Slowing Down in an Impulse-Permeated World

What we can learn from people diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder regarding the design of (semi-public) spaces

Student Report (2019)
Authors

T.M. Tegelberg (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)

Supervisors

H Sohn (TU Delft - Theory, Territories & Transitions)

Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment, Architecture and the Built Environment
Copyright
© 2019 Tess Tegelberg
More Info
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Publication Year
2019
Language
English
Copyright
© 2019 Tess Tegelberg
Graduation Date
17-06-2019
Awarding Institution
Delft University of Technology
Faculty
Architecture and the Built Environment, Architecture and the Built Environment
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Abstract

There are more diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder and the world is more and more demanding of our directed attention. This can lead to Directed Attention Fatigue which leads to heightened arousal. Per the Yerkes-Dodson Law, heightened arousal lowers performance in simple and especially in complex tasks. People who are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder might view a social task (often needed in a semi-public space) as a complex one which a neuro-typical person would view as simple. The objective is therefore to lower arousal. The environment also has a very large impact on a person. It is therefore wise to see how that could be used in lowering arousal. The main question in this thesis is therefore: what design elements could be improved with help from autism spectrum disorder to improve the experience and perception of semi-public spaces? The difference between people diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and neuro-typical people lies in individual differences, situational factors, social conditions, cultural factors and how they are able to cope. The design elements that therefore be valued more are privacy, spatial crowding, illumination, general stimuli and nature.

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