Illiana Jones’ work will focus on exemplary case studies in Egypt, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, examining spatial and sensory strategies that promote comfort and accessibility. The project aims to develop a practical set of guidelines to assist designers in creating inclusive, autism-friendly public spaces.

“Within our office Illiana brings an inquisitive approach to every project, public or residential. This prestigious opportunity encourages her spirit of inquiry, bringing enormous personal benefit to her practice and to Australian architecture more broadly,” says Sam Crawford, Director of SCA.

Reflecting on the honour, Jones says that she is honoured to receive this scholarship. “Informed spatial design has considerable opportunity to improve autistic people’s daily experiences and this important impact of architecture is not yet recognised in Australian practice. To learn from international best practice will extend my ability to enact positive design changes in Australia,” she says.

Recently, Jones contributed to SCA’s autism-inclusive design efforts on the Camden Animal Shelter and Nursery, currently in pre-construction.
“Illiana undertook an autism design review which translated directly into design adjustments,” says Associate Director Gabrielle Pelletier.

“These included the provision of alternative seating materials to accommodate people who are hypersensitive to certain materials, refined fan and lighting specifications to minimise noise and glare, improved spatial zoning through flooring changes to reduce anxiety and support way-finding, and enhanced signage and colour contrasts to make the building more navigable”.

Jones’ personal interest in the topic emerged from earlier roles in retail and childcare. “My personal interest in the topic arose from working in retail at LEGO, where I witnessed the success of a weekly Quiet Hour initiative designed to reduce sensory stimuli for autistic people and their families,” she says.

“And while working in after-school care I saw the daily spatial and sensory barriers autistic children face, and the deep value of inclusive environments in fostering confidence, agency, and joy.

“My research will identify how the design components of public buildings influence the experiences of autistic people, and how successful architecture can improve social engagement and personal wellbeing, not only for autistic people but for everyone - just as curb-cuts improve the daily lives for all of us - not just wheelchair users, but parents with prams, travellers with luggage, or people struggling with mobility.

“There are no clear guidelines to assist architects, and the federal government’s first National Autism Policy - released this year – does not yet address the built environment”.

Jones’ study tour will include visits to case study buildings by Magda Mustafa, Professor of Design at the American University in Cairo and a leading researcher in autism and architecture; Dublin City University, the world’s first autism-friendly university; the New Straun Centre for Autism in Scotland; the Jellicoe in England; and, within Australia, the MCG’s Sensory Friendly Space and Melbourne Museum.

“For my Honours dissertation I analysed how autism-friendly Broadway Shopping Centre is against Magda Mustafa’s ASPECTSS Design Index – the first set of evidence-based design guidelines worldwide to address built environments for individuals with autism. I found that significant improvements could be made with low cost, non-structural design changes,” Jones says.

According to Crawford, her ability to translate international research into practical, local design strategies has sparked conversations within the studio and raised the standard of how the team approach inclusivity, advancing the quality of the public projects delivered at Sam Crawford Architects

“Her research will provide the broader community of Australian architects with important accessible, actionable tools for autism-inclusive design,” Pelletier says.

Image: Illiana Jones / supplied

How Illiana Jones is advancing autism-inclusive public spaces at SCA

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