Trauma-Informed Design

Trauma-Informed Design

by | Jan 29, 2024 | architecture, Building Science, green term defined, Harrisonburg Architect

*Content Forecast: This blog includes discussion about trauma. These discussions are located in the First, a quick explanation of trauma. section and are broad definitions of trauma, not specific stories.

bonus room with couch and chair. Light during golden hour streams through the window.

In recent years, the conversation around mental health has expanded to encompass various aspects of our lives, including the spaces we inhabit. Architecture, traditionally seen as a field focused on aesthetics and functionality, is now exploring a more empathetic approach known as trauma-informed design. This design philosophy prioritizes the well-being of individuals who have experienced trauma, recognizing the profound impact that the built environment can have on their healing journey. 

In May of 2023, I attended Trauma Informed Design: Breaking the Stigma, a Webinar by Lynsey Hankins and Sarah Gomez. As someone who has experienced trauma, the emerging field of trauma-informed design is of particular interest to me. It’s also relevant on a large scale to make spaces more comfortable and empowering. One example in the global context is the collective trauma experienced from the COVID-19 Pandemic, which still impacts many of us on different scales.

*First, a quick explanation of trauma.

Mind describes trauma: “Trauma is when we experience very stressful, frightening or distressing events that are difficult to cope with or out of our control. It could be one incident, or an ongoing event that happens over a long period of time.” They explain that “most of us will experience an event in our lives that could be considered traumatic” even though it will affect people in different ways. The effects can last long after the initial incident.

Trauma is sometimes split into three broad categories: acute, chronic, and complex. There are also many types including physical, emotional, collective, cultural, generational, natural disaster-related, and many more.

The Built Environment and Trauma

 

 

Our surroundings play a significant role in shaping our experiences and emotions. Trauma-informed architecture acknowledges that traditional design principles may inadvertently trigger or exacerbate trauma symptoms. For example, harsh lighting, loud noises, and confined spaces can be particularly distressing for individuals who have experienced trauma. Conversely, a well-designed and thoughtful space can create a sense of comfort and contribute positively to a person’s healing process.

As Lynsey and Sarah explained, “The goal of trauma-informed design is to use empathy to create environments that promote a sense of calm, safety, dignity, empowerment, and well-being for all occupants.” The lens of trauma-informed design is a broad and intersectional lens. “Design decisions should be filtered through the overlapping lenses of psychology, neuroscience, physiology, and cultural factors”.

Design Considerations

 

Soft blanket draped across a chair.

 

Trauma-Informed Design is frequently talked about in regards to public spaces such as hospitals and educational buildings, but it can be applied to any space that we inhabit. There are many many ways to apply this design, but here are just a few things to consider:

 

1. Safety and Security:

        • Prioritize creating spaces that feel safe and secure.
        • Clear wayfinding signs, well-lit areas, and open spaces to reduce feelings of confinement.

2. Sensory Considerations:

        • Incorporate natural light, soft textures, and calming colors.
        • Minimize loud noises and disruptive elements
        • Include natural elements to your design. There is wide-spread documentation that connection to nature provides physical and psychological health benefits.

3. Empowerment and Choice:

        • Allow individuals to have control over their surroundings when possible.
        • Provide flexible spaces that accommodate different needs and preferences.
        • People can use their own artwork in communal spaces. Including people in a space gives choice, control, and belonging.

4. Cultural Sensitivity:

        • Recognize and respect cultural backgrounds when designing spaces.
        • Reflect inclusivity and avoid triggering cultural trauma.

5. Community and Connection:

        • Foster a sense of community that encourages social interaction.
        • Incorporate communal areas and support networks to promote healing through connection.

The ways this theory can be applied will differ between buildings and inhabitants, but a few key things to consider are spatial layout, lighting, paint colors, noise reduction, biophilia, adding soothing art and visual interest, and designing with the 5 senses in mind.

 

Trauma Informed Architecture

Trauma-informed architecture represents a shift in a way we approach design, emphasizing empathy and understanding. As the architecture world continues to explore the intersection of mental health and the built environment, trauma-informed architecture illustrates the transformative power of thoughtful design in fostering healing and resilience. As Architects and Designers, we have the unique opportunity and responsibility to influence people’s lives through the built-environment, and trauma-informed design is an important lens for developing our designs.

