Design of a specialist Sensory Room to sit alongside a multipurpose activity room, office and WCs etc. as part of the conversion of a redundant Nursery prefab building to create a new autism unit for a Haringey primary school.

The room is a space where children can be taught in small groups, retreat to calm down when their senses are overloaded, or experience additional stimuli when they are hyposensitive.

We paid close attention to the spatial and sensory needs of the neurodivergent. The small space can be simply adjusted by the teaching staff using blackout blinds and coloured and white dimmable lighting to change its character and environment. Finished in soft and natural finishes in muted colours, the design hides or integrates equipment and controls to reduce visual clutter and allows children to occupy the space seated, standing or lying down as they prefer, but is tough enough to stand up to rough treatment when the inevitable meltdowns occur.

The equipment has been chosen such that it can be operated easily by the staff with minimal training.  A bubble tube, interactive panels, tactile panels and an interactive projector provide a variety of calming, stimulating or educational activities.