Assist the growing neurodivergent population with strategic adjustments to physical spaces
Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces: Advancing Sensory Processing and Cognitive Well-Being in the Built Environment explores how to employ strategic spatial zoning and sequencing, sensory zones, patterns, textures, colors, lighting, and soundscaping to create spaces that cater to the various sensory needs of neurodivergent individuals, who now make up 1/5 of the world's population. This group possesses unique strengths that can be harnessed if they are in environments designed to be welcoming and supportive of their needs.
Written by Kay Sargent of HOK, a leader in the field of workplace design and architecture, this groundbreaking book argues that even minor adjustments to physical spaces can drive giant improvements in cognitive function, fulfillment, and belonging for both neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals.
Some of the topics explored in this book include:
Reimagining the design of offices and workplaces through a neuroinclusive lens Optimizing spaces to accommodate hypersensitivities across all six work modalities, ranging from focused tasks to collaborative endeavors Inclusion practices to boost productivity in the workplace and transform high-stress environments into more welcoming and functional spaces for everyone
Filled with practical, actionable strategies for designing spaces that embrace and empower individuals across the neurodiversity spectrum, Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces is a timely, essential read for all forward-thinking HR, DEI, and accessibility teams, as well as architects and interior designers.
By:
Kay Sargent (HOK Group Inc)
Imprint: John Wiley & Sons Inc
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 234mm,
Width: 160mm,
Spine: 33mm
Weight: 567g
ISBN: 9781394309337
ISBN 10: 1394309333
Pages: 352
Publication Date: 10 April 2025
Audience:
General/trade
,
ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Foreword xi Preface xv Chapter 1 Framing the Issue 1 Origin Story 1 The Pitfalls of Well-Intentioned Design 7 Understanding Neurodiversity 8 The Opportunities 9 A Growing Awareness 11 HOK’s Research on Designing for Inclusion 13 The Value of Neuroinclusive Design 13 Chapter 2 Defining Neurotypes 17 Types of Neurodivergence 18 Neurodiversity and Mental Health 28 Chapter 3 Great for Business 35 The Business Case for Neurodiversity 35 Cognitive Diversity: Breaking Down Groupthink 37 Impact on Business Performance 38 Challenges and Accommodations 40 Designing Inclusive Workplaces 40 Chapter 4 Human Functioning and Sensory Processing 45 Three Interconnected Systems 46 Sensory Processing: Foundation and Mechanisms 49 Sensory Thresholds and Processing Challenges 52 Coping Mechanisms and Perception Variances 56 Designing for Diverse Functioning 59 Chapter 5 Sensory Intelligence 63 The Sensory Matrix™ 63 Chapter 6 Survey Findings 79 Survey One: All Neurodivergent Populations 79 Surveys Two and Three: Mixed Neurotype Population 81 Survey Four: Mixed Neurotype Scientific Population 89 Challenges in the Built Environment 93 Survey Five: ZHAW ADD/ADHD Sensory Challenges Survey 103 Design Strategies and Recommendations 107 Chapter 7 Senses and Degree of Stimulation 109 Accommodating Sensory Needs 110 Visual 111 Auditory 115 Tactile 118 Olfactory 119 Gustatory 120 Proprioception, Interoception, and Vestibular 121 Chapter 8 Environmental Influences 127 Neuroaesthetics and the Built Environment 128 Environmental Factors Affecting Workplace Comfort 128 Principles of Design 130 Elements of Design 131 Chapter 9 Other Elements to Consider 155 Biophilia 155 Wayfinding 159 Multisensory Rooms 161 Safety and Well-Being 165 Focus Flow 168 Chapter 10 Degrees of Inclusive Design 175 Accessible Design 175 Universal Design 176 Inclusive Design 177 Equitable Design 181 Chapter 11 HOK’s Approach to Inclusive Design 189 Organizational DNA 190 Defining Personas, Work Settings, and Gathering Profiles 193 Six Work Modes 198 Spatial Sequencing 199 Power of the 6 to the 48 201 Journey Mapping 202 Chapter 12 Steps Toward Designing for Inclusion 205 Redefining Disability 206 Creating Inclusive Workplaces 207 Chapter 13 Design Considerations 217 The Premise of Inclusive Design 217 Six Modalities of Work 223 HOK’s Design Considerations 233 Chapter 14 The Three-Legged Stool 243 Leg One: Addressing Operational Strategies 244 Leg Two: Designing an Inclusive Built Environment 247 Leg Three: Enabling Individual Adjustments 248 Chapter 15 Going Forward 255 Growing Awareness and Increasing Diagnosis 256 Technological Developments 260 Changing Landscape 261 More Comprehensive Approach 263 Afterword 265 Notes 267 Acknowledgments 305 About the Author 309 What We Do 313 Index 315
KAY SARGENT is the Director of Thought Leadership, Interiors, at HOK, a leading organization in the field of workplace design and architecture. She sits on the Delos Advisory Board alongside renowned wellness and sustainability advocates and is the winner of the IFMA Distinguished Author Award for research on neurodiversity.
