Traditional Lab Design Not Addressing Sensory Processing Needs of the Neurodiverse | Lab Manager

A groundbreaking study conducted by Advanced Research Clusters (ARC), HOK, and the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) has revealed that half (48.1 percent) of all survey respondents, who work in laboratory settings identify as neurodivergent, more than double the global average (20 percent) and more than a quarter (25.5 percent) identify as autistic, twenty-five times the UK average (1 percent).* Despite this, spaces designed to foster technological and scientific innovation are inadvertently stifling the potential of the brilliant minds working within them by not addressing the sensory processing needs of the occupants.

To date, there has been a dearth of research into creating inclusive scientific spaces. Focused on science and technology innovators in laboratory settings, this study aimed to identify how individuals respond to sensory stimulation in current lab designs. It revealed how neurodivergent individuals are particularly sensitive to auditory, visual, and tactile elements, exposing that many existing laboratories are not designed to address these needs holistically. These sensory distractions are linked to cognitive interruptions such as loss of focus and a disruption of creativity and innovation, which in turn directly impacts employee engagement, satisfaction, and productivity.

Get training in Recruiting, Hiring, and Onboarding and earn CEUs.

One of over 25 IACET-accredited courses in the Academy.

The study also revealed that less than a third (29.9 percent) of the next generation of innovators consider themselves neurotypical. Without inclusive laboratory designs, we risk undermining these brilliant minds, leading to reduced productivity, poor recall, burnout, stress and recruitment and retention challenges.

Edward Edgerton, PhD, from UWS said: “Often, neurodivergent employees will manage their work environments by hiding signs of their neurodiversity. However, even when their neurodiversity is recognized, their workplaces can still be exhausting, impacting negatively on their performance and wellbeing. Few organizations have considered neurodiversity workspace design particularly for laboratories.”

ARC supports over 300 science and tech organizations and over 10,000 innovators, building ecosystems that drive impactful innovation in our daily lives. The anonymized study included lab-based users from ARC’s network, including the renowned Harwell Science Campus, science departments at the University of Oxford and participants from selected European science campuses.

Jenny Gardner, ARC’s development director said: “At ARC, we understand the importance of creating spaces that support our members in solving the world’s greatest challenges. Until now the industry has failed to address the needs and experiences of neurodiverse individuals, prioritizing sterile, modern looks and open-plan co-working spaces without areas to decompress. We’re committed to changing this by designing inclusive scientific spaces that enable our members to deliver life-changing science.”

HOK, a leading global architecture firm which specializes in designing neuroinclusive spaces, partnered with ARC and UWS for the research, to identify sensory preferences and challenges and to develop design principles critical to the performance, sense of belonging and overall satisfaction of the entrepreneurs using laboratory spaces. Studies have shown that spaces that support diverse thinking enhance creativity and innovation by 20 percent**.

By completing this form, you agree to receive news updates and relevant promotional content from Lab Design News. You may unsubscribe at any time. View our Privacy Policy

Kay Sargent, HOK’s director of thought leadership, interiors said: “You don’t have to be neurodivergent to be annoyed by sound, temperature, or light. But what might be annoying for someone who is neurotypical, might be debilitating to someone with ADHD, Autism or other neurodivergence. It’s about making spaces more functional for 100 percent of the people. By creating neuro-flexible spaces we’re enabling some of the world’s brightest minds to come together, allowing super-creative entrepreneurs to find their own personal, comfortable space.”

Design strategies identified by HOK that ARC will implement into their future laboratory developments include: providing individuals with choices, the right level of sound and auditory controls to support specific tasks, creating spaces with access to natural daylight and biophilic elements, reducing visual clutter, having adjustable ergonomic furniture, incorporating areas within the lab to retreat to or reset, and introducing collaborative areas and spaces for doodling.

Daisy Shearer, a Quantum physicist, and neurodiversity advocate said: "Ensuring scientific workspaces are designed with neuroinclusion in mind is an often-overlooked aspect to accessibility and the EDI conversation. It's great to see these discussions happening around neurodiversity at ARC, so we can create inclusive spaces where all neurotypes can thrive. Good research and innovation stems from those who work on it, ensuring a diverse group of people can access these careers is key."

*Study results based on 328 participants with 241 respondents providing usable data – Our results do not infer that 48 percent of the whole ecosystem in neurodivergent but provides a greater understanding of this demographic, enabling the creation of tailored laboratory design solutions.

**The Diversity and Inclusion Revolution – Eight Powerful Truths – Juliette Bourke and Bernadette Dillon

-Note: This news release was originally provided by ARC, HOK, and UWS.