Voor wie ontwerpt Studio Sensus?
Ik richt me op mensen met gevoelige breinen. Snelle denkers, diepe voelers. Mensen die begrijpen dat hun omgeving op meerdere lagen invloed heeft op hoe zij zich voelen. Die beseffen dat aspecten als kleur, lichtinval, materialen, de indeling van een ruimte, de aanwezigheid van natuur, geuren en geluiden effect hebben op hoe ontspannen, prettig en veilig jij je voelt in die ruimte.
Dat bereik ik door niet de 'looks' centraal te stellen, maar te kijken naar de manier waarop jij prikkels verwerkt, naar wat jouw lichaam ergonomisch nodig heeft en hoe jouw brein is bedraad. En hoe dat gaat bij jouw gezinsleden. Zo ontdekken we samen hoe we een omgeving kunnen creëren die jullie breinen het sein 'veilig' geeft.
Wired differently
As a neurodivergent family, I know it's sometimes necessary to look beyond the standard narrative. Tips that work for most people often don't help you at all. And while many can easily live with a sofa with scratchy fabric, a seat with your back to the door, or a flickering light, you'd go completely crazy.
Or perhaps you're sensitive to a completely different kind of stimuli: beauty, aesthetics, composition, and balance. Do you need beautiful things to look at? Do you (like me) find joy in colors, contrasts, art, and design?
I offer interior design advice to people like you because I want to give more meaning to my work as an interior designer. And because I'm wired differently myself, just like my family. In my opinion, consciously designing your living spaces is a crucial step toward greater well-being and happiness.
That's why I specialized in sensory processing with a postgraduate degree, read stacks of books, and took masterclasses on neurodesign. I delved into the workings of the brain, (neuro)diversity, and the different needs that arise from the way your body, senses, and brain function. My background in accessibility also helps me to take a broad perspective.
HSP, stimuli, sensory information processing, overstimulation, NAH...
Stimulus-sensitive brain
Perhaps you're a highly sensitive person (HSP) or easily affected by stimuli and overstimulation. This can be due to sensory input, but your own emotions and thoughts can also be strong triggers. Whatever stimuli you experience, it's important to consider the effect your interior has on your brain. We don't always strive for minimal stimulation; it's about discovering which stimuli you need and which you don't. I learned all about this during my Sensory Information Processing training.
Our process always begins with an assessment of your stimulus profile and thresholds. I want to know exactly which stimuli you seek and which you want to avoid. What calms you and what bothers you.
ADHD, dyslexia, autism, gifted...
Neurodivergent
Many people with neurodivergent brains experience the world differently or more intensely. Sensory sensations are more pronounced, or they are difficult to perceive. You may need a lot of control over your environment, or you may need smart solutions that help you maintain an overview.
During an interior design consultation, we'll work together to determine your needs for your wiring. Of course, I'm not a psychologist, but I do know what it's like when your brain works a little differently. I experience this daily with my own neurodivergent children. That's why I believe it's important to listen carefully to your experiences and needs, and together we'll discover how we can translate them into an interior that works for you.
PTSD, trauma, school trauma, anxiety
Safety
When designing a space, you can't ignore the concept of mental safety. On a subconscious level, a space can evoke a sense of safety or insecurity, though this will be more pronounced for some than others. If you're dealing with trauma or PTSD, you may be more sensitive to this. Certain materials, items, or locations in a home can be triggers and evoke feelings of insecurity. Or, conversely, the environment outside the home.
Perhaps you've developed a sense of what you like and don't like in your surroundings with the help of a therapist. I'll take this into account during interior design consultations and work with you to create a safe space for you. I also incorporate insights from evolutionary psychology, biophilic design, and the prospect-refuge theory.
Physical disability, sensory disability, motor skills
Ergonomics, physical safety and comfort
Sometimes it's necessary to pay extra attention to the physical environment: a place to sit comfortably, ergonomic furniture, a physically safe space for your child with a disability. Perhaps you have difficulty moving and need plenty of space and support. Perhaps the walkways need to be very wide, or there shouldn't be any sharp corners in the room. It's also possible that you have hearing or vision problems, which means you have different requirements for the space.
During an interior design project, we'll work together to determine what's needed to truly create a comfortable living space. I don't know everything, of course, but I have a large network in the world of accessibility, and I'm a quick learner. What I do know is that it all starts with listening carefully. Listening to what you need and how you experience the space.
