Orenda Education Center
Orenda (oren-da) n.: a mystical force present in all people that empowers them to affect the world or to affect changes in their own lives. The natural but mystical force of “orenda” is reflected in this CIL facility not only in its design, but in the clients who use the space. These people plan to leave the space fully able to express their “orenda.” This mystical force is visualized in the aurora borealis, a beautiful, natural, and mystical phenomenon. “Orenda” appears in the design of this CIL by inspiring elements that are empowering, inspiring, natural, and mystical, creating the ideal space for clients to express the force within themselves.
The Orenda Educational Center is a CIL (Center for Independent Living) located near an under-served neighborhood in Milwaukee, WI. The facility aims to prepare clients to live and work independently by teaching them life skills as well as skills to help them secure a job. Mechanics are in high demand in the Milwaukee area, and according to research by Temple Grandin, Ph.D. many people with autism are able to thrive in mechanical work. Because of this the center includes a small shop where clients can gain the fundamental shop skills needed before seeking further training in mechanics and industrial arts. This is in addition to the required work training spaces for secretarial work, computer-based jobs, and jobs as a cook or chef.
The Sensory Integration Room allows Orenda’s clients to escape stressful situations or recuperate after a breakdown in a room where all stimuli can be easily controlled. The brightness and harshness of the lighting can be controlled with window treatments and dimmer switches on all illuminated devices, speakers can increase white noise to reduce other auditory distractions, or can play comforting musing, and surfaces have varying textures to allow each person to find an area that brings them comfort. An interactive bubble wall located on the outside of the room provides a way for the clients to calm down without using the sensory room so that it can be a rewarding space after a good day rather than after a breakdown.
This team project was highly focused on using research about autism and other developmental disorders to guide our design decisions. Some general design issues for people with autism were spaces being unpredictable, over-stimulation from high-contrast lighting and colors, bold patterns, and flooring that is too hard. Because of these findings, a few elements were incorporated throughout the CIL. All doors have a sidelight or windows into the room to help ease the transition from one room to the next; walls are all solid pastel colors or low contrast textures, storage is hidden or has doors to reduce visual distractions, resilient flooring and carpet tiles are used throughout, and ambient lighting is strong to reduce contrast.
The Flexible Use Room is used for a variety of activities from exercise instruction to crafts, and opens up to a mechanical shop. Because many shop activities could be loud, a folding acoustic partition is used to absorb shop noises, and acoustical ceiling tiles are used throughout the rooms to reduce auditory distractions.
