipers praying at the Grand Mosque in the Muslim holy city of Mecca a day before the end of the fasting month of Ramadan Contact us at letters@time.com