Designing for extremes for the benefit of the mean, creates a solution that’s good for us all. So believes David O’Coimin, founder of Nookpods. We could argue that we are all on some kind of “spectrum”. Da Vinci was dyslexic and Alan Turing had Aspergers, so extremes also make for genius, right? I like to think so, being left handed and all.

This is the second time I’ve interviewed David, and I think I could speak with him for hours! He is so passionate about making a positive impact on our lives at work, in healthcare, at home that it has driven him to create his Nookpods, little moveable ‘houses’, each with attenuated roof, which creates a sound pressure difference between the outside and the inside, which has a positive effect on your ears and so your brain. Listen to him describe the effect, it’s really powerful.

69-90% of our time at work is focussed on what we call, “deep work”, as little as 40-10% on collaborative activities. Of course depends on your job, but that’s some averages that are worth considering. Having 15 minutes to recharge is really important. Somewhere which gives you acoustic relief as well as some “you” time is important, somewhere you don’t have to be “on” or be in the spotlight or be judged. I love the hyper agility of the Nookpods, which gives you the ability to do just that. Wheel them where you want to, and even chose a view that works best for you.

Personalising your workspace is really important, and this is not the first time, nor will it be the last, that we’ve discussed how human-centric design is paramount to creating better places for us to work in. As you know here at the JBD, we are also creators of biophilic imagery, that’s considered nature prints to you and me, and we’ve teamed up with Nookpods and printed beautiful wallpapers that can be fitted to the inside of the Nooks to provide space and depth and a different element of brain time outs. Changing the images to fit the space and the use of the Nooks too. Bluebells in a glen creating an almost conspiratorial hub, water for freshness, coolness and focus or a clearing in a forest has an immersive effect. One side of the Nookpod is open and the other is a beautiful Biophilic image to the side. Combine this also with adjustable lighting and even sound and you can effect the total environment, allowing the brain to process information, and also allow the superpowers of neurodiversity to shine.

To find out more about Nookpods visit their website or contact us here at the JBD. We are offering a 10% discount to our readers and podcast followers.

Credits: with thanks to George Harvey Audio Production for the calming biophilic soundscape that backs all our podcasts. 

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