Neurodiverse Learning Centre for the Arts

Inspired by our own experiences, we set out to create an environment that supports the health and well-being of neurodivergent individuals. Designed first and foremost by neurodivergent people, for neurodivergent people, it places their comfort and ways of experiencing the world at the heart of design. This allows for the space to be shaped and adapted in ways that suit their needs.

From this foundation, the wider community is invited to connect, learn, and engage through a neurodiverse lens. The centre encourages meaningful exchange, with design that prioritises open, flexible and user-friendly elements. These promote comfort, ease and belonging, allowing both individuals and groups to thrive.

The spaces include:

1. A Sensory Room and Quiet Zones: Areas tailored for different sensory needs, such as quiet zones with soft lighting and soundproofing, and sensory rooms with tactile, auditory, and visual elements to create a balanced sensory experience.
2. Flexible Workshop Area: A space for educational programs, workshops, and group activities where neurodivergent individuals can share their unique perspectives and skills with others. This room has adjustable lighting, modular furniture, and movable walls to suit different sensory and accessibility needs.
3. Interactive Exhibits and Learning Stations: Installations where visitors can learn about neurodiversity through interactive exhibitions, art, and digital displays. These stations could showcase various neurodivergent experiences, helping visitors appreciate diverse ways of thinking and processing the world.
4. Therapeutic and Recreational Areas: Spaces for relaxation, movement, and creative expression, such as sensory-friendly exercise spaces, promoting well-being and allowing neurodivergent individuals to engage with others in their own terms.
5. Community Café and Social Spaces: A café and lounge area designed with different seating arrangements, lighting options, and noise level to accommodate varied sensory preferences. This social space aims to foster connection between neurodivergent individuals and the broader community.

By blending education, engagement, and inclusivity, the Neurodiverse Learning Centre for the Arts stands as a model for compassionate, adaptive design that supports and celebrates neurodiversity while fostering understanding and respect. We hope that this project serves as a blueprint for similar schemes that can be implemented all over the world.