Echoes: An Immersive Environment for Neurodivergent Awareness

Introduction to Echoes

On Friday, July 4th and Wednesday, July 9th, 2025, Loukia Tsafoulia and Severino Alfonso presented the immersive installation “Echoes: An Immersive Environment for Awareness of Neurodivergent Spatial Experiences” to invited guests on the Autism Spectrum, their therapists, and family caregivers. The events took place at the municipal gymnasium Neo Ikonio in Perama, Greece. This venue was generously provided by the Perama City Hall for the artists to construct their work.

Feedback and Research

The creators received valuable feedback that contributes to their research through a qualitative questionnaire. This questionnaire focused on the impact of the overall experience. It included specific spatial aspects of sound and light projections that were adapted in real-time. These adaptations were based on the participants’ body movements, facial expressions, and respiratory rates within the Echoes’ interior.

The Essence of Echoes

Combining art, technology, and human perception, “Echoes” is an interactive environment. It fosters understanding, awareness, and acceptance of neurodiverse spatial experiences. Autistic individuals are significantly affected by sensory input. Thus, the physical environment plays a crucial role in their ability to interact with the world around them. Spatial access remains vital for autonomy, empowerment, and empathy. The Echoes project invites us to use our experiences and our bodies to empathize with the emotional experiences of others.

The Installation Design

Echoes is a physical space made of wood and cork. It features embedded experimental sensor technologies. The installation is organized into three interconnected environments:

Outside: A Collective Experience

In “Outside: A Collective Experience,” participants interact with the installation from an external, exposed environment. They engage through a series of light events that emerge from within. These light events slowly and dynamically change in intensity and coloration.

Inside: Multiples of One

Participants then enter “Inside: Multiples of One.” This intimate space functions as a “retreat” for individuals. It dynamically adjusts the light and sonic properties based on the movement and breathing rhythms of the participants. This adjustment serves as a means of self-regulation.

Team Members

During the events, the team included:

• Loukia Tsafoulia & Severino Alfonso (Creators)

• Filio Kosmidou (Participants Coordinator)

• Ilias Kalisperakis, Spyros Stefanidis, up2metric & Paraskeui Kritopoulou (Technology)

• Elpida Nikou (Documentary)

  
  

Conclusion

The Echoes project stands as a testament to the power of interdisciplinary collaboration. It bridges the gap between interactive design and emergent health sciences. By fostering understanding and empathy, it contributes to new knowledge in these fields.

For more information, visit Echoes and S+T+ARTS.

The events took place at the municipal gymnasium Neo Ikonio in Perama, Greece, a space provided to the artists for the construction of the work by the Perama City Hall.

Loukia Tsafoulia and Severino Alfonso presented the immersive installation “Echoes, An immersive environment for awareness of neurodivergent spatial experiences” to invited guests on the Autism Spectrum, their therapy, and family caregivers.