Okay, okay, I admit it. The title was a trick question designed to pique your curiosity. Catherine Purple Cherry is a person, an architect to be exact, and an exhibitor at the 2011 Accessibility Summit at McLean Bible Church last month. In my opinion, she has the coolest name ever.
Purple Cherry and Special Needs Architecture
But she and her firm have more than a cool name. They are committed to designing buildings to accommodate a variety of special needs. This excerpt from their website explains why:
“Purposeful Architecture reflects our commitment to designing special buildings for individuals with special needs, and stems in large part from owner Catherine Purple Cherry’s life experiences growing up with a brother with Down Syndrome and adopting a child who was diagnosed with autism and multiple other disabilities.”
Relevant Triggers and Environmental Issues
Now Purple Cherry Architects are located in Annapolis, Maryland. Therefore, they aren’t very handy for anybody who doesn’t live in the northeastern United States, myself included. Which may have you scratching your head and muttering, “So why waste time highlighting them on a national blog?
The answer’s pretty simple. Because their website includes information about relevant triggers and environmental issues of value to ordinary families of kids with special needs, no matter where people live. Purple Cherry examines the following:
- Personal and Social Space
- Distraction Inhibitors
- Durability of Materials
- Time Out Rooms
- Acoustics and Other Auditory Issues
- Colors, Patterns, and Tactile Issues
- Outdoor Spaces, Including Security and Independence Issues
- Technology and Multimedia Applications
I was surprised by how many of the topics were pertinent to single family homes, stuff to be aware of before designing or selecting a home to accommodate special needs. But don’t take my word for it. Go to the about page at www.PurpleCherry.com and see for yourself. You’ll find food for thought for adapting your own home and perhaps ideas for adaptations at your child’s school or at your church.
Other Special Needs Architecture Firms?
Please leave a comment if you know of other special needs architecture firms. Those of us not in Annapolis, Maryland will be grateful to know of experts elsewhere in the country. I could compile them into a little directory – if my technological skills are up to it. Wouldn’t that be a cool resource to offer? Not as cool as a name like Catherine Purple Cherry, but a worthwhile endeavor none the less.
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