UTFaculteitenEEMCSDisciplines & departementenHMIEventsSpectrum Space: Sensory Decolonisation, Sensory Curation and the Autistic Imaginary

Spectrum Space: Sensory Decolonisation, Sensory Curation and the Autistic Imaginary

Magda Mostafa, an internationally acclaimed Egyptian architect and advisor to the United Nations, will deliver an inspiring lecture open to all UT students and colleagues, as part of her involvement in the Building 4 Belonging project. She will deliver an inspiring lecture that encapsulates over two decades of pioneering work in autism-friendly architecture. Recognized for her innovative designs that foster social cohesion, Mostafa’s work transcends conventional architectural practices by integrating neurodiverse perspectives into environments that serve individuals, communities, and cities.

Abstract

"Spectrum Space: Sensory Decolonization, Sensory Curation and the Autistic Imaginary": Social justice, accessibility, and spatial parity have always found intersections, albeit challenging ones- in our social discourse. Notions such as Human-Centered Design have recently emerged as the practical mechanism through which designers may negotiate the nuance of such intersection. Inherited social constructs however continue to color our view, defaulting to a normative definition of the “Human” at the center of “Human-Centered Design”- one that assumes a 6 ft tall, ambulatory, white, English-speaking, seeing, hearing, verbal, neurotypical, ci-gendered, straight male occupying this crucial center point. The reality of our human fabric contrasts dramatically from this definition.

This talk aims to expand this definition- specifically through the lens of autism and neurodiversity and discuss the challenges of Sensory Colonisation of our cities and spaces through this lens. It presents the construct of Spectrum Space, a proposition of senso-socio-spatial gradients born from work with the Autism ASPECTSS Design Index for over two decades. Published in 2014, and expanded in 2021, ASPECTSS is the world’s first research-based design framework for autism.

The talk traces the trajectory of ASPECTSS from its motivation in 2002, to its inception in 2014 and its continued application in curatorial, scholarly and design practices. Told through a series of encounters with the autistic experience the talk will present autism as expert, author and curator of design experiences as translated into architectures of learning, living, community and care.

Suggested Reading: Mostafa, M., (2021) "Building for a Differently Abled World" pp. 64-71, in Architecture for All, IQD, December 2021, Milan, Italy. 

Speaker

Magda Mostafa
Professor of Design, The American University in Cairo

Magda Mostafa is Founder and Principal of StudioTM and Professor of Design at the American University in Cairo. As an architect focusing on autism, she is the author of the ASPECTSS Design Index, the world’s first research-based design framework for autism. ASPECTSS was awarded the UIA Triennial Research Award in 2014 and Mostafa is the only laureate to be presented this award twice, awarded again in 2023. Through her consulting, ASPECTSS has been used in architectures for autism and neurodiversity across 5 continents. Her work was also exhibited at the 2021 and 2023 Venice Architecture Biennales. She collaborates globally with practices such as Mimar; Ab Rogers; Altus; VMA; SFS; and JSA/MIXdesign where she is Autism Design Lead. Information about her work can be found at her website www.autism.archi.

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Join us for a thought-provoking session that promises to inspire a deeper understanding of architecture’s role in shaping equitable and harmonious environments for all.

Interested in joining this lecture? Please register in advance.

Spectrum Space: Sensory Decolonisation, Sensory Curation and the Autistic Imaginary
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