The film approaches autism as a catalyst for urban sound experience. Through direct testimonies and first-person narratives, it reveals the profound impact that the soundscapes of our cities have on individuals on the autism spectrum. Its goal is to raise awareness of a neurodiverse urbanity — inspiring the design of future cities that are more inclusive and attentive to sensory plurality.
The screening will be followed by an in-depth conversation with the artists, moderated by two leading figures in the field of research:
→ Beatrice de Gelder: Expert in Fundamental Research (Brussels).
→ Manuel Cirauqui: Curator and Director of einaidea (Barcelona).
This encounter offers a unique opportunity to explore how art, architecture, and science can converge to create environments that not only accommodate but celebrate sensory diversity.
Bio
Severino Alfonso and Loukia Tsafoulia are architects, educators, and researchers whose work lies at the intersection of art, interactive design, technology, and cognitive sciences.
Both serve as Assistant Professors at the College of Architecture and the Built Environment at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, where they co-founded and co-direct the Synesthetic Research and Design Lab (SR&DL) — a cutting-edge research platform developing methodologies and prototypes to critically address the interactions between humans, objects, and environments, with a particular focus on supporting neurodiversity.
Their advanced training includes a Post-Professional MS in Advanced Architectural Design from Columbia University in New York.
Through their architecture and research practice, PLB Studio, they create installations and works that explore affective and performative spaces, blending the physical and digital realms. Their projects have been exhibited at renowned international venues such as the Venice Architecture Biennale (European Cultural Center) and the MAXXI Museum in Rome (Museo dei Fori Imperiali). Their research merges computational design theory with emerging health sciences to promote a more empathetic and inclusive approach to the built environment.
