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In 2025, about 1 in 31 children in the USA was identified with autism spectrum disorder. Throughout their lives, these children and the larger neurodiverse population will be impacted by the spaces we design today. As architects and designers, we need to continuously develop and improve our strategies for neuroinclusive design, informed by the lived experience of autistic people and emerging research. At METROPOLIS’s Neuroinclusive Design Summit this year, you are invited to join a select group of design professionals and researchers actively engaged with this frontier of design leadership. Over the course of a day, we will unpack new research, examine product offerings, and discuss real-world tactics for designing spaces where autistic people can thrive.
Where
Fulginiti Pavilion for Bioethics and Humanities, University of Colorado Anschutz Denver, Colorado
Run of Show
8:00 AM
Arrival + Breakfast
8:30 AM
Welcome Remarks
Avi Rajagopal, Editor in Chief, METROPOLIS Don Ruggles, Founding Principal, Ruggles Mabe Studio Architecture + Interiors Matthew Wynia, Director, Center for Bioethics and Humanities, University of Colorado Anschutz
9:00 AM
Keynotes: Brains, Spaces, and Autism
Upali Nanda, Partner and Executive Vice President, HKS Kay Sargent, Senior Principal and Director of Thought Leadership, Interiors, HOK Magda Mostafa, Principal and Cofounder, Studio TM; Professor and Associate Chair, Architecture, The American University in Cairo
9:55 AM
Interactive Session: How Are We Designing for Autism Today?
Facilitated by Avi Rajagopal and AJ Paron
10:40 AM
Break and Product Exploration
Sponsors
FAQ
Neuroinclusive
design summit
Register for free
Let's Build a New Approach
When
Thursday, August 6, 2026
August 6, 2026 | Denver, Colorado
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Is there a cost to attend?
Who should attend?
Is the event open to the public?
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Runnoff to footer
to Designing for Autism
11:20 AM
The Autistic Perspective: Part 2
Jaxson Stone, Associate Editor and Researcher, METROPOLIS
11:30 AM
Deep Dives: Designing for Neuroinclusion in Practice
Jennifer Carpenter, Founding Principal, Verona Carpenter Architects Perkins&Will
12:10 PM
Lunch and Product Exploration
1:10 PM
The Autistic Perspective: Part 2
Speaker to be announced
1:20 PM
Presentation: A New Approach to Designing for Autism
AJ Paron, EVP and Design Futurist, SANDOW
Angelita Scott, CEO, Principal Designer and Strategist, Culturwell
The current model is outdated. Designing for “high vs. low sensitivity” is too simplistic for the realities of autism and neurodiversity.
We are missing those on the edges. Those who cannot easily communicate their needs are often excluded from the design process.
Science is evolving and design must follow. Advances in brain health, developmental patterns, technology advancements and sensory processing demand a more rigorous framework.
This is the next frontier of design leadership. Firms and organizations that apply this thinking will define the future of inclusive, high-performance environments.
Why This Summit Matters
Gain a new framework for designing beyond the traditional “spectrum” model
Learn directly from leading researchers, practitioners, and designers
Explore real-world applications across workplace, healthcare, and education
Participate in interactive sessions to apply new thinking in practice
Connect with a curated group of industry leaders shaping what’s next
Why Attend
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What can I expect from the experience?
Who should I contact with questions?
Will there be opportunities to engage with speakers and attendees?
Are meals included?
Where can I stay?
Where is the Summit held?
Is parking available?
Who should I contact with questions?
Is parking available?
Where is the Summit held?
Where can I stay?
Are meals included?
Will there be opportunities to engage with speakers and attendees?
What can I expect from the experience?
Who should attend?
Is there a cost to attend?
How do I register?
Is the event open to the public?
No. The Neuroinclusive Design Summit is a private, limited-invitation event. Attendance is curated to ensure a high level of conversation and collaboration among participants.
Who should I contact with questions?
Is parking available?
Where is the Summit held?
Where can I stay?
Are meals included?
Will there be opportunities to engage with speakers and attendees?
What can I expect from the experience?
Who should attend?
Is there a cost to attend?
How do I register?
Is the event open to the public?
Registration is available by invitation only. If you have received an invitation, you may reserve your ticket through this page. If you’re interested in attending but were not invited, please reach out to our team to inquire about availability.
Who should I contact with questions?
Is parking available?
Where is the Summit held?
Where can I stay?
Are meals included?
Will there be opportunities to engage with speakers and attendees?
What can I expect from the experience?
Who should attend?
Is there a cost to attend?
How do I register?
Is the event open to the public?
Who should I contact with questions?
Is parking available?
Where is the Summit held?
Where can I stay?
Are meals included?
Will there be opportunities to engage with speakers and attendees?
What can I expect from the experience?
Who should attend?
Is there a cost to attend?
How do I register?
Is the event open to the public?
