Exploring the spatial needs of autistic individuals in the built environment: towards a learning centre for Durban.

Abstract

This study looks at the neurological condition of autism which impairs an individual’s perception to interact with people and the built environment. Recently autism has become a frequent subject of study in various fields this includes architecture, and architecture for Autism. Through research it has shown individuals with autism experience sensory and perceptual difficulties and therefore require special spatial needs and consideration in order for them to be able to manage their condition within the built environment. Most centres for autism deal only with the social, imaginative and communicative difficulties experienced disregarding the specific spatial, sensory and perceptual difficulties. The approach taken by this study includes concise literature review precedent studies, case study and semi structured online interviews. The study has shown that autistic individuals experience multiples sensory and perceptual difficulties both in learning and social spaces. The theoretical framework explores the paradigm of phenomenology which responds to the sensory stimulation and socio-spatial theory which addresses the importance of the public interface and its role in public awareness towards the autistic community.