Building for every brain: the rise of neuroinclusive workplaces

Thankfully, things are changing, with neuroscience guiding designers to create workspaces that support different sensory and cognitive needs – which is better for everyone.      

In the latest episode of the Shaping Sustainable Places podcast, we speak with two passionate advocates for creating workplaces that meet the needs of the full spectrum of neurological types. Dr. Elizabeth C. Nelson has a PhD in biomedical engineering and is the author of The Healthy Office Revolution. She is joined by Anna Wiśniewska, Vice President of Communications and Marketing for Skanska Commercial Development in Central Europe.

Reconsidering what is ‘normal’

Elizabeth explains that while society is made of a diverse range of neurotypes (brain processing styles), typical modern offices only cater for so-called ‘normal people’ with high tolerances for noise and distractions. She says such people can make up as little about 10 percent of the population, meaning that the needs of the majority of office users are not being catered for.

She says a far more sensible approach is to learn from neuroscience and design offices that offer a range of different sensory environments. These allow people to seek out and use workspaces that match their neurotype, or even the state they find themselves in at a particular time of day. For example, a night person, who is most efficient in the evenings, may feel jetlagged at 9am and want a low-stimulation office environment.

Elizabeth says while some people are more aware of it than others, the surrounding environment affects human biology and has a profound impact on our ability to be productive. She advocates designing for the most sensitive of office users. The result can often be lower stress, lower burn-out rates and more productive teams.

Spaces for everyone

Skanska’s Anna Wiśniewska also advocates for considering individual neurotype in design. She was part of the team that created Neurodiversity in the Office, How to Create Inclusive Workplaces, the first comprehensive report on neuroinclusive workplaces in Poland.

Anna says offices that accommodate different brain types give people the best possible opportunity to be productive at work. For example, people with certain types of ADHD might thrive in slightly louder environment where there’s a buzz and the ability to regularly consult. Dedicating part of the office to open workspaces can give these people the environment they need to thrive. But for others, noise is highly distracting and counterproductive to work. They should have workspaces that allow for quiet, efficient work.

Anna says other factors to consider include the amount of light a workspace receives and the types of furnishings it contains. Some people may enjoy sitting directly around a conference room table, but others might feel more comfortable sitting in a second row where they can quietly observe, or on an exercise ball. Biophilic design, which aims to incorporate plants and natural elements in workspaces, can also help boost employee comfort and productivity. It’s not simply about aesthetics, but neuroscience learnings that show such elements can deeply affect our biology.

Both Anna and Elizabeth agree that awareness of neuroinclusive design is growing. As organizations compete to attract and retain high-performing talent, workplaces that recognize cognitive diversity are likely to have a clear advantage. Designing for difference is not a niche exercise, but a practical strategy for building healthier, more productive teams.

For more details and expert insights, tune in to the full episode of Shaping Sustainable Places on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and YouTube.