Aspect Treetop School in Adelaide has been recognised in the 2026 Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) South Australia Awards for Planning Excellence, with the school's transformation nominated in the Great Place category.
Delivered by GovPartners in partnership with Aspect, the project transformed the campus through the restoration of the heritage-listed Ashford House and the creation of a purpose-designed, sensory-responsive outdoor learning environment. The result is a school environment that supports wellbeing, learning and connection for autistic students while preserving an important piece of South Australian history.
Built in 1881, Ashford House had fallen into significant disrepair, with parts of the building no longer safe to use. At the same time, the school's outdoor areas offered limited opportunities for the diverse sensory and learning needs of students. The project set out to address both challenges, restoring the historic building and reimagining the surrounding grounds as an inclusive, autism-friendly learning environment.
The transformation was shaped by Aspect's Autism-Friendly Built Environment Design Guidelines and informed by the lived experiences of students, educators and allied professionals. Details were carefully considered, from acoustics and lighting to colour palettes, sightlines and sensory transitions between spaces. Inside Ashford House, acoustic treatments, flicker-free lighting and calm, low-reflective finishes were introduced to create welcoming and predictable learning environments.
Outside, the school grounds were transformed into a multi-sensory landscape featuring four dedicated play and learning zones, including sand and music play, climbing structures, slides and tunnels, and quiet spaces for rest and self-regulation. The three large mature trees were retained and protected, outdoor learning areas were enhanced, and a covered outdoor learning area (COLA) was upgraded to provide sheltered, connected spaces for learning and play throughout the year.
What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that the work was completed while the school remained fully operational. Project teams carefully staged construction activities to minimise disruption, working closely with school staff to maintain predictable routines and support students throughout the process.
More than a physical upgrade, the project has delivered meaningful outcomes for the school community. Since reopening, the revitalised spaces have supported increased outdoor learning opportunities, improved student self-regulation, enhanced safety and contributed to a calmer, more welcoming environment for both students and staff. The project is also helping to establish a benchmark for neurodiversity-affirming design that can inform schools, community spaces and public facilities across Australia.
Now, the project is also in the running for the inaugural PIA SA People's Choice Award, which is decided by public vote.
Help us celebrate this achievement!
We're proud to see the innovative work at Aspect Treetop School recognised by the planning profession. This project demonstrates what's possible when heritage conservation, inclusive design and the voices of autistic people come together to create places where everyone can belong, learn and thrive. If you'd like to support the project, we'd love your vote. 🙌
Thank you to our project partners
Aspect and GovPartners would like to thank all project partners involved in the Aspoect Treetop School restoration project and in particular:
- G-Force Building and Consulting
- LCS Landscapes
- Hosking Willis Heritage Architects
- Clover Green Space Landscape Architects
- Construction Assignments
