The Autism Foundation Luxembourg is to inaugurate a new residential facility in Rambrouch on 28 September, in the process expanding from its initial base built 10 years ago in Munshausen.
It has now been more than 20 years since the Foundation wasd born to promote and defend the rights of all persons with autism in Luxembourg, regardless of their level of disability. Given that a rural setting is essential to ensure the quality of life of people with autism, Munshausen and Rambrouch were soon chosen to open day homes and shelters. Also, land prices in the north of the country were more affordable and the result of the referendum, launched with the inhabitants of the two communes, was conclusive and positive.
The 20 or so people with autism, who were involved in the opening of the centre, were well integrated into the community life of the village of Munshausen. The flowery landscape and the green surroundings make life more healthy and serene. By ecological consciousness, the building has been completed with natural materials, such as parquet and uses a cogeneration system.
Autism is a complex developmental disorder affecting cerebral function, making it difficult, if not impossible, to establish a social bond with the surrounding world. The behaviour associated with it appear in more than 1 in 150 individuals, making it one of the most common developmental disorders. There is no cure for autism but means to support development and improve the daily life of people with autism.
To facilitate the lives of people with autism and their care, several specific adjustments have been planned from the design phase of the project. The centre of the Autism Foundation Luxembourg is one of the first in Europe where architecture and interior design are used as a therapeutic medium.
The land layout was designed to distinguish the main building from the other four smaller buildings for recreational activities. It is important for people with autism that there is a clear physical distinction between place of life and workplace.
The main building is white in colour and fits well into the village landscape. It comprises 3 homes for maximum 7 people with autism, as well as the offices of the Autism Foundation Luxembourg.
Each home has a limited number of rooms to approach a single-family home concept. They include seven bedrooms, two bathrooms, two lounges, a large kitchen, three storage rooms, a laundry room, three toilets. The whole is spread over two floors.
They were built so that the living rooms (living rooms, kitchen, bedrooms) are south-facing with views of the valleys (both in Munshausen and Rambrouch) and the other rooms (bathrooms, toilets, technical, storage, laundry) are located on the north side.
In order to meet the needs of people with autism who have not had the chance to be integrated into the first Munshausen site, the Foundation is opening a new day centre and shelter in the east of the Grand Duchy, thanks to the agreement in principle of the Ministry of the Family.
