Belong is not just about the home, but the wider ecosystem of spaces that supports people’s lives: education, work, healthcare, hospitality, community and public environments. Colour can help these spaces feel legible and familiar, supporting navigation, identity and emotional security. Neurodiversity is central to this theme. Acas estimates that one in seven people in the UK are neurodivergent, reinforcing why sensory-aware design needs to be considered across homes, workplaces and shared spaces. [5] Magda Mostafa’s ASPECTSS framework highlights spatial sequencing, transition, sensory zoning, safety, colour, lighting, materiality and wayfinding as important components of autism-inclusive design. This is not about designing one neutral or calming solution for everyone. People sit across a sensory spectrum, from seekers to avoiders, and may need different levels of stimulation, contrast, retreat and control. Colour therefore becomes part of a wider sensory system, working alongside light, sound, texture, temperature and spatial layout. Neuroaesthetics adds another dimension to this thinking. Robyn Landau described spaces as active agents rather than passive backdrops: environments influence how people feel, behave, focus and recover. This makes transitions, thresholds and moments of pause especially important, helping people move between different levels of activity and stimulation. The issue is especially relevant as work patterns continue to shift. British Chambers of Commerce research carried out in 2025 found that 48 per cent of surveyed businesses expected all working days to be on-site during the following year, though expectations varied significantly by sector.[6] As people continue to return to shared environments, workplaces must offer more than a desk: they need spaces for focus, collaboration, retreat and social connection. For designers, the opportunity is to create places that are available and invitational from the outset. Gentle transitions, clear contrasts, sensory zoning and a choice of environments can help people feel confident, included and able to participate. Practical applications might include quiet retreat spaces, social areas with warmer or more stimulating colour, adjustable lighting, tactile acoustic materials and wayfinding that is clear without becoming visually overwhelming.
Crown | Colour Insights | 2027/2028 | page 18
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