A home or a winery should feel as though it grew out of its site. At Orla Studios, we think about the light on a hillside, the way wind moves through a valley, and the seasons that shape both a family’s year and a vineyard’s. Biophilic design gives us a framework for building from those things, and a surprising amount of research and architectural thought stands behind it.
What biophilic design means
The word biophilia, “love of life,” was first used by psychoanalyst Erich Fromm in the 1960s. Biologist Edward O. Wilson popularized it in the 1980s as the biophilia hypothesis: the idea that humans have an innate tendency to seek connection with nature and other living systems. Wilson argued that because we evolved in natural settings, our minds and bodies still respond to them.
Biophilic design applies that idea to buildings. It is not about adding a few potted plants. It is a way of shaping rooms, materials, views and landscapes so they answer a need people have always had. For us, that starts on the first site visit and continues down to the choice of a floor finish.
The ideas behind the practice
Biophilic architecture draws on several overlapping theories from psychology, environmental science, design and philosophy. No single one explains everything, but together they shape how we make decisions.
The biophilia hypothesis and Kellert’s nine values. In 1993, Wilson and social ecologist Stephen Kellert edited The Biophilia Hypothesis, which brought together scholars from many fields. Kellert went on to describe nine values through which people relate to nature, among them aesthetic, symbolic, utilitarian and ecological-scientific. Later, with Judith Heerwagen and Martin Mador, he turned the theory into a design method in Biophilic Design (2008), and in Nature by Design (2018) he refined it into three categories: direct experience of nature, indirect experience of nature, and experience of space and place.
Stress Reduction Theory. Environmental psychologist Roger Ulrich proposed that natural scenes help us recover from stress because we evolved to find certain landscapes safe and restorative. His best-known study, published in 1984, followed patients recovering from surgery. Those whose windows looked onto trees tended to have shorter hospital stays and need less pain medication than those facing a brick wall. The study was small, but it launched decades of research into healing environments.
Attention Restoration Theory. Rachel and Stephen Kaplan argued that modern life demands constant, effortful concentration, and that nature restores our focus through what they called soft fascination: gentle stimulation, such as moving leaves, water or clouds, that holds attention without draining it. They identified qualities that make a setting restorative, including a sense of being away, a feeling of extent or richness, and compatibility with what we want to do there. A reading room facing a garden, or a winery terrace over vine rows, is soft fascination put into a plan.
Prospect and Refuge Theory. Geographer Jay Appleton proposed in 1975 that we prefer places where we can see without being seen: wide views paired with a sheltered position behind us. He tied this to the survival advantage of watching for opportunity and danger from a protected spot. Related ideas, such as the savanna hypothesis, suggest we may favor open landscapes with scattered trees, though that claim is debated. Window seats, deep porches, cellar thresholds and hillside terraces all draw on this thinking.
Fractals and natural patterns. Physicist Richard Taylor has studied the fractal patterns found in trees, clouds, coastlines and foliage, in which similar shapes repeat at different scales. His work suggests that people often find moderately complex fractal patterns calming, which he links to the way our visual system evolved. Architectural theorist Nikos Salingaros has made a related argument for ornament, structure and detail that offer visual richness at many scales, from a building’s massing down to the grain of a timber beam.
Pattern language. Architect Christopher Alexander’s A Pattern Language (1977) catalogued recurring design solutions, many rooted in human comfort and nature: window places, sheltering roofs, gardens, and paths that unfold slowly. Though not labeled biophilic at the time, his patterns strongly influence today’s biophilic thinking.
Organic architecture. Long before the term biophilia reached architecture, Frank Lloyd Wright described organic architecture, the idea that a building should belong to its site and grow from it. His Fallingwater, built over a waterfall, is the classic example. Alvar Aalto and Antoni Gaudí likewise worked with natural forms and materials. The language differs from the scientific literature, but the aim is shared.
Genius loci and critical regionalism. Architectural theorist Christian Norberg-Schulz revived the Roman idea of genius loci, the spirit of a place, arguing that architecture should respond to a site’s character. Kenneth Frampton’s critical regionalism similarly urges buildings to draw on local climate, materials, topography and tradition rather than imposing a universal style. For a winery, this runs parallel to the idea of terroir: the building, like the wine, should be recognizably of its place.
Phenomenology and the senses. Finnish architect Juhani Pallasmaa, in The Eyes of the Skin (1996), criticized architecture that serves the eye alone and called for buildings that engage touch, sound, smell, temperature and the movement of the body. Biophilic design shares this concern: the cool of a stone cellar, the smell of oak, the sound of water in a courtyard and the shift of light through a day all matter as much as appearance.
Design with nature, biomimicry and regenerative design. Landscape architect Ian McHarg’s Design with Nature (1969) argued for planning that begins with a site’s ecology. Janine Benyus’s Biomimicry (1997) asked designers to learn from how organisms solve problems, such as passive cooling inspired by termite mounds. More recent regenerative design goes further, aiming for buildings that improve their surroundings rather than merely reducing harm. Frameworks like the Living Building Challenge include a dedicated biophilic requirement.
Patterns of biophilic design. In 2014, the consultancy Terrapin Bright Green published 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design, a practical translation of the research into three groups: nature in the space (plants, water, light, airflow), natural analogues (natural materials, patterns and forms), and nature of the space (prospect, refuge, mystery and risk or peril). It has become a common reference for architects and clients.
