In modern society, architecture serves not only as space to fulfill basic human needs but also as a vehicle for enhancing quality of life and social inclusivity.
在现代社会中，建筑不仅是满足基本人类需求的空间，更是提升生活质量和社会包容性的载体。
AND lab recently conducted a research focusing on creating a humanized environment for children with autism through scientific and human-centered space design.
AND lab 纳间建筑设计事务所最近进行了研究，专注于通过科学和人性化的空间设计为自闭症儿童创造人性化环境。
Understanding the Special Needs of Children with Autism
理解孤独症儿童的特殊需求
Autism (Autism Spectrum Disorder, ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects social interaction, communication, and behavior. It typically manifests in early childhood, characterized by difficulties in social interaction, communication challenges, and repetitive behaviors.
孤独症（自闭症谱系障碍，ASD）是一种影响社交、沟通和行为的神经发育障碍。通常在儿童早期出现，表现为社交互动困难、沟通障碍和重复行为。
Autism is classified into high-functioning and low-functioning types. High-functioning individuals can live independently and participate in regular activities, while low-functioning individuals require more support and care.
孤独症可以分为高功能和低功能两种类型。高功能者可以独立生活并参与常规活动，而低功能者则需要更多支持和照护。
Additionally, autism can be categorized into high sensitivity and low sensitivity types based on sensory responses. High-sensitive individuals have strong reactions to sensory stimuli, while low-sensitive individuals have muted responses.
此外，根据感官反应的不同，孤独症还可以分为高敏感和低敏感类型。高敏感者对感官刺激有强烈反应，而低敏感者则反应较弱。
Children with autism have heightened sensitivity to factors like lighting, sound, and spatial arrangements in their environment. Therefore, designing an indoor environment suitable for them requires careful consideration of their special sensory needs:
自闭症儿童对环境中的光线、声音和空间布置等因素有着更为敏感的反应。因此，设计一个适合他们的室内环境需要充分考虑他们特殊的感官需求：
Vision
视觉
Lighting Control: Children with autism are highly sensitive to bright and flickering lights. We use soft natural light, indirect lighting, and adjustable artificial lighting to avoid glaring light sources and frequent light changes.
光线控制：自闭症儿童对强光和闪烁的光线非常敏感。我们在设计中采用柔和的自然光、间接照明和可调节的人工照明，避免刺眼的光源和频繁的光线变化。
Soft Tones: Utilize soft, low-saturation colors to minimize visual stimulation and avoid overly bright or highly contrasting colors.
柔和的色调：使用柔和、低饱和度的颜色，减少视觉刺激，避免过于明亮或对比强烈的颜色。
Simple Patterns: Opt for simple and clear patterns to reduce visual clutter and confusion.
简单图案：选择简单清晰的图案，减少视觉混乱和困惑。
Hearing
听觉
Soundproofing Materials: Install soundproofing materials on walls, ceilings, and floors to minimize external noise disturbances.
隔音材料：在墙壁、天花板和地板上使用隔音材料，减少外界噪音的干扰。
Soft Sounds: Choose gentle, continuous background music or stable natural pink noise to avoid sudden loud noises.
柔和声音：选择柔和、连续的背景音乐或稳定的自然粉红噪音，避免突然的大声音。
Quiet Devices: Use low-noise appliances and equipment to reduce mechanical noise in the environment.
静音设备：使用低噪音的家电和设备，减少环境中的机械噪音。
Touch
触觉
Comfortable Materials: Select soft, comfortable materials like cotton and velvet, avoiding rough or abrasive textures.
舒适材料：选择棉布、绒布等柔软舒适的材料，避免粗糙或刺激性的质地。
Multi-sensory Experiences: Provide furniture and decorations with various tactile options such as soft carpets, comfortable cushions, and touch-sensitive panels.
多感官体验：提供多种触感选择的家具和装饰，如柔软的地毯、舒适的靠垫和触摸板。
Temperature Regulation: Ensure the indoor temperature is comfortable to provide a warm and cozy tactile experience.
温度调节：确保室内温度舒适，提供温暖舒适的触觉体验。
Smell
嗅觉
Good Ventilation: Maintain adequate indoor air circulation to reduce odors and ensure freshness.
良好通风：保持室内空气流通，减少异味，保持空气清新。
Odorless Materials: Choose building materials and furniture that are odorless to minimize chemical scents that could be stimulating.
无味材料：选择无异味的建筑材料和家具，减少可能刺激嗅觉的化学气味。
Spatial Layout
空间布局
A well-planned spatial layout can help children with autism better understand and adapt to their environment. Emphasize simple and clear layouts that offer security and predictability.
合理的空间布局可以帮助自闭症儿童更好地理解和适应环境。强调简单明了的布局，提供安全感和可预测性。
Sequential Layouts: Design spaces with a fixed order, creating a structured environment that offers predictability and a sense of progression for children with autism.