Blog written by Asha Beck 

Intersectionality: Designing Truly Inclusive Spaces

Intersectionality: Designing Truly Inclusive Spaces

by | Jan 26, 2024 | Uncategorized

By Aliyah D. White

 

Inclusivity and diversity are buzzwords that have continued to gain traction in the design world. However, issues such as race, gender, and ability are often distinctly separated, resulting in the unique problems of people who belong to more than one marginalized group being glossed over. Acknowledging the intersectionality of these issues can develop ways to better identify and intervene for the benefit of all people using a given space.

Intersectionality

The term intersectionality was created in 1989 by activist and legal scholar Kimberlé Crenshaw to illustrate the way an individual’s characteristics such as race, gender, class, and sexual orientation can overlap and influence their lived experiences. Merriam-Webster defines intersectionality as, “the complex, cumulative way in which the effects of multiple forms of discrimination (such as racism, sexism, and classism) combine, overlap, or intersect especially in the experiences of marginalized individuals or groups.”

Definition of Intersectionality.

As a theory, intersectionality is not as much about having control over identity and expression as it is about the negative effects systemic discrimination has on people who lay at the intersection of multiple groups. Addressing intersectionality in the design process provides the opportunity to consider all users, give great care for who is at an advantage or disadvantage in each space, and figure out how we can level the playing field.

 

Architecture through the lens of Intersectionality

As architects, it is critical that we acknowledge how limited our own perspectives can be when tackling these problems. It is important to lead with empathy and consult with people who have differing views from our own. No amount of research into an issue can amount to collaborating with people who have that lived experience and know exactly what insights and recommendations will be most helpful. This is the most important part of creating a more inclusive future.

When thinking about increasing the inclusivity of the spaces we design, The University of Buffalo’s Center for Inclusive Design and Environmental Access has created an intriguing methodology called their “8 Goals of Universal Design”. They are as follows:

  1.     Body Fit – accommodating a wide range of body sizes and abilities.
  2.     Comfort – keeping demands within desirable limits of body function and perception.
  3.     Awareness – ensuring that critical information for use is easily perceived.
  4.     Understanding – making methods of operation and use intuitive, clear, and unambiguous.
  5.     Wellness – contributing to health promotion, avoidance of disease, and protection from hazards.
  6.     Social Integration – treating all groups with dignity and respect.
  7.     Personalization – incorporating opportunities for choice and the expression of individual preferences.
  8.     Cultural Appropriateness – respecting and reinforcing cultural values, and the social and environmental contexts of any design project.
List of the 8 Goals of Universal Design.

Consideration

At the heart of inclusive design is consideration. Often, we find that one simple change to make a space more accessible to one group will benefit other groups as well. Within our own firm, we have designers who come from various backgrounds and lived experiences. Designing spaces that we can all enjoy is a top priority for us and implementing practices such as sustainability and accessibility is just the tip of the iceberg of what we can do for our communities to create environments that all kinds of people can comfortably inhabit.

Empathy and Compassion in Design

Empathy and Compassion in Design

by | Jan 20, 2024 | architecture

As architects and designers, it has historically been our job to take a client’s vision from start to finish. But in more recent times, the role of the designer has evolved to include a deeper focus on how we can shape the way people interact with each other. Using empathy as a design tool is one way we set ourselves apart from other designers who may give you plans that are just adequate enough for a permit. Empathic design aims to create spaces for people to share and build empathy for one another while we, as designers, simultaneously build empathy for the people we are designing for. We must engage our hearts to make meaningful change in our communities.

Open floorplan of living room and kitchen.

As a result of intentional listening with our clients, we designed this open floorplan at the Harrisonburg Farmhouse to be a space for family and friends to gather and build meaningful relationships.

I like to think of it in three stages, which you can read more about here. It begins with cognitive empathy — identifying how someone feels, then emotional empathy — understanding how that person feels, and finally, compassionate empathy — feeling with someone and being moved into action. As a student in undergrad, compassionate empathy was the biggest principle in my projects both in and out of the classroom. However, the work that it takes to design based on empathy — the right way — is not always an easy task.

primary bathroom

Roll-in Shower at Casa Cielo.

