Spectrum Support Hub // by Chiew Jian Jin

THESIS STATEMENT

Abstract Figure: Workplace Neurodiversity (Source: Kay Sargent, 2020)

In 2020, 1 in 54 newborn are estimated to have Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) autistic

globally. Being in the spectrum signifies an individual having unique proficiencies and talents,

along with challenges in social skills, repetitive behaviours and communication. This

developmental disability is often perceived as a degenerative disease. Yet, autistic individuals are

society like us with different needs. Autistic groups are isolated from living their best condition by

their sensory reactions towards the designated built environment.

Designing for autism user emphasizes relationship of human connection with spaces

through sensation and perception, how humans gather and interpret environmental stimulation.

Each autistic individuals process and react diversely with various sensitivity in the spectrum. The

architectural thesis aims to explore the extents of Sensory Design Rubrics in designing optimal

vocational-supporting environment for neurodiverse (autism) community. In Malaysia, autistic

childhood education are gradually developed and enhanced. However, autism employment rate

that signifies their independence are below satisfactory. There is a need for a sensory architecture

that enables autistic individuals into societal-inclusive programs for employment, empowerment

and equality under immersive built environment.

Keywords: Autism Spectrum Disorder, Sensory Architecture, Neurodiversity

private stalls and drive thru area are both fragmentized spaces, but privacy is regulated with the sense of enclosure.

4.3 FRAGMENTIZATION OF SPACES

In the sensory design framework, fragmentized spaces are optimal volume spaces for semiprivate work tasking or resting. Autistic group may anticipate with limited head count of individuals. This group of spaces are consist of drive thru, food stalls, rehab spaces. One caretaker or volunteer will be assisting autistic individual at a time to distribute and sell food, or conduct private therapy for muscle relax. The functionality is defined with various similar textures between each and from the transition spaces as well. Different toning is applied to feature the clarity of transition while preserving the spatial warmth. Figure 3.6 shown an example of transition from transition gallery to drive thru with similar timber texture but different timber toning.

Figure 4.4: Similar texture, different toning from transition gallery towards fragmentized spaces for drive thru tasks.

4.4 FREE FORM SPACES

Free form space’s area, volume and boundary are not bounded by walls or building components. Hence, it is utilized to facilitate transitions of public circulations into certain private core functions of the building. Biophilic features are designated throughout the spaces to establish a safe, comfortable, and invincible anticipation of various groups within the building, constructing a social-inclusive setup of spatial sequencing. Figure 3.7 illustrates spaces of similar quality which are the transition gallery towards farm garden.

Figure 4.5: Boundaries undefined, transitions soften with free forms, biophilic features are implanted along the journey for an intimate anticipation with publics

4.5 VOLUME OF SPACES

The volumetric spaces are spaces for formal training and rehabilitation such as the hydrotherapy pool, sand pool and the training studios. The materiality of spaces on the wall, ceiling and floors are altered to emerge the furniture and other components of the interior that features the spatial functionality (Figure 3.8). Besides, escape spaces or sensory corners are designed to adhere to these main spaces to serve as a break away from the working routine.

Figure 4.6: Boundaries undefined, transitions soften with free forms, biophilic features are implanted along the journey for an intimate anticipation with publics

4.6 CURVY SPACES

Curvy spaces signify escape spaces where volume are fitting intimate scale. Human ergonomics are given a detailed concern to adapt to a variety of unintended usage by autistic individuals. Being an adjacent space, curvy spaces are often designated beside volumetric and fragmented spaces to serve as a sensory break out room. Large openings are designated above

human height to introduce indirect sunlight into the curvy spaces, as well as open up visual linkage with surrounding greeneries extended from the Taman Aman Park.

Figure 4.7: Curvy spaces of intimate scale adjacent to main spaces

4.7 SENSORY SPATIAL RHIZOME

Figure 4.8: Spatial rhizome constructed from the sensory framework

Figure 4.9: Principles and Concept of Rhizomatic Thinking Developed by Deleuze and Guattari in 1980s’, Rhizomatic thinking illustrates our living realm as an anti-linear and non-hierarchical structure. There is no significance, and everything is an aggregate of multitudinous spaces through semiotic chains without specific basis and directions. The statement was an argument against post-modernism. Diversity and flexibility to transform is embraced with a thorough understanding of the production of a matter through the knowledge’s system. The framework fits best in analyzing the complex spatial relations of autism spaces. Fluidity and multiple functionalities through entities and connectivities are emphasized. In the sensory spatial rhizome, each spaces and programs are constructed from multiple entities (physical forms, programs, textures, materiality, and privacy level) that are similar and diverse at the same time. The circulations and relations of spaces do not affect each other singularly. It is about decentralized spaces of qualitative difference with no central automaton and defined solely by circulations and relationships. This thesis aims to facilitate sensory spaces on this basis, where the proposal is non-hierarchical, people-modelled and programmatically adaptive in internal, external and surrounding urban scale.

4.8 PROGRAMMATIC STRUCTURE

Figure 4.10: The non-hierarchical architectural system pinpoints in a few programmatic context

The relation of spaces are defined by rhizomatic theory, where it is non-hierarchical, fluid and consist of multiple functionalities. Hence, occupants experience are defined by the user purpose. The spatial relations and spatial sequence are redefined in various events. Semi-public spaces that served as a transition spine to the entire network offers sufficient fluidity to different functions. Daily events may occur as daily vocational training for autism, daily community participation or public daily user routines. The nodes linkage responding to these routines are without a fixed sequence, and solely depend on the preferred user experience.

Figure 5.5: Food alley after the ramp entrance

Figure 5.6: Park view café at the end of food alley where sensory celebration of public is designed

Figure 5.7: Alternate entry of the entrance ramp will lead to the transition gallery, where mutual understanding between autism group and neuro-typical society is further enhanced with sensory experience

Figure 5.8: A farm garden with pleasant sensory experienced on farming process by occupants

5.3 BUILDING PROPOSAL

Figure 5.9: The perspective features the relationship between floors, where therapy and rehab spaces are designed on the toppest floors for better privacy control and public and semi-public spaces are designed at lower floors with visual linkage by the park

Figure 5.10: The section illustrates the relation between spaces

Figure 5.11: Hydrotherapy pool of porous glasses to enhance the privacy while ensuring the sensory pleasure with visual linkage to the nature in the rehab floors

Figure 5.12: Longitudinal section illustrating the relation of spaces from ramp entry towards different floors

Figure 5.13: The design of training studio to fit various sensory spectrum needs of autism group to ensure the capabilities of autism to perform themselves

Figure 5.14: Sensory room adjacent to the training studio, which serves as an escape for autism group to either work individually or rest in spaces designed with human ergonomics to allow unintended usage

5.5 DESIGN POSTERS

Figure 5.19: The design poster of Sensory Spectrum Hub