Gallery
foto: Michał
Experiment overview
A sensory-driven lecture format designed to support neurodivergent ways of processing information by transforming a conventional presentation into a calming, immersive experience.
Instead of competing for attention through overstimulation, the project intentionally slowed the pace and activated multiple senses: scent, sound, spatial perception and light, creating an environment where participants could remain present, regulated and deeply receptive.
This format was introduced during the most challenging moment of the conference schedule, the final session of the day, and successfully reframed fatigue as an opportunity for restoration and heightened focus.
Main objectives
The project redefined the lecture experience through:
☀︎ Multisensory engagement, expanding beyond visual and auditory channels by integrating aromatherapy, ambient sound and controlled lighting to support diverse cognitive processing styles.
☀︎ Regenerative environment design creating a calming atmosphere that countered typical conference exhaustion and prevented sensory overload.
☀︎ Spatial intimacy, replacing the traditional stage-audience division with circular seating and shared spatial presence, fostering collective experience rather than hierarchical knowledge transfer.
Key outcomes
The lecture was remembered as one of the most distinctive moments of the event, not because it was louder or more dynamic, but because it was gentler.
Lavender aromatherapy actively supported relaxation and emotional regulation, allowing participants to absorb content more intuitively.
The transition from stage to shared seating dissolved the formal power structure and transformed the lecture into an intimate narrative experience.
Carefully designed transitions including temporary darkness, gradual reintroduction of light and soundscapes created a sensory journey that aligned with the regenerative narrative being presented.
Main reflection
This project demonstrated that impactful learning does not require constant stimulation — especially for neurodivergent audiences.
By reducing sensory aggression and replacing it with intentional calm, the lecture created space for deeper listening, emotional safety and authentic participation.
Most importantly, it reframed accessibility not as a compromise, but as a powerful design strategy proving that environments built for neurodivergent needs often result in richer and more meaningful experiences for everyone.