Location: Laurentian Main campus, room C-104

1.5 ConEd Learning Hours
1.5 AIA LU
8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

 Dignity refers to a person’s right to be valued, respected, and treated ethically and equally. The concept of “dignity” is a keystone in the design of spaces for children—particularly buildings that aim to provide care and support to children and youth living with autism, developmental, behavioural, complex care, rehabilitation, and mental health needs. The vision for these buildings is to offer Best Life for every child and youth, with the goal to support children and their families in reaching the highest capability to navigate a world that was not purposefully designed for them, and to do so with dignity. Beyond instilling dignity, safety, and privacy, these children treatment centres are about hope, comfort, and connections, breaking the common perception many parents face that “this world is not designed for my child.”

This session by NEUF architect(e)s discusses “Designing for Dignity” through the lens of Children’s Treatment Centres and Schools in Ontario. A case study review of two projects will highlight the unique challenges, opportunities, and emerging trends in designing for children and youth with special needs, including autism.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the variety and types of sensory triggers and the emerging trends on how to mitigate them. 
2. Learn about the design principles to improve care spaces for children and youth facing developmental, behavioural, complex care, rehabilitation, and mental heath needs.
3. Understand the role these buildings play within the community and how to design for culturally safe spaces.
4. Explore how the principles discussed in the session can be applied to other types of care spaces.

Sarah Ives, Architect, OAA, CPHD, is a Design Architect dedicated to creating human-centered spaces that seamlessly blend with their environments. With a diverse portfolio encompassing projects of varying scales, including small kiosks, children and youth's treatment centers, and large-scale developments, Sarah brings a wealth of experience and expertise to her work. Regardless of the project's size, she approaches each endeavor with a deep understanding of the unique needs and aspirations of the end users. By prioritizing inclusivity and navigating complex regulatory frameworks such as Building Codes and AODA Guidelines, Sarah focuses on designing spaces that cater to a wide range of individuals, promoting a sense of belonging and accessibility.

Ailsa Craigen, OAA, obtained her B. Arch. Sci. from Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto, and MSc. Arch from the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands. She has worked on projects that address the unique design challenges that come with designing for multiple age groups and varying physical and cognitive abilities. Ailsa has worked on projects designing for children and youth’s treatment centres, as well as childcare spaces within seniors’ facilities. She engages with clients in the early design phases through user engagement meetings, workshops, and community engagement events to establish project goals. Excellent at functional programming, Ailsa’s research skills bring latest trends and best practices for collaborative consideration.