Five ways to design for all types of thinkers

While there’s never been one way to think creatively, problem-solve, and tackle heady projects, ‘one-way’ thinking has dominated office design for decades—until now.

From the cube farms of yesteryear to the amenity-rich workplace of today, office design often begins with every end user in mind. A virtual 3-D design for a modern hybrid workplace, for instance, might assume that an employee avatar will move through a basic workday in a logical pattern: morning email check with coffee, focused work at a private desk, group work at a conference table, with social and recharge time sprinkled in between. The assumption is that, with access to a range of spaces, employees will find a place to do what they need to do when needed.

The problem is that the employee avatar isn’t real. No two brains function exactly alike, so no two people will find the same environment stimulating or comfortable. Neurodiversity in workplace design recognizes the diverse ways people think, process and experience the world.

While it may not be possible to create a workplace that caters to every individual preference, the goal is to shape a physical environment that meets essential cognitive and sensory needs. By offering choices in how employees experience their workspace, you can give your employees tools for productivity and inspiration.

In recent years, many organizations recognized the difference in how people’s brains process sensory stimulation. According to Charter, a digital media company, as recognition of neurodiversity gains ground in human resources practices, broader societal acceptance is casting new light on the importance of supporting people with different thinking and sensory experiences in the workplace.

A workplace that caters to diverse needs benefits both neurodiverse and neurotypical employees. People perform better when they can control their environment, including where they work, privacy and access to quiet spaces. By creating inclusive spaces for everyone, your organization can attract and retain talented employees from diverse backgrounds, giving you a competitive advantage in the job market.

To create a more inclusive workplace, here are five ways to design for all thinkers.

No single path to inclusive design will fit every organization, but key strategies along the way include:

1. Provide a variety of intentional environments. Some individuals may have heightened sensitivity to loud noise and everyone has their own preference of which tasks require quiet or lively spaces. To accommodate these diverse needs, you can incorporate activity-based workspaces including focus pods, phone booths and “phone-free” zones to open, collaborative areas for team projects and socializing.

By offering a variety of locations, you could give all employees the flexibility to choose space based on the task at hand, enhancing productivity and job satisfaction. This approach goes beyond desk areas. Purposefully designed spaces like lactation rooms, decompression spaces and fitness rooms show commitment to creating a workplace that truly supports employees’ diverse needs and promotes a healthy work-life integration.

2. Design for smooth transitions between spaces. A key feature of thoughtful office design is the inclusion of designated quiet-work areas or “libraries” that are strategically placed on each floor to support focused work. For example, in our office in Melbourne, Australia, we’ve created zones that ease smooth transitions between different work modes. Employees can seamlessly move between quiet and collaborative spaces, reducing stress and boosting productivity. This flexible design allows for different work styles and work modes that set a benchmark for adaptable workplaces.

3. Design for the senses and provide customization options when possible. The sensory experience plays a major factor in how comfortable and engaged a person feels in their environment. A best practice is to offer a range of lighting, acoustics and tactile elements to support the range of preferences.

For instance, some people enjoy pure silence, while others prefer soft music or the low hum of coffee shop chatter. But it’s difficult to choose music that suits everyone’s needs. To account for all sides of the auditory experience, some organizations are using soundscaping to provide acoustic options in different places. Some areas might have classical music, while other spaces offer “pink noise”—a gentle, balanced sound like rainfall that helps to mask distractions and enhance focus—and other zones offer total silence to suit a range of individual preferences.

Similarly, incorporating a variety of textures in furnishings, like leather and soft fabrics, can give people a chance to work or relax in a setting where they feel most comfortable. Since some people are sensitive to light, offering adjustable lighting options for control over the intensity and type of light in a space can also reduce headaches and support general well-being.

These sensory principles apply to all types of spaces, private and shared. For example, meeting spaces can support both visual learners and data-driven thinkers by offering flexible AV options that support diverse ways of processing and sharing information.

4. Make it easy for employees to navigate the workplace. A meticulously crafted workplace strategy can unravel if it's challenging for employees to navigate or fully use. From simple space-reservation systems and workplace apps to intuitive wayfinding and clear signage, employees are more likely to embrace and benefit from the workplace design if they can effortlessly interact with their surroundings.

5. Harness the power of human-led design. With deep understanding of the psychology of working in different spaces, you can ensure your workplace reflects fundamental human attitudes and motivations. Thoughtfully designed workspaces use elements like natural lighting, access to outdoors, adaptable furniture and varied seating arrangements, to support diverse sensory experiences and individual preferences.

Designing for all employees creates a human-centric experience that incorporates varied work styles and sensory preferences.

Successful organizations use a multi-stage approach to incorporate this design by considering diverse styles in space planning, technology and policies. Organizations should view the workday as a journey; creating spaces that support all needs will not only enhance productivity, but show you care about the well-being of your people. If a workplace caters to all employees, then all employees can thrive, leading to a more successful future for the organization.

Learn more about how to create diverse workspaces for all.