Awareness around neurodivergence, which encompasses conditions like autism and ADHD, has increased in recent years. And with that are calls for accommodations. One of those is the physical environment at work.

HOK, a global design and architecture firm, has spent years researching how to design spaces tailored for a more neurodiverse workforce. They redesigned their downtown Seattle office to see how their employees would respond to the accommodations. And so far the results have been positive.

Kay Sargent led these efforts at HOK. She is also the author of the book Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces: Advancing Sensory Processing and Cognitive Well-Being in the Built Environment.

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Lights, heat and sound: how neuroinclusive design could change the way we work