Author: esdf

Situated two blocks west of Kitsilano Beach, the site overlooks English Bay, providing sweeping views of Stanley Park and North Vancouver. Prism Park embraces the site’s exceptional positioning and transforms what is currently an empty lawn into a delightful garden for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to gather, notice, and unwind. The space is separated into distinct areas that promote varying degrees of stimulation, providing park-goers with options that fit their individual needs. For those looking for more stimulation, a green roof covers a space for sitting, talking, and connecting with one another. Next to this, a sensory planting area holds flowering perennials and shrubs that are visually exciting and/or pleasantly aromatic. A birdhouse planting sits nearby a waterfall wall, which engages the sound and touch senses. In the spaces closest to the water and farthest from the entrances sit calm zones that provide respite from overstimulation. A shallow water flow meanders throughout the park, crossing the primary path several times and inserting small moments of joy. As community social participation is a significant challenge for many adults with ASD, Prism Park embraces people from across the spectrum and welcomes everyone to connect.

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

Concept Statement

This garden aims to provide space for adults with autism to connect with others, engage with their environment, and escape from overstimulation. It is divided into areas which generally fall into three main categories: social gathering spaces, sensory stimulation zones, and separated, calming areas to escape sensory overload. The designs are inspired by organic geometric forms that provide interesting experiences while remaining simple. The garden aims to prioritize ecological health through strategic plantings and creative usage of organic materials as sensory experiences.

Site plan

Research notes

Sketches – Sensory spaces

Plan view – Form sketches

Form sketch 1 – Lines on a seashell

Plan sketch 1

Section sketch 1 – Trellis & plantings

Perspective sketch 1 – Moss wall

Form sketch 2 – Twist

Plan sketch 2

Section sketch 2 – Sunken seat

Perspective sketch 2 – Covered social area

Site context

Site facing South

Site facing North

Section 1 – Site and Trafalgar St

Section 2 – Site and slope down to the beach

Video: Ocean view and sounds

Cube diagram