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The unexpected insight of inclusive design

The unexpected insight of inclusive design

In a blog series with ArchiComm, Colliers creative director Geoffrey Timmer discusses current themes and issues that affect the process and culture within which designs are created. He sees the workplace and work environment as the terrain in which current themes quickly become visible or have a chance to unfold. The first contribution focuses on diversity and inclusion.

Inclusive design begins with the growing global focus on diversity and inclusion, spurred by legislation and guidelines. This extends across several domains, including design and construction, where initiatives such as neurodiverse-friendly workspaces and guidelines for diverse built environments are emerging. The workplace acts as a special study environment for inclusive change, shifting focus from specific attention to target groups to transformative experiences for all.

Diversity encompasses many areas, such as lifestyles, skills, age, gender and religion. Each target group is addressed in its own way. Neurodiversity, for example, emphasizes the inherent neurological differences between people. Each of us possesses a uniquely functioning brain. For example, high-tech company ASML deliberately chooses employees who differ from the norm in terms of neurodiversity. Peter Baillière (Executive Vice President Human Relations) emphasizes their value, explaining, "When we consider the strengths of neurodiversity, such as innovation and creativity, they align perfectly with ASML's needs."

Designing for diversity and inclusion, begins by recognizing that individuals experience their environment in different ways. In analyzing and understanding the client, as well as the daily routines of employees, skills such as empathy, observation and asking the right questions are essential.

Indeed, the work environment is becoming more specific. Activity-based working brings more diversity to open office landscapes, allowing for different activities in a good way. When designing office environments, then, consider more attention to lighting levels, acoustics and material choices. Far from being aesthetic, this changing interpretation of space is driven by employee feedback and preferences.

"Legislation tries to encourage. The next level is to inspire."

Several industries, including gaming, are making significant progress in accessibility and user experience. Not only by understanding different abilities or limitations, but also understanding their added value and acting accordingly. Revealing hidden potential. I experienced this myself when I lost my voice for more than a week. I perceived my surroundings differently, listened with a different attention. Museums are also increasingly playing on this. For example, they organize special evenings without triggers, to cater to specific sensitivities.

Office environments can accommodate these other-worldly experiences by deliberately incorporating into the design environments that contrast sharply with the usual norm. In doing so, we not only create moments of wonder and surprise, but also explore how this leads to different behaviors, insights and ways of thinking. In this way, we create environments where people enjoy spending time, with experiences that fall outside their usual framework.

More and more we are experimenting with environments without triggers or spaces to enhance sensory experiences. For example, we are exploring this ourselves with our dinners at our own office. Empty office environments are proving to be ideally suited to dine together within the comfort of office acoustics and have an intelligible conversation.

The shift in focus ensures that we not only cater to a group that depends on it, but also leads to transformative experiences for everyone.

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