Ember Grove
Project Type: Cultural Arts Centre
Software: AutoCAD, SketchUp, Procreate, Canva
Date: 2025
Completed as a semester-long third-year studio project, Ember Grove is a cultural arts centre designed to support creativity, exploration, and sensory comfort for youth, with a focus on creating an inclusive environment for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Located in Nanaimo, BC, the project explores how interior design can foster self-expression, community connection, and well-being through spaces that respond to diverse sensory needs.
The concept draws inspiration from the layered storytelling of journals, scrapbooks, and storybooks, where each page captures moments of imagination, growth, and discovery. The spatial experience unfolds like a narrative, guiding users through themed environments such as The Forest (library and sensory space), The Garden (visual arts studio), The Seashore (music studio), The Glade (theatre classrooms), and The Den (recording studio), each supporting different creative activities and sensory experiences.
Material selections reinforce this narrative approach while also supporting sensory comfort. Warm wood tones, soft greens, ocean blues, and natural textures create a calming atmosphere that connects the interior to nature. Durable and sustainable materials such as linoleum flooring, wood veneer millwork, and recycled wood paneling provide warmth, tactility, and longevity while supporting the practical needs of a youth-focused cultural arts centre.
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Research into the spatial and sensory needs of individuals with ASD informed many of the design decisions throughout the building. Clear circulation paths, predictable transitions between spaces, and intuitive wayfinding help reduce sensory overwhelm while allowing users to move comfortably and independently through the environment.
Each space within Ember Grove is designed to support a different form of creativity while maintaining a cohesive atmosphere throughout the centre. Curved forms, layered textures, and nature-inspired elements create environments that encourage exploration while also providing moments of calm and retreat.
Through sensory-aware planning, storytelling elements, and connections to nature, Ember Grove becomes a welcoming environment where creativity can grow and every child can feel a sense of belonging.