The first Australian guide for sensory room design is launched

Launch event: Monday 17 February 2025, 9.30 to 11am, Melbourne Bowls Club

A new Reset Room design guide to create sensory rooms for neurodivergent people has been launched in Melbourne today.

Developed in partnership by staff from Architecture and Access, Deakin University, and Amaze, this guide is designed to assist architects, building managers, and businesses in creating best practice Reset Rooms.

Over 50 people attended today’s event in person and online including people with lived experience, staff from government departments, local government and disability advocacy organisations.

The launch event began with an acknowledgement of the traditional owners of the land, the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation, followed by a panel discussion and Q & A. The panel included Cathryn Grant from Architecture and Access, Valerie Watchorn from Deakin University, Dr Angela Neyland from Amaze and hosted by Amaze CEO, David Tonge.

‘The partnership brought together academic researchers, architects, accessibility experts and Amaze as connection to the Autism community,’ said Mr Tonge.

‘This means the guide is well thought through, thorough and covers the main elements that need to be considered across community, building design and people’s needs.’   

Discussion highlights

The panel highlighted the importance of listening to people with lived experience.

‘Reset Rooms need to be developed from hearing stories not just metrics,’ said Valerie Watchorn from Deakin University. Wayfinding considerations are also important so people who may be feeling overwhelmed can easily locate the rooms.

‘Stories from people also highlight the importance of clear signage to find Reset Rooms.’

To develop the guide, the team have undertaken sensory audits, looked at the design process to ensure it is inclusive and assessed the post occupancy experience.

‘We asked people how they felt when they came into the room and then how they felt when they left the room, so we included this in our research,’ said Ms Grant.

The considerations in the guide can also be applied to mobile Reset Rooms for festivals, and events.

‘Shipping containers could be a potential option as a portable sensory room,’ said Dr Angela Neyland.

What is a Reset Room?

A Reset Room is a dedicated space designed to help individuals self-regulate and ‘reset’ their nervous system. 

‘Sensory spaces are designed as a place to unmask before entering back out into public spaces,’ said Ms Grant.

These rooms are designed to manage sensory input by providing a sensory controlled environment.

‘The purpose of a public Reset Room is to enable the Autistic and neurodivergent community to access public spaces. Autistic and neurodivergent people could benefit from having access to a Reset Room, as well as many others,’ said Mr Tonge.

The first sensory room guide in Australia

The guide is the first of its kind in Australia to design sensory rooms and Chill-out zones for neurodivergent people. The guide includes guidance for Reset Rooms in new builds and retrofitting ideas for existing spaces.

‘It is an emerging area. We’ve looked at the British standard, called Design for the Mind which is a detailed outline of considerations that are more neuroinclusive,’ said Ms Watchorn.

‘The British standard is a useful document but there isn’t a similar document here in Australia.’

Developing best practice

While the new Reset Room guide outlines design considerations, Dr Neyland said that the factors that influence how many people would potentially need Reset Rooms vary.

‘The best practice for organisations wanting to have a sensory room is to start with something and then get feedback from the users to improve the design or increase the capacity based on the needs that are shared by the users,’ said Dr Neyland.

She also emphasised the potential increased uptake for sensory rooms.

‘I predict that there will be a growing need for these spaces as more people are becoming aware of their sensory needs who haven’t been previously accommodated.’

For more information and to download the Reset Room design guide, please visit the Reset Room page on Amaze’s website

A Reset Room interactive map is also available on Amaze’s website at Find a Public Reset Room

Main feature image: Reset Room project team including (left to right) Illiana Ginnis, Fiona Ransley, Dr Angela Neyland, Cathryn Grant, Ellen Naismith and Valerie Watchorn