Educational + Recreational Institute for ADHD and Autistic Children

Abstract

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism are disorderly conditions that affect the pre-frontal cortex and cerebellum of the brain and lead to low function and inadequate response of an individual in the neurotypical built environment. Children suffering with these disorders are unable to adjust in regular social environments of school and play spaces, hence cannot make educational progress according to conventional standards because the existing built environment doesn’t cater to their different learning needs. Prevalence of these condition among Pakistani children is 2.9% and there is a dire need of built facilities supporting these children to experience their best potential in studying and activity spaces. Mental health and dealing with its spectrum is a challenge for parents to understand and find solutions in Pakistan’s demanding environment. The objective of the thesis is to design an educational facility for children with ADHD and autism that incorporates spatial architectonic strategies through juxtaposition of built and playscape environment. Conjunction of recreational and educational spaces results in a new typology for learning spaces that helps these children enhance their cognitive development, develop academic understanding and learn to socialize through hierarchical placement of low, medium and high stimulus inducing zones. The zones accommodate multiple scholastic programs, therapeutic activities, arts programs, social and physical activities for varying spectrums of disorder. The proposed site is in H-8 sector of Islamabad opposite to Faiz Ahmed Faiz Road, a sector recognized for educational institutes, administrative offices, and healthcare facilities, which was chosen strategically to fulfil the contextual needs for special-needs-based learning architecture.