Ecotonal Cultural Arts Centre is located in Nanaimo, BC, Canada, designed for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) ages 8–18. The goal was to create a calm, welcoming environment that supports sensory comfort, autonomy, and authentic self-expression, offering both gentle social connection and quieter spaces for regulation.

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The project is grounded in the idea of an “ecotone,” the transition zone where two ecosystems meet and overlap, using the gradient from land to sea as the guiding design metaphor. This concept is translated into a sensory journey through the building with the warmer “land” zones use of grounded materials such as woods and greenery to reinforce comfort and familiarity, while the “sea” zones shift toward cooler palettes and softer forms to create a lighter, more serene atmosphere. A clear and predictable circulation system supports ease of navigation, and adjustable furniture, lighting, and shading allow users to gain a sense of control over their environment throughout the day.

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​Ecotonal was a semester-long project completed during the first semester of third year, and one of the main design challenges was working within a complex building shape while managing extensive glazing in a user-informed way that avoids sensory overload. The project strengthened my ability to balance concept with technical performance by developing strategies for light control and spatial clarity while designing for a highly sensitive user group.