In partnership with the NSW Aboriginal Housing Office (AHO), this project focuses on the research and designing of a home to fit the needs of a family with an autistic child. The project commenced with preliminary research on autistic design and the needs of autistic people, followed by consultation with various service providers. A set of design principles were created to inform the designing of a four bedroom home as well as future models of autistic-friendly living.

The key design principles developed within this project are as follows:

• Foster health and wellbeing 

• Enhance sensory balance 

• Maximise familiarity, stability, predictability and clarity 

• Provide adequate choice and independence 

• Controlling social interaction and privacy 

• Ensure safety and security 

• Ensure accessibility and support in the surrounding neighbourhood 

• Ensure durability via material and construction 

• Provide flexibility within the space with various zones of different sizes in which the child with autism can engage in family activities without being the focus. 

• Maximise use of natural light & Northern light 

• Connection to enclosed outdoor space 

• Connection to surrounding bushland (Gum trees) 

• Ensure passive surveillance to monitor child yet retain adequate privacy 

• Create a simple and clutter free environment 

• Create a therapeutic, well-secured outdoor space to cater for both the hyper and hypo-sensitivities