Three ways nature enters a building
Drawing on these theories, we organize our work around Kellert’s three categories.
Direct experience of nature means real contact with the natural world: daylight, fresh air, planting, water and views. In a home, that might be a courtyard garden, a kitchen that opens onto an herb bed, or windows that open to catch a breeze. In a winery, it is a terrace looking straight down the vine rows.
Indirect experience of nature uses materials and forms that echo the natural world. Local stone, timber, lime plaster and clay bring texture and warmth, and shapes inspired by ridgelines, leaves or vine rows can inform a roofline or a plan.
Experience of space and place is the subtlest. It includes prospect and refuge, the sense of arrival, the path that reveals a view slowly, and the feeling that a building belongs to its region and culture.
In the home
A house is where biophilic design is felt most often, because we live inside it every day.
Following the light. We study the sun’s path across the site so that morning light finds the kitchen, soft light reaches workspaces, and evening glow settles where the family gathers.
Bringing the garden into the plan. Rooms that wrap a courtyard or open onto a terrace make greenery part of the daily route through the house, offering the soft fascination the Kaplans described.
Making places to retreat. A window seat, a deep porch or a reading nook gives a view outward while feeling protected behind, in the spirit of prospect and refuge.
Choosing honest materials. Timber, stone and natural fibres age well and engage the senses, as Pallasmaa urged. They give a home a calm, lived-in quality that synthetic finishes rarely match.
Layering detail at every scale. Natural grain, varied textures and considered joinery provide the kind of visual richness that fractal research suggests we find restful.
Letting the house breathe. Cross-ventilation, shading and thermal mass keep rooms comfortable and reduce the need for mechanical cooling.
Planting for the place. Native and drought-tolerant species need little water, support pollinators and change with the seasons.
In the winery
A winery already depends on soil, sun, weather and time. Biophilic design lets the building share that logic, so a visit feels like part of the landscape instead of a stop beside it.
Settling into the slope. Cellars set into or sheltered by the hillside use the earth’s steady temperatures and keep the building low against the vines, much as organic architecture would advise.
Building from the site. Rammed earth, local stone and regional timber express genius loci and critical regionalism, tying the architecture to the vineyard’s geology while giving barrel halls natural thermal mass.
Framing the vineyard. Tasting rooms and terraces are placed to frame rows, ridgelines and sky, with shaded seating that draws guests outdoors and invites a slower pace.
Sequencing the visit. Guests might move from open fields through a threshold, down into the cool, dim cellar and back up into daylight. This uses the pattern of mystery and revelation, and echoes the journey of the wine itself.
Engaging every sense. The smell of oak and fermenting fruit, the sound of footsteps on stone, the temperature drop on descending to the cellar: these multisensory moments are central to a memorable visit.
Using light and air with care. Clerestories and shaded openings bring in soft light where it helps, while passive ventilation and stack effect cool production areas.
Closing the loop on water and land. Rainwater harvesting, reed-bed treatment of process water and planting between buildings reduce demand and support local ecology, in the spirit of regenerative design.
Designing for the seasons
Homes and wineries both live through a yearly cycle, and we design so that every season has something to offer. Spring brings blossom and bud break seen from kitchen windows. Summer calls for deep eaves, shaded courtyards and thick walls that hold the heat at bay. Harvest asks for working areas that are efficient and bright, with sheltered places for gathering. Winter lets low sun reach deep into rooms, with warm materials and views of bare branches and rain.
Why it matters, and what we don’t claim
Research has linked views of greenery, daylight and natural materials with lower stress, better mood and improved attention. The practical benefits are easier to point to: good daylighting reduces electric lighting, shading and natural ventilation cut cooling loads, and planted landscapes help manage stormwater. Biophilic design often overlaps with sustainable design, though the two are not the same, since a building can be energy efficient and still feel sterile.
It is also worth being candid about the limits. Much of the evidence comes from small or observational studies, some theories (the savanna hypothesis among them) remain debated, and preferences vary with culture, age and personal history. We treat these ideas as a well-informed starting point rather than a formula, and we avoid promising measurable gains in wellbeing or productivity.
Starting with the land
Every project we take on begins with the site: its slope, soil, climate, views and history. From there, we design a house or winery that makes the most of what is already there. If you are planning a home or a winery and want it to feel connected to its setting, we would be glad to hear about your land and your plans.
Maximalist interiors work differently. They are rooms with a pulse: layered, colorful, and full of the things their owners care about. Maximalism has become one of newest movements in home design because it treats a home as a portrait of the people who live there.
What maximalist design is
Maximalism is a philosophy of abundance. It embraces rich color, mixed patterns, dense collections, and the belief that a room should feel full of life rather than emptied of it. Where minimalism asks “what can I remove?”, maximalism asks “what else do I love?”
That question is what separates a maximalist room from a cluttered one. The best maximalist spaces are curated with care. Colors echo across the room, favorite pieces get their moment, and the whole thing hangs together with rhythm and intention. It is a lot, but it’s a lot on purpose.
A tradition worth celebrating
Maximalism has deep roots. Baroque and Rococo interiors covered walls and ceilings in gilding, paint, and ornament. Victorian parlors were filled with curios, textiles, and treasures from around the world. Mughal palaces glowed with inlaid stone and jewel-toned color. For much of history, a richly layered home was simply what a beautiful home looked like.
