At One Workplace, we believe that good design has the power to elevate the human experience—and that means making sure everyone is included. That’s why we were honored to welcome Kay Sargent, Director of Thought Leadership (and self-proclaimed Chief Gadfly) at HOK, to share her groundbreaking work on Designing for Neuroinclusivity in the workplace.
This powerful and deeply engaging conversation was the result of years of research by Kay and the HOK team, including work funded in part by a ONEder Grant awarded by One Workplace in 2022. That grant supported a major leap forward: the incorporation of biometric data and post-occupancy evaluations to measure the real-world impact of neuroinclusive design strategies.
Why Neuroinclusivity Matters More Than Ever
When Kay began this work eight years ago, roughly 1 in 8 people were considered neurodivergent. Today, that number has shifted to at least 1 in 5—and some estimates suggest it’s closer to 1 in 3. In fact, nearly half of Gen Z identify as neurodivergent. This isn’t a fringe issue—it’s a call to action for the design industry to rethink how we create spaces that work for everyone.
And here’s the thing: designing for neurodivergence doesn’t just benefit a specific population. It improves the experience for all. As Kay put it, “When we design for the extreme, everyone benefits.” Just like curb cuts or closed captions, what starts as inclusive design quickly becomes universal design.
The Power of Intentional, Measurable Design
Kay’s presentation emphasized the need to go beyond trends and amenities and address the root causes of workplace discomfort—namely, sensory overload and lack of choice. By considering both hypersensitive and hyposensitive users (those who are overstimulated or under-stimulated by their environment), designers can create spaces that support focus, engagement, creativity, and wellbeing.
With support from the ONEder Grant, HOK measured pre- and post-occupancy metrics in their Seattle studio, which was redesigned using neuroinclusive principles. The results were striking:
Beyond subjective feedback, the team also tracked biometrics like heart rate, sleep quality, and movement—bringing real science into the conversation about workplace design.
What’s Next?
The work is far from over. Kay emphasized that this movement is shifting fast—from "designing for a few" to designing intentionally for everyone. What once was niche is becoming essential, especially as organizations grapple with how to support diverse workforces and improve employee retention, health, and performance.
HOK’s new book on neuroinclusive design (link to purchase here) captures much of this research and invites designers, business leaders, and clients to think differently. One key takeaway? Smart design doesn’t have to cost more—but not doing it can cost plenty in lost productivity, engagement, and talent.
We’re proud to have played a small role in helping this research come to life. And we’re thrilled to continue the conversation—with Kay, with our clients, and with YOU.
Want to learn more?
Join us back at One Workplace locations in San Francisco, Seattle, Santa Clara and Sacramento on April 9th for presentations from this year’s ONEder Grant recipients. Let’s keep imagining, learning, and designing a more inclusive future—together.
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