by Charles Hendricks | Mar 7, 2024 | Empathy
We’ve discussed the importance of empathy in design in many blog posts, but how do we implement it and practice it? Here are 10 tools for empathetic design that should help to get you started, and each is explored in more detail below. Remember, empathy takes practice and intentional work.
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- Engage and Observe
- Use Humility
- Care
- Be Transparent
- Experience
- Questions – Why
- Listening
- Imagination
- Sustainability – Caring for Creation
- Universal Design – Equality
1: Engage and Observe
To design good buildings, you must first engage and observe the people you intend to design for without ego. Work hard to understand and experience the feelings of others. Watch for body language, cues, and habits – seeking to get through to what is really driving the desire.
2: Use Humility
Use humility to elevate the value of others above ourselves. Understanding that each of us have limited experiences and therefore shortfalls to achieve good design alone. We as architects can get hung up on the idea that we know design and therefore know the right solution. However, each of us is limited to our own experiences and thus need others to be able to design a better future for all. We have to invite in stakeholders that have different experiences and views to fully understand the design challenge and to create more holistic design solutions.
3: Care
Care about your clients, the community, and the environment deeply.
4: Be Transparent
Be transparent in your thoughts and actions. After all, you are translating dreams.
5: Experience
You will pull from your life experiences, but that is not enough. You have to pull from the users experiences and put yourself in their shoes. You have to know the experience of your community to completely design for your community. This is where being of the community is so important. How do you engage others and get to know them? How do you understand their lived experiences? How do you design with meaning? You do it through understanding experiences.
6: Questions – Why
Pull out their stories, challenges, desires, needs, and wants by asking why, then why, then why.
7: Listening
8: Imagination
Put yourself in your client’s position and ask yourself questions – use your imagination.
9: Sustainability – Caring for Creation
True sustainability relies on an architecture that not only reduces our impact on the available resources on the planet but also recognizes, grounds, and affirms our need to be vulnerable, mentally healthy, and connected to each other and nature.
“In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations” ~ The great law of the Iroquois Confederacy
10: Universal Design – Equality
Design for any ability rather than specific disabilities which invites equal access for all.
Using these 10 tools will lead to a better future – A future that builds community for all.
by Charles Hendricks | Mar 4, 2024 | architecture, Empathy, Office Culture
As architects, our purpose is to shape the built world we live together within and to create a more equitable and just world through design. I believe a key component of designing for a community is to understand that community. You have to be of the community to connect with the community. You have to be open to sharing experiences, knowing that you don’t know every experience, that you can’t see every solution to every problem in a silo of your own experiences, and that you need community, partners, and other viewpoints to design holistic solutions. This requires work to connect with people in a place, hear their stories, understand their point of view, see what has shaped them, and better understand their experiences to expand your ability to design for them.
There is a myth, sometimes widespread, that a person need only do inner work…that a [person] is entirely responsible for [their] own problems; and that to cure [themselves], [they] need only change [themselves]…. The fact is, a person is so formed by [their] surroundings, that [their] state of harmony depends entirely on [their] harmony with [their] surroundings. ~ Christopher Alexander
So why don’t we see empathy being used in design on a regular basis? The challenge to take on empathetic design is change. You have to open up and be vulnerable, hear others fully, and be willing to let go of what you thought was right solely based on your past experiences. I believe we are at a turning point in the world where disharmony sells and many are not focused on helping each other or building a better world. It is time for all of us to lead with empathy, to sell harmony in our communities, and to build a better future together. We need to step forward to make positive change. If we don’t do it, then who will?
by Charles Hendricks | Feb 25, 2024 | Empathy
Empathy as a Design Tool
Using empathy as a design tool is a powerful way to create buildings with purpose. It is the way to design custom homes that are dream homes. It is the way to design businesses that a community loves. Using empathy is how we design differently from others.
Empathetic design means understanding the users’ dreams, hopes, habits, and way of life. In other words, it means putting yourself and your experiences into their shoes to respond to their needs, wants, hopes, and dreams. Empathy will help designers set aside their own assumptions in order to understand the client’s motivations and experiences. It helps you figure out the needs of the client so we can provide solutions that are meaningful and go beyond surface textures and beyond just new construction.
Using empathy in design gives power to place, provides equality, comfort, joy, and gives mutual respect to earth and user. This approach to design leads to innovation that neither client nor architect could have produced solo. It preserves heritage and celebrates history and empowers humanity to be better.
by Charles Hendricks | Feb 12, 2024 | architecture, Empathy
If you could have one special thing in your new custom home, what would it be?
We have awesome opportunities to help people create their dream homes. The first meeting we have with custom home clients is an interview where we talk about everything that they want in a home to achieve the life they want to live in a particular place. This process is how we design dream homes.
I have talked in the past about the difference between a new home and a custom home. Our custom home design process allows us to walk with our clients through their Wishlist to find the special strategies that make their home just right. It is a process where we get to know our clients and use empathy as a design tool. This emotional investment into each project takes energy, time, listening, and experience to get it just right. It is the why in why we do custom home design.
Over the years we have had some really special, unique things in the dream homes we have designed, like the ones featured below – and more. Check out the special features below to inspire your own dream design features of your custom home.
What are your dream home amenities?
Indoor basketball court
Indoor Pool
Open kitchen
Open riser stair
Glass walls
Interior brick walls
Two story porch
Spa-like bathrooms
Wrap around decks
Double islands
Car guy garages
Sunrooms
At home gym
Golf simulator
No step shower
Solar PV
by Charles Hendricks | Jan 29, 2024 | architecture, Building Science, Empathy, 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.
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
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:
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- 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:
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- 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:
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- 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:
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- Recognize and respect cultural backgrounds when designing spaces.
- Reflect inclusivity and avoid triggering cultural trauma.
5. Community and Connection:
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- 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
by Charles Hendricks | Jan 26, 2024 | architecture, Empathy
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.”
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:
- Body Fit – accommodating a wide range of body sizes and abilities.
- Comfort – keeping demands within desirable limits of body function and perception.
- Awareness – ensuring that critical information for use is easily perceived.
- Understanding – making methods of operation and use intuitive, clear, and unambiguous.
- Wellness – contributing to health promotion, avoidance of disease, and protection from hazards.
- Social Integration – treating all groups with dignity and respect.
- Personalization – incorporating opportunities for choice and the expression of individual preferences.
- Cultural Appropriateness – respecting and reinforcing cultural values, and the social and environmental contexts of any design project.
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.
