Trauma-informed design is a powerful approach that recognizes the impact of trauma on individuals and aims to create spaces that not only avoid re-traumatization but promote healing, resilience, and well-being. Experts across sectors have begun incorporating trauma-responsive principles into their architectural and interior design practices to transform spaces into welcoming, safe, and supportive environments.

On May 17, 2023, the Pathways Learning Network was joined by Lauren Baker, Former First Lady of Massachusetts and Pathways to Resilience Expert Advisory Committee member; Mike Lindstrom of studioMLA Architects; Dana McKinney of Harvard Graduate School of Design, ENfold Collective, and Studio Kinn; and Laura Rossbert of Shopworks Architecture to discuss the extension of trauma-responsive principles to the spaces and settings we inhabit. View the event page and session recording here.

Key Considerations for Trauma-Informed Design

Trauma-informed design is applicable across sectors, including housing and homelessness services, education, justice, and child welfare settings. Staff, community members, architects, designers, and organizational leaders can all play a role in incorporating trauma-responsive principles into their spaces. By understanding how trauma impacts individuals, organizations can create environments that prioritize healing, dignity, and wellness. By prioritizing several key principles that contribute to the well-being of individuals who have experienced trauma, physical spaces that are designed with a trauma-responsive lens can provide a sense of security, promote resilience, and empower individuals to make decisions about their own environment.

Comfort

The comfortability of a space cannot be understated. Valuing the comfort of the individuals using the space demonstrates respect and care for their needs, encourages them to use the space frequently, and reflects their inherent worth and value. Elements like high-quality furniture, pleasant textiles, and soft or natural lighting can contribute to a comfortable space.

Connection

Spaces should facilitate multiple dimensions of connectedness: among staff, among individuals using the spaces, and to the community. Connection can be emphasized in design choices, such as for communal spaces, and accessible property management offices.

Choice

Each speaker emphasized the importance of providing choice and agency to individuals who will be using the spaces. They should be consulted at each step of design and development and their feedback, needs, and preferences should be respected and honored.

Safety

Safety is a core consideration in trauma-informed design. It encompasses both physical and psychological safety, which is informed by individuals’ identities and past experiences. Design choices related to lighting, windows, locks, key fobs, camera coverage, and other factors should prioritize safety. However, it is important to strike a balance and consider the psychological effects of design choices. Overly defensive design, such as excessive security measures, can have unintended negative consequences. Designers should seek feedback from individuals who will be using the space, including staff, to find ways to create spaces that foster safety and trust.

Elements of Trauma-Informed Design

There are many opportunities to incorporate trauma-responsive design choices into spaces, not all of which require extensive renovations or large budgets. By prioritizing thoughtful changes to color, layout, furniture, and art, and incorporating elements of nature, spaces can provide a sense of joy, empowerment, and community.

Color

Color choices can have an immediate impact from the moment someone enters a room.
Light, neutral, and natural colors (pale blues, greens, and greys) can invoke a sense of calm and peace.

Furniture

Furniture should be comfortable and flexible. Pieces that can be adjusted or rearranged provide agency and choice to the individuals using the space. High quality, durable furniture communicates respect and care.

Art

Accessorizing should not be an afterthought. Art on the walls adds beauty and can create a visual distraction to help alleviate stress and reduce conflict in otherwise difficult situations. Art and accessories should reflect the individual and local contexts, including elements of local nature, identities, and artists within the community.

Natural Elements

Integrating biophilia, the human desire to connect with nature, into design is an effective strategy for trauma-responsive spaces, particularly in child-serving environments. Nature has a positive impact on mental health, and incorporating elements such as ample windows, natural light, views of the outdoors, and natural materials can create a nurturing and soothing atmosphere.

Moving Forward through Partnerships and Collaboration

Pathways to Resilience believes that the goal of these efforts is to shift the focus from being trauma-informed to becoming trauma-responsive – taking concrete and practical steps through the design process to address trauma and prevent re-traumatization. Implementing trauma-responsive design requires collaboration and a multi-stakeholder approach. Organizational leadership should seek insights from individuals who will use these spaces and listen to their needs, experiences, and preferences. By incorporating their input into the design process, leaders can create spaces that genuinely reflect a sense of ownership, agency, and empowerment, and foster healing, connection, and resilience.

In addition to building relationships with the individuals using the spaces, organizational leaders should connect with local community members and other key stakeholders to help garner support for trauma-responsive design initiatives. Organizational leaders can foster collaboration and partnerships with architects, designers, and community organizations to ensure trauma-responsive design principles are integrated into projects and policies.

By embodying trauma-responsive design principles, we can create spaces that promote healing and dignity for individuals who have experienced trauma. It is a collective effort that requires engagement, empathy, and a commitment to challenging existing paradigms. We can transform the spaces we inhabit into environments that support the well-being and resilience of all individuals.

Session Resources

Our speakers provided the following resources for further information on trauma-informed/trauma-responsive design. These resources, the slide deck from this Learning Network session, and others are also available in our resource library.

Watch the full Pathways Learning Network session below. Pathways to Resilience will continue to amplify strategies for promoting healing and resilience in the education sector and share resources to provide guidance to states seeking to implement similar approaches.