连续布局：设计具有固定顺序的空间，营造一个结构化的环境，为孤独症儿童提供可预测性和进步感。
Functional Zoning: Clearly delineate different functional areas such as study, rest, and activity zones to maintain stability and predictability, helping children with autism understand and adapt to the space.
功能分区：明确划分学习、休息和活动等不同功能区域，保持稳定性和可预测性，帮助孤独症儿童理解和适应空间。
Clear Signage: Use clear signage, color coding, and straightforward navigation methods to aid understanding and predictability in the environment.
清晰标识：使用清晰的标识、颜色编码和简单的导航方式，帮助他们理解和预测环境。
Safety and Cleanliness
安全与整洁
Safety Design: Ensure all furniture and equipment meet safety standards to minimize potential hazards such as sharp edges and fragile items. Install protective barriers and safety locks.
安全设计：确保所有家具和设备符合安全标准，减少锋利边缘和易碎物品等潜在危险。安装防护栏和安全锁。
Clean and Orderly Environment: Maintain cleanliness and organization to reduce clutter and distractions.
整洁有序的环境：保持环境的整洁和有序，减少杂物和干扰。
Non-slip Measures: Use non-slip materials on floors and stairs to ensure safe walking conditions.
防滑措施：在地面和楼梯上使用防滑材料，确保安全行走条件。
Functional Spaces
功能空间
Calm Room: Provide dedicated rest areas where children with autism can find quiet and safety when feeling fatigued or uncomfortable.
平静室：提供专用休息区，让自闭症儿童在感到疲劳或不适时找到安静和安全的空间。
Sensory Room: Create interactive spaces like sensory gardens or play areas to help children with autism engage in social and sensory training.
感官室：打造互动空间，如感官花园或游戏区，帮助自闭症儿童参与社交和感官训练。
In our research, we have identified several universal design principles to create a more friendly and inclusive humanized environment for children with autism.
在我们的研究中，我们总结出几点通用的设计原则，为自闭症儿童创造一个更友好和包容的人性化环境。
Safety: Ensure all design elements meet safety standards to minimize potential risks. 安全性：确保所有设计元素符合安全标准，减少潜在风险。
Predictability: Provide a predictable and easily understandable spatial layout to help children with autism establish a sense of security.
可预测性：提供可预测和易于理解的空间布局，帮助自闭症儿童建立安全感。
Comfort: Focus on spatial comfort and ergonomic design to ensure the comfort of furniture and equipment.
舒适性：注重空间舒适性和人体工程学设计，确保家具和设备的舒适性。
Personalization: Offer personalized design solutions tailored to the individual needs of each child with autism.
个性化：为每个自闭症儿童的个体需求提供个性化的设计解决方案。
Through scientific and human-centered interior design, we can significantly improve the quality of life for children with autism. AND lab will continue to dedicate itself to creating more friendly and inclusive environments for special populations. We look forward to working with you to promote social progress and development.
通过科学和以人为本的室内设计，我们可以显著改善自闭症儿童的生活质量。AND lab 将继续致力于为特殊人群创造更加友好和包容的环境。期待与您共同推动社会的进步与发展。
References
1. Why Buildings for Autistic People Are Better for Everyone, Stuart Shell.
2. How to Design a Home for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Alora Bopray, September 19, 2023
3. Advancing Full Spectrum Housing- Designing for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders, Sherry Ahrentzen, PhD, and Kim Steele.
4. Creating “therapeutic landscapes” at home: The experiences of families of children with autism, Wasan Nagib and Allison Williams, Volume 52, July 2018, Pages 46-54. 5. AN ARCHITECTURE FOR AUTISM:CONCEPTS OF DESIGN INTERVENTION FOR THE AUTISTIC USER, Magda Mostafa, Archnet-IJAR, Volume 2 - Issue 1 - March 2008 - (189-211)
6. ASPECTSS* | THE AUTISM DESIGN INDEX, Magda Mostafa, https://www.autism.archi/aspectss
7. You can now experience what it feels like to have autism, Robert Szczerba, https://thenextweb.com/news/can-now-experience-feelslike-autism#gref
8. These Autism Simulations Help You Feel What It’s Like, https://www.bfeye.com/autism-simulations-help-feel-like/
9. A case study on the effect of light and colors in the built environment on autistic children’s behavior, Ashwini Sunil Nair, 1 Radhakrishnan Shanthi Priya,corresponding author 1 , * Prashanthini Rajagopal, 1 Chandramouli Pradeepa, 1 Ramalingam Senthil, 2 Samiappan Dhanalakshmi, 3 Khin Wee Lai, 4 Xiang Wu, 5 and Xiaowei Zuocorresponding author 6 , * https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9748440/
10. .Autism Sensory Room Ideas: Building a Safe Space for Autistic People, James Ward-Sinclair,https://autisticandunapologetic.com/2020/04/12/autism-sensory-room-ideas-building-a-safe-space-for-autistic-people/
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