Door hardware collection made of ECONYL® regenerated nylon to design neurodiverse environments.
pba celebrated Neurodiversity Week at Neurodiversity in Business (NiB) Conference in London - March, 16 - presenting findings from a recent study that highlights how sensory stimulation and elements in the built environment impact individuals and how to design accordingly to create neuro-inclusive environments. The presentation also highlighted how to design door hardware promotes inclusivity.
How can we accommodate neurodiverse people in the workplace?
All aspects of the space, such as color, lighting, materiality, texture, elements in the field of view and sensory stimuli need to be designed with purpose and intent. 
pba collaborated with RainlightSTUDIO and Kay Sargent to deepen our understanding of sensory stimulation in the built environment and how this can impact individuals occupying the space, specifically neurodiverse individuals. Our goal is to offer designers a complete range of door hardware, levers and pulls, giving them the option to choose color and texture to design the most inclusive space for all users.
“For pba, talking about inclusiveness today means continuing a conversation started many years ago. Inclusiveness is experienced as a goal and not as a mean; that is the reason why we choose not only the products we believe in, but also the path to share with the people we work with and the companies we create value with in Italy and in the world; a distinct path to walk to get where we choose to be. Inclusiveness is for everyone, it does not identify a specific skill, it does not seek solutions that flatten needs in a vision of "common necessity”, on the contrary it values the beauty, the variety and the uniqueness of people. Only universal values can lay the foundation of such an ambitious building: Inclusiveness, Beauty for all, Responsibility for the choices made on what, with whom and how, and Sustainability. Because we cannot avoid to be sustainable if we truly believe in the "for all” which is the reason why the TOCCO Collection combines everyone and everything.” said Erica Anesi, CEO pba.
TOCCO Collection will debut on May with a capsule hardware collection of levers and pulls that are sustainable, interchangeable and sensory sensitive.
“We need to create environments that have an ecosystem of options and choices so people who are neurodiverse can decide the right setting for them at any given time” said Kay Sargent, Neuro-inclusive Design Consultant.
pba with RainlightSTUDIO and Kay Sargent, has issued a Sensory Stimulation Survey to collect data and preferences according to different sensory inputs: https://pba.it/it/sensorystimulationsurvey. The purpose of the survey is to push forward the research on neurodiversity in the built environment.
Previous research show that when asked about the importance of different sensory inputs, people are more sensitive to visual and tactile stimuli (HOK, Tarkett and Genius Within Research). TOCCO Collection was designed specifically to offer designers the possibility to choose the color (visual) and the texture (tactile) of the handles (levers and pulls) to better address the preferences and needs of different users.
“To allow all employees to thrive, office designs need to remain fluid and adaptable. Employers can improve employee wellness and productivity by offering a wide range of choices, allowing people to continually select the best space for their individual needs.” said Kay Sargent.
Color has a significant impact on individuals in the built environment. Color has the power to energize, restore, stimulate, calm and even encourage creativity (Browning, 2014). In times of crisis and instability, such as a pandemic, there is an increased need for the comfort and visual nourishment. Natural tones evoke a connection with nature and order and can convey qualities of comfort, calmness, and grounding.
TOCCO Collection offers an infinite range of colors and two different handle grips - smooth and textured - to meet the tactile preference of all users.
“Design is an orchestration of all the senses to create a sense of belonging in the moment, and touch is our true connection with reality. The door handle represents the first touch a person experiences with a building, or a room. We look to a more human approach that defies expectation, evoking a welcome sense of wonder.” said Yorgo Lykouria, Creative Principal RainlightSTUDIO.
The TOCCO Collection grip is made of ECONYL®, a regenerated-nylon that can be recycled an indefinite number of times without affecting the quality of the material. The material introduces a warm, welcoming sensation that feels more secure. “We chose to partner with Econyl for the grip component to support the active removal of plastics from the ocean, giving waste materials a new life in a product designed to be recycled again after its life. Everything we do from now on must benefit the planet.” said Yorgo Lykouria.
ECONYL® is made by recycling discarded plastic collected from landfill sites and oceans across the whole planet. Through a process of de-molymerization, purification and then transformation into new polymers and then threads, this material can be recuperated and made into new nylon fabric. The choice of the ECONYL® for the TOCCO collection actively contributes to the reduction of the global warming up to 90% compared to the use of the virgin nylon.
“Think about sporting equipment, such as a tennis racket or a golf club. The ‘feel’ of the grip is an important element to ensure a secure grip, warmth and comfort to the user. Why should hardware be any different?” said Kay Sargent.
The future is circular: from waste, ECONYL® is infinitely recyclable and can unleash infinite possibilities. TOCCO Collection project represents a commitment to sustainability and truly responsible practices.
Committed to environmental preservation and inclusiveness, because sustainability can’t disregard the centrality of the individual, pba is investing in energy saving projects and is promoting sustainable and inclusive practices within the design industry: the TOCCO Collection is the most recent evidence of pba’s commitment to the company’s founding values.
“All we know about designing for inclusion should be applied to every element within the build environment…include the hardware. No detail is too small, as they all impact the experience we have and add to the overall solution.” said Kay Sargent.
