MODEL OF ARCHITECTURAL AND SPATIAL GUIDELINES FOR THE ADAPTATION OF PEOPLE WITH AUTISM

Abstract

Current architectural environment mostly accounts for the interests of its neurotypical users, which do not correspond with the needs of people with neurodiversity. The relevance of using certain architectural solutions for autistic people is based on their sensitivity to external stimuli, as well as
statistics with increased rates of autism diagnoses. After analyzing theoretical works of foreign researchers and architects, and taking into account modern architectural solutions for people with autism spectrum disorder, we developed a model of architectural and spatial guidelines. It was based on five types of interaction between the autistic person and space: sense of self in personal space; sense of self in public space; perception of space around self; sensory sense of space; and sensory overload. The model considers the relationship between the person and the space, and prioritizes approaches to autism-friendly design such as differentiation, zoning, gradation, linking the external and internal environment, and specific architectural solutions. This design approach will adapt autistic people to interact with the environment in future, and may have a positive impact on the other user groups through "the curb-cut effect" (a phenomenon when solutions aimed at transforming the living conditions of a specific vulnerable user group help society as a whole). The model can be applied as a guide in architectural design and can also be used for future theoretical research.