Landscapes of Regulation

The film Temple Grandin shows which sensory stimuli overstimulate an autistic woman’s nervous system and how she regulates it through both sensory avoidance and sensory seeking. Guided by this sensitivity to sensory input, the project explores the HIL building through the experiences of autistic students.

Plants emerged as a central material within this exploration. More than decoration, they filter light, produce sound through movement in the wind, introduce textures and smells and create changing visual landscapes. Their ability to evoke sensory stimuli allows them to shape both sensory seeking and sensory avoiding environments.

Emerging from this research is a new network of care. A secondary circulation system hosts small escape spaces as it connects the surrounding floors to the F terrace and the rooftop landscape.

Across the rooftop, sensory avoiding environments occupy the quieter side wings, while the sensory seeking landscape unfolds across the main terrace. Along this journey, plants are arranged in a gradient of sensory intensity, moving from textured foliage to fragrant herbs and edible berries before culminating in visually stimulating flowers.

Within the sensory avoiding landscape, a small study pavilion opens towards the surrounding greenery. A transition space leads into the study area, while an escape space at its end connects directly to the garden.

Across these landscapes of care, users can actively choose their form of sensory regulation.

Master Thesis Spring 2026

Project by: Sandra Gygax Teaching Team: Anna Puigjaner, Pol Esteve Castelló, He Shen 何珅, Ethel Baraona Pohl, Lisa Maillard, Paule Perron, Valentina Noce. In Collaboration with Guillaume Habert and He Yufei (BUK).

Images 9, 11: Luís Úrculo