A Neurodivergent Architect’s Journey: Rethinking Housing Performance in the UK

A Neurodivergent Architect’s Journey: Rethinking Housing Performance in the UK

Ayse Humeyra Bas  (She/her, known as Meyra) is a PhD candidate at the University of Sheffield’s School of Architecture and Landscape

Introduction

Life often takes unexpected turns. When I started my PhD on modular housing, I had no idea it would lead me to explore neurodiversity.

Initially, my focus was on modular housing and building performance, and I made significant progress. However, the COVID-19 pandemic changed both my personal life and research trajectory. During this time, I was diagnosed as dyspraxic and autistic, became more aware of my neurodivergent nature, and had to shift my research focus after the modular housing company I was collaborating with went bankrupt.

In this post, I’ll share my PhD journey, how my understanding of neurodiversity evolved, and why I’m now committed to studying the relationship between housing design and neurodivergent experiences.

Understanding Neurodiversity and Its Impact on Housing

Before sharing my experiences, here are some key terms:

• Neurodiversity refers to the natural differences in how people think, process information, and interact with the world. It recognizes that there is no single “normal” way for the brain to function (Singer, 1998; Armstrong, 2011).

• Neurodivergent describes individuals whose cognitive processes differ from societal norms. This includes people with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, Tourette’s syndrome, and other neurological conditions (Walker, 2021).

• Neurotypical refers to individuals whose brain function aligns with conventional expectations and who do not exhibit neurodivergent traits (Silberman, 2015).

Neurodiversity challenges the traditional medical model, which often frames neurodivergence as a disorder. Instead, it aligns with the social model of disability, emphasizing inclusion, accessibility, and the importance of designing environments that accommodate diverse ways of thinking and experiencing the world (Oliver, 1990).

With this understanding, I reflect on my own neurodivergence and its connection to housing design

From Personal Awareness to Research Transformation

For years, I believed I was simply a ‘night owl.’ As a child, I resisted early bedtimes, and as I got older, I naturally gravitated towards studying at night. At the time, I thought this was just a personal preference. Only later did I realise that I worked best in low-light, quiet environments with minimal sensory input. Research on sensory processing differences in autistic individuals confirms that environmental factors such as lighting, noise, and spatial organisation significantly impact focus and well-being (Bogdashina, 2016; Dunn, 2001).

The Impact of My Living Environment

At the start of the pandemic, I was living in a student hall with poor ventilation. Cooking smells from my flatmates would drift into my ensuite bathroom, and my small, dimly lit room felt increasingly claustrophobic. Moving to a studio flat with natural light and its own kitchen was a major improvement—once the excessively noisy fridge was replaced.

However, as lockdowns confined me to a single space for working, eating, and sleeping, the impact on my well-being became overwhelming. Thin walls amplified every sound, and the poorly designed kitchen made cooking unnecessarily frustrating. Struggling to adjust to digital work environments only added to the challenge, making my PhD feel impossible to complete. Research has shown that inadequate housing conditions, including noise pollution and poor spatial design, can negatively affect mental health, particularly for neurodivergent individuals who experience heightened sensory sensitivities (Hollander, 2020; Ginsburg & Rapp, 2013).

Autism Diagnosis and Sensory Awareness

Seeking support from my university led to my autism diagnosis. This helped me better understand my sensory sensitivities and find ways to manage them—such as using noise-cancelling headphones and an eye mask.

Yet, personal adjustments had their limits. I couldn’t change the structure, insulation, or lighting of my home. Finding suitable accommodation remained a challenge. One house had floral-patterned wallpaper covering every surface, making visual relaxation impossible. Another, though modern and minimalist, had recessed white lighting that I couldn’t modify.

I now live in a house with a garden, which is an improvement but still not fully aligned with my sensory needs. Through this process, I started thinking more critically about the relationship between housing design, performance, and sensory well-being. Literature supports this, highlighting that the built environment significantly influences the autonomy and comfort of neurodivergent individuals (Murray, 2018).

A Shift in Research Focus

Just as I was adapting to these challenges, my research took an unexpected turn. The modular housing company I had been working with went bankrupt, forcing me to rethink my focus. Drawing from my lived experience, I decided to explore the intersection of housing performance and neurodiversity—an area that remains largely overlooked in mainstream architectural discourse (Baron-Cohen et al., 2009).

Housing Performance and Neurodiversity

Neurodiversity encompasses natural variations in cognitive functioning and sensory processing. While everyone has unique sensory preferences, these differences are often more pronounced in neurodivergent individuals. Some thrive in high-stimulation environments, while others need minimal sensory input. Despite this, housing design largely follows a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, overlooking these variations (Ahrentzen & Steele, 2009).

