CHALLENGE
About 1% of the population suffers from autism spectrum disorders. Of these, about one in three has infantile autism.

Over the past 40 years, work has focused on improving the conditions for people suffering from autism. Children who were diagnosed 30-40 years ago are now reaching an age where their changing needs make new demands on the physical form of their housing.

FINDINGS
There are great differences in the physical framework of the existing housing offered to people with autism – e.g. the balance between the common areas and the individual homes. Most of the homes have only one room.

The option of meeting other people is vital for the residents, although they may not be good at starting or maintaining contact.

For people suffering from autism, they feel safe living in secure, physical surroundings and clear visual equipment helps create an atmosphere of recognition and predictability.

SOLUTION
Developing a home suitable for elderly people in a protective housing com-munity, where the physical framework supports the specific needs of the target group.
A model programme, based on research, that rethinks the physical surroundings offered to autistic people relying on a holistic understanding of the interaction between users, services and the building facilities.
The model programme functions as a catalogue and a knowledge base for recommendations, guidelines and principles for how housing communities should be organised and built.

Design SIGNAL arkitekter ApS
Partners involved Sofiefonden, Realdania, Landsforeningen Autisme