Mainstream schools educate the majority of autistic children, yet many learning environments are not designed with sensory processing differences in mind. While some design strategies can be integrated into existing mainstream settings, others are more commonly found within specialist schools, where environments are purposefully shaped around neurodivergent needs. By examining where mainstream schools fall short and drawing on principles proven in specialist autism schools, this blog explores how thoughtful design can better support autistic children’s well-being, independence and ability to learn.

Reading time: 5 mins

I have experienced the interior environment in Higher Education (HE) as a designer, senior lecturer, parent of students and latterly as a postgraduate student. This has provided me with a range of perspectives from marvelling at my son’s en-suite bathroom (and noticing the cost) to wincing as students cut card on new studio tables. 

Reading time: 5 mins

For the second year running Milliken partnered with Loughborough University on a project to design carpet tile concepts using Milliken’s proprietary Millitron® patterning technology for theoretical commercial environments. The project, developed closely with the University, forms an important part of the students’ final degree. But in 2020 – the year of the global pandemic – the students and staff faced unique challenges.

Reading time: 6 mins

Part 2: Communal Spaces

In our last blog post we discussed lecture theatres and the need to rethink the spatial design of campuses to provide settings suited to student needs, but also to evolving pedagogy and teaching delivery. But it is not just the constraint caused by lecture theatres that might impact student learning and wellbeing on campus. The topic we turn to today is the design of communal spaces to host a variety of student activities.

Reading time: 6 mins

Part 1: The Lecture Theatre

A university campus is not just a workplace for academic and professional services staff, but also the daily ‘workplace’ for thousands of students. How university buildings are designed has a major impact on how spaces are used, and this in turn can affect the wellbeing, sense of belonging and learning success of students. In this short series of two blog posts, we want to elaborate on the importance of design on student wellbeing, but also look at common spatial settings – the lecture theatre and communal spaces – and ask how those can be designed differently.