KEY RESEARCH FINDINGS
LIGHTING
- providing plenty of shade, both with trees and shade structures as person with ASD are often photosensitive;
COLOURS
- preferring soft, natural colours: whites, off-whites, pastel pink, blue, lavender, and orange tones are among the most popular choices
- limiting colour contrast
- using plants to separate environments devoted to different functions characterized also by different sensory stimulation level (e.g., use essences with soft colours along the paths and essences with bright colours only at the nodes)
FLOORS & ROOFS
- using anti-trauma and sound-absorbing flooring (e.g., natural materials as softwoods like pine, natural sisal, or certain sound-absorbent vinyl, cork boarding)
- adopting sound-reducing techniques for the external wall perimeter
- avoiding high ceilings
- providing build green roofs, whenever possible, to limit the impact acoustic of the rain
SPACES/LAYOUT
- Dividing spaces into different sensory areas on the basis of their stimulation level
- Providing calming and soothing areas to retreat from overwhelming social situations
- small and neutral in terms of sensory environment then with minimal distractions;
- located by keeping the visual relationship with the surroundings, also to allow supervision;
- partially and perceptually separated from the main space by using different design solutions, such as vegetation
- Preferring curvilinear walls: corners can hide dangers or unexpected things/situations and convey a sense of restlessness
- Including some elements of consistency to create predictable pattern
ORIENTATION
- Providing maps and signage (image-based) and creating evident paths by using colour coding and labels helps to support orientation
- Enhancing visual features by introducing vegetation and colours makes easier recognisability and wayfinding of different activities, spaces and sensory areas
SOURCES
Tola, G., Talu, V., Congiu, T., Bain, P., & Lindert, J. (2021). Built Environment Design and People with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): A Scoping Review. International journal of environmental research and public health, 18(6), 3203. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18063203
Gaudion, K., & McGinley, C. (2012). Green spaces: outdoor environments for adults with autism. London: Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, Royal College of Art. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Katie-Gaudion/publication/256547367_Green_Spaces_Outdoor_Environments_for_Adults_with_Autism/links/0deec5235d234d6c7e000000/Green-Spaces-Outdoor-Environments-for-Adults-with-Autism.pdf
The Ultimate Guide to Autism Friendly Colours | Experia. (n.d.). Retrieved February 9, 2024, from https://www.experia.co.uk/blog/ultimate-guide-to-autism-friendly-colours/
DESIGN ITERATIONS
Initial water feature design
Water feature iterations
Removing the trellises
REFORMULATING THE DESIGN
Zones plan
Next stage design
Current stage design
PLANTINGS
Exposure plan
Plant lists, organized by sensory stimulation
Plant lists, organized by exposure requirements