Materials & Sensory Equity: How Material Choices can Shape Neuro-Inclusive Spaces
Maybe it was a messy kitchen, or a supermarket with uncomfortable florescent lights, or a hospital waiting room that was very cold.
It could have been a warm blanket on a rainy afternoon, time by the ocean, or the glow of holiday lights at night.
Whatever these experiences look like for you, we all have times of feeling overwhelmed and comforted by the sensations around us. This is defined by our sensory processing, which is how our brains intake and interpret the information we receive through our senses.[1] However, some people experience heightened versions of these perceptions at different thresholds than the majority. At times, individuals can experience responses of intense disconnection or distress which can greatly impact their ability to access or participate in a place.
The hyper- to hyposensitive spectrum explains the range of responses to sensory stimuli that are experienced across neurodiverse conditions.[2] It is common for individuals to experience both hyper- and hyposensitive sensory needs for different stimuli and at different times.
Elevated or reduced sensory sensitivities are a key factor in neurodiversity and an important area to explore for accessible and inclusive design.
Neurodiversity is an umbrella term which includes multiple conditions that impact people’s daily lived experience through neurological processing and perception.[3]
The conditions most commonly referenced under neurodiversity are:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Dyslexia and other learning differences
Dyspraxia
Dementia
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
However, many other neurological experiences are included under neurodiversity as well.
It is important to note that neurodiversity is primarily a social justice term rather than a medical diagnosis. Coined by anthropologist Judy Singer in 1997, neurodiversity’s core principle is that there are a range of neurological perceptions and abilities that should be supported in society.
Singer explains her development of the term:
[4] Judy Singer interviewed in, “The Mother of Neurodiversity: How Judy Singer Changed the World,” The Guardian, July 5, 2023.
In connection, “neuro-inclusion refers to having a plan that welcomes and accommodates neurodiversity.”[5]
Therefore, neuro-inclusive design supports neurodiverse experiences through multiple strategies, prioritizing the removal of access barriers arising from sensory overwhelm. Sensory equity is a term used to describe fairness in the availability of sensory stimuli, such that those with both high and low sensitivities can have their needs met through their environment.
HKS and HOK have been industry leaders in this topic, with resources like HKS’s Sensory Wellbeing Hub Research Report and HOK’s Designing a Neurodiverse Workplace exploring how design solutions can foster sensory equity in the experiences available within the built environment.
Further, architect Magada Mostafa, PhD’s design index, ASPECTSS* offers a comprehensive set of strategies for how to design for the autistic experience.
Diagram illustrating high stimuli to low stimuli zones in plan
Most influential for sensory equity is the ASPECTSS* framework’s principle of sensory zoning. The notion of sensory zoning is to group similar stimuli levels together and provide a range of high to low stimuli spaces, such that those with different sensory needs can find a place that makes them most comfortable. Sensory zoning can be a large strategy, such as rooms or floors dedicated to a stimuli level. In contrast, it can also be as small as one wall having a high stimuli element and the opposing wall having the opposite level.
Mentioned in these precedent resources but less analyzed is the impact of materials on shaping sensory experiences and equity. However, we know intuitively that materials generate many of our sensory perceptions. Materials directly shape the visual appearance of spaces and the types of tactile experiences available in them. In addition, the materials we select also indirectly control the acoustic quality of spaces, the reflective quality of light, and the tactile temperature we experience through touching surfaces.
In this way, materials can greatly enhance or work against any design strategies we employ for neuro-inclusive spaces, particularly sensory zoning approaches.
As a component of our material research at EskewDumezRipple, we asked the question:
The intention of this research is to support the development of neuro-inclusive design through providing a ranking of high to low stimuli options for commonly used flooring, wall finishes and furnishing product types. This analysis is based on 5 key metrics for how materials shape sensory experiences: Visual, Texture, Acoustics, Light Reflectance, and Tactile Temperature. For products that facilitate movement, such as furniture, vestibular stimulation was also considered.
Access the Sensory-Informed Product Guidance tool HERE.
The common refrain in neurodiverse communities is that one size fits one. Each sensory sensitivity is unique to the individual, which can make design strategies difficult, especially in public settings or when the user group is not known. The strength of sensory zoning is that, through providing a range of options, more people can find a place that meets their needs.
