Perkins + Will

Camp Southern Ground for autistic children recognized for design

Camp offers save, playful space and opportunity for researchers to evaluate successes and failures and make strides in the study of autism

By Healthcare Facilities Today


The 2013 Healthcare Environment Awards, co-sponsored by Contract magazine, in association with The Center for Health Design, Healthcare Design 2013, and the Vendome Group. Each year, projects are recognized in acute care, ambulatory care, health and fitness, conceptual and student design categories.

The Camp Southern Ground won an honorable mention in the the conceptual category.

Perkins+Will’s Atlanta–based designers set out to create a camp for children with and without autism by designing playful, positive, easy-to-navigate spaces, according to the article.

The Fayetteville, Georgia camp was designed to be a place where children can thrive and learn, while providing an opportunity for researchers to evaluate successes and failures and make strides in the study of autism.

Spaces were designed with only non-toxic and sustainable materials, and intended to evoke feelings of wonder, surprise, and discovery, while accommodating a spectrum of abilities.  Because each environment is designed to encourage children to overcome obstacles, the camp features a range of confidence-building activities, the article said. 

The campus is laid out along intersecting axes to provide orientation, and activities loop off each axis, so that children can always find their way back to the lodging area.

According to the article, the jury hailed the design for its reversal of a typical “outside-in” approach by seeking to bring interior environments to the outdoors.

Read the article and view images of the facility.

 

 

 

 



December 12, 2013


Topic Area: Architecture


Recent Posts

Achieving Better Treatment Spaces Through Co-Design

How a 20th Century industrial building became a safe space for youth seeking mental health support.


Prisma Health to Acquire 36 Urgent Care Sites in South Carolina from Novant Health

Following the close, expected November 1, 2026, the centers will operate under Prisma Health Urgent Care.


Modoc Medical Center Discloses Data Breach

Modoc reported the event to federal law enforcement and appropriate government regulators.


Creating Healthcare Campus Master Plans That Allow Movement and Respite

A thoughtful campus master plan looks beyond buildings to the corridors and transitional spaces that shape how people experience healthcare environments.


Aspirus Health Celebrates Opening of Chippewa Falls Hospital and Clinic

The new facility combines hospital and clinic services in one location and is designed to support patients with coordinated, patient-centered care.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.