Since 1996 GA Architects have specialised in the design of environments for children and adults with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) and other learning difficulties. Our expertise embraces the design of residential and educational buildings as well as respite centres for new builds and refurbishments. Providers of care and education for children and adults with ASD and other learning difficulties do not always have access to designers who are experienced in this specialist field. Furthermore, there has been a lack of recognition of the fact that a well-designed building can be influential in the lives of those that are coping with a disability and their carers. We can assist clients in the preparation of a brief so that the right building or refurbishment can be delivered at the right cost.

The key elements are design and management; design to ensure that the building will be a good place in which to live or work and management to make sure that the brief and cost are compatible and that the client is exposed to the minimum of risks between commissioning and completion. We will always prepare a feedback study after the building has been occupied for six months. This provides the client with useful information concerning maintenance and cleaning issues as well as monitoring the building’s performance in more general terms.