Sensory-Informed Product Guidance facilitates sensory zoning by focusing on the average stimuli levels of product types, developed through measuring invariable material qualities for each category. In this context, variable qualities refer to options that a designer can choose between for a commercial product, such as color tone or fabric type. It is important that designers note variable qualities and align them with the intended sensory stimuli level to maximize the sensory zoning effect. In this tool, a comment is added under product types with variable qualities that may change the average stimuli level from what is shown.
Download the full guide
Support for applying Sensory-Informed Product Guidance to projects is available in the Sensory Equity: Material Consideration Guide. In it, two strategies for implementation are outlined depending on the level of community engagement and user research that is available. When the user group is unknown or there is limited potential for outreach, general considerations are provided for designing with sensory zoning in mind on the first page. The average stimuli levels shown in the Sensory-Informed Product Guidance assessment are helpful for this level of analysis.
However, when more engagement and research is possible, advanced analysis strategies are provided on the second page which dive deeper into the material metrics, found through the dropdown “Metrics” tab in the tool. The Sensory Equity: Material Consideration Guide offers prompts for design teams to discuss together and can be shared with knowledgeable consultants and clients for additional insight.
A common misconception in neuro-inclusive design is that high stimuli is always bad. It is true that for those with hypersensitivity, high stimuli environments can be overwhelming and distressing. However, experiences are often more nuanced, with specific reactions or the magnitude of stimuli triggering sensory overload. Our role as designers often prompts us to think of many different experiences at once, which is why designing for equity is often the best strategy.
Therefore, this tool is not a bad-to-good ranking system, a claim about aesthetics, or a list for “sensorially equitable” products.
It is only intended to support the current understanding of sensory zoning and other neuro-inclusive design strategies through making designers more aware of the sensory effect of material selections.
We explored several case studies to better understand the role materials play in shaping sensory experiences.
Four case studies were chosen across multiple sectors from firms who are already thinking through neuro-inclusive design approaches for their projects, to understand their current strategies for material selection.
We continued this exercise through reassessing three of our own previous projects to understand how our material selections were contributing to or working against the creation of sensory zones.
Material Analysis of Neuro-Inclusive Design Precedents:
Gensler: Workplace
Project: Etsy Dublin
Through these office spaces, Gensler fostered lower stimuli zones, which are important respite areas for those with hypersensitivity to return to equilibrium. A great sensory equity insight from this project is to consider where the materials are placed relative to sightlines. In the smaller phone booths or quiet rooms, a higher stimuli pattern was applied to the top portion of the wall and the ceiling. This offers those with hyposensitivity more engagement but is a voluntary choice to experience. If someone has hypersensitivity, perhaps resulting from a traumatic brain injury where dense patterns may cause dizziness, they can still access and enjoy the space without having to experience the wallcovering.
Read more about Gensler’s research into neurodiversity HERE.
HKS: Senior Living
Project: Samaritas in Grand Rapids
For this senior living project, HKS provided both higher and lower stimuli spaces. Their approach to a more active and engaging space illustrates that higher stimuli materials can be very specific to the user group. Since many of the residents have dementia, having a higher stimuli space reminiscent of a kitchen relates to what this group finds comfortable and familiar. The use of materials, such as carpet and chalkboards, are ways to increase sensory stimuli levels without necessarily changing color palettes, which may have caused issues within this community.
The respite space in this project offers insight to a very low stimuli space, that is shaped by muted and low texture materials.
Read more about HKS’s research into neurodiversity HERE.
HOK: Sports Stadium
Project: State Farm Arena Renovation
As previously mentioned, HOK is a leader in neuro-inclusive workplace design. Now, they are continuing research initiatives into other building typologies, such as healthcare and sports arenas. This example of respite areas in a largely high stimuli sports stadium offers insight into how sensory equity can be applied in continuity with material palettes. As these images show, the look and feel of these spaces are still in the same language as the rest of the project. However, these spaces offer a lower stimuli area. Additional consideration to the patterns and texture of the furniture would have increased the sensory zoning effect for these spaces.
Read more about HOK’s research into neurodiversity HERE.
