Universal Design for Neurodiverse in New Zealand Workspaces

Taabish Muneer¹, Megan Burfoot¹

1. Auckland University of Technology

Published in Proceedings of the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (SASBE 2024), edited by Ali GhaffarianHoseini, Amirhosein GhaffarianHoseini, Farzad Rahimian and Mahesh Babu Purushothaman. Springer Nature, Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, volume 591, 2025, pages 1550 to 1557. DOI 10.1007/978-981-96-4051-5_147.

Abstract

Neurodiverse individuals have unique environmental needs due to their diverse cognitive styles, sensory sensitivities, and communication preferences. When workplace design inadequately considers these needs, it can create barriers, reduce productivity, and cause feelings of exclusion. Through a systematic literature review, this research delves into the concept of neurodiversity and its implications for workplace design. First, a theoretical framework is established to comprehensively explore neurodiversity. Additionally, case studies of ten architectural projects, including educational and office settings, are profiled and analyzed. Subsequently, three distinct design methodologies are formulated: workplace-oriented, school-oriented, and autism-oriented, aimed at promoting inclusivity. Design guidelines derived from the literature and research experiences are proposed to facilitate the practical application of these findings. Visual depictions of these design concepts offer practical insights for creating more inclusive workplace environments for neurodiverse populations.

Keywords

Session

Presented in Recorded Presentations, Session IV, Saturday 9 November 2024, 16:15 to 18:15, room WG 201, Auckland University of Technology. Session chair Dr Dat Doan.

How to Cite

Muneer, T., & Burfoot, M. (2025). Universal Design for Neurodiverse in New Zealand Workspaces. In A. GhaffarianHoseini, A. GhaffarianHoseini, F. Rahimian, & M. B. Purushothaman (Eds.), Proceedings of the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment (SASBE 2024) (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering, Vol. 591, pp. 1550–1557). Springer Nature Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-96-4051-5_147

About the Conference

Presented at SASBE 2024, the International Conference on Smart and Sustainable Built Environment, held in Auckland from 7 to 9 November 2024 and chaired by Professors Ali and Amirhosein GhaffarianHoseini, founders of GDI Academy. The version of record is published by Springer Nature; this page is the conference archive record kept by GDI Academy.