Autism College in Wales

Elidyr Communities Trust is continuously expanding its services and improving the quality of its environment. Following the completion of a number of residential houses, the opening of the new learning hub has added to the success of the college as a centre of excellence for Autism education in Wales. The design of new Learning Hub has been developed in collaboration with students, staff and the senior leadership team of ECT. The buildings feature covered walkways, generous and varied tuition spaces and multiple workshops, with adjoining outdoor facilities, including a small piazza for breaks, day events and outside learning sessions.

Workshops and learning spaces are designed to maximise daylight, provide flexible workstations, individual staff offices, resource storage and recreational areas for all student groups.

A generous learner’s forum is open outside teaching hours to engender social interaction and integration. The colour scheme and material palette has been developed with the learners in workshops together with the design team to provide a tailored environment that reflects learner’s needs and a strong sense of vernacular architecture.

Morven Farm Workshop

Morven farm workshop was the first straw bale building submitted to Aberdeen City Council.

A range of sustainable building materials paired with a playful colour scheme add a fresh touch to the smallholding and are popular with staff and visitors alike.

The bright spaces ooze a warm atmosphere and rustic charm that industrial steel portal barns lack so desperately.

Pishwanton Wood, East Lothian

Fairhill Pishwanton has a longstanding tradition of nature based craft activities.

The new weaving workshop will enhance the practical skill therapeutic education programme on site, providing a tranquil courtyard for artisan tuition, in a sheltered woodland setting.

Natural materials and sensitively modulated terraces and patios facilitate a nurturing nature proximity for inspiration and rejuvenation.