Design for the mind – Neurodiversity and the built environment – Guide

Design for the mind cover

This document, published by bsi, is a new standard written to give guidance on designing the built environment for our neurodiverse society.

It provides guidance on the design of the built environment to include the needs of people who experience sensory or neurological processing differences and covers buildings and external spaces for public and commercial use, and residential accommodation for independent or supported living.

It gives guidance on elements including:

  • lighting
  • acoustics
  • décor
  • flooring
  • layout
  • wayfinding
  • familiarity
  • clarity
  • thermal comfort
  • and odour

It also incorporates principles to ensure that people with or having a range of processing differences are able to access and enjoy their experience of the built environment.