How Aspect schools are transforming learning environments

In a world where classrooms often default to a one-size-fits-all model, Sarah Davis' presentation is a much-needed blueprint for how we can build inclusive, thoughtful learning environments that genuinely support neurodiverse students. Drawing on her team’s work with Aspect Schools across Australia, Sarah outlines a transformative journey that goes far beyond furniture or floor plans—this is design rooted in empathy, evidence, and lived experience.

Why conventional classrooms don't work

From the outset, Sarah walks us through the why behind the work: conventional classroom design simply doesn’t meet the needs of autistic students. Overstimulating colours, poor acoustics, unpredictable transitions, and inflexible layouts can all contribute to increased anxiety and decreased engagement. But what if we could rethink these spaces from the ground up? What if the classroom itself could become a tool for regulation, independence, and learning?

Building transistion zones

That’s exactly what Sarah and her team set out to do. The master planning of Aspect’s campuses begins with zoning, clearly defined paths from administrative spaces to classrooms, then through a series of carefully structured transitions from focused indoor learning to sensory and outdoor play. These transition zones are not just architectural conveniences, they are vital moments where students can recalibrate, assess their environment, and prepare themselves for the next activity. Whether it’s a covered quiet area, water play, or climbing structures, each space is designed to support different stages of regulation.

The design is in the details

Inside the classrooms, the details matter just as much. From low seating and washable vinyl floors in early years classrooms, to structured support zones, sensory swings, and wobble stools, every element is selected with purpose. Visual cue systems are embedded throughout the environment, not just at desks, but at gates, bathrooms, and common areas, to support predictability and communication. The design also considers texture, lighting, acoustics, and flexibility, allowing students and educators to adapt spaces in real time.

A true community collaberation

The presentation doesn’t just show design solutions, it reveals the human relationships that drive them. Sarah highlights the importance of collaboration with therapists, educators, parents, and students throughout the process. She shares stories of builders stopping work mid-task at the request of a teacher, or engineers adapting on the fly when they hit unexpected iron ore instead of sandstone. These aren’t just logistical challenges, they’re moments that define the success of truly inclusive design.

The outcome

The results? More regulated students. Fewer classroom incidents. Increased independence. More calm and focused learning. Perhaps most tellingly, a unified design language has emerged across campuses, ensuring that every new Aspect School reflects the same commitment to dignity, comfort, and capability.

Sarah closes with a vision: a world where neurodiverse people not only thrive in learning spaces but help shape them. Where inclusive design is the norm, not the exception. And where listening is the first step in every design brief. This isn’t just a talk about architecture. It’s about reimagining what’s possible when we put people first. Watch Sarah's presentation now on the Forum Content Hub.