Designing for Special Needs: An Architect's Guide to Briefing and Designing for People with Learning Disabilities

This important new handbook brings together for the first time everything the architect and client needs to know to design buildings for people with learning disabilities. The unique and sometimes challenging requirements of this group has demanded new multidisciplinary research resulting in a set of design principles based on facts. A series of case studies and lessons for good design is complemented by chapters explaining: what learning disabilities are; what housing and support options are currently available; the importance of a design brief that properly recognises individual differences and needs; and current standards (including the new National Minimum Standards) and emerging technologies. Researched and written by specialists in social housing provision and funded by The Shirley Foundation, this unique design guide is set to become the standard reference tool for anyone building for people with learning disabilities.