November 4, 2022
Outside the Lines, by Bryony Roberts Studio
Let’s talking about designing for neurodiversity.
At least one thing is going right in the world: we are designing with a lot more empathy.
A clear product of this is a growing emphasis on designing for neurodivergent people, a term used to describe developmental disorders like Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, and Dyslexia. Despite the fact that at least 1 in 8 people are neurodiverse (according to WHO), few public spaces are shaped to account for the different ways people think, communicate, or interact with the built environment.
Entrepreneurs are taking action. Bryony Roberts has launched “Neurodiverse City,” a project to create a set of public space design guidelines for neurodiverse people. Difference Partners recently launched with the mission to “invest in companies that are improving the lives of those who learn and think differently.”
It makes you wonder if 20 or 50 years from now, we’ll look back and sigh at how mean are streets really were.
Have you noticed this trajectory? Feel free to hit respond, would love to hear your thoughts!
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MUST-READS
Place Branding: Reviving Cities through Brand Strategy // ArchDaily
Build Housing Everywhere, New York // NY Daily News
Clinging to Familiarity in the Metaverse: Are We More Likely to Accept Architecture When it Looks Familiar? // ArchDaily
inCitu uses Augmented Reality to bring the built environment to life in California // KTLA
Why Cities Want Old Buildings Taken Down Gently // Wired
Meet the architect designing for neurodiversity // FastCompany
Is the Future of Furniture Flat-packed? // Metropolis
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IDEA SPOTLIGHT
BILT
Bilt is the first credit card (ever) that allows renters to pay their monthly dues—and gain rewards points at the same time. If you think this sounds like a great idea, you’re not the only one. Bilt just raised $150M at a $1.5B valuation, from firms like Fifth Wall, Greystar, Invitation Homes, and Camber Creek among others.
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