The twentieth century brought the modernist mantra “less is more,” and minimalism ruled for decades. But designers kept the maximalist spirit alive. In 1966, architect Robert Venturi answered modernism with a cheerful “less is a bore.” In 1980, Ettore Sottsass and the Memphis Group in Milan began producing furniture in bold colors, playful shapes, and wild laminates that made rooms feel like celebrations. That energy never really went away, and today it is back in full color.
Why it’s flourishing now
Homes now do a great deal. They are offices, gyms, cinemas, and gathering places, and many people want spaces that lift their mood in return. Designers have picked up on this with ideas like “dopamine decor,” which is the simple notion that surrounding yourself with colors and objects you love makes you feel good. A vivid green wall, a gallery wall of mismatched frames, or a velvet sofa in deep magenta can change how a room feels every time you walk in.
There is also a real appetite for individuality. In a world of matching showrooms and identical rental apartments, a maximalist home says someone specific lives here. It is a way to make a space unmistakably your own.
Personality, story, and sustainability
The most rewarding maximalist homes are built slowly, and that makes them naturally sustainable. A grandmother’s vase, a flea-market armchair, a rug from a trip, and a vintage lamp rescued from a thrift store all find a place because maximalism values character and history over uniform newness. Nothing has to match, so almost anything can belong. Each piece carries a story, and together they make a home that feels lived in and loved, and that is hard to replicate by ordering a room in one afternoon.
Room by room: bringing maximalism home
Living rooms are the natural stage. Try a bold sofa, layered rugs, a gallery wall, and a mix of lamp light at different heights for warmth.
Bedrooms can be cocoons of color: a saturated wall, patterned bedding layered with textures, and art hung right up to the ceiling.
Kitchens and dining rooms welcome open shelves of colorful dishes, patterned tile, and statement lighting, since they’re already places for abundance.
Bathrooms and small spaces are perfect for experimenting. A dramatic wallpaper or a jewel-toned paint color in a powder room is a low-risk way to start.
Principles for doing it well
Choose a thread. A recurring color, motif, or material lets very different pieces feel related.
Vary the scale. Mix bold statement pieces with small, intricate details so the eye has places to land and places to explore.
Layer texture. Velvet, linen, wood, brass, and ceramic add depth that flat color can’t.
Start with what you love. Build outward from a favorite painting, rug, or heirloom instead of a trend.
Give it time. The most beautiful maximalist rooms feel collected over years, and that’s part of the pleasure.
Leave a little breathing room. A calm surface or two makes the richness around it feel deliberate.
The takeaway
Maximalism invites you to stop worrying about whether your home looks “correct” and start asking whether it feels like you. It rewards curiosity, generosity, and a willingness to let color, pattern, and personal treasures share the same room. Minimalism suits people who find peace in emptiness, but many of us find joy in abundance. Whether you begin with one bold wallpaper or a full room of layered color, a maximalist home offers a place that feels warm, alive, and yours.
Rooms With a Pulse: The Joy of Maximalist Interior Design
Some rooms are easy to admire and hard to love. They are tidy, tasteful, and quiet, and they could belong to anyone. Maximalist interiors work the other way. They are rooms with a pulse: layered, colorful, and full of the things their owners care about. Maximalism has become one of the most exciting movements in home design because it treats a home as a portrait of the people who live there.
What maximalist design is
Maximalism is a philosophy of abundance. It embraces rich color, mixed patterns, dense collections, and the belief that a room should feel full of life rather than emptied of it. Where minimalism asks “what can I remove?”, maximalism asks “what else do I love?”
That question is what separates a maximalist room from a cluttered one. The best maximalist spaces are curated with care. Colors echo across the room, favorite pieces get their moment, and the whole thing hangs together with rhythm and intention. It is a lot, but it’s a lot on purpose.
A tradition worth celebrating
Maximalism has deep roots. Baroque and Rococo interiors covered walls and ceilings in gilding, paint, and ornament. Victorian parlors were filled with curios, textiles, and treasures from around the world. Mughal palaces glowed with inlaid stone and jewel-toned color. For much of history, a richly layered home was simply what a beautiful home looked like.
The twentieth century brought the modernist mantra “less is more,” and minimalism ruled for decades. But designers kept the maximalist spirit alive. In 1966, architect Robert Venturi answered modernism with a cheerful “less is a bore.” In 1980, Ettore Sottsass and the Memphis Group in Milan began producing furniture in bold colors, playful shapes, and wild laminates that made rooms feel like celebrations. That energy never really went away, and today it is back in full color.
Why it’s flourishing now
Homes now do a great deal. They are offices, gyms, cinemas, and gathering places, and many people want spaces that lift their mood in return. Designers have picked up on this with ideas like “dopamine decor,” which is the simple notion that surrounding yourself with colors and objects you love makes you feel good. A vivid green wall, a gallery wall of mismatched frames, or a velvet sofa in deep magenta can change how a room feels every time you walk in.
There is also a real appetite for individuality. In a world of matching showrooms and identical rental apartments, a maximalist home says someone specific lives here. It is a way to make a space unmistakably your own.
Personality, story, and sustainability
The most rewarding maximalist homes are built slowly, and that makes them naturally sustainable. A grandmother’s vase, a flea-market armchair, a rug from a trip, and a vintage lamp rescued from a thrift store all find a place because maximalism values character and history over uniform newness. Nothing has to match, so almost anything can belong. Each piece carries a story, and together they make a home that feels lived in and loved, and that is hard to replicate by ordering a room in one afternoon.
