WESTERN AUTISTIC SCHOOL NIDDRIE

Guymer Bailey was engaged by the Western Autistic School to design a new teaching block and playground for their Niddrie Campus. To help prep students on the autism spectrum transition back into the mainstream school system, the early learning area has been designed to engage students and encourage greater individual participation.

The design balances engaging group learning areas with private retreat zones across all spaces to accomodate students who feel over stimulated or require attentive care. Classrooms, resource rooms, multi-purpose spaces and auxiliary areas have been also been designed to be flexible and respond to future staff and student needs.

Student safety and comfort was a key priority through the design, which features one central access point, new sensory supports spaces and new nature play areas. Passive supervision is maximised throughout all aspects of the design, with small classroom groups and one-on-one intensive learning opportunities prioritised.