Her unique name is befitting of this extraordinary woman. Cathy Purple Cherry is not just a Special Needs Architect and Founder of Purposeful Architecture™ as well as the founding Principal of Purple Cherry Architects, she is also the mother of an adult son on the Autism spectrum and the sibling of a Down Syndrome brother. She is passionate about designing successful environments for individuals with special needs including Autism and is leading this charge across the country. She brings to all Purposeful Architecture™ projects a unique sensitivity to the world of special needs and fully understands the methods, programs and environments that most successfully support this incredible group of individuals.
The same tenacity that propels Cathy to vocally and forcefully advocate for her son benefits her clients. She believes there are core needs for individuals with challenges. Purposeful Architecture™ can provide for those needs in a wonderfully inspiring way through her thoughtful applications of design strategies employing behavioral research and personal and professional experiences.
Cathy has combined both her personal experiences and her vast purposeful design experience with sound educational literature in the field of Autism and other special needs to accrue a very comprehensive understanding of the physical, technological and social-emotional design needs for facilities for individuals with disabilities. She is able to translate this comprehensive knowledge into practical and beautiful interior and exterior designs that create highly functional yet soothing and therapeutic facilities for individuals with disabilities, their families and the professionals that serve them.
In addition to the numerous articles she has written on the topic, Cathy speaks nationally on Purposeful design needs that support academic and therapeutic needs of individuals with disabilities. She engages her audiences and enables them to consider design applications and concepts that enhance their practice with respect to environments designed to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. She is tireless in her efforts to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities through Purposeful Architecture™.