Opening our hearts takes energy, vulnerability, and willpower. The things that we learn when we listen to people’s adversities can be heavy to take on, so it should be approached with an understanding of our own emotional availability. Nevertheless, listening to hear and understand is the main ingredient to figuring out how to best help people. Using empathy in design is being considerate of an individual or group’s unique needs and finding solutions that are tailored towards them. Setting aside our preconceived notions about peoples’ experiences and ailments is critical because those assumptions are what keep us from truly understanding one another. We can then use our knowledge and experience as designers to create the best solutions.

Waverly Apartments walking path.

Walking path at Waverly Place Apartments for the community to enjoy the scenic surroundings.

Holding space for others and actively listening, as in focusing on that person and not your own feelings or what you think is best, is the only way to truly have a compassionate interaction. Approaching people in need will require having difficult conversations and can get uncomfortable. On an individual level, I implore everyone to try to approach life with more empathy. It is an ability that can positively affect the way we react to and connect with people in all spheres of life. 

In our profession it is critical to be able to design using all of our senses, and listening is one of the most important. If we listen with the intention to hear and understand the information with both our minds and hearts, we can begin to create empathetic solutions that build a stronger community for all.

Written by Asha Beck
Why should we save old buildings?

Why should we save old buildings?

by | Jan 18, 2024 | Historic Renovation

In the fall, I had the pleasure of meeting with a client for an interview about why we should save old buildings. 

We first met our client when he brought us an old picture of their home, first built in 1822. Over the years, pieces had been added on, torn down, and altered, so the existing house no longer had the same porch shown in the picture. Our presented challenge then was to recreate a combination of the existing and the old porch from the photograph. I knew that our client had a passion for historic buildings, so I visited to learn more about his thoughts on old homes and restoration. 

During the interview, I was welcomed inside the home to receive a tour of the historic details. I was fascinated. I came into the interview with a mild appreciation for history and left with interest in more of a tangible and emotional way. The passion for restoration and details was infectious. 

I learned a great deal about the history of the home and details throughout the house – too many to put in short blog form. However, our client’s response to “Why should we save old buildings?” is poignant and does a beautiful job of summing up our conversation.

Why should we save old buildings?

“An old house torn down is lost forever. Old houses are tangible elements of history. Not many people enjoy history on paper in library archives or summarized in sterilized textbooks. But old homes are tangible and intimate evidence of hardship, war, farming, community, and visibly seeing artistic and pragmatic elements of pioneering families. It is the difference between a replica quilt or the old original, stitched by hand in candlelight, seeing careful but irregular stitching, and one’s imagination can connect with past generations. One would not think much about Hessian mercenaries fighting for Britain during the war of 1812, but upon losing the war, the mercenaries were left to fend for themselves in the new land, and some took up wood carving, and our carved fireplaces are memorials to that small bit of overlooked history. Old houses preserve intimate details of children’s scribbles, of successive changes over time as needs changed. Old houses are like museum outposts scattered in our neighborhoods.” 

The complexity of history

Though the house and stories are beautiful, our client also pointed out the complexity of history and reasons why buildings exist. Part of the history of this home in particular is that in ~ 1740, a man bought the land near a couple of forts and fortified his home. This man’s view about the Native Americans of the area was extreme, and he wanted them killed. Part of the story is that much of the land of Virginia was inhabited by people who were forcibly displaced and killed. All of this history is woven into the origin story of buildings too, and it’s important that it is noted.

In this relatively short history of the U.S., it was unique to be able to hear stories passed down through writings and oral traditions of this area. I’m grateful for clients willing to share their passions and to let us be a part of what they dream up.

What lighting should I choose?

What lighting should I choose?

by | Jan 16, 2024 | Interior Design, Uncategorized

By Interior Designer, Jarod Sankar:

 

We’ve all seen it… you enter a friend’s house, and you’re immediately jolted by the starkness of poor lighting that is anything but welcoming. As an interior designer and an avid believer in the fact that your home kitchen shouldn’t give off the same first impression as a medical-grade janitorial closet, I highly value the importance of lighting. While it may be tempting to buy the first light bulb you see on the shelf, using the correct bulb type and color temperature for your space can be one of the most cost-effective ways to give your home a visual facelift.

First, let’s start with the basics. There are 3 typical light bulbs that are found in residential spaces. When choosing a light bulb to best suit your needs and its environment, it’s important to weigh the facts and limitations of each.

