This case study explores Knightsbridge Furniture’s recent work in collaboration with Crown Paints exploring the design of spaces for neurodiversity

With one in seven people in the UK recognised with a neurodivergent condition, it is vital, more than ever before, that interior architects design spaces which take their needs into consideration.

However, as neurodiversity is an umbrella term for a wide range of conditions, no two people have the same needs.

Because of this, designing inclusive spaces poses its own challenge to designers, as people can be triggered by various stimuli and there are a range of elements that need to be carefully considered, such as lighting, colours, and furniture to avoid causing overwhelming feelings.

Growing awareness

Over recent years awareness and research into neurodiversity has grown, with many learning and understanding more about their needs.

And this has since seen an evolution in the interior design of sensory rooms and other spaces alike to ensure they are accessible.

Despite this, there is still room for improvement, though, with many spaces needing to start onboarding ideas that cater for those with neurodiversity, supporting their needs.

As part of these rising conversations surrounding catering for neurodiversity, Crown Paints recently released a report, with the support of experts in the field, to further raise awareness about the growing need to implement careful thought into the design of interior spaces that accommodate for neurodivergent differences.

Inclusive spaces

There are many elements to consider when designing any interior space, from the colour palette, to the lighting to the furniture and other decorative pieces.

But, for creating inclusive spaces in this case, there typically needs to be a little more thought into the choices made.

Jason Brown, director of design and development at Knightsbridge Furniture, said: “Those with neurodivergent conditions have varying triggering stimuli and, for some, lighting can be a key element that could cause overstimulation and therefore negatively impact the individual.

“When it comes to choosing lighting options, there needs to be balance.

“In the UK, especially, you can’t rely solely on natural light and installing artificial light outlets that let off too much of a harsh bright white tone can again be overwhelming.

Offering modular pieces that have softer curved designs in break-out areas alongside softer lighting and muted colour palette creates a more-calming, less-stimulating environment for users

“Understanding this sensitivity is essential to creating an inclusive design that also prioritises the user.”

And this is where ‘smart’ lighting can have a positive impact.

Brown said: “There are lighting options available that can allow us to adjust the brightness via the switch, or even change the colour to something more calming.

“We’re seeing this being used across all kinds of healthcare facilities, with dimmable lighting used in breakout spaces for staff and quiet areas, as well as colour-changing solutions used in children’s hospital wards.

“Continuing to install these options enables the user to modify the environment to suit their needs and is a step towards inclusive design.”

Laying it out

Another key element that needs to be contemplated is the overall layout and how this can affect the acoustics of the space.

Again, for some, sound could often be a triggering factor which needs to be addressed to avoid users of the space from feeling frustrated and stressed.

Carefully planning out the space with certain pieces of furniture will help to control the vibrations.

For example, any room that has minimal furniture typically can be quite echoey due to a lack of absorption of sound, which could be overwhelming for service users.

To overcome this, there are additional features that can be implemented to reduce noise reverberation – the echo created by sounds bouncing off surfaces – such as acoustic wall panels or carpet.

“Both of these elements can be key in helping to absorb sound, reducing the risk of overstimulation, and allowing users to better concentrate and focus,” said Brown.

“Combining these elements with a well-thought-out layout of furniture is another step towards a truly-inclusive design.”

With that being said, choosing the right pieces of furniture and the fabric it is manufactured in is also crucial to these spaces for a number of reasons.

“Furniture can play a vital role in helping to reduce noise reverberation, but the right choice of seating can also reduce the risk of causing overstimulation,” said Brown.

“Some have a heightened sense of touch, with sensitivity to certain fabrics, and although this element of an interior cannot be adapted like lighting, the key to catering for all is variety.

Interior design

“Throughout any space, utilising different types of furniture with alternative fabric choices is key to inclusive interior design.

“Offering modular pieces that have softer curved designs in break-out areas alongside softer lighting and muted colour palette creates a more-calming, less-stimulating environment for users.

“But also installing stronger frame pieces with more structure gives service users the freedom to choose what best suits their needs.

“In addition to providing various types of furniture, manufacturing them in differing fabrics, again, allows them to gravitate towards a material that is less stimulating than another.

“For example, choosing smooth fabrics like cotton, leather, or PVC are less likely to irritate the skin unlike harsher materials like wool or polyester and selecting these for pieces across a facility, could decrease the chances of users feeling triggered.”

Pairing carefully-specified furniture with an intentional colour palette that promotes a calming environment is another factor that is vital to inclusive interior design, he adds.

There are many key factors that need to be considered when designing for neurodiversity, but due to the expanding spectrum of needs, varying triggering stimuli, and individual challenges, it is almost impossible to design a space that caters for all and instead offering balance and adaptability is a way to combat it

“As per research published on colour theory, it can have a significant impact on our psychological state,” he said.

“In line with the publishing of this research, there has been a rising trend in colour used more frequently in healthcare facilities.

“This has seen an increase in stepping away from the traditional clinical looking white and instead promoting brighter colours in communal spaces.”

Case study

An instance in which this has been demonstrated is during a recent Knightsbridge Furniture project in collaboration with Cygnet Group.

Cygnet Kenney House is a new hospital for women, located in Oldham, and part of the Cygnet Health Care division.

The 44-bed hospital supports women across three wards; a 12-bed specialist Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), a 16-bed acute service, and a 16-bed mental health rehabilitation and recovery service.

This project illustrates how balance across the facility offers adaptability, which is needed to help cater to the wide range of needs.

For example, Kenney House utilises both bright and muted tones, depending on the room it is in.

Vivid colours and artwork are used in communal areas to boost moods, while muted tones like pastel blue and green tones are used in therapy rooms and bedrooms to create a calming and relaxing environment.

Complete with carefully-selected pieces of furniture of varying designs from Knightsbridge, the team worked together to create spaces that could be adapted to suit the purpose of the room while creating balance throughout the hospital so they could meet the wide range of needs of each of the individual users.

“There are many key factors that need to be considered when designing for neurodiversity, but due to the expanding spectrum of needs, varying triggering stimuli, and individual challenges, it is almost impossible to design a space that caters for all and instead offering balance and adaptability is a way to combat it,” said Brown.

“By implementing interior solutions that can offer this to any individual, we are one step closer to creating inclusive design.”