Magda Mostafa - <div>Architecture, as a science, deals with the
manipulation of the physical environment to facilitate certain functions and
elicit intended behavior. This environment is comprised primarily of sensory
elements- textures, colors, patterns, acoustics etc. In accordance to the
sensory definition of autism, these elements play an important role in autistic
behavior and their cognition and integration are at the core of the disorder.
This definition is the basis of the Autism ASPECTSS™ Design Index as discussed
here. The objective of this paper is to illustrate the use of this index and
its seven principles- Acoustics, Spatial sequencing, Escape,
Compartmentalization, Transition spaces, Sensory zoning and Safety- as a design
development tool. The paper summarizes the impact of these principles on the
development of spatial design criteria for the Advance Center for Special Needs
in Qattameya, Cairo, designed by Progressive Architects, and presents a
possible prototype for schools for autism which would follow the ASPECTSS™
principles.<br></div><div><br></div><div>Key words:&nbsp;Autism;
educational environments; school design; special needs<span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:11.0pt;
line-height:115%;font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;;mso-fareast-font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;;
mso-ansi-language:EN-US;mso-fareast-language:EN-US;mso-bidi-language:AR-SA"><br></span></div>
Architecture for Autism: Autism ASPECTSS™ in School Design
Type
journal article
Year
2014
Architecture, as a science, deals with the manipulation of the physical environment to facilitate certain functions and elicit intended behavior. This environment is comprised primarily of sensory elements- textures, colors, patterns, acoustics etc. In accordance to the sensory definition of autism, these elements play an important role in autistic behavior and their cognition and integration are at the core of the disorder. This definition is the basis of the Autism ASPECTSS™ Design Index as discussed here. The objective of this paper is to illustrate the use of this index and its seven principles- Acoustics, Spatial sequencing, Escape, Compartmentalization, Transition spaces, Sensory zoning and Safety- as a design development tool. The paper summarizes the impact of these principles on the development of spatial design criteria for the Advance Center for Special Needs in Qattameya, Cairo, designed by Progressive Architects, and presents a possible prototype for schools for autism which would follow the ASPECTSS™ principles.

Key words: Autism; educational environments; school design; special needs
Citation
Mostafa, Magda. "Architecture for Autism: Autism ASPECTSS™ in School Design." Archnet-IJAR: International Journal of Architectural Research, vol. 8, issue 1 (2014): 143-158.
Parent Publications
Authorities
Copyright
Magda Mostafa
Country
Egypt
Language
English
Keywords