Even if, the studies on Autism Spectrum Disorder, consistently describe the mechanisms and causes of neurodevelopment abnormalities, they still contain a limited source of information on the Architecture’s relevance to the issue and its importance in everyday life of individuals diagnosed with it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2014 over 1% of the American population was diagnosed with ASD. However, in Europe statistical database is rather scarce, but based on the Department of Health, Social Care of UK it is estimated that more than half a million people in England have autism, more than 1% of the population. Moreover, as stated by ASDEU (Autism Spectrum Disorders in the European Union) due to limited research on adults many persons with ASD are not even diagnosed until adulthood, whatsoever environment is not responding to their needs. Through this analysis, it is understood that spatial studies and their performance on neuro-atypical individuals go far beyond minority group necessities. The research has been developed in collaboration with the no-profit organization (UDSA) active on the relevance of the surrounding environment on the educational process of neuro-atypical individuals in the age of twenties. Explicitly, the organization concentrates on preparation and integrating of the individuals with ASD within society, by strengthening personal talents or abilities after compulsory education. For this reason, the study aims in the following pages to underline the influence and contribution of the Architecture in the improvement and apprehension of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Due to the opposite poles of the spectrum as hypersensitivity or lack of sensitivity, unidirectional design guideline cannot be applied but, rather deepened crucial Architectural criteria. In fact, the research project intends to provide a spatial strategy, coherent and adaptive towards given circumstances, to deal with the variety and individuality of the ASD. The research focuses on providing a comparative method on up-to-day projects inquiring ASD through spatial features. However, observing already existing theoretical or physical projects, it is manifested that design approach remains vague and considerably limited tangible solutions. The inquiry reveals, that the majority of the projects tend to concentrate around young generations and their learning processes, such approach leads to a big number of individuals with ASD abandoned in their adulthood by the academic system. Therefore, the chosen method selects certain characteristics from ongoing practices to explore them within spatial relations; the connection between interior and exterior, degree of inclusiveness, and gradual transition among shared or individual areas. The research has been translated into specific design approach, which at the same time could comprehend different shades of the ASD. The architectural attitude consists of a GRADIENT STRATEGY that articulates spaces gradually based on their intensity, activity and frequency. The proposal maintains not only spatial progressivity but also a perceptive range of the environment for neuro-atypical individuals. By considering weaknesses and insufficiency that has emerged, this paper will propose a lucid theory of design process integrated with contradictory aspects of the spectrum while maintaining architectural articulation through the project.
Autism and Architecture: The Importance of a Gradual Spatial Transition
Gaiani Alessandro;Fantoni Duccio;
2021
Abstract
Even if, the studies on Autism Spectrum Disorder, consistently describe the mechanisms and causes of neurodevelopment abnormalities, they still contain a limited source of information on the Architecture’s relevance to the issue and its importance in everyday life of individuals diagnosed with it. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2014 over 1% of the American population was diagnosed with ASD. However, in Europe statistical database is rather scarce, but based on the Department of Health, Social Care of UK it is estimated that more than half a million people in England have autism, more than 1% of the population. Moreover, as stated by ASDEU (Autism Spectrum Disorders in the European Union) due to limited research on adults many persons with ASD are not even diagnosed until adulthood, whatsoever environment is not responding to their needs. Through this analysis, it is understood that spatial studies and their performance on neuro-atypical individuals go far beyond minority group necessities. The research has been developed in collaboration with the no-profit organization (UDSA) active on the relevance of the surrounding environment on the educational process of neuro-atypical individuals in the age of twenties. Explicitly, the organization concentrates on preparation and integrating of the individuals with ASD within society, by strengthening personal talents or abilities after compulsory education. For this reason, the study aims in the following pages to underline the influence and contribution of the Architecture in the improvement and apprehension of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Due to the opposite poles of the spectrum as hypersensitivity or lack of sensitivity, unidirectional design guideline cannot be applied but, rather deepened crucial Architectural criteria. In fact, the research project intends to provide a spatial strategy, coherent and adaptive towards given circumstances, to deal with the variety and individuality of the ASD. The research focuses on providing a comparative method on up-to-day projects inquiring ASD through spatial features. However, observing already existing theoretical or physical projects, it is manifested that design approach remains vague and considerably limited tangible solutions. The inquiry reveals, that the majority of the projects tend to concentrate around young generations and their learning processes, such approach leads to a big number of individuals with ASD abandoned in their adulthood by the academic system. Therefore, the chosen method selects certain characteristics from ongoing practices to explore them within spatial relations; the connection between interior and exterior, degree of inclusiveness, and gradual transition among shared or individual areas. The research has been translated into specific design approach, which at the same time could comprehend different shades of the ASD. The architectural attitude consists of a GRADIENT STRATEGY that articulates spaces gradually based on their intensity, activity and frequency. The proposal maintains not only spatial progressivity but also a perceptive range of the environment for neuro-atypical individuals. By considering weaknesses and insufficiency that has emerged, this paper will propose a lucid theory of design process integrated with contradictory aspects of the spectrum while maintaining architectural articulation through the project.I documenti in SFERA sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