Room by room: bringing maximalism home
Living rooms are the natural stage. Try a bold sofa, layered rugs, a gallery wall, and a mix of lamp light at different heights for warmth.
Bedrooms can be cocoons of color: a saturated wall, patterned bedding layered with textures, and art hung right up to the ceiling.
Kitchens and dining rooms welcome open shelves of colorful dishes, patterned tile, and statement lighting, since they’re already places for abundance.
Bathrooms and small spaces are perfect for experimenting. A dramatic wallpaper or a jewel-toned paint color in a powder room is a low-risk way to start.
Principles for doing it well
Choose a thread. A recurring color, motif, or material lets very different pieces feel related.
Vary the scale. Mix bold statement pieces with small, intricate details so the eye has places to land and places to explore.
Layer texture. Velvet, linen, wood, brass, and ceramic add depth that flat color can’t.
Start with what you love. Build outward from a favorite painting, rug, or heirloom instead of a trend.
Give it time. The most beautiful maximalist rooms feel collected over years, and that’s part of the pleasure.
Leave a little breathing room. A calm surface or two makes the richness around it feel deliberate.
Maximalism invites you to stop worrying about whether your home looks “correct” and start asking whether it feels like you. It rewards curiosity, generosity, and a willingness to let color, pattern, and personal treasures share the same room. Minimalism suits people who find peace in emptiness, but many of us find joy in abundance. Whether you begin with one bold wallpaper or a full room of layered color, a maximalist home offers a place that feels warm, alive, and yours.
An Architectural Framework for Autism, Asperger’s, AuDHD, ADHD, and Dyslexia
Different Minds. Extraordinary Homes.
20 percent of the US population are neurodivergent: 50 million people.
Designing Homes for Neurodivergent Occupants: Creating Beautiful Spaces That Support the Way People Think, Feel, and Experience the World
Redefining wellness in architecture:
When most people think about an ideal dream home, they imagine soaring ceilings, dramatic staircases, designer finishes, expansive glass walls, and impressive entertaining spaces.
What if wellness in architecture means walking into your home and immediately feeling calm, comfortable, focused, and completely at ease?
For neurodivergent individuals, a home can have an enormous impact on daily life. Light can be overwhelming. Noise can be exhausting. Visual clutter can make it difficult to concentrate. An unpredictable layout can increase anxiety, while a thoughtfully designed environment can improve focus, emotional regulation, creativity, and overall well-being.
Neurodivergence describes natural variations in the way people think, process information, learn, communicate, and experience their environment. This includes people with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and those with overlapping neurotypes such as AuDHD.
As architects, designers, and homeowners become more aware of neurodiversity, we’re beginning to understand that one-size-fits-all design doesn’t work. Instead, homes should be tailored to the people who live in them.
The good news is that many of the same principles that create exceptional architecture also create neuroinclusive architecture.
The difference is that neuroinclusive design places the human nervous system at the center of the design process.
Modern research identifies six key principles that should guide every neuroinclusive environment:
Choice
Control
Predictability
Adjustability
Recovery
Sensory balance
Together, these principles create homes that are not only beautiful but also supportive, restorative, and deeply personal.
The Most Important Factors That Influence Neuroinclusive Residential Design
1. Choosing the Right Site
Great design begins long before the first floor plan is drawn.
The site should feel like a sanctuary. While this description below is an ideal scenario, there are many things that can be done during schematic design to make your home neuro inclusive in any location.
The location of a home may have a greater impact on a neurodivergent person’s daily experience than any interior finish or architectural detail.
Before designing an ideal home, architects should carefully evaluate:
Traffic noise
Flight paths
Nearby schools
Commercial activity
Neighboring properties
Light pollution
Visual distractions
Privacy
For many autistic individuals, environmental noise is one of the most significant sources of stress.
A beautiful home overlooking a busy street may be visually appealing, but if emergency sirens, traffic, and constant movement create sensory overload, thoughtful mitigation is an action item to be considered.
If possible, consider:
Larger lots
Greater setbacks
Landscape buffers
Courtyard homes
Natural screening
Private gardens
2. Creating a Predictable Floor Plan
Many homes are designed around dramatic, open-concept spaces.
While these layouts are impressive, they don’t always support neurodivergent occupants.
People often feel more comfortable when spaces have clear purposes and predictable organization.
Instead of designing one large, undefined environment, consider dividing the home into zones.
Quiet spaces
These might include:
Bedrooms
Reading rooms
Libraries
Meditation spaces
Active spaces
These might include:
Kitchens
Family rooms
Home offices
Social spaces
These might include:
Dining rooms
Entertainment spaces
Media rooms
Game rooms
Think of the home as a sensory journey.
A resident should be able to move gradually from stimulation to calm rather than being in a single environment that tries to do everything.
3. Designing for Sound
Imagine hearing every conversation, every appliance, every footstep, every air-conditioning unit, and every car outside your window.
For many neurodivergent individuals, this isn’t hypothetical.
It’s everyday life.
Acoustics are often overlooked in residential design, yet they may be one of the most important factors affecting comfort.
Consider incorporating:
Triple-glazed windows in very noisy external environments
Sound-insulated walls
Solid-core doors
Acoustic ceiling treatments
Soft furnishings
Carpets and rugs
Cork flooring
Fabric wall panels
Mechanical systems also deserve special attention.
