Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Autism-friendly design creates impact: two ‘live’ projects, a college and purpose-built housing
BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design students were provided with the opportunity to make a difference through a rewarding project on their course.
Students from BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design were provided with the opportunity to make a difference through design briefs for autism-friendly adult accommodation and a college. The aim of each project is to provide ‘a continuous learning environment’ which incorporates purposeful activities to assist with improving skills, building confidence, and encouraging wellbeing, whilst also designing for sensory sensitivities.
Alongside their tutor, Joan Love, whose research expertise is in autism-friendly design, students presented their work to professionals from Home Group, Woodley (Autism) Special School & College, and Sensory OT4 Me.
Victoria Darcy, Clinical Practice Expert - Occupational Therapist from Home Group said,
“I'm listening and selfishly thinking what we could actually take away and use for some of the designs for our buildings. I like how the students talk about softening the indoor and the outdoor boundary, because we find that it's quite an issue for a lot of our customers and we're always trying to think about how we can achieve that. Just really, really enjoyed it. Thank you to everybody. Obviously so much hard work and so much food for thought as well for us. Really, really useful.”
Louise Newton, Specialist Occupational Therapist/Advanced Sensory Integration Practitioner from OT4me said,
“I have found the work completed by the students so amazing! They have been able to think about the bigger picture, not just designing a house for someone with autism, but a home. They have considered their needs as a whole and these designs will have a massive impact on autistic people’s health and wellbeing. We are about to undertake a big NHS contract where we are redesigning some of the psychiatric wards, that will invariably have autistic adults. We will definitely be taking some of the ideas from the projects with us! Ideas such as break away spaces, seating that encourages better communication, lighting, transition spaces and rooms to regulate to name a few. Thank you to the students for their inspiring ideas and all the best for their future.”
Adelia Jesus' Adult Accommodation provides an interior greenhouse which softly reflects light into the living space
Adrian Sugden, Head Teacher at Woodley Special School & College said,
"First of all, I thought that all the students were very eloquent, and I think some of their models are fantastic. I'd like a copy of all the presentations because there are certainly some things there that I would take and be presenting and giving to our architects to start thinking about (for our new autism school and college). Design can often be form over function or function over form, but the students have achieved form and function. I thoroughly enjoyed the presentations. I thought there was some very clever ideas so thank you for that.” Adrian Sugden, Head teacher, Woodley Special School & College.
Yomna Loutfy, a student on the BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design course who took part in the project said,
"This project gave me the opportunity of a lifetime. The project was an intense research-based project; however, we were given the right guidance and support to help us succeed. This project has made me think more about the user. It has pushed me outside of my comfort zone and tested my limits to be able to find solutions for problems that I faced throughout.
At the end of the project we had the privilege to present to professionals in this field, it was an amazing and unforgettable experience. Now I have the relevant experience to be able to communicate and sell my ideas to clients. Overall, if I would sum up this experience with one phrase it would be: An eye-opening experience!"
Yomna Loutfy’s Pottery School provides a clear wayfinding route with regular pause places to take time out between pottery making activities
Molly Wood, who is also a student on the course and took part said,
“I absolutely loved it… after having the experience of designing for autistic people on this project it is now something that I will take forward into future projects. It is so important to design for everybody not just for the so- called average person. I have learnt so much from Joan and the experience of presenting to real life clients has been invaluable due to the feedback we received about the viability of our projects.”
Molly Wood’s Activity School provides a calming garden including a long and a short walking track
Many thanks go to our panel of professionals for their support with this research led teaching project, and of course to our dedicated students.
Click here for more information about BA (Hons) Interior Architecture and Design.
Nancy Stewart's Adult Accommodation provides an acoustically treated sleeping suite
