Published by Wiley and available now, Sargent’s book provides strategies and steps for designing smarter, more inclusive workplaces.
Workplaces are more than just spaces. They’re ecosystems where people think, create and connect. Yet for the estimated 20% of employees who are neurodivergent—spanning conditions like ADHD, autism and dyslexia—standard office designs can feel more like obstacles than enablers. Enter Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces: Advancing Sensory Processing and Cognitive Well-Being in the Built Environment, a new book from Kay Sargent, HOK’s director of thought leadership for Interiors.
Released today, the book reimagines workplace design, showing how environments tuned to diverse cognitive and sensory needs can boost productivity, satisfaction and innovation for everyone. Sargent, a 40-year design veteran and advocate for inclusion, distills years of HOK research, client collaborations, expert interviews and personal insights into a practical, science-backed guide.
From Vision to Action
What does neuroinclusive design look like? Think spaces that flex with human needs: quiet nooks for focus, vibrant zones for collaboration, and lighting and acoustics that don’t assault the senses. Sargent details strategies like soundscaping to tame noise, biophilic elements to calm the mind and flexible setups that suit individual workstyles. These strategies help neurodivergent employees thrive while benefiting the entire team.
Research highlighted in the book shows that workplaces embracing inclusion often see stronger business performance, from happier teams to stronger bottom lines.
Sargent’s drive comes from both her professional expertise and her experience raising neurodivergent kids. “We can positively impact neurodivergents and neurotypicals alike,” she said. “Design for the edges, and you also elevate the center.” Her work with clients like AstraZeneca and KPMG, alongside partnerships with groups like the International WELL Building Institute, grounds the book in real-world wins.
Why Now Matters
As hybrid work reshapes offices and awareness of neurodiversity grows, the timing is ideal. Companies are searching for ways to blend employee well-being with business goals, and Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces delivers. Sargent draws a parallel to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990. Just as that one unified standard transformed physical access, she calls for a cohesive approach to neuroinclusion, avoiding fragmented solutions. It’s a playbook for architects, HR leaders and executives ready to rethink spaces as tools for empowerment—not just square footage.
Beyond design tips, the book weaves in perspectives from experts, clients and innovators—making it a rich, human-centered read. Sargent’s storytelling keeps it relatable, whether she’s explaining sensory zoning or sharing a client’s success.
Get the Book
Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces is out now at Wiley and major retailers. For those shaping or just interested in tomorrow’s workspaces—designers, employers, employees, students or advocates—it’s a must-have resource to support the creation of environments where every mind can thrive.
Find it at inclusiveworkplace.design or your favorite place to buy books.