Luxury should sound quiet.
Architects should consider:
Low-noise HVAC systems
Isolated mechanical rooms
Silent ventilation systems
Vibration-reducing equipment
A peaceful home allows the nervous system to relax.
4. Using Light to Support Well-Being
Light influences far more than visibility.
It affects:
Mood
Sleep
Concentration
Energy levels
Emotional regulation
Natural light is incredibly valuable, but too much direct sunlight can create glare and visual discomfort.
As an alternative to maximizing glass, architects can alternatively focus on controlling light.
Helpful strategies include:
North-facing windows
Diffused daylight
Clerestory windows
Covered terraces
Light shelves
Adjustable window coverings
Artificial lighting should be equally flexible.
Every room should include:
Ambient lighting
Task lighting
Accent lighting
Most importantly, occupants should be able to adjust lighting themselves.
Control is empowering.
5. Simplifying Color and Visual Complexity
Luxury interiors often incorporate multiple materials, bold colors, dramatic patterns, and strong visual contrasts.
For some neurodivergent individuals, however, visual complexity can be exhausting.
A calmer palette often creates a more comfortable environment.
Consider using:
Warm whites
Earth tones
Muted greens
Soft blues
Natural wood finishes
Avoid overwhelming spaces with:
High-contrast color combinations
Repetitive patterns
Excessive ornamentation
Highly reflective surfaces
This doesn’t mean interiors must be minimalist.
It simply means every design decision should be intentional.
6. Choosing Materials That Feel Good
We don’t just see architecture.
We touch it.
We hear it.
We experience it.
Materials influence sensory comfort in powerful ways.
Natural materials often provide warmth and familiarity.
Excellent choices include:
Wood
Stone
Wool
Linen
Clay plaster
Leather
Cork
Try to avoid combining too many competing textures within a single space.
The goal is sensory harmony rather than sensory competition.
7. Rethinking Larger Spaces
Traditional architecture often celebrates large volumes.
Double-height entry halls and expansive great rooms certainly create visual impact, but they can also increase noise and create feelings of disconnection.
Scale matters.
Smaller, more intimate spaces often provide a greater sense of security.
This doesn’t mean homes should feel small.
Instead, architects should create a balance between openness and enclosure.
One strategy is to create a sequence of spaces that expand and contract naturally throughout the home.
This approach creates variety without sacrificing comfort.
8. Making Navigation Effortless
A well-designed home
Clear circulation reduces cognitive fatigue and anxiety.
Architectural tools that improve the experience of moving throught the home include:
Courtyards
Changes in materials
Architectural landmarks
Consistent lighting
Visual connections between rooms
The best circulation systems are almost invisible because they feel so natural.
9. Creating Dedicated Recovery Spaces
Everyone needs a place to retreat.
For neurodivergent individuals, recovery spaces are essential rather than optional.
These spaces provide an opportunity to decompress, regulate emotions, and reduce sensory input.
A recovery space might be:
A library
A meditation room
A quiet bedroom
A spa suite
A sensory room
An indoor garden
These rooms should include:
Adjustable lighting
Comfortable furniture
Soft textures
Acoustic protection
Minimal visual stimulation
Think of them as emotional recharge stations.
10. Bringing Nature Into the Home
Humans are biologically connected to nature.
This connection is particularly important in neuroinclusive design.
Research consistently shows that natural environments support emotional regulation and reduce stress.
Ways to incorporate biophilic design include:
Courtyards
Gardens
Water features
Green walls
Outdoor living spaces
Natural ventilation
Indoor planting
Whenever possible, every major room should have a visual connection to nature.
Even a small garden can have a profound impact.
General Guidelines for Designing for Specific Neurodivergent Experiences
Designing for Autism
People on the autism spectrum often experience heightened sensory sensitivity.
Key priorities include:
Predictability
Reduced sensory input
Emotional regulation
Safety
Design recommendations
Prioritize acoustic comfort.
Minimize visual clutter.
Create clear spatial organization.
Include dedicated retreat spaces.
Use soft, adjustable lighting.
Design gradual transitions between rooms.
Incorporate calming natural materials.
The goal is to create a home that feels safe, understandable, and manageable.
Designing for People Who Identify With Asperger’s
Although Asperger’s syndrome is now included within the autism spectrum, many adults continue to identify with the term.
Many people who identify as having Asperger’s value:
Independence
Intellectual stimulation
Deep focus
Personal interests
Design recommendations
Create specialized home offices.
Include library or study spaces.
Design dedicated hobby rooms.
Allow for extensive personalization.
Separate work and social spaces.
Support focused, uninterrupted activity.
The home should celebrate individuality.
Designing for ADHD
People with ADHD often benefit from environments that support organization, movement, and executive functioning.
Challenges may include:
Distraction
Time management
Organization
Task initiation
Design recommendations
Create highly organized storage systems.
Use visual cues.
Design flexible workspaces.
Encourage movement throughout the home.
Keep frequently used items visible.
Avoid unnecessary clutter.
The environment should support focus without becoming restrictive.
Designing for AuDHD
AuDHD combines characteristics associated with both autism and ADHD.
This can create seemingly contradictory needs.
Someone might simultaneously crave:
Stimulation and quiet
Routine and novelty
Solitude and connection
Because of these competing needs, flexibility becomes the most important design principle.
Design recommendations
Create multiple sensory environments.
