A neuro-inclusive office
in 8 steps
A neuro-inclusive office in 8 steps
Awareness regarding workplace creation continues to grow – and that’s a good thing! The space around us, especially the everyday space, has a significant impact on us. So let’s do everything to make it as positive as possible and stimulate us to work effectively. Most recently, design with neurodiversity in mind has become increasingly popular. This approach is valuable from a business perspective and, above all, beneficial for society. This is a reason for us to rush to you to share our good practices in this area!
In the workplace strategies we create for our customers, we often talk about the diversity of employee needs, which implies a diversity of office solutions. To plan a new office with neurodiversity in mind, however, it is important to go one step further – to understand that how we perceive the same world around us, and therefore the same office space, is a very individual issue.
Therefore, a given office solution may be perceived as extremely comfortable and supportive by a certain group of people. At the same time, for other users, it will be an impediment that prevents them from completing a task. This is all due to our brains and cognitive systems, which differ so beautifully.
So what is worth considering when planning a neuro-inclusive office? We have been asked this question many times by our customers, so we decided to gather the most important information in one place. Learn about our best practices and essential spatial solutions!
1. Give choice
An office space prepared for neurodiverse people should be first and foremost based on choice – both in terms of the type of space, design, location, facilities, signage and environment [1].
An office space prepared for neurodiverse people should be first and foremost based on choice – both in terms of the type of space, design, location, facilities, signage and environment [1]. Endow employees with choice through the use of a variety of solutions so that everyone, whatever the need and whatever the moment, can find a space that helps them to work effectively.
Endow employees with choice through the use of a variety of solutions so that everyone, whatever the need and whatever the moment, can find a space that helps them to work effectively.
2. Divide the space into zones
Dividing the office space into different zones for work purposes allows, especially for people with neurodiversity, to find a comfortable environment for completing tasks and effectively regulate the level of interaction and privacy.
A neuro-inclusive office should include:
⚬ spaces for collective and individual work,
⚬ quiet places and noisy places,
⚬ open, semi-open and closed spaces,
⚬ passable and dedicated spaces,
⚬ places of integration as well as isolation/separation.
3. Put your bet on new solutions and functions
Creating a neuro-inclusive space requires a skilful balance of the stimuli affecting its users. The key is to take into account individual needs for movement, privacy and interaction. This often involves extending the traditional range of rooms or furniture solutions.
Think about:
⚬ a kitchen equipped with various forms of seating, enabling avoidance of or partaking in social interaction,
⚬ focus rooms with booking possibility, located in the office in a way that reduces the need to move around,
⚬ places for individual relaxation in the form of relaxation rooms or cabins, providing sensory relief,
⚬ places for interaction and movement in the form of fun rooms, equipped with exercise devices, games, stimulating materials and providing additional brain stimulation,
⚬ coffee/water points, allowing them to be used without a need of interaction,
⚬ mobile furniture such as sit-to-stand desks, mobile poufs, chairs on wheels, height-adjustable project work tables or mobile whiteboards, allowing employees to rearrange the space,
⚬ a wide range of seating, i.e. swivel chairs, high stools, sofas or cocoons, allowing users to sit in a way that meets their individual need for movement.
4. Take care of the acoustics
While most neurotypical people can cope reasonably well with changes in noise levels, this can be much more difficult for neurodiverse people. The acoustics in a neuro-inclusive office should allow users to move progressively from the quietest to the loudest zones, and provide a choice of noise levels.
Consider:
⚬ closure of selected rooms due to noise level,
⚬ acoustic products to improve office comfort,
⚬ separating desks from passageways,
⚬ providing workers with noise-cancelling headphones,
⚬ purchase of non-automatic hand dryers and an alternative in the form of paper towels.
5. Let people control the lighting
Many neurodiverse people, but also those who are neurotypical, are sensitive to lighting. Flickering light in spaces, light reflecting off textures and finishes, and the inability to cover windows are problematic. Controlling the lighting within one’s workspace gives a sense of control over the environment and increases efficiency.
Consider:
⚬ LED lighting,
⚬ lamps with percentage intensity control,
⚬ additional desk lamps,
⚬ monitors with anti-reflective coating,
⚬ blackout blinds for windows,
⚬ curtains.
6. Consider appropriate design
Neurodiversity is often an increased sensitivity to environmental stimuli, including colours, finish patterns, and textures.
Neurodiversity is often an increased sensitivity to environmental stimuli, including colours, finish patterns, and textures. The design of a neuro-inclusive space should be balanced and, above all, consistent with the function of the room in question.
Avoid:
⚬ hard-to-touch textures, causing sensory hypersensitivity,
⚬ smooth, shiny and reflective surfaces,
⚬ bright, bold colours and intense patterns throughout the office space.
The design of a neuro-inclusive space should be balanced and, above all, consistent with the function of the room in question.
Avoid:
⚬ hard-to-touch textures, causing sensory hypersensitivity,
⚬ smooth, shiny and reflective surfaces,
⚬ bright, bold colours and intense patterns throughout the office space.
7. Introduce clear wayfinding
Space signage positioned at eye level is usually an effective form of office navigation. However, people with neurodiversity, especially those with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) and heightened levels of sensitivity, do not always feel comfortable raising their eyes. It is also worth remembering that one form of communication is not always sufficient for different people. Clear wayfinding in a neuro-inclusive office requires the design of alternative routes of communication.
Think about:
⚬ clear and logical names for the individual rooms/zones,
⚬ wayfinding based on the use of floors, walls and even ceilings,
⚬ a diverse range of patterns, shapes and textures to expand the forms of navigational communication,
⚬ the use of signage based on words as well as symbols in a sequential manner,
⚬ providing the employees and visitors with a map of the office.
8. Remember about employee experience
Ensure that any solutions you introduce are intuitive and easy to use, and support flexibility and choice as well.
Consider:
⚬ applications for booking desks and parking spaces with the possibility of booking for a longer time,
⚬ having a visible system for booking and showing the occupancy status of rooms/supporting areas in colour and with text,
⚬ marking the contents of kitchen cupboards, generally available storage furniture,
⚬ instructions for use based on words as well as symbols.
[1] Duric, S. (2020). NEURODIVERSITY. How senses are engaged in the built environment is a large part of why and how we design. The Working Brain.
Are you facing the challenge of adapting your office for neurodiverse people’s needs?
Make an appointment for a free consultation with the author of the material!
Ewelina Solecka
Your Workplace Partner
