The practical purpose of a Tactile Ground Surface (TGSi) is to serve as a guiding device for the

vision impaired pedestrians through difficult city terrains. The practical aspect of TGSi is upheld

by the Australian Standard AS/NZS 1428.4 which details every aspect that affects its application

from design to installation.

The nature of the AS/NZS 1428.4 requires the TGSi to be visually prominent which is at odds with

many design principles that may consider such contrast too intrusive for the end product. It has a

lways been a great dilemma for Architects and Interior Designers to choose a TGSi product that

could embrace both practicality and aesthetic as a whole. A compromise that has been adopted

by the TGSi industry has seen the individual Stainless Steel and PVC / Polyurethane TGSi studs

become very popular; end users of these products soon found themselves in a endless battle of

replenishing missing pieces in the case of Stainless Steel and worn-off PVC / Polyurethane studs

that become too slippery when wet. A better solution is needed and the answer is with the Eigen's

Granite TGSi range products (VersaTac and GraniTac).

                                     Fig. 1 -  VersaTac TGSi at Melbourne City Square.

For a long time there is hardly any choice in the Stainless Steel Tactile Ground Surface Indicator market when it comes to Stainless Steel Directional TGSi products; Eigen has provided an alternative for the void in the market. The quality of the material and finish on Eigen’s stainless steel TGSi will delight many architects and interior designers.