October 28-30, 2026 |
Kansas City, MO

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Matthew Heckendorn

Matthew Heckendorn

PresidentHeckendorn Shiles Architects

Matt Heckendorn’s interest in design for Neurodivergent Individuals spans thirty years of professional practice and nineteen years of parenthood.

 

His design experience includes educational, corporate/workplace, healthcare/therapeutic, residential, athletic/recreational,  foodservice, transportation, and retail design, campus planning and adaptive reuse.  Professional lectures include Forum for Architecture, Master Builders Dialogues, Design on the Delaware, Greenbuild, Pennsylvania Brownfields Conference, Urban Land Institute, and the UPenn’s Wharton School.

Thu Oct 29•4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Campus Planning for a Neurodiverse Community

Heckendorn Shiles Architects is a regional expert in designing spaces for neurodivergent individuals and individuals with disabilities, with specializ

…

Heckendorn Shiles Architects is a regional expert in designing spaces for neurodivergent individuals and individuals with disabilities, with specialized projects dating back to 1997.  This session will explore how architecture and planning can create

…

Heckendorn Shiles Architects is a regional expert in designing spaces for neurodivergent individuals and individuals with disabilities, with specialized projects dating back to 1997.  This session will explore how architecture and planning can create inclusive, supportive environments for students with diverse cognitive and sensory needs. We will examine design strategies that reduce stress, enhance wayfinding, improve sensory comfort, and promot

…

Heckendorn Shiles Architects is a regional expert in designing spaces for neurodivergent individuals and individuals with disabilities, with specialized projects dating back to 1997.  This session will explore how architecture and planning can create inclusive, supportive environments for students with diverse cognitive and sensory needs. We will examine design strategies that reduce stress, enhance wayfinding, improve sensory comfort, and promote belonging — offering facility managers, architects and planners a framework that empower all learners to thrive.

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EDsession (60 minutes in classrooms)Session TypeTRACK 5: Building for Safety & Well-Being—from Construction to CompletionSession Track
Matthew Heckendorn
Matthew HeckendornPresident, Heckendorn Shiles Architects
Tags:Group B
Allow Registration:No
Capacity Unlimited:No
Indicate how the topic is applicable to Health, Safety, Welfare (HSW) Design credits.:This session supports Health, Safety, and Welfare by demonstrating how inclusive campus planning and sensory responsive architectural strategies reduce environmental stressors, improve navigability, and enhance the overall safety and well being of neurodivergent students and individuals with disabilities.
Learner Engagement:To engage the adult learner, techniques will include: Sensory Mapping Exercise, wherein participants will map a campus space based on sample plan and identify the following in order to connect theory to practice. • Overstimulating zones • Under supported quiet areas • High stress transitions • Missed opportunities for sensory refuge Mini Case Study Breakouts Each small group will receive a brief scenario (e.g., dorm entry sequence, dining hall, library pathfinding), and be prompted to brainstorm sensory inclusive improvements and report back.
Learning Objective 1:Identify key cognitive, sensory, and environmental factors that influence health, safety, and well being for neurodivergent students, and explain how these considerations inform campus planning and architectural decision making.