PAYETTE: Healthcare
Project: Veterans Affairs Providence Hemodialysis Pavilion
In this healthcare project, PAYETTE opts for lower stimuli material options. This is an example of best practices when designing a place where occupants have limited choices of where to go or are unable to freely leave. Since patients must remain in this space during their treatment session, those with hypersensitive responses would be disproportionately affected by a higher stimuli environment. Further, because those with hyposensitivity can choose to bring in additional sensory stimuli, such as headphones and music or a fidget, if they find they need more engagement in their treatments, the most equitable choice is to create a lower stimuli zone.
This example offers a similar strategy to Gensler, in that patterned wallcovering is only used on one end of the space. If a patient has strong hypersensitivity, they can be seated with their back to the pattern and are not required to experience it. This intentional placement of materials furthers how sensory zoning can be achieved.
Read more about PAYETTE’s research into neurodiversity HERE.
Neuro-Inclusive Material Analysis of our Previous Projects:
This project is an example of where we achieved sensory zoning for both higher and lower stimuli spaces. In the more active area, our material selection was aligned with higher sensory stimuli options, including vibrant colors and carpeting. This precedent also shows how the pattern of wood flooring can affect the stimuli level. Although ranked as lower stimuli within the Sensory-Informed tool, we see how the more intense wood grain and herringbone pattern creates a higher visual texture.
Within the rooms, lower stimuli materials were used, offering a respite and calm space to help hypersensitive individuals reach equilibrium.
Moving forward with more intentional strategies of sensory zoning, we can look to this project for reference.
Project: St. Pius Chapel & Prayer Garden
Designed as a calm space of reflection, the material choices in this chapel design are in line with a lower stimuli space. The selection of flooring is an outlier with a higher stimuli ranking, due to the hardness, acoustics and visual contrast of the tile floor. If we had chosen a wood floor or even a tile floor with less contrast between the tile and grout, we could have increased the sensory zoning effect of this space.
Project: The Shop at the CAC
This space is an example of a higher and mixed stimuli level space. In the worktable area, the choice of color intensity, rolling chairs and the light reflectance value of the concrete polish offer higher stimuli levels for sensory input.
The central seating and kitchen area is an example of a mixed stimuli space, which would potentially not serve either end of the hyper- to hyposensitive spectrum. Although there are smaller alcoves with lower stimuli material, higher stimuli material choices are still within sightline of these spaces. Had we aligned the light reflectance value of the concrete flooring with the stimuli level of the textiles and furnishings, we could have achieved a more concentrated sensory zoning effect. Potentially, this space could have been a lower or higher stimuli zone, depending on the direction taken in material selection.
Ultimately, the success of neuro-inclusive design strategies will be defined by our ability to listen and ask the right questions. By asking the question of materials’ impact on sensory stimuli, we realized the potential to leverage material selection to create more diverse and equitable sensory experiences in our projects. We hope that sharing these resources more broadly can activate a wider conversation on material considerations in neuro-inclusive design strategies as this area of research continues to grow and develop.
Special thanks to:
HKS: Upali Nanda, PhD, Lisa Adams, Allison Smith
Holst Architecture: Hannah Silver
PAYETTE: Ellie Thomas, Larissa Sattler
Multistudio: Melissa Farling
Boston Architectural College: Davis Harte, PhD
New York Institute of Technology: Christian Pongratz
Kidz Choice Services: Michael Lafasakis, PhD, LBA/ BCBA-D
Works Cited
[1] Oxford Health, “Sensory Processing: Children’s Community Occupational Therapy,” NHS Foundation Trust, accessed February 26, 2025, https://www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/Sensory-Processing-presentation-February-2014.pdf.
[2] “Neurodiversity: The New Inclusivity,” HOK Forward, July 17, 2023, https://www.hokforward.com/read/inclusive-design-for-complex-buildings/neurodiversity-the-new-inclusivity/.
[3] Nicole Baumer and Julia Frueh, “What Is Neurodiversity?,” Harvard Health, November 23, 2021, https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-neurodiversity-202111232645.
[4] John Harris, “The Mother of Neurodiversity: How Judy Singer Changed the World,” The Guardian, July 5, 2023, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/05/the-mother-of-neurodiversity-how-judy-singer-changed-the-world.
[5] Jason Reid and Kristin Light, “What Is Neuroinclusion and Why Is It Important to Your Association?,” Canadian Society of Association Executives, June 21, 2023, https://csae.com/blogs/what-is-neuroinclusion-and-why-is-it-important-to-your-association/.