Our School Building

Our school building

Our new building, The Pears National Centre for Autism Education in Muswell Hill, north London, was completed in October 2008. As well as TreeHouse School, it is home to the National Centre for Autism Education and offices where our campaign, training and administrative teams are based.

TreeHouse’s new building has been developed with pupils in mind. Simple, flexible, repetitive spaces have good quality natural light and ventilation and there is a constant temperature. Safety features include high balustrades to prevent climbing and magnetically controlled external doors.

The design of the building has emerged from a long process of studying and defining the unique needs of children with autism. Although it is calm and attractive with lots of natural materials, we have not designed it as a low-stimulus environment because we want children to be able to live in the real world when they leave TreeHouse. We plan to include a zebra crossing in the grounds, for example so that children can get used to crossing a road at an appropriate place in a safe setting.

The building incorporates a dentist’s surgery with typical equipment and furniture so that children can get used to this before they need treatment at their family dentist. Special small workrooms and quiet rooms for the children are available when they need time away from noise, light or other stimuli.

Our building makes flexible use of classroom and teaching spaces so the school dining room also doubles as a drama room and the turning area for the school buses and cars will be able to be used as a cycle track for the children once the vehicles have left the site.

Find out more about the Pears National Centre for Autism Education building project