Remote working experiment

To quote Kay Sargent, Author at Metropolis, "The world is participating in a massive, unplanned experiment in remote working. We’re typing and Zooming from our sofas, dining tables, guest bedrooms, and for the lucky among us, dedicated home offices".

HOK, who design buildings and create environments, in which people can thrive, recently published an investigation into Designing a Neurodiverse Workplace. 

Neurodiversity is an umbrella term for those of us with neurocognitive differences, including autism, attention deficit disorder, dyslexia, dyspraxia, tourettes and obsessive-compulsive disorder (among others). 

I was surprised that circa 15-20 percent of the population are “neurodivergent" or "neurodiverse", vs "neurotypical" and encouraged to learn, employers are increasingly keen to accommodate the advantages, which inclusion of such team members' alternative wiring, affords. 

Neurodiversity awareness is leading to more inclusive policies, programs and procedures but has only recently begun to influence workplace design. 

Post pandemic workspaces, future or Present?

All of this got me thinking, as I sit in my (somewhat makeshift) 'home office', is it possible that the post Pandemic workspace, is already here?  

Perhaps, if lockdowns drew our attention to the productivity related advantages of particular workspaces, will our (much anticipated) return to a new, post pandemic 'normal', be the catalyst we needed, to drive us closer to a more diverse workplace (as depicted in the design below)?

Consensus amongst progressive employers, is seeing a move towards more inclusive 'coworking spaces', better accommodating both the neurodiverse and neurotypical 'operating systems' of today’s workforce. An additional side benefit of Neurodiverse Workplaces is, inherent nurturing of growth and competitive advantage.

In summary, watch this (work) space!