Katherine Jiangxue Han
Design For Family Living With Autism
Autism (ASD) is a term to describe a range of neurodevelopmental disorders, which are usually identified through “challenges in communication, language, and social interaction, along with specific repetitive behaviors and patterns” . (Whitehouse et al., 2018, p.2-3). The condition of autism is lifelong that currently could not be cured. The proportion of people with autism is significantly rising due to the increasing awareness and updates to the diagnostic criteria in
recent years (“Autism spectrum disorders”, 2021, p.4). Consequently, there is not enough Autism-friendly design in the current housing market to meet the increasing demands and no guidelines to cater to the specific needs. Therefore this project aims to promote an inclusive and friendly long-stay living mode for families with autism, from spatial configuration and sensory experience, to help develop cognitive regulation skills and build social interactions. Furthermore, the model is also a rethinking of home for people with disabilities and for working from home in the post covid era.
This project is located in Hoppers Crossing, with 6 townhouses to form a village, for multi-generation families with autism, elders, people with mental and physical disability. The model will provide safe and inviting community space linking the backyards of each townhouse, as well as flexible settings to meet the individual needs through the time, with professional carers lives inside the community to provide different levels of support from 24/7 to drop in support according to their needs.
Instagram: @katherinehannn