Design several retreat spaces.
Use modular flexible furniture.
Incorporate adjustable lighting.
Allow rooms to serve different functions.
Give occupants as many choices as possible.
The solution isn’t to find the perfect environment.
The solution is to create several environments and allow the individual to choose the one that best supports them in that moment.
Designing for Dyslexia
Dyslexia affects reading and information processing, but architecture can still play an important role in reducing cognitive load.
Many people with dyslexia benefit from environments that are highly organized and visually intuitive.
Design recommendations
Simple circulation.
Organize storage consistently.
Use color strategically.
reduce clutter
incorporate large black boards aesthetically placed for lists, large white letters are easier to read on black backgrounds
The goal is to reduce mental effort and make everyday tasks feel more intuitive.
The Neuroinclusive ideal Home Checklist
A successful neuroinclusive home should include:
Adjustable lighting
Excellent acoustics
Flexible furniture
Clear circulation
Quiet mechanical systems
Sensory zoning
Dedicated recovery spaces
Biophilic design
Intuitive circulation
Personalized controls
Smart-home integration
Adaptable workspaces
Organized storage
Natural materials
Choice at every level
Top 10 list for neuroinclusive design:
The future of home architecture is about building homes that are personalized to the homeowner.
The most successful homes of the future will be defined by how well they support the people who live in them.
Neuroinclusive architecture reminds us that every brain experiences the world differently.
When architects design for choice, comfort, predictability, and sensory well-being, they create homes that do more than look beautiful.
They create homes that help people thrive.
And perhaps that’s the greatest luxury of all. Contemporary neuroarchitecture is redefining luxury by recognizing that the most valuable feature in a home may be the ability to support the occupant’s neurological needs.
Designing for neurodivergent occupants requires architects to move beyond universal accessibility and consider how individuals experience sensory input, attention, spatial perception, memory, communication, emotional regulation, and environmental predictability. A home that is visually stunning but acoustically overwhelming, spatially confusing, or impossible to regulate cannot be considered truly luxurious for a neurodivergent resident.
The six foundational principles for neuroinclusive design:
Choice
Control
Predictability
Adjustability
Recovery
Sensory balance
These principles are increasingly recognized as the foundation of sensory-inclusive environments and neurodivergent-centered architecture. Research also consistently identifies lighting, acoustics, materials, spatial configuration, wayfinding, natural elements, and environmental control as the most significant architectural variables affecting neurodivergent well-being. These findings are supported by emerging neuroarchitecture literature and autism-specific design frameworks.
The New Definition of Luxury
Traditional luxury homes prioritize:
Monumental spaces
Open floor plans
Double-height ceilings
Large expanses of glass
Statement materials
Visual complexity
For many neurodivergent occupants, these characteristics can create:
Sensory overload
Acoustic reverberation
Visual distraction
Loss of spatial orientation
Increased anxiety
Reduced executive functioning
In a neuroinclusive home, luxury shifts from spectacle to experience.
Luxury becomes:
Environmental mastery
Sensory regulation
Personalized control
Privacy
Predictability
Emotional safety
Cognitive ease
1. Thoughts for Site Selection and Context
The design process begins before the house itself is designed.
Site Noise
Evaluate:
Traffic
Aircraft routes
Neighboring properties
Commercial activity
Emergency vehicle frequency
Recreational facilities
School zones
Recommended guidelines
For autistic and sensory-sensitive occupants:
Select quiet neighborhoods
Increase setbacks
Use landscape buffers
Introduce earth berms
Orient bedrooms away from roads
Research consistently identifies sound as one of the strongest environmental triggers affecting autistic individuals.
Visual Context
Evaluate:
Adjacent buildings
Light pollution
Busy streets
Commercial signage
High-density development
Recommended guidelines
Avoid:
Chaotic urban views
Constant movement outside windows
Visual clutter
Instead, prioritize:
Gardens
Water features
Forest views
Courtyards
Controlled sightlines
2. Spatial Planning and Floor Plan Organization
Spatial organization is one of the most important design considerations for neurodivergent occupants.
Research repeatedly identifies predictability, intelligibility, and clear spatial sequencing as essential design requirements.
Zoning
Luxury neuroinclusive homes should be organized into distinct zones:
Low-stimulation zone
Bedrooms
Libraries
Meditation rooms
Retreat spaces
Moderate-stimulation zone
Kitchens
Family rooms
Home offices
High-stimulation zone
Gyms
Entertainment rooms
Game rooms
Social spaces
The home should function as a sensory gradient rather than a collection of disconnected rooms.
Public and Private Separation
Separate:
Entertaining spaces
Family spaces
Individual retreat spaces
Avoid forcing occupants to pass through social spaces to reach private rooms.
Acoustic design is arguably the most important consideration for autistic occupants.
The ASPECTSS framework identifies acoustics as the primary criterion for autism-responsive design.
Design strategies
Building envelope
Specify:
Triple-glazed windows
Acoustic insulation
Isolated wall assemblies
Solid-core doors
Interior finishes
Use:
Acoustic plaster
Fabric wall systems
Cork
Carpeting
Acoustic ceiling panels
Avoid:
Stone-on-stone surfaces
Excessive concrete
Large reverberant volumes
Mechanical systems
Mechanical systems should be nearly silent.
