WORKPLACE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
“Lighting, colour, textures, and spatial layout influence human emotions”
digital resources, services and opportunities for all individuals, regardless of cognitive, sensory, or physical needs. Adopting these approaches in neuroinclusive design oers numerous advantages, including attracting top-tier talent, fostering a sense of belonging, enhancing employee engagement and wellbeing, optimising communication and collaboration, and meeting legal and ethical obligations. However, realising these benets requires a fundamental re-evaluation of workspace design grounded in comprehensive research and individual insights gained from workshops or surveys. orkil Sonne, the founder of Specialisterne, has become a leading authority in neurodiversity, aiding companies in revolutionising their recruitment practices through innovative assessment methods. ese principles form the foundation of Allure’s architectural proposal, advocating for incorporating collaborative workspaces into HR areas and challenging the traditional interview rooms. Similarly, organisations such as soware company SAP, recognised for their dedication to embracing neurodiversity, have developed customised programmes to seamlessly integrate neurodiverse individuals into their teams, oering invaluable insights that inform Allure’s design approach. Expanding the sensory spectrum within architectural proposals by carefully selecting materials, lighting, colour schemes, circulation, acoustics, and even fragrance is a key consideration for Allure. Ongoing research is redening space planning, considering dierent space typologies and exploring innovative concepts such as neutral or breathing spaces. is approach aims to create more dynamic and diverse spatial experiences to complement a more dynamic and diverse workforce and unlock the potential of each individual. FOOTNOTES Neurodiversity in the Workplace: A Strengths-Based Approach ; positivepsychology.com The truth about ADHD and autism: how many people have it, what causes it, and why are diagnoses soaring? ; theguardian.com Building the neuroinclusive workplace ; deloitte.com Neurodiversity as a Competitive Advantage ; hbr.org Neurodiversity ; dceg.cancer.gov About Universal Design ; universaldesign.ie Neuroarchitecture: Designing Spaces with Our Brain in Mind ; imotions.com
others require quieter, more subdued spaces for focus and concentration. Maintaining this balance is essential for ensuring that everyone feels valued. Design Consultant Marie Durand Yamamoto highlights Allure’s proactive approach to tackling this challenge, beginning with the dene phase, whereby the client’s (or sta member’s) experience of a typical day is comprehensively assessed, which involves actively listening to customers and analysing their needs. Allure includes people from diverse backgrounds in its strategic project studies because the design team believes it is crucial to avoid making assumptions about individuals, instead engaging directly with their community to gather insights and feedback. e focus is on understanding the organisational culture and the shis in managerial mindset prompted by accommodating neurodiversity within workspaces. Marie explains that Allure is dedicated to continuous learning about neurodiversity, meticulously analysing subtle cues to develop authentically inclusive strategies, supported by experts in neurodiversity who enable them to raise awareness and assist clients in reshaping their work environments to embrace cognitive diversity. Recognising that diversity within its teams enhances understanding of its customer base’s diversity, Allure has implemented regular cross-skills exchange and monitoring sessions to learn and develop collaboratively in these signicant areas. Individuality and self-care hold signicant value for younger generations and Marie says that Allure is exploring how this societal trend will in uence the future of work. Incorporating neurodiversity into
the future of work is viewed as broadening the spectrum of cognitive intelligence, encompassing both emotional and rational aspects.
THE SCIENCE OF OPTIMAL DESIGN Neuroarchitecture, an interdisciplinary eld merging neuroscience and architecture, involves designing environments to enhance human wellbeing, productivity, and learning. It applies neuroscience principles to understand how architectural elements such as lighting, colour, textures and spatial layout in uence human emotions, behaviours, and cognitive functions – oen subconsciously. For example, blue tones promote calmness and focus, while red increases alertness and condence. Innovative technology such as eye tracking 7 has directly in uenced neuroarchitecture. Eye tracking helps identify everything from which architectural features are visually preferred by occupants to how people look for and use navigational cues, and visual comfort in dierent lighting. It oers empirical data on visual interactions, enabling architects to create both aesthetically pleasing and functionally optimal spaces. As an approach, neuroarchitecture emphasises healthier spaces and positive indoor experiences, recognising the complexity of individual responses to their surroundings. Furthermore, neuroarchitecture supports sustainable design by promoting psychological wellbeing and environmental health, signalling a shi towards human-centric practices. e most innovative approaches to neurodiversity in work environments prioritise inclusive technology to eliminate barriers to participation and ensure equitable access to
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