Dear Urbaneer: What Is Neuro-Inclusive Design And How Will It Improve Our Living Environments?

Dear Urbaneer, Design

 

Welcome to July’s installment of Dear Urbaneer, where, as a realtor and housing consultant, I answer questions from both clients and followers. This month, I am assisting a client who is interested in the emerging field of neuro-inclusive design and how it can be incorporated to improve his family’s health and well-being at home. 

 


 

Dear Urbaneer:

My child is neuro-divergent (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and I have been researching different ways to create a calming environment at home. During my research, I came across the field of neuroaesthetics, and specifically neuro-inclusive design, which, if I understand, could benefit our family at home? Could you share your ideas ah0ut neuroinclusive design, and how I might incorporate these elements in our home?

Signed,

Seeking Calm at Home

 

 

Here is my reply:

Dear Seeking Calm: 

With a growing focus on health and wellness at home, there is a deeper understanding of how our built environment shapes our overall experiences, influencing both mental and physical health. For neurodivergent persons, the design of the built environment is even more crucial in playing a calming role.

Neurodivergent is an umbrella term that covers disorders for people who perceive the world around them in atypical ways, including autism spectrum, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia, and others. 

It is estimated that nearly a fifth of the global population is neurodivergent, and many experts feel that that number is a vast underdiagnosis. The Rick Hansen Foundation estimates that one in three people is neurodivergent.  In short, many individuals would benefit from home design that is neuro-inclusive.

The primary goal of neuro-inclusive design is to create environments that reduce stress, facilitate sharp concentration, and promote calmness throughout daily living. These spaces are curated to reduce sensory overload, encourage self-regulation, stimulate creativity in a manageable way, and allow safe space to de-escalate when overwhelmed. 

The true beauty of neuro-inclusive design lies in its calming, user-friendly, and aesthetically pleasing dynamic, which benefits everyone. Regardless of how you perceive the world around you, this is an example of accessible, inclusive design in action.

 

 

 

The Rise of Neuroaesthetics

In the design world, there is a growing movement around neuroaesthetics, which is the study of how the brain reacts to various sensory situations, with an emphasis on visual perception. A great article from Architectural Digest, “Can Design’s Positive Effects Be Scientifically Proven?” explores the rise of neuroaesthetics as a field of study and how it is currently shaping art and interior design.

In short, we know that specific design aesthetics are calming. (Cue biophilic design, which I write about here: Dear Urbaneer: What Is Biophilia And How Can I Use It In Home Design?). Science, and the biophilia hypothesis, have proved that immersion in nature, for example, has calming effects.

Neuroaesthetics delves deeper into why biophilic design is calming. What happens between viewing or experiencing a calming design, and the reaction in the brain? To take this a step further, neuroaesthetics studies the relationship between design elements, such as light, line, spatial planning, and colour, and cognition, along with emotional experience, which is especially important for neurodivergent persons. It’s science-based design intended to heal.

This is a global phenomenon, but Canada is playing a leading role in the movement. At the industry level, builders and designers are seeking certification in neuroaesthetics, because it is fascinating, yes, but also because it is what an increasing number of clients are now requiring from them. Where and what industry professionals seek training in is always a leading indicator of where design is going, because service anticipates the type and amount of demand.

The Neurodesign Academy, one of the more notable neuroaesthetics certification programs, was founded in Toronto by Linda Kafka. Their tagline is “Defined by Beauty, Backed by Science”, with training in biophilic and salutogenic design (I love that salutogenesis is a framework that focuses on the factors that contribute to health and well-being, rather than solely on disease and illness).

In a Kafka press release, she said: “At the NeuroDesign Academy, we champion the principle of ‘Form Follows Feeling,’ blending science, nature, beauty, and emotion to craft spaces that resonate deeply with individuals”.

In the same release, Dr. Collin Ellard, Professor of Neuroscience, University of Waterloo, said that “there’s a lot of science in ensuring that a building doesn’t fall down. There are certain basic principles of physics that you have to follow. I would say that it is the same thing with human science. Certain underlying principles of human biology and neuroscience suggest how we ought to build and design.”

Although neuro-inclusive design is gaining momentum recently in residential interior design, it has been a prominent feature in workplace design for some time, where the environment is proactively managed to help all employees be their most productive and creative in the workplace. It’s also commonly incorporated in health care settings. 

Moreover, the concept of neuroarchitecture is also gaining attention, where entire buildings, both inside and out, reflect principles of neuro-inclusive design. 

In this post, I’ll focus on neuro-inclusive residential interior design and the key factors that make for a calming, nurturing environment. 

Incidentally, many of the design principles of neuro-inclusive design are elements that homeowners may already be thinking of including in their home designs, as there is a lot of overlap in trending aesthetics, colours, and materials, especially those from biophilic design, so you don’t have to sacrifice style to get neuro-inclusive design.

