Inspired by her own childhood, the project combines neuroarchitecture, playfulness, and functionality to promote comfort and autonomy in children’s environments.
Before becoming a project, Clara’s Universe was a feeling. It was childhood, it was a challenge, and it was the attempt to find comfort amidst chaos. Created by architect Amanda Brandão during her undergraduate studies, the work carries more than just technical expertise—it carries the memory of a girl who couldn’t organize her own room but gradually came to understand that space can be a form of support for those living with ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD).
Diagnosed in childhood with both ADHD and GAD, Amanda faced challenges early on that went beyond hyperactivity or trouble focusing. There was also a constant feeling of internal disorganization, reflected in the room she lived in. “Although the room was beautiful, new, recently renovated—and even painted entirely pink, just like I wanted—I still had a hard time feeling at home there. It wasn’t about a lack of care. In fact, my mother applied several ADHD-related methodologies with me, both in my studies and behavior. But when it came to the physical space, everything was still very new. At that time, there was hardly any talk about architectural interventions aimed at children with ADHD or anxiety. There was a lack of understanding about how the environment itself could be a tool for support—and this discovery eventually became the starting point for my project.”
This personal insight became the foundation for her final graduation project, which resulted in Clara’s Universe—a design that not only incorporates the principles of neuroarchitecture but also engages with psychology and pedagogy professionals to deeply understand what a neurodivergent child needs in everyday life.
The project proposes a playful, sensorially balanced, and functional children’s environment, where every design choice has a purpose: from a color palette that avoids visual overload to customized furniture that promotes autonomy. Features like organizing niches, clear separations between play and rest areas, and soft transition spaces help create an atmosphere of safety and predictability—essentials for children with ADHD, ASD, and GAD.
But perhaps the project’s greatest strength lies in its origin. By looking into her own story, Amanda was able to translate subjective experiences into objective design solutions. “Clara, the character who gives the project its name, is a symbolic representation of many girls like me. Children who want to express themselves but don’t know how. Who need structure but find no support in their surroundings,” she explains.
The choice of the name “Clara” was also intentional. It refers to light—to the idea of making visible what often goes unnoticed—such as a child’s difficulty in dealing with excessive stimuli or the lack of structure within their own room.
More than just an academic exercise, Clara’s Universe became a kind of personal and professional manifesto. It marks the beginning of Amanda’s journey as an architect focused on child-centered care and has become the conceptual foundation for the projects she now develops. “This work showed me that it’s possible to turn pain into purpose. That I can use my own experience as a tool for listening and empathizing with other families,” she says.
Today, Amanda Brandão develops projects that combine aesthetics, functionality, and emotional sensitivity, always with a keen awareness of children’s emotional and behavioral needs. With a background that blends technical specialization and strong personal motivation, she advocates for architecture that not only organizes spaces but also offers emotional and psychological support.
Clara’s Universe remains a reference and inspiration—a reminder that well-designed environments can be more than beautiful—they can be therapeutic, inclusive, and transformative.
To follow more projects and learn about the architect’s work, follow @amandabrandao.arq on Instagram or contact her at amandamellobrandao@gmail.com.