Specify:
Low-velocity HVAC systems
Remote mechanical equipment
Vibration isolation
Silent bathroom fans
Unexpected mechanical noise is a common trigger for sensory distress.
4. Lighting Design
Light influences:
Circadian rhythms
Emotional regulation
Visual comfort
Attention
Executive function
Natural Light
Use:
Diffused daylight
North-facing glazing
Clerestory windows
Covered terraces
Light shelves
Avoid:
Direct solar glare
Excessive contrast
Uncontrolled sunlight
Artificial Lighting
Specify:
Flicker-free LEDs
Full-spectrum lighting
Layered lighting systems
Dimmable controls
Provide multiple lighting options:
Ambient lighting
Task lighting
Accent lighting
Every room should allow occupants to control light intensity independently.
Research specifically recommends avoiding fluorescent lighting because of both visual flicker and auditory humming.
5. Color
Color directly affects emotional regulation and sensory processing.
Recommended palettes
Use:
Earth tones
Warm neutrals
Muted greens
Soft blues
Natural wood tones
Avoid
High contrast
Aggressive color transitions
Geometric patterns
Repetitive visual motifs
Strong colors should be reserved for navigation and wayfinding rather than decoration.
6. Materials and Texture
Materials should provide sensory comfort.
Recommended materials
Natural wood
Limestone
Cork
Wool
Linen
Clay plaster
Leather
Avoid
Highly reflective materials
Gloss finishes
Overly complex textures
Excessive patterning
Material transitions should be intentional and limited.
Sensory overload often occurs when too many materials compete for attention.
7. Ceiling Heights and Scale
Traditional luxury architecture often celebrates monumental spaces.
However, research suggests that excessively large volumes can increase acoustic problems and spatial disorientation for some neurodivergent individuals.
Recommended ceiling heights
Quiet spaces
8-10 feet
Shared living spaces
10-12 feet
Grand entertaining spaces
12-14 feet with acoustic treatment
8. Wayfinding
Wayfinding should be intuitive.
Occupants should never have to wonder:
“Where am I?”
“Where does this hallway lead?”
“How do I get back?”
Architectural circulation tools
Use:
Visual landmarks
Courtyards
Material transitions
Consistent lighting
Architectural hierarchy
Avoid:
Maze-like layouts
Symmetrical corridors
Excessive repetition
Predictability significantly reduces cognitive load and anxiety.
9. Sensory Retreat Spaces
Every neuroinclusive luxury home should include a dedicated regulation room.
This room should function as a pressure-release valve for the nervous system.
Design characteristics
Include:
Adjustable lighting
Acoustic isolation
Soft textures
Comfortable seating
Weighted furniture
Minimal visual stimulation
Luxury homes may incorporate multiple retreat spaces:
Sensory libraries
Reading rooms
Meditation suites
Indoor gardens
Spa rooms
Research consistently identifies recovery spaces as essential design elements.
10. Biophilic Design
Nature regulates the nervous system.
Include:
Courtyards
Water
Gardens
Green walls
Natural ventilation
Outdoor rooms
Provide visual access to nature from every major room.
Studies identify natural elements as one of the key environmental factors supporting neurodivergent well-being.
Condition-Specific Design Checklists:
Autism
Priorities
Sensory regulation
Predictability
Safety
Reduced sensory load
Architectural guidelines
Design element
Recommendation
Acoustics
Maximum sound control
Lighting
Adjustable, glare-free
Layout
Sequential and predictable
Storage
Concealed
Colors
Low contrast
Retreat spaces
Essential
Transitions
Gradual
Safety
Enhanced
Asperger’s Syndrome
Although Asperger’s is now included within autism spectrum disorder, many adults who received an earlier diagnosis still identify with the term.
Priorities
Intellectual engagement
Independence
Personal identity
Structured environments
Architectural guidelines
Design element
Recommendation
Home office
Highly specialized
Libraries
Dedicated spaces
Zoning
Strong separation between work and living
Social spaces
Optional rather than mandatory
Storage
Interest-specific
Technology
Integrated
Personalization
Extensive
ADHD
Priorities
Executive function support
Attention management
Reduced clutter
Physical movement
Architectural guidelines
Design element
Recommendation
Storage
Open and visible
Kitchens
Highly organized
Workspaces
Single-purpose
Circulation
Encourage movement
Visual cues
Strong
Flexibility
High
Furniture
Adaptable
AuDHD (Autism + ADHD)
AuDHD often presents conflicting needs.
An occupant may simultaneously require:
Stimulation and calm
Novelty and predictability
Movement and isolation
This combination creates one of the most complex residential design challenges.
Architectural guidelines
Design element
Recommendation
Sensory zoning
Essential
Lighting
Fully adjustable
Furniture
Modular
Retreat spaces
Multiple
Workspaces
Different stimulation levels
Social areas
Optional participation
Bedrooms
Maximum regulation
The solution is not a single environment.
The solution is environmental choice.
Dyslexia
Dyslexia affects reading, information processing, sequencing, and visual interpretation.
Design should reduce cognitive load.
Home Design for Dyslexia
Designing a home for someone with dyslexia means creating an environment that supports their unique way of processing information, reduces sensory overload, and promotes focus and comfort.
Core Design Principles
Architects and designers use neuroinclusive principles to guide homes for neurodivergent individuals, including dyslexia
Choice – Allow flexibility in layout, furniture placement, and personalization.
Control – Provide autonomy over lighting, noise, and visual clutter.