 

3 Types of Light Bulbs

 

Incandescent:

Whether you see incandescent bulbs as tried and true, or as tired and due for a change, the incandescent light bulb has been around for over a century. Incandescent bulbs are known for giving off a warm light that can make an area feel cozier and more welcoming. 

While incandescent bulbs are good at promoting a comfortable at-home environment, they are also known for a short lifespan and are not energy efficient. Another negative trait that can be attributed to incandescent bulbs is their heat generation, which can be dangerous depending on the fixture it is being used in, or if the bulb is in an area that little fingers could get a hold of.

 

LED (Light Emitting Diode):

For a lot of people, the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about LED lighting are the blinding headlights on new cars that pop over hills at night and seem to be aimed directly at you, almost as if they were specifically designed to give oncoming drivers temporary vision impairment. In reality, LED lighting is one of the most versatile and most capable lighting options that is available today. As opposed to Incandescent Lights, LED bulbs come in many different color temperatures, many different shapes and sizes, and have a much longer lifespan. As an additional bonus, LED bulbs are significantly more energy efficient, and are a more sustainable option that creates less waste.

 

CFL (Compact Fluorescent Lamp):

CFL, also known as compact fluorescent lamp bulbs, have been dying off in popularity over the last decade. Decades ago, CFL bulbs were once the superior choice due to price and efficiency. CFL bulbs were seen as a more energy efficient option due to their 25% higher energy efficiency compared to incandescent bulbs. However, as LED bulbs have come to the forefront, we now see that LED bulbs are roughly 75% more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs, making them the clear winner. CFL bulbs are now harder to find and have minimal options in terms of color temperature and bases. Aside from aesthetics, and more importantly, CFL bulbs contain mercury. While some sources say that the mercury vapors from a broken bulb are not enough to cause harm to humans, it is still not a viable option for keeping a safe environment for you and your family. As of February 2023, CFL bulbs are being banned from production in some regions, which will further reduce the ability to find CFL bulbs on the market.

Color temperature:

Color temperature is measured in Kelvin (K). The Kelvin scale ranges from 2000K to 7000K, with the warmest light being 2000K and coldest being 7000K. For residential use, a warmer color temperature promotes a less sterile environment, and is associated with more calming energy. Warmer temperature light bulbs, like Warm White, are great for bedrooms due to the relaxing light provided. Cooler bulbs such as Day White or Cool White are associated with a harsher environment, casting a sterile glow that is usually seen as brighter and cleaner. Day and Cool White are more functional in bathrooms and closets. While these bulbs serve a purpose, it’s important to be picky when it comes to color temperature in your home. For example, Cool White bulbs contain more blue light, which can negatively impact your sleeping schedule.

Lighting temperature is a very important factor in relation to your space, as the cool or warm light cast on your walls and furniture may make them appear differently as the sunlight from the day fades. Test out different bulbs in a dark area of your home and see which color temperature works best with your furniture and finishes. Using a consistent color Kelvin throughout your home promotes more continuity throughout the space and can also create less visual discomfort from the difference in brightness and shadows throughout the home.

Examples of difference in light color temperature.

Which bulb is best for me?

With so many bulbs available, now it’s time to narrow down the best option for in-home use. In general, LED lighting is best in terms of its versatility and its energy efficiency. Not only will switching to LED bulbs save money on your electricity bill, but it will also mean less time spent on a ladder trying to reach that awkward bulb in your ceiling. After finding the specific bulb base for your fixture and finding an LED bulb that has the proper wattage according to your fixture specs, look for bulbs with a color temperature of 3000K. This is a warm, bright, and even light that will supplement light in dark areas without being cold and sterile. 3000K is relatively universal, with warm undertones to promote relaxation but enough brightness and less yellow tones to work well in higher traffic areas that may require a more intense light.

 

In summary:

  • Incandescent bulbs: produce warm light, but they do not last as long and are not energy efficient. There are also limited options of light colors available.
  • LED lights: wide range of light temperatures available, much more energy and cost efficient than incandescent lights.
  • Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL): more energy efficient than incandescent lights, but less efficient than LED lights. Have mercury in them and are being banned.
  • Color temperature is measured on the Kelvin scale, with the warmest light being 2000K and coldest being 7000K.
  • Warm lighting makes a space feel cozy, relaxed, and well… warm. Cool lighting can be brighter, feel cleaner, and work well in closets and high traffic areas.