Designing for Neurodivergence: Why It's Essential, Not Optional
The conversation around neurodivergence in workplace design has gained significant momentum in recent years. However, as Kelly Colon, executive function coach and neurodiversity advocate, explains, this isn't a trend—it's an essential recalibration of how we think about designing our built environments. For decades, we have been creating spaces primarily based on mathematical formulas, including square footage requirements, budget constraints, and aesthetic preferences. What's been notably absent from this equation? The actual human beings who inhabit these spaces.
The foundational problem is that traditional design practices have prioritized program, product, and price over people. We have constructed environments without considering their impact on human nervous systems, cognitive processing, and sensory experiences. As Colon points out, this oversight has had measurable consequences: increased rates of depression, burnout, and even suicide among workers. Our classrooms, offices, and public spaces have been designed without a fundamental understanding of how the brain functions, processes information, and responds to environmental stimuli.
The pandemic created an unexpected laboratory for understanding this disconnect. When people began working from home, many discovered for the first time just how dysregulated they had been in traditional office environments. They could customize their surroundings to support their cognitive and sensory needs, often resulting in increased productivity and well-being. Now, as organizations push for a return to the office, they are encountering resistance from employees who have gained awareness about the environments that allow them to function at their best.
One of the most significant challenges in designing for neurodivergence is that these conditions often represent "invisible disabilities." Unlike accommodations for physical disabilities, which are codified through legislation like the Americans with Disabilities Act, there are few standardized guidelines for creating environments that support neurodivergent individuals. Yet the need is equally important. As Colon illustrates with her example of a beautiful glass staircase that neurodivergent employees avoided because they couldn't establish proper visual reference points for proprioception (the awareness of body positioning in space), seemingly small design choices can have significant functional impacts.
The encouraging news is that designing for neurodivergence doesn't require completely new tools or approaches. Designers and architects are already familiar with concepts such as biophilic design, acoustic management, and visual organization. What they often lack is foundational literacy in neurodivergence, understanding how different brains process information and respond to environmental stimuli. This knowledge allows them to apply existing design principles in ways that support cognitive diversity.
What's particularly powerful about neurodivergent-friendly design is that it benefits everyone. When we create environments that cater to individuals with heightened sensory sensitivities or executive functioning differences, we're creating spaces that are more comfortable, intuitive, and supportive for all users. For example, replacing clear glass on a stairwell with patterned or frosted glass helps neurodivergent individuals navigate the space with improved proprioception, while also providing more explicit visual cues for all users of the stairs.
The furniture industry plays a crucial role in this evolution. As Colon advises, manufacturers and dealers need to "stop building and creating solutions to problems you do not understand." This doesn't mean every furniture professional needs to become a neuroscience expert. Still, it highlights the importance of collaborating with individuals who understand neurodivergence when developing products for diverse users. The intersection of furniture design and neurodivergent needs represents a significant opportunity for innovation and meaningful impact.
Moving forward, our educational institutions should integrate neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral studies into design curricula to better prepare future professionals. Meanwhile, current practitioners can seek out workshops and training to build their foundational literacy in neurodivergence. By embracing this knowledge, we can create environments that support human well-being at a fundamental level, rather than continuing to force human adaptation to spaces that work against our neurological needs.