Learning Resources

Responsive Design

Purposeful Planning Can Be Inclusive for Neurodiverse Students and Support the Well-Being of All

By: Shannon Dowling, MArch, AIA, LEEDAP, and James A. Baumann, MA

By incorporating student choice and voice into the planning and allowing autonomy in scale and adaptability, campuses can provide the environment where all students are most comfortable participating in any given activity.

From Volume 52 Number 1 | October–December 2023

Abstract: Research has shown that neurodivergent students report a lower sense of belonging and are less likely to feel welcomed, accepted, and like they belong on campus than their neurotypical peers. Considering this, a host of barriers to participation and belonging can be in effect across a college or university. While there are a few campus offices and departments that might address different aspects of these concerns independently, the most successful results occur when these groups—along with outside contractors such as design partners—work in strategic symphony.

This article is co-presented by the Association of College & University Housing Officers – International (ACUHO-I) and the Society for College and University Planning (SCUP) and is being published in publications for both organizations.

Institutions Mentioned: Colorado School of Mines, Denison University, Lewis & Clark College, Montana State University, Ohio State University-Main Campus, The State University of New York at Albany, University of Georgia, University of Oregon
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Facilities Design, Facilities Planning, Health and Wellness, Informal Learning Environments, Learning Environments, Placemaking, Student Housing

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Conference Recordings

Published
March 18, 2021

2021 North Atlantic Regional Conference | March 2021

Reinvigorating a Campus Landmark

Transforming Stirling’s Museum

By: Ben Youtz, designLAB architects | Nazneen Cooper, Harvard University | David Roxburgh, Harvard University

Beginning with the project's conception and taking you through its planning, design, and construction, we will outline our investigation, historic research, and analysis of Harvard University's Stirling-designed postmodern museum to inform its transformation into a vibrant academic building housing a variety of programs.

Abstract: All colleges and universities have existing building stock that they need to repurpose in order to fit contemporary campus paradigms. Beginning with the project's conception and taking you through its planning, design, and construction, we will outline our investigation, historic research, and analysis of Harvard University's Stirling-designed postmodern museum to inform its transformation into a vibrant academic building housing a variety of programs. In this session, we'll establish a strategic and creative framework for adaptive reuse that you can use to reposition historic and architecturally-significant buildings on your campus.

Institutions Mentioned: Harvard University
Planning Types: Campus Planning
Tags: Academic Facility, Adaptive Reuse, Facilities Design, Facilities Planning, Historic Preservation, Museum Facility, Renovation, SCUP 2021 North Atlantic Regional Conference

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Non-Member Price:
$50

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