Concurso de diseño de espacios para autistas: Sketch-a-Space

Easter Seals, una entidad que ofrece servicios a personas con distintos tipos de discapacidad, ha organizado un concurso en el que propone a personas con autismo diseñar -con Google Sketchup, que hace de patrocinador- el "espacio de sus sueños". En categoría aparte, pueden participar personas no autistas, diseñando espacios que satisfagan las necesidades de las personas con autismo. En realidad, se crean cuatro categorías:

1. Joven con autismo (13-17 años)
2. Adulto con autismo (18 años en adelante)
3. Joven sin autismo (13-17 años)
4. Adulto sin autismo (18 años en adelante)

El caso es que esta iniciativa puede servir para mi investigación, varias cuestiones. De entrada, en las bases del concurso hay unos enlaces (que aún no he consultado, pero que prometen ser muy interesantes) en referencia a diseño de interiores para personas con autismo:

1. Advancing Full Spectrum Housing:  Designing for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders (PDF).
2. Opening Doors:  A Discussion of Residential Options for Adults Living with Autism and related Disorders (PDF) (Chapter Six specifically addresses design needs)
3. Design + Autism. 
4. Classroom Design for Living and Learning with Autism.
5. Individuals with autism may present with a variety of sensory needs.  The following site has information about how these needs may present in individuals with autism and how they might be addressed. (NOTA: enlace anterior roto... probablemente se refirieran a ésta página)

Por otra parte, si más adelante se publicara algún tipo de "galería" de las propuestas presentadas, se podría realizar un análisis, tanto de los trabajos remitidos por las personas con autismo como por arquitectos o diseñadores no autistas, estudiando cómo enfocan la propuesta arquitectónica.

Los trabajos se valorarán, lógicamente, por un jurado, que tendrá en cuenta, entre otras cosas:

1. Innovative design:  How does your design organize space?  Both practical and fanciful ideas are welcome.  The entry is intended to be a point of inspiration for a realized design.
2. How does your design address the unique needs of individuals with autism?
3. Thoughtful use of materials:  Why did you choose the materials that you used?  How do the materials enhance the design of your space and the quality of life for someone living with autism?
4. Quality of the SketchUp model:  Well-built models that visually represent your design ideas will catch the eye of the judges.

Es interesante también el apartado Autism and Design,  que cito (completo), por si finalizado el concurso, desapareciera la información:

Why does Physical Space Make Such an Impact on Some People with Autism?

When it comes to living with autism, we also know a person’s physical space and environment can be particularly important. Autism is a lifelong disability that affects the way a person’s brain functions. People with autism have challenges in the area of communication and social skills, as well as restrictive or repetitive behaviors. Many individuals with autism report increased sensitivity to sounds, smells, tactile and their visual stimuli. These sensitivities require that their unique needs be considered when designing environments. 
We’ve all experienced a time when our physical environment made it impossible to concentrate or when we’ve been so uncomfortable in a particular setting we’ve had to get up and leave. Consider an incessant car alarm, a lumpy chair that just doesn’t feel right, a flickering overhead light, a neighbors’ television set, an office so cold it brings on goosebumps or hot with afternoon sun? But most often, people generally take for granted the seemingly minor distractions of any given place. They go unnoticed, ignored and remain in the background.
But for many people with autism, basic components of a room -- the buzz of florescent lighting, a zig-zag pattern on carpet, a vibrant wall color, or random arrangement of furniture -- can often prove debilitating. The challenges of autism result in these type of stimuli becoming unbearable.

Meeting the Unique Needs of Individuals with Autism through Universal Design

The concept of “Universal Design” has significantly influenced the design world. Extending far beyond its initial intent to make all buildings accessible to all individuals who need access, universal design now includes a variety of environments and materials. In its simplest form, universal design is the creation of products and environments that are usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation or specialized design. For example, curb-cuts and ramps are now common-place features in our communities, providing universal access to people with physical disabilities.
Given the increased prevalence of autism, and greater awareness of the disability, more professionals are beginning to consider the unique design needs of individuals with autism through Universal Design.
The Urban Land Institute, Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center and the faculty and students at the ASU Stardust Center for Affordable Homes and the Family, and ASU's School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture have developed resources for evidence-based design goals and guidelines to direct future housing design and development for individuals with autism. These reports introduce housing providers, architects, developers, planners, public officials and others involved in the residential development industry to conditions and aspirations of individuals with autism that demand a new approach to how we provide, design and develop environments. Learn about design and meeting the needs of individuals with autism:

• Opening Doors
• Advancing Full Spectrum Housing

“It’s important )for families living with autism and professionals to begin to think differently about space -- see environments through the eyes of a person living with autism and work together to find flexible, personalized solutions,” says Mardie Oakes, Executive Director of Hallmark Community Solutions and one of the judges in the Sketch-A-Space competition. “I love the Easter Seals Sketch-A-Space contest because it really allows individuals with autism and others connected to the community to express their creative ideas for what makes a comfortable and safe space, whether a bedroom, family room, classroom or office,” said Oakes.

Tips for Designing Spaces for Individuals with Autism

When it comes to living with autism, a person’s physical space and environment can be particularly important. Many individuals with autism report increased sensitivity to sounds, smells, tactile and their visual stimuli -- unique needs that need to be addressed when designing various environments. 
Be sure to keep these sensitivities in mind when dreaming up your Sketch-A-Space entry. Here’s a few other items to consider:

• Sensory Issues: visual, tactile, olfactory, and auditory. How can these be mediated or adjusted for individual preference?
• Consider adjustments that allow those in the environment to adjust for their desired level of social engagement and privacy. 
• Increase visual clarity within spaces.  Use features such as flooring material or color to define spaces within a room.

Es curioso que una iniciativa de este tipo, tan sencilla como encomiable, me proporcione, además, tanta información útil, teniendo en cuenta lo difícil que me está resultando hallar documentación sobre el tema.

P.S. Aún no ha terminado el plazo de envío de trabajos, pero casi.... finaliza el día 20 de agosto. No me da tiempo.

Nota mental: en la composición del jurado, figura un arquitecto, Brad Keith, del estudio Solomon Cordwell Buenz, quienes han proyectado el Easter Seals of Metropolitan Chicago Theraputic School & Center for Autism Research en Chicago. Contactar con ellos para pedir información sobre el proyecto.