Date
10 Apr 2024
Category
Thought Leadership
Designing for a neurodiverse workforce is better for everyone.

For too long, our neurodivergent colleagues, friends and family have lived in a world of limited possibilities. The post-pandemic era has opened a wave of awareness to the workforce. As learning styles have shifted, so have workplace preferences. But as awareness grows around neurodiversity – a term encompassing various neurological differences – we’re seeing increasing demand from business for neurodiverse workplaces. Why? Because designing for neurodiversity means you are designing for everyone, which is better for people and for business.

It’s estimated that around 1 in 7 people (more than 15% of people in the UK) is neurodivergent. And that’s a conservative estimate. I’m inspired to see workplace leaders and forward-thinking companies ditching the one-size-fits-all approach and turning to design that allows them to provide diverse, inclusive, and varied spaces to harness the strengths and abilities of all talent.

Great strides have been made, including the BSI’s guidelines – Design for the Mind – Neurodiversity and the Built Environment – expanding on conventional notions of inclusive design to address sensory design considerations. But are we, as designers, doing enough to enable businesses to create beautiful, accessible, and inclusive spaces that allow people – all people – to flourish and thrive within the built environment.

At Basha-Franklin, we’re committed to creating life-enriching interior environments and experiences that realise the potential of every human being. In our work, we’re rethinking not only a building’s function but also how we view designing for all users. Our human-centred approach has led us to work with clients and businesses – among them Landsec, Related Argent, FTSE100 global brands and McKinsey & Company – who understand that design that makes people comfortable to be their authentic selves benefits both parties. As specialists in neurodiverse spaces, catering for the needs of all is at the forefront of mind for every project we complete, and the end user experience is integral to our design approach at every touchpoint.

So, how does Basha-Franklin design more inclusive spaces?

Here are a few of our top considerations when it comes to designing more inclusive spaces.

At Basha-Franklin, we’re committed to creating life-enriching interior environments and experiences that realise the potential of every human being.

01
Sensory stimulation

We’re multi-sensory beings. In the workplace, we’re continually bombarded with a wealth of input that some find harder to process than others. Ringing phones, overheard conversations, music, ultra distraction, glaring light levels, and kitchen smells can overload the senses. There’s a misconception that neurodiverse individuals only desire calming ‘refuge’ spaces, and that’s not the case. Some people actually need more stimulation to soothe their nervous system and increase levels of focus and engagement. We offer a menu of intentional spaces with high and low levels of stimulation, providing diverse space types with layered views – and curation of materiality plays an important role in our design processes in order to create differing ambience and layering of colour and texture.

02
Consider light

Conventional lighting systems prioritise energy efficiency and aesthetics, but many neurodiverse people experience heightened sensitivity to artificial lighting. We always prioritise natural light and collaborate with lighting specialists on adjustable lighting systems, often using lower, indirect light offering a range of colour temperatures. Using light we can enhance experiences, promote personalisation, minimise stressors and positively impact mental and emotional wellbeing.

03
Make sense of sound

The accumulation of noise in a vibrant workplace can lead to sensory overload for some neurodivergent users, affecting their cognitive function and attention span and impairing their ability to perform and be their best self. Performance of spaces is essential, diverse acoustic solutions that suit the utilisation of the spaces is key, many are background performers, however more recently we have used innovative soundproofing measures including acoustic walls of recycled felt and cellulose paper pulp tiles. On our Velonetic project, we used textured acoustic spray on walls and heavyweight curtain dividers with an acoustic layer embedded in the fabrication to reduce ambient noise levels and create a more comfortable auditory environment.

04
Provide choice and control

Security and a sense of control are vital to neurodivergents’ and neurotypicals’ wellbeing. By designing diverse spaces, including open collaboration areas and rooms with solid walls and doors you can close, people have options to work how and where they want, giving them ownership over their environment. Designing for greater individual control and customising factors such as light intensity and temperature control (for small zones) should be a priority.

05
Design for orientation

Security and a sense of control are vital to neurodivergents’ and neurotypicals’ wellbeing. By designing diverse spaces, including open collaboration areas and rooms with solid walls and doors you can close, people have options to work how and where they want, giving them ownership over their environment. Designing for greater individual control and customising factors such as light intensity and temperature control (for small zones) should be a priority.

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