Exposure to environments misaligned with sensory needs can cause sensory overload, leading to anxiety, distress, or exhaustion. Poorly designed housing can significantly impact daily life and mental well-being (Davidson & Henderson, 2010).

Common Issues in Housing Design

Some of the most common environmental barriers for neurodivergent individuals include:

• Acoustics: Poor sound insulation allows external noise to disrupt concentration and sleep (Friedman, 2016).

• Lighting: Harsh artificial lighting, excessive patterns, and inadequate blackout options create visual discomfort (Mostafa, 2008).

• Air Quality and Odours: Poor ventilation and inefficient kitchens can be particularly challenging for those with heightened sensory sensitivity (Harris, 2015).

These factors can make living spaces overwhelming, but with thoughtful design, housing can support neurodivergent individuals in leading healthier, more independent lives.

Raising Awareness for Change

Approximately one in seven people in the UK is neurodivergent (Brugha et al., 2011). While workplaces are gradually becoming more inclusive due to policies like the Equality Act 2010, the housing sector has yet to catch up.

Raising awareness requires two key shifts:

• Individual self-awareness – Recognising one’s own sensory preferences and environmental needs.

• Industry-wide awareness – Encouraging professionals to integrate neurodiverse needs into design practices.

To create genuinely inclusive housing, accessibility considerations should not be an afterthought. While individuals can make small adjustments, fundamental elements like insulation, lighting, and spatial layout must be designed with sensory well-being in mind.

Key Areas for Improvement

• Smart lighting that allows users to adjust brightness and colour temperature.

• Enhanced acoustic insulation to reduce noise disturbances.

• User-centred design feedback that prioritises lived experience over assumptions.

Encouragingly, neurodiversity is gaining recognition in architectural discourse, shifting from a medical model (which pathologises neurodivergence) to a social model (which acknowledges environmental barriers) (Oliver, 1990). Though research in this area is still emerging, release of “PAS_6463 Design for the mind - Neurodiversity and built environment” and the initiatives like Neurodiversity Architecture Network (NAN) Neurodiverse Connection represent promising steps forward.

I urge academics and industry professionals to integrate neurodiversity into their work, collaborate with neurodivergent communities, and drive meaningful change in housing design.

Reflections on the HSA Conference and Acknowledgements

I am deeply grateful to the HSA and its team for their invaluable support, including a conference bursary that enabled me to present my research. The insightful discussions and feedback I received have further strengthened my commitment to this work.

One particularly inspiring case study highlighted the transformative impact of neurodiversity-conscious housing design: a young autistic woman experienced a remarkable improvement in confidence and well-being after moving into an adapted home. This reinforced why this research matters—thoughtful design has the power to change lives.

Bibliography

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Armstrong, T. (2011). The Power of Neurodiversity: Unleashing the Advantages of Your Differently Wired Brain. Da Capo Press.

Baron-Cohen, S., Scott, F. J., Allison, C., Williams, J., Bolton, P., Matthews, F. E., & Brayne, C. (2009). Prevalence of autism-spectrum conditions: UK school-based population study. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 194(6), 500-509.

Bogdashina, O. (2016). Sensory Perceptual Issues in Autism and Asperger Syndrome. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Brand, A. (2010). Living in the community: Housing design for adults with autism [PDF]. Retrieved from https://rca-media2.rca.ac.uk/documents/117.Living_in_the_Community2010.pdf

Brugha, T. S., et al. (2011). Epidemiology of autism spectrum disorders in adults in the community in England. Archives of General Psychiatry, 68(5), 459-465.

Davidson, J., & Henderson, V. L. (2010). 'Travel in parallel with us': Autism and social movements. Disability & Society, 25(5), 547-559.

Dunn, W. (2001). The Sensory Profile: A Tool for Understanding Sensory Processing. Psychological Corporation.

Friedman, C. (2016). The impact of the built environment on people with disabilities: A review of the literature. Journal of Disability Policy Studies, 27(2), 108-118.

Oliver, M. (1990). The Politics of Disablement. Macmillan.

PAS_6463 Design for the mind - Neurodiversity and built environment." (2022). Retrieved from [https://www.bsigroup.com/en-GB/standards/pas-6463/]

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Singer, J. (1998). Odd People In: The Birth of Community Amongst People on the "Autistic Spectrum". University of Technology Sydney.

Walker, N. (2021). Neuroqueer Heresies: Notes on the Neurodiversity Paradigm, Autistic Empowerment, and Postnormal Possibilities. Autonomous Press.