How Gen Z Are Rethinking Sustainability & Neurodivergent Design in the Workplace : Mix 30 under 30 Series

The Mix 30 Under 30 miniseries kicks off on Space by Stansons as host Guy Stanley welcomes Eleanor Penny, Head of Workplace at Layrd and Sarah Astill, Interior Designer at Jolie Studio. Tune in for an inspiring masterclass in going against the tide and asking the tough questions. What You’ll LearnHow to design for neurodiversity without creating sterile, overstimulating spacesWhy sensory design goes beyond aesthetics to influence behaviour and emotional well-beingHow to leverage colour psychology, fragrance, sound, and texture to create spaces where people want to workThe business case for designing soft, collaborative meeting spaces over cold boardroomsHow design impacts psychological safety in the workplace How to break through gatekeeping in male-dominated construction and property sectors as a young woman designerWhy portfolio presentation and personality matter as much as technical skills when hiring emerging talentThe emerging 2026 design trends shaping workplace cultureEleanor is Head of Workspace Design at Layrd, recognised as a rising star in design for her innovative approach to creating inclusive, neurodiversity-conscious workspaces. With a background in interior design, Eleanor was inspired to pursue autism assessment after exploring how neurodiversity influences spatial design, a discovery that fundamentally shaped her professional philosophy. Her work emphasises designing spaces that consider sensory experiences for all users, moving beyond one-size-fits-all approaches. Featured in Mix’s 30 under 30, 2025, Eleanor champions the integration of warmth, texture, and accessibility into workplace environments while leading a talented design team across the UK.Sarah Astill is an Interior Designer at Jolie Studio, a Manchester-based studio specialising in sensory-driven design experiences. With an architectural background and a dissertation focused on colour theory's psychological impact, Sarah brings technical rigour and creative vision to every project. Recognised on Mix’s 30 under 30, 2025 list, her expertise spans colour psychology, fragrance integration, and multi-sensory design strategies that enhance how people feel and function in spaces. Sarah's commitment to sustainable material innovation and holistic design approaches—from hotel concepts to collaborative workspaces, reflects a new generation of designers prioritising human wellbeing alongside environmental responsibility.If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe, rate, and review it on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Instructions on how to do this are here: https://www.fame.so/follow-rate-review Episode Highlights00:00 Intro: Mix 30 Under 30 Rising Stars in Workplace Design00:03 Meet Eleanor & Sarah: Layered and Jolie Interior Design00:07 How Team Excellence Drives Industry Impact00:12 Sustainability as a Holistic Design Philosophy00:13 Sensory Design: Layering Colour, Scent, Sound and Texture for Impact00:16 Why Neurodiversity-Informed Design Benefits All Users00:20 Inclusive Design Doesn’t Have to Be Bland00:24 Young Women in Male-Dominated Construction and Property00:28 Why Gen Z Learns Faster Than Previous Generations00:31 Getting Your Foot in the Door: Portfolio Strategy and Culture Fit00:35 Why Physical Portfolios Cut Through Digital Noise00:36 Your Personality Won't Appeal to Everyone (And That's Good)00:38 Book Recommendations: The Colour Bible, Sense Hacking, Designing Inclusively00:40 2026 Design Predictions: Warm Burgundy, Soft Meeting Spaces, Kitchen Islands00:43 The Death of Cold Office Aesthetics00:45 Rich Yellows, Browns, and Warm Tones: The Future of Workplace Colour00:45 Reimagining Break Room Culture00:48 Key Takeaways: Inclusive, Sensory-Rich Design Is the Future of WorkEpisode Resources:Eleanor Penny on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanor-penny-096058157/ Sarah Astill on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-astill/ Layrd Website: https://www.layrddesign.co.uk/ Jolie Studio Website: https://wearejolie.com/ Guy Stanley on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/guystanley Learn more about Stansons Group Ltd. here: https://stansons.co.uk 💬 Comment below your favourite part!