CASE STUDY
A Calming Space for Student Success
A sensory room for students to regulate and reset
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The Background
Anza Elementary School, a warm and vibrant school, serves students with diverse abilities and needs. They partnered with Fun and Function to design a space where students with more significant challenges could relax, regulate and recharge in a supportive environment.
The Vision
The staff at Anza Elementary imagined a welcoming space that would provide students with soothing sensory input and support self-regulation.
The Challenge
The space for the sensory room was quite small, with a door on either end. Would the team be able to create a functional sensory environment in a relatively small space, while maintaining clear pathways for entry and exit?
BeforeAfter
BeforeAfter
The Process
Step 1: Choosing the Sensory Tools
To meet kids’ diverse sensory needs, the design team incorporated a balance of calming and active sensory tools throughout the space.
Soothing Lights & Sounds
As soon as kids enter the room, the soft lighting of the Waterless LED Color Columncreates a soothing focal point that encourages them to pause and relax their bodies. The walls are lined with Felt Right Tiles to reduce background noise for kids who are sensitive to auditory stimulation.
Calming Lights & Textures
As soon as kids enter the room, the soft lighting of the Waterless LED Color Column creates a soothing focal point that encourages them to pause and relax their bodies.
Focus & Stress Relief
The walls themselves become part of the sensory experience with our InterACTION Airplane Wall Panel and Sequin Wall Panels that invite quiet, hands-on interaction. These wall panels give kids an outlet for engaging their sense of touch while remaining focused and regulated.
Deep Pressure & Comfort
The walls themselves become part of the sensory experience with our InterACTION Airplane Wall Panel and Sequin Wall Panels that invite quiet, hands-on interaction. These wall panels give kids an outlet for engaging their sense of touch while remaining focused and regulated. The walls are also lined with Felt Right Tiles that reduce background noise, creating a more comfortable environment for kids who are sensitive to auditory stimulation.
Calm & Engagement
As kids step on the Gel Floor Tiles, the liquid colors shift and flow, providing visual feedback that encourages movement and gently redirects excess energy. Nearby, SensaSoftTM Squeezie Seats and a SensaSoftTM Compression Canoe offer comfortable seating with vestibular input, giving kids a cozy place that helps them feel grounded and secure.
Focus & Stress Relief
As kids step on the Gel Floor Tiles, the liquid colors shift and flow, providing visual feedback that encourages movement, improves focus and gently redirects excess energy. Nearby, SensaSoftTM Squeezie Seats and a SensaSoftTM Compression Canoe offer comfortable seating with vestibular input, giving kids a cozy place that helps them feel grounded and secure.
Deep Pressure & Comfort
Students can enjoy satisfying visual and tactile input from the Fiber Optic Light Strands, or cozy up with Heavy Herbert for hugs and deep pressure input that’s sure to put a smile on their face!
Calm & Engagement
Students can also enjoy satisfying visual and tactile input from the Fiber Optic Light Strands or cozy up with Heavy Herbert for hugs and deep pressure input that’s sure to put a smile on their face!
These sensory tools create a nurturing environment where kids can relax, explore and unwind in the way that works best for them.
Step 2: The Design Process
The room was arranged with distinct zones to ensure the space is open and easy to navigate.
Movement-based tools, like the Gel Floor Tiles, were placed along a pathway to encourage active play, while seating areas were positioned along the walls to provide quieter spaces for relaxation. Sensory wall elements add interest without cluttering the room, and the open layout allows staff to easily monitor the kids using the space.
The combination of calming colors, soft textures and interactive features creates an atmosphere that feels both soothing and engaging.
The End Result
Exactly what we imagined and we wouldn’t change a thing!
- Michelle Howlett, assistant principal of Washington Elementary School
The finished sensory room makes full use of the small space while maintaining clear, safe pathways between both doorways. By carefully arranging tools along the walls and creating defined zones, the team was able to support both movement and relaxation without overcrowding the room. Kids now have a welcoming place to step away from the busy classroom environment and regulate their emotions in a supportive setting. The thoughtful layout allows them to explore calming sensory input, release excess energy and soothe themselves, all within easy view of staff.
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