Discover more
Press Release
Please contact marketing@pba.it for more information
pba celebrated Neurodiversity Week at Neurodiversity in Business (NiB) Conference in London - March, 16 - presenting findings from a recent study that highlights how sensory stimulation and elements in the built environment impact individuals and how to design accordingly to create neuro-inclusive environments. The presentation also highlighted how to design door hardware promotes inclusivity.
How can we accommodate neurodiverse people in the workplace?
All aspects of the space, such as color, lighting, materiality, texture, elements in the field of view and sensory stimuli need to be designed with purpose and intent.
pba collaborated with RainlightSTUDIO and Kay Sargent to deepen our understanding of sensory stimulation in the built environment and how this can impact individuals occupying the space, specifically neurodiverse individuals. Our goal is to offer designers a complete range of door hardware, levers and pulls, giving them the option to choose color and texture to design the most inclusive space for all users.
“For pba, talking about inclusiveness today means continuing a conversation started many years ago. Inclusiveness is experienced as a goal and not as a mean; that is the reason why we choose not only the products we believe in, but also the path to share with the people we work with and the companies we create value with in Italy and in the world; a distinct path to walk to get where we choose to be. Inclusiveness is for everyone, it does not identify a specific skill, it does not seek solutions that flatten needs in a vision of "common necessity”, on the contrary it values the beauty, the variety and the uniqueness of people. Only universal values can lay the foundation of such an ambitious building: Inclusiveness, Beauty for all, Responsibility for the choices made on what, with whom and how, and Sustainability. Because we cannot avoid to be sustainable if we truly believe in the "for all” which is the reason why the TOCCO Collection combines everyone and everything.” said Erica Anesi, CEO pba.
TOCCO Collection will debut on May with a capsule hardware collection of levers and pulls that are sustainable, interchangeable and sensory sensitive.
“We need to create environments that have an ecosystem of options and choices so people who are neurodiverse can decide the right setting for them at any given time” said Kay Sargent, Neuro-inclusive Design Consultant.
pba with RainlightSTUDIO and Kay Sargent, has issued a Sensory Stimulation Survey to collect data and preferences according to different sensory inputs: https://pba.it/it/sensorystimulationsurvey. The purpose of the survey is to push forward the research on neurodiversity in the built environment.
Previous research show that when asked about the importance of different sensory inputs, people are more sensitive to visual and tactile stimuli (HOK, Tarkett and Genius Within Research). TOCCO Collection was designed specifically to offer designers the possibility to choose the color (visual) and the texture (tactile) of the handles (levers and pulls) to better address the preferences and needs of different users.
“To allow all employees to thrive, office designs need to remain fluid and adaptable. Employers can improve employee wellness and productivity by offering a wide range of choices, allowing people to continually select the best space for their individual needs.” said Kay Sargent.
Color has a significant impact on individuals in the built environment. Color has the power to energize, restore, stimulate, calm and even encourage creativity (Browning, 2014). In times of crisis and instability, such as a pandemic, there is an increased need for the comfort and visual nourishment. Natural tones evoke a connection with nature and order and can convey qualities of comfort, calmness, and grounding.
TOCCO Collection offers an infinite range of colors and two different handle grips - smooth and textured - to meet the tactile preference of all users.
“Design is an orchestration of all the senses to create a sense of belonging in the moment, and touch is our true connection with reality. The door handle represents the first touch a person experiences with a building, or a room. We look to a more human approach that defies expectation, evoking a welcome sense of wonder.” said Yorgo Lykouria, Creative Principal RainlightSTUDIO.
The TOCCO Collection grip is made of ECONYL®, a regenerated-nylon that can be recycled an indefinite number of times without affecting the quality of the material. The material introduces a warm, welcoming sensation that feels more secure. “We chose to partner with Econyl for the grip component to support the active removal of plastics from the ocean, giving waste materials a new life in a product designed to be recycled again after its life. Everything we do from now on must benefit the planet.” said Yorgo Lykouria.
ECONYL® is made by recycling discarded plastic collected from landfill sites and oceans across the whole planet. Through a process of de-molymerization, purification and then transformation into new polymers and then threads, this material can be recuperated and made into new nylon fabric. The choice of the ECONYL® for the TOCCO collection actively contributes to the reduction of the global warming up to 90% compared to the use of the virgin nylon.
“Think about sporting equipment, such as a tennis racket or a golf club. The ‘feel’ of the grip is an important element to ensure a secure grip, warmth and comfort to the user. Why should hardware be any different?” said Kay Sargent.
The future is circular: from waste, ECONYL® is infinitely recyclable and can unleash infinite possibilities. TOCCO Collection project represents a commitment to sustainability and truly responsible practices.
Committed to environmental preservation and inclusiveness, because sustainability can’t disregard the centrality of the individual, pba is investing in energy saving projects and is promoting sustainable and inclusive practices within the design industry: the TOCCO Collection is the most recent evidence of pba’s commitment to the company’s founding values.
“All we know about designing for inclusion should be applied to every element within the build environment…include the hardware. No detail is too small, as they all impact the experience we have and add to the overall solution.” said Kay Sargent.
Discover more
Press Release
Please contact marketing@pba.it for more information
