On Thursday 6 March 2025, at 3.00 p.m., at the University of Trieste didactic pole in Gorizia (via Alviano 18, Aula 404), the meeting ‘Architecture and Atypical Sensitivities’ will be held as part of the INCLUSIVE DESIGN HUB event. The initiative is part of the collaboration between the University of Trieste, in particular with the Degree Course in Architecture, and the Fondazione ProgettoAutismo FVG Onlus in various research and knowledge enhancement projects (the third mission of the University after didactics and research), demonstrating the possible public and social impact of research in Architecture.

By embracing not only the presumed deficits but also the skills and capacities of people on the autistic spectrum to create meaning and narratives, the relationship between architecture, autism and neurodivergences in general, proves to be an opportunity to expand architecture's points of view and possibilities rather than limit them, transcending prevailing beliefs and conventions. Two international research projects, funded by the European Union, on the living of people with neurodivergences, in particular those diagnosed with autism, will be exhibited in Gorizia. One of the projects is ongoing, the other completed, with concrete outcomes such as the prototyping of furniture and the realisation of a demonstration flat with solutions aimed at fostering a life as autonomous as possible, safe and respectful of privacy, for persons with different types of sensory and cognitive disabilities.

Speakers include: Giovanni Fraziano, former full professor of Architectural and Urban Composition at UniTs; Giuseppina Scavuzzo, associate professor of Architectural and Urban Composition at UniTs; Elena Bulfone, president of the non-profit organisation Fondazione ProgettoAutismo FVG Onlus; Giulia D'Argenio, psychologist, Fondazione ProgettoAutismo FVG Onlus; Anna Dordolin, architect and former Units research fellow; Martina di Prisco, architect and Units research fellow; and Federica Bettarello, engineer and Units research fellow.

INCLUSIVE DESIGN HUB is a project promoted and realised by the association Stazione E. N. Rogers in partnership with the University of Trieste and with the contribution of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia.