Verona Carpenter Architects researches, writes, and lectures widely on inclusive design, with particular expertise in neuroinclusion.
The Neurodiverse City
The Neurodiverse City is Verona Carpenter Architects' ongoing research and design initiative in partnership with the Design Trust for Public Space and WIP Collaborative. VCA and WIP jointly won the Design Trust's 2021 Restorative City RFP with our proposal to create neuroinclusive public spaces in partnership with self advocates and community groups. VCA's research will be published by the Design Trust in 2026.
Take our Playground Survey designed for families and caregivers to help make playgrounds work better for all children, including children with special education services (IEP), medical accommodations (Section 504 Plan), disability services at school or home, or who identify as neurodivergent.
Publications
Lectures
The Essential Guide to Co-Design (Coming Soon 2026)
by Irina Schneid
Chapter case study on “The Neurodiverse City” with the WIP Collaborative
Inclusive Design for Structural Engineers (2024)
by C Refoy et al
Chapter 2 “Designing for Neuroinclusion” by Jennifer Carpenter
Advancing Meaningful Inclusion Through Design: An Architecture of Dis/Ability (2024)
by Irina Verona & Jennifer Carpenter, Verona Carpenter Architects
Why Aren’t All Playgrounds for All Children? (2024)
by Irina Verona & Jennifer Carpenter, Verona Carpenter Architects
Neurodiversity, Sustainability, and Inclusion: A Case for Redundancy in Architecture (2023)
by Irina Verona & Jennifer Carpenter, Verona Carpenter Architects
IQD Magazine (2021)
by Irina Verona & Jennifer Carpenter, Verona Carpenter Architects
at The Fashion Institute of Technology (2025)
Current Work: Accessible Schools
at Cooper Union (2024)
Sensory Space: Design for Neurodiversity
at the New York City Center for Architecture (2022)
Design, Process and Practice for the Neurodivergent Workplace
at Thomas Jefferson University Neurodiversity and the Built Environment Symposium (2022)
Awards
2025
NYC’s Public Design Commission Excellence in Design
Briarwood Community Library wins Excellence in Design Award
2023
NYSCA Grant
Grant for public school inclusive design project
2022
NYC’s Dept. of Design and Construction Project Excellence
Ranked First in Small Firm Category
Interior Design Magazine NYCxDesign Award
First Place Winner in Large Residential category
Interior Design Magazine Best of Year Awards
Honoree Finalist in Large Residential category
2021
Design Trust for Public Space Restorative City
RFP Winner for The Neurodiverse City project
Barnard College Research Grant
Irina wins for The Inclusive Education Classroom: A Spatial History