Predictability – Use consistent layouts and predictable routines.
Adjustability – Offer adaptable spaces for different activities.
Recovery – Include calming, restorative areas.
Sensory balance – Manage light, sound, and visual stimuli to reduce stress.
Key Considerations for Dyslexia
Lighting – Use warm, adjustable lighting to avoid harsh glare or strobe effects. Natural daylight is ideal ad-c.org.
Noise control – Minimize background noise; consider sound-absorbing materials and quiet zones
Visual clarity – Reduce clutter, use open or semi-open layouts, and avoid small, hidden corners ad-c.org.
Furniture and ergonomics – Position desks or workspaces near windows for natural light but away from foot traffic truthaboutdyslexia.com. Offer multiple seating options, including floor seating for flexibility ad-c.org.
Technology integration – Use large-format displays, audio support, and writable surfaces for visual learning ad-c.org.
Sensory-friendly materials – Choose non-reflective, non-distracting finishes and colours; avoid excessive colour coding truthaboutdyslexia.com. Blackboards for lists, better than whiteboards for legibility, Use alexa or home automation to creat lists
Practical Home Adjustments
Focal points – Keep one clear surface (e.g., desk, table) for work or meals to reduce visual clutter truthaboutdyslexia.com.
Organizational aids – Use cubbies, labelled storage, and colour-coded systems only if they help, not hinder ad-c.org.
Outdoor access – Include easy access to nature for calming vestibular movement ad-c.org.
Personalization – Incorporate elements that make the space feel safe and familiar, reflecting the occupant’s preferences designingfordyslexia.org.
A dyslexia-friendly home is calm, predictable, and tailored to the occupant’s sensory and cognitive needs. By applying neuroinclusive principles and focusing on comfort, control, and clarity, you can create a space that supports focus, creativity, and well-being.
Architectural guidelines
Design element
Recommendation
Wayfinding
Extremely clear
Signage
Symbols combined with text
Room organization
Consistent
Visual hierarchy
Strong
Storage
Categorized
Lighting
Uniform
Color coding
Functional
Neuroinclusive design recognizes that neurological diversity is not a limitation to be accommodated but a human variation to be understood. The architect’s role is no longer simply to create beautiful spaces but to create environments that support the nervous system, enhance cognitive performance, reduce stress, and promote well-being.
Modern homes and Resorts are particularly suited to a landscape setting. Large areas of glazing, extended overhangs, long decks, indoor outdoor living opportunities. The massing hugging the contours of the site also lend to a beautiful resolution of the design challenge we are faced with when a client contacts us to design and build a project.
Designing a building in the landscape requires a careful balance between integrating the building into the natural surroundings while taking advantage of the landscape’s features. Here are some tips to consider when designing a modern home in the landscape:
Site Analysis: Begin with a thorough analysis of the landscape, considering factors like topography, orientation, views, prevailing winds, and existing vegetation. Identify any unique features that you can highlight or incorporate into the design.
Sustainable Design: Aim for an eco-friendly and sustainable design that minimizes the environmental impact. Utilize passive design principles, such as optimizing natural light, site orientation and placement of spaces, ventilation, and thermal mass to reduce energy consumption. Strive for netzero by incorporating solar, natural cooling and heating, increase insulation.
Cedar soffited overhangs provide shade :
In the northern hemisphere, large overhangs facing south shade living areas from summer heat when the sun is high in the sky overhead. Operable skylights provide cooling opportunities.
Indoor-Outdoor Connection: Modern homes in the landscape should have a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. Large windows, sliding glass doors, and outdoor living areas can help to connect the interior with the surrounding nature.
Natural Materials: Incorporate natural and locally sourced materials to complement the landscape and create a sense of harmony. Materials like stone, wood, and glass work well in modern designs.
When lit at night, the accents of wood and black framed windows create a backdrop for family and friends to gather at this home. Roof deck above for outdoor living and views.
Minimalist Aesthetics: Embrace the clean lines and minimalist aesthetics often associated with modern architecture. Avoid clutter and unnecessary elements that could detract from the landscape’s beauty.
Roof Design: Consider a green roof or a roof terrace to blend the home into the natural surroundings further. Green roofs can help with insulation and stormwater management while providing additional green space.
Outdoor Landscaping: Use landscaping elements strategically to enhance the overall design. Native plants and low-maintenance landscaping will help the home blend in with the surroundings while attracting local wildlife.
Open Floor Plans: Opt for open floor plans to create a sense of spaciousness and facilitate the flow between indoor and outdoor areas. This openness can also maximize views of the surrounding landscape.
We incorporate large windows and glass walls throughout the homes to maximize natural light and provide unobstructed views of the landscape. These transparent elements will blur the boundaries between the interior and exterior spaces.
Sustainability Features: Incorporate sustainable features, such as rainwater harvesting, solar panels, and energy-efficient appliances, to reduce the home’s ecological footprint and make it more self-sufficient
Respect Nature: While designing, ensure that you respect the existing environment and avoid disrupting natural features. Work around mature trees and natural water bodies rather than removing or altering them.
Outdoor Entertainment Areas: If space permits, consider designing outdoor entertainment areas, like a pool, patio, or outdoor kitchen, which can be enjoyed while taking in the beautiful landscape.
Lighting Design: Plan for exterior lighting that highlights the architectural elements of the home while minimizing light pollution and respecting the natural darkness of the surroundings.