 

 

 

How To Do NeuroInclusive Design Well

At the core of this design philosophy is the understanding of how the built environment and its elements affect the senses—especially how people perceive and interact with their surroundings. Here’s how to start:

 

• Open-concept, with defined zones

Defining zones in an open space, rather than dividing it with walls, is often more beneficial for neurodivergent individuals. It helps with wayfinding, and transitions, visually and physically, when you don’t have to navigate.

Zones should be divided between active and restful areas, allowing for work, play, and rest, depending on the age of the end user. For neurodivergent children, having active play areas with sensory tables, plush toys, and games in one location, and then a “crash pad” in another (with comfortable seating, blankets, headphones to listen to calming music, and other calming features) is beneficial. The rest area should be removed from distractions, such as a cozy reading nook or a tree-house-style space.

The concept is the same for adults, but for the calming area, you might include a wide picture window with a calming view, art, and journaling supplies, as well as stress balls/tactile items that provide a calming effect.

 • The role of sound

Sensory overload can result from excessive noise, so ideally, neuro-inclusive design should include soundproofing, which may involve insulation or acoustic tiles. If this isn’t practical or possible, soft materials can help to muffle sounds, such as throw rugs and thicker window treatments.

A simple accent wall can also help muffle sound. 

• Flexible, comfortable furniture

Ideally, furniture should be movable and adaptable, so modular furniture that can be reconfigured on the fly to suit the mood and needs in the moment is ideal. Beanbag chairs are also beneficial, as they can be easily moved and withstand physical activity. 

Adaptable furniture arrangements support both focus and relaxation.

It can also be helpful to consider the shape of furniture, which should naturally follow the contours of the body, creating a calming, cocooning sensation, much like being wrapped in a hug. Curves are effective, as seen in nest chairs or armchairs with deep curves.

• Natural light first, with control over light conditions

Natural light is preferred, but it’s just as essential to offer control over brightness. Include layered lighting, and dimmers are a must. Light factors significantly into sensory perception, so having various light sources and control over how much or how little light means users can adjust the light to their comfort. 

• Bring the outdoors in

The theory behind biophilic design is that nature has a calming effect. This is particularly important when it comes to neuro-inclusive design. Consider natural materials like wood, cork, stone, and bamboo, which offer visual texture and a natural element.

Water features mimic an outdoor experience, and also offer soothing sounds. A large window with lovely views is ideal. Wherever possible, include greenery with plants and flowers that add subtle colour and create a fresh, natural vibe.

• Calm colours

While bright colours are energizing, they can be jarring and overwhelming for individuals with neurodiversity. Calm colours, similar to those found in a spa, are ideal: think creams, soft blues and greens, and other nature-inspired hues. Less is more, and these colours can help promote calm and reduce visual stress.

Textural elements

Touch is an essential element for perceiving information in the world around us, and also for calming down when sensory overload occurs. It’s a really critical component of neuro-inclusive design.  Tactile materials offer a sense of safety and comfort, from a soft, plush blanket to a rippled, textured wall treatment. However, not all textures are equal in terms of sensory processing, and a variety is best.

Think soft throws, with braids and ribbing. A plush rug or faux fur throw on a chair is a comforting addition. Handheld tactile items, such as fidget toys, soft stuffed animals, or ribbons, all offer different sensations that can be helpful and calming. Some neurodivergent people find complex textures calming, while others prefer smooth textures. 

*  Before we wrap up, I want to note that just because we’re speaking about neuro-inclusive design under one umbrella, it does not mean that it has the same meaning or effect for everyone. For example, a child on the autism spectrum who finds comfort in routine and easily recognizable surroundings may become stressed if modular furniture (mentioned above) has been moved around, or pillows aren’t where they usually are,  etc.  Beyond its core aims of accessibility and comfort, neuro-inclusive design can mean something different for each individual. *

 

Thank you so much for your thoughtful question!

At Urbaneer.com, finding the perfect home involves pairing the dwelling’s usability with design elements that evoke a positive emotional response. With decades of experience, and the patience and wisdom to understand the needs of you and yours, my team and I are here to help.

 


 

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Since 1989, I’ve steered my career through a real estate market crash and burn; survived a slow painful cross-country recession; completed an M.E.S. graduate degree from York University called ‘Planning Housing Environments’; executed the concept, sales & marketing of multiple new condo and vintage loft conversions; and guided hundreds of clients through the purchase and sale of hundreds of freehold and condominium dwellings across the original City of Toronto. From a gritty port industrial city into a glittering post-industrial global centre, I’ve navigated the ebbs and flows of a property market as a consistent Top Producer. And I remain as passionate about it today as when I started.

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