Architecture & Access in partnership with Amaze and Deakin University have launched a guide for designing spaces to support neurodivergent people.
How it all began
The Reset Room Design Guide is the result of a four-year collaboration between Deakin University and Architecture & Access. This initiative involved students from Deakin University’s School of Occupational Therapy, who, as part of their Fourth-Year honours program, undertook a year-long research project. Architecture & Access supported this program by providing research topics and supervision alongside university supervisors.
This collaboration allowed industry professionals to pose real-world questions that required further investigation. Cathryn Grant from Architecture & Access and Valerie Watchorn from Deakin University guided five students in exploring issues related to accessibility for people with disabilities in the built environment.
Four of these projects focused on access for neurodivergent individuals, and three specifically examined the use of sensory or reset rooms.
Research
With the growing awareness and installation of sensory/reset rooms in buildings such as shopping centres, universities, and sporting stadiums, we sought to understand how people discovered these rooms, how they were signposted, what features they included, and their overall usefulness.
To address these questions, we collaborated with students to develop surveys targeting different groups:
- parents/supporters of individuals using these rooms;
- adults using the rooms independently; and
- industry professionals involved in their design and management.
These are the first studies of their kind in Australia.
As occupational therapists, we are deeply interested in understanding how people use sensory rooms and how these spaces support their participation in activities outside the rooms. Our findings revealed that most users reported that sensory rooms extended their stay in public buildings by 30 to 90 minutes. One participant noted that while the room did not extend their stay,
“but it meant that we could leave calmly and safely”.
Research Findings
The research indicated that people used sensory rooms both to reduce sensory stimulation and to calm down in response to busy external environments. Conversely, some users sought to increase sensory stimulation within these rooms. Other users report that the space was beneficial and allowed them to unmask or,
One parent shared,
“to study where I am not expected to conform to typical behaviours”.
” I felt that one of my children was getting agitated and needed some time out to decompress due to the busy environment and the amount of people”.
However, there were also challenges in using and managing these rooms. Based on these findings, Architecture & Access and Deakin University reached out to Amaze to partner with and together use these findings and produce a guide for designers and building owner/managers who want to create a sensory/reset room.
Guide Themes
Three key themes emerged to include in the guide:
- Signage and Information: Clear signage and information about the location or presence of a room within a building.
- Design: The design of the room, including furniture and fittings.
- Management: Aspects such as when the room is open, how to access it, and the frequency of cleaning.
An important message is that there is no one-size-fits-all design for these rooms.
The context of the building, the events and activities within it, and the occupant profiles—especially if they are likely to be children—are crucial considerations.
This document serves as a guide, not a prescriptive manual, providing key considerations for the design and implementation of these rooms. It recommends involving users and Access Consultants in the process.
Download the Reset Room Guide and enjoy watching the ‘explain the guide’ video.
Get in touch with Architecture & Access to discuss how we can assist you. Our team of Neuro-inclusive Design Consultants is ready to help develop a Reset Room in your building or your next project.
