How to Design Workplaces that Support Neurodiversity (BOMA 2024)

An estimated 15-20% of the population is neurodivergent, underscoring the need for commercial buildings to be inclusive and comfortable for all individuals. Designing for neurodiversity, which incorporates principles from psychiatric healing environments, is essential for creating responsive spaces in office buildings.

At the 2024 BOMA International Conference and Expo, a Monday afternoon session featured insights from Rebecca Frenning, Director of Interior Design and Principal at Pope Design Group, and Roslyn zumBrunnen, Director of Workplace Design at Pope Design Group. Drawing from real-world case studies, they showcased unique approaches and design solutions for workplace, education, and medical buildings that address various environmental influences.

The presenters emphasized strategies for lighting, acoustics, materials, furniture, and technology to create supportive environments for everyone. Their examples highlighted how user engagement tools can enhance inclusivity and sensitivity to neurodivergent individuals throughout the design process.

What Is Neurodiversity?

There has been an increase in research and awareness around neurodiverse populations in recent years, and yet it’s still somewhat misunderstood. In fact, it’s estimated that one in eight people are considered neurodiverse but fewer than 50% are aware of it. In other words, “not all disabilities are visible,” Frenning noted. As research and understanding of brain science advances, the number of people defined as neurodiverse continues to increase, she added.

Neurodivergent people have a number of common strengths they bring to the workplace, including creativity and innovation, technical and problem-solving skills and a keen sense of accuracy and the ability to recall information well. They also share a number of common challenges such as distractions and lack of focus, sensitivities to sounds, sights and smells, as well as wayfinding—all of which can be addressed through the proper design of an office.

“A workplace that supports all types of ways to think, learn, interact and perceive the world supports neurodiversity,” zumBrunnen said.

How to Design for Inclusivity

Given the vast range of disabilities on the neurodivergent spectrum, the primary question the panelists addressed in their presentation was, “How can spaces support all people?” The simple answer is to appeal to people’s senses in various ways, including physical, sensory, cognitive and spatial.

“It’s really important to strike a balance between private spaces and places for people to connect, for example,” Frenning said.

zumBrunnen added: “If people can’t see an open space that they can get to within 15 to 20 steps,” such as a wellness room or privacy pod available, “they’re more likely to just stay at their desk and may become distracted or unproductive, so clear lines of sight to the choice of spaces available to employees is key when space planning.

Frenning and zumBrunnen offered a number of examples of how the design of physical space can meet the needs of diverse people so everyone feels comfortable and welcome, including:

• Limit distractions and reduce stimuli. Design a sensory sensitive environment and not a one-size-fits-all space.
• Provide a mental health-friendly workplace. Offer accommodations, areas of respite and resources to support mental health.
• Create an inclusive work culture. It’s important to provide workplace flexibility and accommodations that support a spectrum of preferences with a wide range of space choices.
• Design a barrier-free environment. In addition to ADA-compliant spaces that support people with physical disabilities, don’t forget to factor in considerations for visual and auditory impairments, as well as a variety of neurodivergent needs.
• Support different communication styles. People have a wide range of communication styles and preferences, so variety is essential. A combination of distraction-free workspaces for focus work and stimulating community areas for collaboration is essential.
• Encourage ease of movement. Establishing a clear visual and physical path of travel and an organized, predictable layout can go a long way in making neurodiverse occupants feel comfortable.

Practical Design Approaches to Apply Today

While creating workplaces to support neurodiverse populations may seem daunting for the average building owner or facilities manager, even small measures can start to have a measurable impact on the wellbeing of occupants. Frenning and zumBrunnen offered the following practical steps to start applying design approaches in your facility right away:

• Change paint colors
• Provide lighting alternatives
• Bring greenery in (biophilia)
• Reorganize furniture to offer choice and flexibility
• Integrated technology
• Changing a room type to support different activities (focused work, collaboration, etc.)
• Convert empty suites into shared amenity

“We need to ensure that our best asset, and the true currency of business—people—are in spaces where they can all thrive,” Frenning concluded.