METROPOLIS INAUGURAL NEURO INCLUSIVE DESIGN SUMMIT
METROPOLIS convened its inaugural Neuro Inclusive Design Summit at the University of Colorado Anschutz’s Center for Bioethics and Humanities. Introduced by Editor in Chief Avinash Rajagopal, the summit brought together architects, designers, researchers, advocates, and neurodivergent voices. The event offered a research-driven examination of how the built environment shapes the brain, behavior, and human experience.
Speakers, including experts from HOK, HKS, Perkins&Will, Verona Carpenter Architects, and many more, challenged attendees to think beyond prescriptive “sensory design” and toward more nuanced environments that offer greater agency, autonomy, choice, and joy.
A special contribution came from Jackie Dettmar, Vice President of Design and Product Development at Mohawk Group, who presented our research and educational work into fractal patterns and movement, exploring how scientifically informed, nature-inspired fractal patterns can contribute to positive sensory experiences, offering an alternative to the assumption that neuroinclusive environments must simply reduce sensory stimulation, having our product applications as examples. Jackie stated:
"Sharing Mohawk Group’s Fractal Collections with the Metropolis Neuro Inclusive Design Summit was an honor. The Collections, starting with Relaxing Floors, by 13&9 Design and Fractals Research, are one of many tools that designers can use to build more inclusive spaces for all."
We are honored to be part of this important conversation, exploring how science, nature, and design can come together to create spaces that support well-being, autonomy, and the diversity of human experience.
Credits: © Metropolis