Designing spaces for neurodiversity
Last year, Believe:NeuroDiversity conducted a project for the State Library of Victoria to identify insights on how sensory friendly spaces can be developed for neurodivergent visitors. We found that to be truly inclusive requires an individualised approach, as neurodivergent visitors do have a number of challenges.
Most importantly, these issues are both emotional and sensory.
So, how can a building be designed with these individualised needs in mind, that satisfy a variety of critical needs? We spoke with Zilan Ong, an undergraduate from Carnegie Mellon University about how architecture can help.
When most people think about architecture, they think about elegant buildings and structures, but architecture itself goes deeper than that. As a student studying the field, my education has taught me that architecture an agent of change. We must consider who exactly you are designing for and to put them at the forefront of your thoughts when designing.
When it comes to neurodiversity and designing to accommodate neurodivergent individuals, there are many different aspects to consider from the process of wayfinding to the type of interior design itself. It is also important to acknowledge that neurodivergence is a range regarding both conditions and severity with a variety of unique characteristics person to person.
So how can architecture be designed to be inclusive of all neuro-abilities?
The basis of any good design is understanding; understanding WHO you are designing for and WHAT possibilities there are for your space and HOW your design can impact its users will allow the design to truly shine. When I enter any design brainstorming, I begin with my four-step process for true understanding:
Step One: Consider. This is probably the most important step. Acknowledging the person or group that you are designing for will push your design in the direction it needs to go. Take into account their likes and dislikes as well as the things that surround them and the spaces that they, and your design, will interact with.
Step Two: Specialise. While it is important to design for your target client, it is important to recognise that not every space is going to be for every person, and often enough, you are designing for a group rather than a single user. Designing with the mindset of there only being one user will limit your design and create a space that while possibly ideal for your user, is ultimately uninviting for any guests and other users.
Step Three: Multipurpose. There are often restricted amounts of space that you will be designing for and it is beneficial to allow spaces to be transformative. Not only does this maximize the amount of space that you have, but it allows spaces to accommodate a greater percentage of spaces.
Step Four: Transform. Allowing your spaces and design aspects to be fluid in nature will not only help allow spaces to be multipurpose but allows users to be part of the design. Spaces can transform through customizability in a variety of things including light, function, and acoustics.
The foundation for any great design is precedents. Looking at the work that comes before you is a great way to look at what works, what doesn’t, and find inspiration to kick start your design. One of the precedents I looked at when looking for architecture designed with neurodivergent individuals in mind was the BBC headquarters in Wales.
The building design itself included many intentional choices that aimed to diversify architecture to accommodate people who identify as neurodivergent. Within these choices are two main features that I believe is a strong example of beginning to design for neurodivergence.
The first is the approach to defining spaces. BBC introduces over two dozen different types of workspaces from traditional sit-down desks to high-stool bench tables to less formal workspaces. Beyond just the variety of workspaces, the designers also paid close attention to lighting and acoustics, reducing artificial and fluorescent lighting and manipulating the acoustics to support the space itself.
The other main feature is BBC’s reimagination of wayfinding. Often, the lack of consideration for wayfinding can hinder users and cause more stress. To begin to tackle this, the BBC headquarters has focused on providing clarity of navigation and direction as well as increasing the spatial organization and signage, making finding destinations more straightforward. Additionally, the BBC has a unique design feature that serves as a focal point for the structure. Several meeting rooms, each of a different color, are stacked to form a grand atrium and a constant visual anchor within the office spaces.
Architecture sits at the center of a lot of choices and possibilities. Architecture moves people; it has the power to make people feel safe and comfortable, but it also has the power to create a cold and uninviting environment. Through careful designing, architecture can help meet the needs of neurodivergent individuals, creating a promoting not demoting environment. Designs should foster inclusive environments, working with, not against individuals. As designers, we have that power.