Eden Autism Services reached out to KSS with the need to renovate an empty office building shell to accommodate two adjoining day centers for adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Selected for our long-standing relationship with Eden and expertise in ASD-responsive design, KSS configured Eden WERCS with a focus on spaces to environmentally address the needs of Eden’s clients and employees. Building the project around a new kitchen core, KSS emphasized comfort and durability during the design process. An ample commercial kitchen, outfitted with duplicate, heavy-duty appliances and furnishings, serves as the heart of the campus, bringing participants together to learn culinary skills and prepare community meals. Two welcoming, light-filled common areas gather participants each morning and offer informal social space before individuals filter into warm, colorful classrooms with bountiful storage space for specialized educational materials.
As a leader in public outreach, Eden offers on-site training for schoolteachers, healthcare workers, and related professionals who regularly interact with individuals with ASD. A new generous training room at Eden WERCS facilitates this socially urgent aspect of Eden’s program, improving the public’s understanding of and response to ASD.
