Design guidelines for special education schools for children with autism design and appraisal of Private İlgi Special Education School

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Tezin Türü: Yüksek Lisans

Tezin Yürütüldüğü Kurum: Orta Doğu Teknik Üniversitesi, Mimarlık Fakültesi, Mimarlık Bölümü, Türkiye

Tezin Onay Tarihi: 2009

Öğrenci: ZEYNEP ÖKTEM

Danışman: AYDAN BALAMİR

Özet:

Autism is a pervasive developmental disorder that is seen more and more in the society and it significantly affects the lives of not only those who have autism but also their families and close ones. There is no known cure for autism, the most effective treatment is education. The choice between the several approaches regarding the education of autistic children is shaped according to education choices, children’s age, the severity of symptoms and children’s intellectual capabilities. The thesis focuses on the architectural design of special education schools among other education opportunities. The aim is to draw architectural guidelines for the design of a special school for children who are diagnosed with autism and who require special education support. These architectural guidelines are hoped to aid architects who will work with similar architectural programs in the future. The study concludes with an appraisal of the design of Private İlgi Special Education School, realized by the author of this thesis and architect Kadri Atabaş. In the light of information gathered during the study, the preliminary design is evaluated. Suggestions are offered concerning the architectural design, in the subjects of program elements, natural lighting, layout of education and circulation spaces, acoustics and color scheme.