Even the smallest change can create anxiety and behavioral issues for autistic children.

So before the Faison School for Autism opened its new facility in April, staff made sure students were prepared.

"The school sent home a picture book," said Desi Wyatt, father of 5-year-old Noelle. "Every night we looked at the pictures and said, 'Here's the lobby' and 'Here's the classroom,' so it was not a new experience for her."

Noelle, he said, had a relatively seamless transition from Faison's old quarters in North Richmond to the new, 38,000-square-foot building near Willow Lawn.

At Faison's new facility, education isn't confined to the classroom. Each space in the school has been specifically designed to offer students a chance to learn.

Plenty of windows are featured -- an exterior to let in natural light and an interior so that visiting parents and researchers can observe students.

Classrooms provide multiple activity zones and small breakout rooms for quiet space.

Corridors are asymmetric, with plenty of nooks, benches and areas to allow students who may need a moment to collect themselves before moving on.

"It's a haven," said Julie Zukowski, mother of Max, 14.

The bright lunchroom offers a variety of seating options. Students can practice skills, including setting the kitchen table or scooting into the corner of a restaurant booth, which can be a challenge for some autistic people.

"It's not about aesthetics, and it's not about architecture. It's about how to inspire the kids and shape their behaviors and support teaching methods," said Tamara Van Meter, an interior designer at architecture firm Baskervill who helped create the new space.

Each area in the school offers students a variety of sensory experiences, from the colored tiles on the floors to outdoor water features.

White noise is piped in to diminish distractions.

One of the big draws for students is Faison's new gym on the ground floor of the three-story facility. It features a swing, mats, a mini-trampoline, bicycles and other activities. Noelle is learning to ride a bike there.

While Max was waiting for the swing to be installed, he discovered a new ride.

"He wanted to ride up and down in the elevator," said his mother, Julie.

Faison staff decided to let him earn elevator rides as reinforcement for good behavior.

"That's what's so great," Zukowski said. "They can take some obsessive things and make them positive things."

The Faison School, founded in 1999, had been searching for a permanent home for several years.

It operated in leased facilities until April, when it moved to the former Robertshaw Controls office building. Purchase and renovations cost about $7.5 million, said Wendy Kreuter, vice president for operations and finance at the school.

In less than a year, Baskervill and Hourigan Construction had transformed the space from early 1960s offices to state-of-the-art education and research facility.

Kathy Matthews, director of education at Faison, said she was amazed when she saw the design.

"When we saw the plans, we thought, 'Yeah, that's it. How'd they know?'" she said.

Baskervill associates said they used immersion to develop the plans. They talked to teachers, staff, parents and students. They also visited a number of schools and other child-friendly facilities looking for insight.

"We cast an extremely broad net," said Jefferson DeHoff, Baskervill project manager. "We were bringing in pieces of information without asking if it made sense. Then we ask ourselves, 'How do all these things connect?' And then the process heats up."

The new facility will allow Faison to increase enrollment. The school also plans to expand its Center for Life Skills and Employment, which provides job training.

Also, Faison administrators are looking to grow in the school's new neighborhood, and they plan to open several other buildings in the next few years.

Contact Lisa Crutchfield at (804) 649-6362 or lcrutchfield@timesdispatch.com.

What is autism?

Autism is a developmental neurological disability that affects one out of every 150 children. Autism affects language development, intuitive thought, social interaction and the ability to communicate.
Symptoms generally appear by age 2 and may include repetitive behaviors or a marked adherence to specific routines.