Staff Promotions

DLR Group Appoints New Senior Design Researcher

• By Matt Jones
• 09/26/24

Integrated design firm DLR Group recently announced that it has appointed Dr. Kati Peditto, Ph.D., EDAC, as the new senior design researcher for its research team, according to a news release. Peditto is a design psychologist who specializes in inclusive design and neurodiversity, joining the firm’s office in Denver, Colo. Her role will focus on how to transform research into evidence-based design solutions and providing advice to designers, clients, and stakeholders.

“I look forward to collaborating with DLR Group’s integrated design teams in creating K-12 schools, higher education campuses, and workplaces as environments that nurture mental health and well-being and make learning fun and inclusive,” Peditto said.

In her previous position at another global design firm, she created the “Blueprint for the Mind: Creating Neuroinclusive Architectural Spaces,” a neurodiversity toolkit based on peer-reviewed research articles on how to create learning spaces for neurodiverse students. Peditto also presented at a 2023 Spaces4Learning webinar on Enhancing School Facilities through Neurodiversity Design Principles.

According to the news release, Peditto is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA) Society for Environmental Psychology, WELL Faculty, and the Environmental Design Research Association (EDRA). She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from St. Mary’s College of Maryland, and a Ph.D. in Human Behavior and Design from Cornell University.

“Kati’s passion and expertise in designing for inclusion and wellness will enhance our ability to elevate the experience for clients and end users,” said B Sanborn, Global Design Research Leader. “She brings a lens of meaningful engagement for youth stakeholders, which will help us uncover fresh ideas and insights and strengthen DLR Group’s leadership as one of the largest educational designers in the nation.”