Research Explores ADHD-Friendly Office Design Strategies
A new study reveals how specific workplace layout choices significantly influence focus for neurodivergent employees.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Autism
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Researchers from Corgan and the University of Arkansas have published a study on how office environments can be designed to better support adults with inattentive-type ADHD. The project aims to improve productivity by addressing the physical workplace factors that contribute to distraction.
Why it matters
With 15.5 million U.S. adults living with ADHD, the study highlights how environment-based workplace strategies can mitigate the 120 million workdays lost annually due to the condition. Addressing these design needs is crucial for supporting neurodivergent employees and reducing the estimated $122 billion in annual economic impact.
A study using EEG technology and self-reported feedback identified that 67 percent of participants felt greater insecurity when their backs faced office activity. This research addresses a neurodiverse population that accounts for 15 percent to 20 percent of the global population.
The players
Corgan
Corgan is an architecture and design firm that led this study on neurodivergent-friendly workspace environments.
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public research university that partnered on the investigation into ADHD and workplace design.
Environmental Design Research Association
The Environmental Design Research Association is an international organization that recognized this study with a Certificate of Research Excellence.
AIA Upjohn Research Initiative
The AIA Upjohn Research Initiative is a funding body that supports projects investigating architecture and design within the professional sphere.
The details
Researchers utilized EEG technology to monitor brain activity while participants experienced various office configurations. The findings, published in the research titled Focus by Design: What the ADHD brain teaches us about better workspaces for all, suggest that layout choices directly impact neurodivergent focus.
Timeline
The workplace research was published by Corgan and the University of Arkansas in October 2026.
The Big Picture
This study extends the body of work supported by the AIA Upjohn Research Initiative by providing specific architectural data for neurodivergent populations. It marks a shift toward evidence-based design intended to accommodate cognitive differences in the professional environment.
Employees with ADHD may find that small changes to their physical desk position can tangibly reduce daily distractions and feelings of insecurity. The findings encourage both workers and managers to prioritize seating layouts that allow for better visual control over a workspace.
The takeaway
Optimizing desk orientation to ensure one is not facing away from high-traffic areas can significantly reduce anxiety for those with inattentive-type ADHD. Implementing these simple physical adjustments may help neurodivergent workers maintain focus and improve their daily professional performance.
Further reading
For more information on supporting neurodivergent individuals in professional settings, see our Autism resources.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Architect’s Newspaper.
Live Poll
Do you believe your current workplace environment is designed to support your personal focus and productivity?
