Cauldwell International Children's Centre (CICC)

FLOTEX HELPS CREATE A CALMING ENVIRONMENT FOR NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART AUTISM CENTRE

Forbo Flooring Systems’ Flotex Penang flocked flooring has been installed at the Caudwell International Children’s Centre (CICC), the UK’s first independent purpose-built facility dedicated to autism diagnosis, intervention and research. The subtle aesthetics and tactile nature of Flotex will help to create a calming and easily cleanable environment for children with autism and neurodevelopmental conditions.

Launched by national charity Caudwell Children, the 60,000 sq ft building at Keele University Science and Innovation Park was meticulously designed through a close working partnership between the charity’s CEO, Trudi Beswick, and Cheshire-based architects C4 Consulting Ltd. The curved steel roofs, shaped in a butterfly figure of eight, houses a variety of multi-functional spaces including state-of-the-art assessment suites, a sensory integration room and teaching kitchens.

Trudi Beswick, Chief Executive at Caudwell Children said: “The inspiration for the CICC’s design is primarily based upon 15 years of working closely with children and families; learning how children with additional needs react to different environments and situations. We then conducted extensive consultation with a wide variety of stakeholders including clinicians, academics and, crucially, the families that will use the facility. This insight, and the charity’s direct involvement in the design process, proved to be an important part of the building’s construction.”

James Pass, Director and Architect at C4 Consulting said: “We carried out a lot of research into the causes and effects of overstimulation for children with neurodevelopmental conditions and their coping mechanisms. Using this research and Trudi’s unique insight and invaluable input, together we looked into how we could design functional and safe spaces to accommodate the children’s needs whilst also trying to reduce distracting stimuli to aid engagement.

“In the design we had to take into consideration that colours and patterns can be a significant source of overstimulation, and even anxiety, for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Overtly patterned floors can be distracting to walk over and can lead to fixation or even confusion therefore we had to ensure that any patterns present in the floor coverings at the CICC were minimal and that any repetition in the pattern was not discernable.

Forbo’s flocked flooring, was installed throughout the public area, in each of the assessment suites, meeting rooms and family areas of the CICC. The semi-plain Penang design from the Flotex Colour range offers a subtle linear effect with no pattern repeats, reducing wastage and making installation easier. The unique construction of Flotex provides the comfort and warmth of a carpet combined with the cleanability and durability of a resilient floor, which is particularly important in an environment for children, where accidents are likely to happen. Flotex is also the only textile floor covering to be awarded the prestigious Allergy UK Seal of ApprovalTM.

To find out more, read our designing for autism blogDesigning for Autism blog