Project SummaryFlourish is a Center for Independent Living (CIL), particularly designed to be a help and resource for those on the Autism Spectrum and their families. A daytime center, it seeks to train and provide support and community for these people, and teach them skills for living in an apartment, learning how to have a job, as well as connect and relax through movement, crafts or other sensory activities.
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Design for Autism Spectrum DisordersPerception and knowledge about how ASD affects people is central to understanding how to design with this population in mind. At the forefront of this understanding is realizing that this is a spectrum, and with sensory issues for example there are those who are hyper-reactive and others who are hypo-reactive. While this creates a unique breadth of challenge, there are certain things which a majority of those with ASD seem to display. Many of them have unusual phobias or anxiety and are easily overwhelmed. They have a great need for stability and security, especially since they can have difficulty communicating and understanding social cues and because of that are too often overlooked in many social settings. Cognizant of these obstacles, designers want to help those with ASD by creating a space that is both a refuge, and a springboard from which to go back into the world with confidence, equipped for the challenges ahead.
A few areas to consider in design would be safety, transitions, stimulation and lighting, and how these particularly affect ASD persons. Thought always important in design, safety needs singular attention in Centers for Independent Living (CILs) because many on the Autism Spectrum have a low awareness of safety and danger making it critical to take extra care in this area. Transitions and change can be difficult for some on the Autism Spectrum, so smoothing out transitions help minimize confusion. Stimulation of various sorts needs to be considered, one being acoustics because some with ASD can be fixated on white noise and have trouble ignoring background noises, which makes sound absorption especially important. Visual stimuli matter most with color and light. Too many and oversaturated colors provide and unhealthy amount of stimuli, while one the opposite side, researchers found that “stark, white walls” are strongly disliked. Light, neutral colors are best for the majority of spaces, with some colors strategically placed. |
ResearchInterviews with Dr. Rose Mason, Assistant Professor, Special Education, Purdue University and Alexis Crawford revealed just how important stability, predictability and soothing spaces are for those with ASD. They face certain challenges related to communication and understanding social cues, and need someone to come alongside them to push them towards a higher potential. It also became apparent how many stigmas are attached to those with Autism and we wanted to create a space that would help those faced with various challenges to defeat the impossible.
Goals:FAMILIARITY. A safe, stable, comforting environment, with control over sensory stimuli such as lighting, acoustics, and IAQ
SOCIALIZATION. Help clients connect in this space through activities, interactions, help them translate this to other parts of life INDEPENDENCE. Boost clients confidence and give the the tools and abilities to live independently, maintain a job, etc. LONGEVITY. Ability to perpetuate and extend good effects and thing learned in this space, have a lasting impact on lives and the world for better. |
Project note
This was a team project which Cassandra Crawford and Amanda Wegener collaborated on. We both conducted some initial research and worked on floor plans initially before melding them together. Amanda modeled the majority of the space and then turned it over to Cassandra to fine tune details and custom elements. Cassandra did most of the renderings while Amanda designed the logo, gathered the research and laid out the poster and other documentation. All along the way we kept checking in to see if things were going in the direction we both thought was best.