'A living environment for people with autism' / Graduation project, ArtEZ institute of architecture 2015
'De Oude Ambachtsschool' ('The Old Crafts school') is established in Enschede. A city in the south-east of the dutch province Overijssel and about 20 kilometres of the German borders. In the 19th century Enschede became the centre of textile production. In the 60's of the 20th century the textile production completely disappeared. The most big factories where demolished in the 70's and 80's but some of them were renovated and used for other purposes like homes and museums. Partly due the Technical University and the Institute of the arts, Enschede is nowadays known as a lively city with many students!
The building is characterized by structure and repeats. A compelling hallway in the middle of the left wing of the building guides the visitor to her or his place. In the rooms, in the past used as classrooms, daylight comes through the windows in a visual rhythm.
The clear building structure and the straight pattern of the building I connected with my personal experience with people with autism disorder. A lot of aspects of the building reminded me to the needs of people with autism. Who are those people and what are they doing when they reach a point of leaving their parents house? The main question; what can interior architecture contribute to a better, independent functioning in society?
Floorplan
In the old school I created a living environment for young and old people with autism. During the design process I was aware of their needs to structure and another sense of sensory stimulation. Inside the most kept, physical structure of the building, I developed a new structure, existing from living units - linked to different life phases - interspersed with points of social interaction. From the centre of every unit - the bathroom - the occupant treads different layers, all highlighted with structures of materials and light, untill he or she appears in the social layers on the way to society.
Because of the needs of people with autism I used the structure consequent. In the living units as well in the spatial experience, the use of day- and artificial light, the material use and detailing.
Student Unit
Adult Unit
Senior Unit
Floorplan Student Unit
Section
Floorplan Adult Unit
Section
Floorplan Senior Unit
Section
Social interaction - Kitchen
Section - Various set-ups
Different layers - different structures
Visuals
Scale model - Student Unit 1:20
Materials
Inside the units
Outside the units
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