EXPERIENCE OF CO-DESIGNING SENSOR-FRIENDLY SPACES: INSIGHTS FROM PROGETTOAUTISMO FVG

Creating inclusive environments for neurodivergent people requires going beyond accessibility, embracing participatory methods that value lived experience. Within the BeSENSHome Interreg Project, a co-design workshop with autistic young adults explored how sensory-friendly spaces and “Smart Boxes” can support comfort in public places. Participants co-created refuge spaces with adjustable lighting and soundproofing, and designed emotionally reassuring devices, such as a “Penguin Smart Box” inspired by adaptability and non-threat perception. The process highlighted that autistic individuals are not passive users but active designers, offering unique insights into sensory regulation and aesthetic comfort. This experience demonstrates how inclusive co-design fosters both empowerment and innovation, aligning with the social model of disability and advancing architectural research toward environments that truly celebrate neurodiversity.