Who should I contact with questions?
Is parking available?
Where is the Summit held?
Where can I stay?
Are meals included?
Will there be opportunities to engage with speakers and attendees?
What can I expect from the experience?
Who should attend?
Is there a cost to attend?
How do I register?
Is the event open to the public?
Who should I contact with questions?
Is parking available?
Where is the Summit held?
Where can I stay?
Are meals included?
Will there be opportunities to engage with speakers and attendees?
What can I expect from the experience?
Who should attend?
Is there a cost to attend?
How do I register?
Is the event open to the public?
Who should I contact with questions?
Is parking available?
Where is the Summit held?
Where can I stay?
Are meals included?
Will there be opportunities to engage with speakers and attendees?
What can I expect from the experience?
Who should attend?
Is there a cost to attend?
How do I register?
Is the event open to the public?
Who should I contact with questions?
Is parking available?
Where is the Summit held?
Where can I stay?
Are meals included?
Will there be opportunities to engage with speakers and attendees?
What can I expect from the experience?
Who should attend?
Is there a cost to attend?
How do I register?
Is the event open to the public?
Who should I contact with questions?
Is parking available?
Where is the Summit held?
Where can I stay?
Are meals included?
Will there be opportunities to engage with speakers and attendees?
What can I expect from the experience?
Who should attend?
Is there a cost to attend?
How do I register?
Is the event open to the public?
Who should I contact with questions?
Is parking available?
Where is the Summit held?
Where can I stay?
Are meals included?
Will there be opportunities to engage with speakers and attendees?
What can I expect from the experience?
Who should attend?
Is there a cost to attend?
How do I register?
Is the event open to the public?
Who should I contact with questions?
Is parking available?
Where is the Summit held?
Where can I stay?
Are meals included?
Will there be opportunities to engage with speakers and attendees?
What can I expect from the experience?
Who should attend?
Is there a cost to attend?
How do I register?
Is the event open to the public?
Registration is available by invitation only. If you have received an invitation, you may reserve your ticket through this page. If you’re interested in attending but were not invited, please reach out to our team to inquire about availability.
This is not a traditional conference. The day is designed to be:
Highly interactive
Rooted in emerging science and research
Focused on real-world application
Built for meaningful peer exchange
Yes. The format includes interactive sessions, workshops, and dedicated networking moments to encourage open dialogue and collaboration.
Yes. Breakfast, lunch, and light refreshments will be provided throughout the day.
If you are traveling from outside of Denver, there are many hotel options available. The Benson Hotel & Faculty Club is a five-minute walk from the venue, and there are also many hotel options in downtown Denver. Please note that accommodations are not included with Summit registration.
The Summit will be held at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus at the Fulginiti Pavilion.
For any questions regarding registration, attendance, or logistics, please contact: Kelly Allen, Programs Director, kallen@sandowdesign.com
Yes. On the CU Anschutz campus, daily cash customer parking is available for visitors. Parking is located in lots marked “Patient and Visitor Parking” and at parking meters.
Premier:
Presenting:
This summit is designed for leaders across:
Architecture & Interior Design
Workplace, Healthcare, and Education sectors
Product manufacturing and development
Research, strategy, and innovation roles
REWS, Workplace Strategy, Design & Construction roles
Attendees are those interested in shaping the future of neuroinclusive and human-centered design.
Supporting:
The METROPOLIS Neuroinclusive Design Summit is presented in partnership with the CU Anschutz Center for Bioethics and Humanities.
Located on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, the Center serves the CU system and the state of Colorado by fostering interdisciplinary dialogue around bioethics, health, health care, and the human experience. Its work is grounded in four core areas: Arts & Humanities, Clinical Ethics, Education, and Research.
The DESIGN/HEALth Initiative at the University of Colorado seeks to improve design at every scale—from the home to the biome—to enhance the health and well-being of people and the planet. To achieve this, we bring together professionals from design and health disciplines, including healthcare providers, architects, planners, designers, educators, and community leaders. Together, they address the environmental determinants of health through projects that explore the relationship between place and well-being, support vulnerable populations, strengthen communities, connect people with nature, advance environmental justice, and improve the quality of our built and natural environments.
8:45 AM
The Autistic Perspective: Part 1
Devin Wildes
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8:40 AM
Introduction to the Day Ahead
AJ Paron, EVP and Design Futurist, SANDOW
1:35 PM
Interactive Session: Discussing the New Framework
Facilitated by Avi Rajagopal and AJ Paron
2:40 PM
Panel Discussion: The Reality of Sensory Spaces
Magda Mostafa, Principal and Cofounder, Studio TM Amanda Perches, Occupational Therapist, mOTivate Hannah Silver, Inclusive Design Facilitator, Holst
3:40 PM
Artist Talk
Eliza Redmann
3:50 PM
Closing Remarks and Giveaways
