An energy efficient building in Manhattan has been created in order to house 108 children who are on the autistic spectrum.
The LearningSpring School is designed to cater to the specific needs of such children and promote their health and wellbeing.
It has been designed and built to gold LEED standards, meaning that it has green credentials spread over its eight floors.
Interaction is encouraged between the children by the open spaces, which make good use of natural light and natural ventilation, which has been found to improve the mood of those using indoor environments.
Natural materials have been used extensively in the construction of the building with bamboo lining on the walls and the use of cork for the floors meaning that noise cannot travel so easily.
Autism is a lifelong condition that shapes how people communicate with others and the world around them. As a spectrum condition it affects people in different ways.