Since our founding, Engenium Group has been at the forefront of promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within the Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) engineering field. In 2023, several Engenium Group employees selected “Incorporating DEI into MEP Design” as the focal point for their Associate Program Project, which stemmed from the realization that while DEI discussions have permeated various industries, the emphasis primarily revolved around staffing and internal policies, and incorporation of DEI principals was lacking within the design industry. As such, the Engenium Group team sought to pioneer a new frontier by integrating DEI principles directly into architectural and MEP design, in hopes of influencing design decisions and fostering more inclusive spaces within the built environment.

The following article explores various design elements, each tailored to accommodate historically misrepresented or underrepresented groups.

Thermal Comfort

Recognizing the impact of temperature preferences based on gender and age, Engenium Group recommends three tiers of solutions, ranging from individual thermostats to comprehensive thermal control systems. The first of these involves installing a thermostat within each multi-occupied space, such as conference rooms or pantries, and in half of the individual spaces, such as private offices, to allow individuals to adjust based on space and personalized needs. The second tier increases individual thermal control via convenience receptacles at each workstation to power fans or heaters. The third and final tier is the most expensive, but also the one that allows the greatest degree of individual control; this would involve installing a thermostat in every occupied space and a terminal unit for every thermostat.

Indoor Air Quality

Engenium Group prioritizes air quality solutions considering diverse needs, including those sensitive to smells, neurodivergent individuals, and caregivers. Solutions range from advanced filtration systems to UV germicidal technology. The first tier of indoor quality control would entail the reduction of particles through effective filtration. The second tier would be to add ionization filters that inhibit viruses, bacteria, and mold, as well as dedicated fan coils for each space to isolate particular rooms and UV or UV-C disinfection.

Acoustics

Acknowledging the adverse effects of noise distractions on individuals with hearing loss and neurodivergent traits, Engenium Group’s Associates have several measures to suggest.

A starting point would include:

• Incorporating sound-absorbing materials into the furniture and carpet selections
• Reducing overall mechanical noise by providing less air velocity downstream
• Providing duct elbows to reduce turbulence and noise

The second tier is recommended for those with increased sensitivity to noise and involves:

• Providing duct lining to reduce ambient noise created by air
• Installing sound-absorbing ceiling baffles.

For environments that require an intense degree of noise reduction, the third tier engages with the counterintuitive process of sound masking. In areas with low background noise, even otherwise innocuous sounds such as footsteps can become glaring distractions. Sound masking systems use ambient noise to create a sense of sonic privacy. Engenium Group always recommends utilizing an Acoustician or Sound Consultant on design projects to help determine the best noise mitigation strategies.

Inclusive Restrooms

Designing for gender-neutral restrooms often promotes inclusivity, benefiting individuals with various health requirements, LGBTQ groups, caregivers, and those with special hygiene needs. Three tiers of design options offer increasing levels of privacy and accessibility.

1. The base level of these considerations would allow for the traditional sex-designated restrooms but would provide full-height stalls for greater privacy.
2. The second tier sees the addition of a gender-neutral restroom with ADA accessibility for those who are not comfortable with sex-designated restrooms or those with a higher privacy requirement.
3. The final tier, and the one present in Engenium Group’s own headquarters office, is to provide multiple individual gender-neutral restrooms, each with its own lavatory and water closet. This option offers the maximum amount of privacy, flexibility, and recognition of the needs of the aforementioned user groups.

Lighting Control

Lighting control can make an impact when paying attention to factors such as age-related vision challenges and the needs of individuals who communicate using sign language. Our base-level recommendation includes individual dimming controls in all individual occupant spaces, with task lights provided at each desk for personalized lighting level selections in open offices. To reduce eyestrain, blue light filters are cheap to install on PCs or can be integrated within monitors. The second tier of recommendations includes adding automatic blinds that lower when lighting is high enough to cause glare, and the third suggests utilizing color-changing fixtures to create a warmer or cooler space that mimics sunlight throughout the day.

Small Private Rooms

Engenium Group emphasizes the importance of providing private spaces to accommodate diverse needs like supporting personal calls, caregiver responsibilities, or sensory sensitivities. Design solutions range from partitioning strategies to acoustical considerations.

Basic suggestions for accommodating privacy within design include:

1. Ensuring full-height partitions are between spaces
2. Providing adequate lighting in wellness rooms so they can function as both a small private rooms for personal calls and as a wellness space.
3. Utilizing clear doors in phone rooms that allow one to see if said rooms are occupied.

Advanced solution recommendations would require one dedicated, small room with enclosed partitions that meet STC 35 ratings per every 25 full-time employees; from this room, loud speech could be audible, but not understood.

Our final tier proposes a small room for every 15 full-time employees with enclosed partitions that meet STC 40 ratings; from this room, loud speech could only be heard at a low, mumbling volume.

Wellness/Reflection Rooms

Engenium Group advocates for dedicated spaces catering to diverse wellness needs, such as meditation, nursing, and personal reflection. The proposed tiers of solutions prioritize privacy, comfort, and specific infrastructure requirements.

1. The first of these combines the wellness and mother’s (or nursing) room and includes, with dedicated temperature and lighting control, the four (4) necessities for a mother’s room: receptacles for pumping equipment, a refrigerator to store milk and other sensitive items, a microwave, and a sink with the proper depth to wash items.
2. The second tier adds an instant hot dispenser at the sink for better sanitation of natal care accessories, and it has more features associated with reflection rooms, such as better air quality, soundproofing, and expanding the area’s footprint to provide adequate space for two to three people.
3. The third tier shows recognition that mother’s rooms and reflection rooms are two different use types and so includes adequate infrastructure for both. In addition to the mother’s room, which would include all items from Tier 2, Tier 3 involves the creation of a separate reflection room with adequate space for 2 to 3 people, proper acoustical rating, air quality control, temperature control, natural lighting or color-adjustable and dimmable lighting, and a water feature to promote natural ambient noise.

Team Rooms

Recognizing the need for collaborative spaces that cater to diverse abilities and preferences team rooms should be equipped with proper acoustics, temperature control, and connectivity options. The tiers for team rooms center on providing a minimum number of these rooms that allow staff to exercise maximum flexibility, with the actual quantity dependent on the total number of employees. Ideally, an open office should provide one (1) team room for every ten (10) employees, each of which should include a proper acoustical rating for the walls to ensure isolation from outside noise, dedicated temperature control, dimmable lighting, and the necessary power and IT connections so the space can function as a workstation.

Additional Miscellaneous Architecture

Thinking beyond just the traditional MEP considerations, encompassing elements such as accessibility features, ergonomic particulars, and multi-language signage is important in creating an inclusive space. Additional items for consideration include:

• Ramps and elevators beyond what is required for egress or ADA compliance; using ramps and elevators rather than stairs would impact the categories of Age and Disability.
• Designing with accessible fixture and millwork heights in mind, such as designing pantry shelves that are accessible to people of all heights.
• Multi-language and/or graphic signage is important for the inclusivity of any office environment so that one’s language does not restrict one’s ability to interpret or understand posted signs.

Engenium Group’s proactive approach to integrating DEI principles into MEP and architectural design sets a precedent for the industry. By prioritizing inclusivity and accessibility, Engenium Group not only fosters more equitable environments but also demonstrates its commitment to creating spaces that cater to the diverse needs of all individuals. As consulting engineers and industry leaders, our initiatives pave the way for a more inclusive future in MEP design.