Neuroarchitecture: Maison Véro & Louis | A home for life

In 2018, the Véro & Louis Foundation, founded by Louis Morisette and Véronique Cloutier, called on a team of researchers to carry out a project listing the best practices in the world in terms of housing for people with autism. The result is a unique model of long-term accommodation that can be appreciated in all the strategies subtly put in place for its roommates with special needs.

“We were faced with a case where we started from scratch. In Quebec, buildings designed specifically for people with autism are often transitional. In this case, the idea was to design a long-term home where you can age while feeling at home,” explains Katty Taillon, director of Maison Véro & Louis. The solutions proposed by the research team, which were then the subject of discussions with relatives of autistic people, enabled the architects of Atelier Tag to create a tailor-made place for future residents.

The building does not offer anything spectacular at first glance. Inside, however, it is full of ideas that may go unnoticed by visitors. In a room, a group goes about its business: Geneviève tears up paper to channel her excess emotions. Christian and Alexandre are busy assembling puzzles and Lego as they do every day at this hour. A little further on, in the calming room, Alexandra is having a massage, her gaze lost in the landscape that large windows allow her to contemplate. Others take a siesta or relax in silence in the next room. They are together… separately.

“The decor must be thought out with finesse,” emphasizes Virginie Lasalle, from the School of Design at the University of Montreal, who was asked for the research project. The idea is not to limit the layout, but to offer choices that can be modulated according to needs. » Thus, the accessories can be moved and stored as needed. The decor is versatile.

Upstairs, four households each have four bedrooms around a common living room surmounted by a skylight. The lighting obtained is natural, never aggressive. Justin, 25, shows us his room where it’s Christmas all year round. He has yet to make any friends since arriving a year ago. He prefers to spend time there alone or with the speakers. His blankets are soft and so is the lighting, he says. “Not like the wooden closet doors, which are rough. »

In Justin’s cocoon, the temperature remains cool at all times. “Some residents like to be in a very cold environment. For others, it’s the opposite,” notes Sarah Huxley, who is head of research for the Véro & Louis Foundation. Each room has its own wall unit that allows the air conditioning and heating to be adapted to individual tastes.

Justin shows us around the shared bathroom, where “the soap smells really good”. He uses the mirror to shave and then closes it, because some residents are destabilized by seeing their reflection in the mirror. To encourage the autonomy of some while sparing the sensitivities of others, the designers have found this hybrid solution. The laundry room also smells good, Justin points out. This is where he proudly does his washing. “This room is surprisingly one of the residents’ favorites,” Virginie Lasalle informs us, “probably because these are places they didn’t have access to before. They are involved in daily activities and it is rewarding for them. »

Another resident catches us in the neighboring household. Alexandre spends most of his time in front of his computer or drawing. He opens the door to his room for us, which he likes to be impeccably tidy. This afternoon, he classifies his drawings and the contents of his cupboard. “Everything must return to its place behind the doors. Otherwise, I can’t find myself. »

Create calm

Residents are here for the long haul. The decor must therefore adapt to an aging clientele. The staircase that leads to the ground floor is covered with carpet that absorbs sound and cushions frequent falls. A space has been provided to possibly accommodate an elevator. “There is a whole architectural language that contributes to giving the impression of intimacy and warmth to a place. Here, we wanted to avoid the corridor effect reminiscent of institutional settings or CHSLDs, notes Virginie Lasalle. The passage is always open on one side and makes a hook rather than a straight line. »

Throughout the residence, the materials take into account the reverberations. Noise is reduced; the light is diffused and can be modulated by dimmers. On the color side, wood inserts break up the coldness of the white while absorbing sound. Particular attention was also given to textures: the floor is soft for the feet, no surface is reflective. The stainless steel counters have also been brushed so as not to destabilize the user.

The building has no opening on the street side, apart from the entrance door. This configuration makes it possible to isolate the common areas from the outside hubbub. The large windows are rather reserved for the common areas and overlook a green landscape where a racing circuit has been laid out. “Many use it as a means of calming down, whether on foot or by bike. It is a soothing motor discharge. It’s impressive to see how many tricks they can do! “, notes Sarah Huxley. Outside, residents can meet in the vegetable garden, at the swimming pool, at the spa or in the common swings where the chairs are set in motion independently.

Interaction and closeness to others are challenges that people with autism face. The choice to socialize or not is offered to them in each space. The architects also had the idea of ​​designing two dining rooms with different atmospheres: one is withdrawn and offers a soothing environment. The other, located on the traffic side, allows you to monitor the activity of the house. The atmosphere is peaceful on this spring afternoon at Maison Véro & Louis. It would be a mistake to think that it is usual, nuance Katty Taillon. “Here, everything is done to promote zenitude, but you never know what our days will be made of! »