During Chicago Design Week 2025 (including NeoCon and Fulton Market Design Days), it was interesting to note what the industry was abuzz about, and how these conversations are impacting the future of the commercial interior design industry. There was a clear shift in the way people were talking about the future of workplace design. The terms neurodiversity, neuroinclusion, and neuroaesthetics came up again and again—not as side conversations, but as central themes. And that felt significant. Because the more we keep these conversations going, the more likely they are to become second nature in our design process.
On day two at NeoCon, I had the pleasure of representing Kuchar and our firm’s perspective by participating in Interior Design Magazine’s “Hospitality and Wellness” roundtable. Sitting alongside industry leaders from studios across the globe, we dove into the topic of neuroinclusion, especially in the context of healthcare, hospitality, and workplace design. We explored what it truly means to design for dignity, authenticity, adaptability, and personalization—core principles that support inclusive and human-centered environments. The conversation highlighted the importance of sensory experiences and the need to consider every touchpoint across design verticals, recognizing that multisensory is the new luxury. We also discussed the rise of the “third space” in office design—the spa-like lounges, communal cafés, and relaxed environments where people actually want to spend time.
When I speak about neuroinclusion, I define it simply as designing consciously for everyone—not just the “average” person. It means not defaulting to what’s typical or efficient or even just visually appealing, but instead thinking about what makes a space truly usable and welcoming to people with all kinds of cognitive and sensory profiles. That includes people on the autism spectrum, individuals with ADHD, and others who process their environments in different ways than what has historically been expected in office settings.
Designing for neurodiversity isn’t a passing trend. It’s a shift in perspective, a deeper level of empathy, and ultimately, a smarter, more responsible approach to creating workplaces where people can truly thrive. And the importance of this is only growing. As awareness increases, we’re realizing how many people fall under the neurodivergent umbrella—some estimates suggest it could be as many as 15 to 20 percent of the global population. That’s not a niche demographic—that’s a significant portion of the workforce. Designing for neurodiversity means acknowledging this reality and responding with intention. It means designing environments that thoughtfully consider how people of all types will do their best work (without unintentionally excluding anyone). Simply put: Everyone deserves a workplace that supports their comfort and focus.
This is where the concept of neuroaesthetics becomes valuable. It’s a way of thinking about how the built environment affects mental clarity, emotional wellbeing, and cognitive performance. At Kuchar, we’ve always gravitated toward the experiential side of material selection. What does a fabric feel like when you sit on it for hours? Is a drawer pull smooth and calming to the touch, or sharp and overstimulating? We think about texture, tone, light, and tactility not just for the sake of variety, but because these things can either soothe or overstimulate—and we want to get it right.
One of the biggest factors we pay attention to is lighting. In my opinion, it’s the single most impactful element when designing with neurodiversity in mind. Historically, offices have been significantly overlit, often with harsh overhead lighting that can cause eye strain, headaches, or sensory discomfort for many people. The solution lies in offering control and flexibility. Tunable lighting that lets individuals adjust brightness and color temperature is a huge improvement. Task lighting at desks, softer ambient layers, and the ability to move to a better-lit—or more dimly lit—corner of the office can make all the difference. Lighting should be a tool that empowers people, not something they have to battle with all day.
We recently completed a student living project that really helped us explore this idea of choice in a deeper way. In one shared study area, we created enclosed pods for individual focus work alongside more open spaces for group collaboration. It was a simple move, but one that allowed for flexibility and user control. We weren’t dictating how the space should be used; we were providing a range of settings so people could decide for themselves what environment best supported their productivity and comfort.
That same philosophy carries into our workplace projects. Ten years ago, the focus in office design was often on repetition—creating a great conference room and copying it throughout the building. But that approach doesn’t reflect the way people actually work anymore. We now design for a spectrum of experiences: small huddle rooms, café-style lounges, private alcoves, spots by the window for natural light lovers, and tucked-away nooks for those who need to avoid visual distractions. The more choices you build in, the more inclusive your space becomes.
It’s nice to see that clients are increasingly open to these conversations, too. I don’t always see them asking specifically for “neuroinclusive” solutions in the brief, but they’re absolutely interested when we bring it to the table. They appreciate knowing that we’re thinking about everyone in their organization—not just the most visible or vocal team members. Sometimes, the dollars aren’t earmarked yet for these specific solutions, but there’s a growing openness to the strategies themselves. That’s how change starts.
Open-plan offices and hybrid environments pose unique challenges when it comes to balancing sensory stimulation and potential overload. The key, in my view, is not eliminating stimulation, but modulating it. That means thinking about light levels, acoustic conditions, color choices, and material selections together—not maxing everything out at once. A dimly lit space with plush textiles can feel calming, while a brighter area with a more energetic palette might suit those who thrive on stimulation. It’s not about one universal “right” setting; it’s about creating a dynamic range under one cohesive design.
Looking ahead, I see neuroinclusive design becoming more fully integrated across all types of spaces—education, hospitality, retail—but especially in the workplace, where product manufacturers have an exciting opportunity. At NeoCon and Design Days, we saw some truly inspiring products that support neuroinclusivity—from acoustic seating pods to adaptable lighting solutions and thoughtfully tactile materials. It’s clear the industry is beginning to respond. But there’s still so much room to grow. The opportunity now is to saturate the marketplace with innovation—to push beyond a handful of standout pieces and make inclusive, sensory-considerate design a baseline across entire product lines. We need furniture and tools that offer privacy, comfort, and choice—not as special features, but as standard considerations in every collection.
Finally, I think we need to bust the myth that designing for neurodiversity is only about accommodating a small, specific group of “others.” The truth is, we all have different ways of processing the world. Just because a person doesn’t struggle with visual clutter or distracting sounds doesn’t mean those things aren’t real barriers for others. And when we design for the extremes—when we build environments that are considerate of those with the most acute needs—we often create better, more human-centered spaces for everyone.
Editor’s Note: Sarah Kuchar-Parkinson is owner and creative director at Chicago-based interior design studio Kuchar. A concept-to-completion interior design studio that specializes in commercial, residential, and hospitality projects that break with convention, Kuchar’s portfolio of work ranges from offices and showrooms to restaurants and homes located in Chicago, Austin, Amsterdam, London, Miami, New York, Phoenix, Silicon Valley and Singapore.