An Eight Step Guide to Neuroinclusive Acoustic Design for the Workplace

Roughly one in five workers identifies as neurodivergent —a figure likely underreported, which is also expected to grow as Gen Z continues to enter the workforce. Yet acoustics still tops the list of daily pain points in the environment for both neurodivergent and neurotypical employees.

No two people experience an office in the same way. At TEECOM we believe evidence and data driven based acoustic design is foundational to equitable, high‑performing workplaces and memorable placemaking.

Return‑to‑office and hybrid policies have pushed inclusive design from a perk to a core business requirement. Employees are increasingly sensitive to their surroundings, with noise being a primary concern. Research shows that 68% of employees say they lack uninterrupted focus time, and each distraction can cost up to 23 minutes of productivity. Digital hacks like the Pomodoro Technique or adaptive management styles (i.e., Situational Leadership) can help improve focus and productivity. However, they remain agnostic to the physical space itself, which acts as a critical driver of psychological safety and performance.

Kay Sargent reminds us in her newly published book, Designing Neuroinclusive Workplaces, “When we design for the extreme, we benefit the mean.” Inspired by that ethos, we have created an eight‑step acoustic roadmap that embeds neuroinclusion and general inclusive design philosophies in project lifecycle from day one. The hope is that we can help guide teams from visioning through change management, so their workplaces evolve in sync with both human needs and business goals.

Eight Step Acoustic Framework for Neuroinclusive Design

We recommend tackling acoustic design starting at the information gathering and program development stage and then stepping through an iterative process that continues as the space evolves. Too often, we find teams, ourselves included, jumping straight to a partitioned layout without first considering modes of work, culture, and holistic design thinking.

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Steps and Key Acoustic Design Actions

1. Discover

• Benchmark existing conditions.
• Conduct site evaluation and due diligence.
• Facilitate questionnaires to understand sensitives, preferences, and perceived challenges in sound environment.
• Align goals with organization values, wellness, and project success metrics.

2. Identify

• Data driven analysis on discovery phase.
• Understand fundamental differences between existing and new.
• Identify noise sources within and outside span of control.
• Create a list of pain points, challenges, and design opportunities.
• Prioritize issues and risk based on user impact and frequency.
• Highlight space types for iterative holistic design.

3. Plan

• Design user journeys that empower individuals to select sensory environments that match their task, energy level, or sensory needs.
• Develop zoning and blocking plans for a wide range of work modes.
• Generate heat maps of activity and sensory stressors.
• Create buffer zones and transient areas to separate spaces and encourage movement.
• Make data driven decisions around adjacency, density, and flexibility.

4. Embed

• Develop clear guidelines for appropriate use of headphones, designated quiet areas, and respectful movement throughout the workspace.
• Design AV systems with assistive listening technologies and inclusive conferencing to support hybrid and in-person equity.
• Integrate booking systems for hoteling, quiet rooms, and sensory spaces.
• Consider optional visual cues (i.e., “busy lights”).
• Develop and roll out change management strategy.
• Develop and roll out neuroinclusion principles in employee training, onboarding, and the company handbook to promote awareness and adoption.

5. Tune

• Tailor design background noise levels to match space function, user expectations, and neurodivergent preferences.
• Reduce mechanical noise by thoughtfully locating equipment, incorporating vibration dampening methods, and carefully planning duct pathways.
• Introduce sound masking or nature-inspired audio elements in targeted areas to help minimize distractions and enhance the sense of speech privacy.

6. Soften

• Provide differentiated acoustic environments for each work mode (i.e. highly controlled in focus/conference areas, but livelier yet balanced in social spaces).
• Apply ceiling and wall finishes with appropriate NRC values (ranging from NRC 0.60 to NRC 0.95); prioritize consistency within each zone for a sense of familiarity across the workplace environment.
• Incorporate textured, tactile, and biophilic materials to support sensory regulation that are aligned with the sound environment.
• Address high-traffic and transient areas with transition zones that ease environmental condition shifts and control crosstalk between spaces.

7. Shield

• Install full-height, high-performance partitions in areas where confidentiality or focused work is business critical.
• For areas with partial-height elements for spatial separation, pair with an ambient noise control strategy and effective sound absorbing finishes.
• Maintain visual transparency with high performing glass front and glass fin systems where appropriate to foster a sense of inclusion and spatial clarity.

8. Evolve

• Solicit feedback and refine the acoustic and holistic design strategy.
• Support change management efforts and iterate thoughtfully to align with agreed-upon goals.
• After construction, conduct performance verification measurements. If opportunities for improvement are identified—whether due to value engineering, evolving needs, or acoustic compromises made during design—propose selective day two enhancements to further optimize the environment.

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Results From Implementing the Framework

Adopting our eight-step acoustic framework for neuroinclusive design raises workplace-satisfaction scores and objective performance metrics, while advancing LEED v5 sustainability and WELL v2 and well-being targets.

This framework promotes user agency through data-informed design and adaptive soundscapes. As workflows and generational expectations continue to shift, so too must the environments in which we work. Just as no two people experience a space in the same way, no two working environments should be identical. Human-centered, inclusive design keeps us ahead of the curve and benefits everyone, today and into the future.

TEECOM Can Help

TEECOM is a leader in providing innovative acoustics solutions across a wide variety of project types. With a strong focus on collaboration, TEECOM partners with stakeholders through all project phases to deliver high-quality, tailored acoustic designs that enhance user experience and functionality.

For more information on our services and how we can support your project, click here or contact Robby Deem (robby.deem@teecom.com; 708-808-2446).

About the Authors

Robby Deem is a Principal, Senior Consultant at TEECOM, responsible for leading the acoustics design team and overseeing multidisciplinary projects across a wide range of sectors, including higher education, arts & culture, workplace, healthcare, and science & technology. Robby brings an extensive background in architectural engineering, performance-based design, and delivering technical excellence. His approach prioritizes collaboration and effective communication, consistently integrating sustainability, health, and well-being features into every project.

Nick Pietrusinski is a Designer at TEECOM with specialized expertise in mechanical noise control and environmental noise modeling. Nick believes that sound shapes our perception of reality. Drawing on his background as a luthier, Nick integrates a profound understanding of sound and craftsmanship into his designs. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Acoustic Engineering from Penn State, demonstrating his commitment to the field and his desire to deepen his technical knowledge.