Have you ever walked into a building and felt out of place? Odds are, it’s not just you. Physical spaces – whether it’s our homes, workplaces, schools, health facilities, or places of worship – can impact our emotions and behaviors in both positive and negative ways. Trauma-informed Design (TiD) explores this, promoting personal and communal spaces that promote wellness, healing, and safety for all.
What is Trauma-Informed Design?
According to the Trauma-informed Design Society, TiD is based on trauma-informed care, integrating those principles into physical spaces. Trauma-informed care, established by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), is an approach that actively avoids re-traumatization for patients and staff while integrating knowledge about trauma into policies, procedures, and practices.
Why consider trauma when designing spaces? Without meaning to, it’s possible to perpetuate trauma with design elements that trigger individuals with traumatic histories. Common triggers, such as buzzing noises, fluorescent lights, or dark stairwells, can cause psychological distress and make an individual feel as though they’re in danger. TiD is an opportunity to remove these triggers and opt for more inclusive, balanced spaces that cultivate safety and connection.
Core Principles of Trauma-Informed Care
- Safety – Both physical and psychological safety is promoted for patients and staff.
- Trustworthiness + Transparency – Decisions regarding care are made with transparency with the goal of building trust.
- Peer Support – Individuals with shared experiences are viewed as integral to service delivery.
- Collaboration – Power differences are leveled to support shared decision-making.
- Empowerment – Patient and staff strengths are recognized, built on, and validated, fostering resilience and healing.
- Humility + Responsiveness – Historical trauma, biases, and stereotypes (based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, or geography) are recognized and addressed.
Applying Care to Design
When applying trauma-informed care to design, choices typically promote a sense of safety, respect, community, and dignity for the individuals who will be using the space. This can be applied to living areas, classrooms, offices, care facilities, and other communally used spaces. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach to TiD, there are some key findings to consider:
Prioritize a connection to nature.
Views of greenery, trees, and gardens promote well-being, healing, and reflection. Maximize natural daylight as much as possible.
Quality design materials.
Show care for guests by choosing durable materials and maintaining clean, well-ventilated spaces. Artful décor can foster connection among guests while offering a positive distraction from any negative feelings.
Easy access and wayfinding.
Guests may feel more comfortable if interiors are predictable and navigable. Make sure entrances are easy to locate and appropriate signage directs individuals between spaces.
Provide clear circulation paths.
Accessible pathways allow guests to choose how they move through the space. Avoid obstructing sightlines, such as in corridors or stairwells, and instead, ensure these areas are well-lit and visually clear.
Offer a variety of adaptable spaces.
The option to adjust one’s surroundings gives a sense of comfort and empowerment. Lightweight, movable furniture offers guests the choice to customize their space, as do features like adjustable thermostats, partitions, and lighting.
Design for privacy and safety.
Guests may feel safer if there are visual security measures, such as locked storage space for personal items. Invest in walls or adjustable partitions that promote acoustical privacy, which can mitigate loud noises and create a quiet place to retreat.
Like trauma-informed care, TiD is centered on building meaningful, trusting relationships and promoting community and beauty. By recognizing the emotional power of physical spaces, we can take the first step in designing a more hospitable world.
Meet the Author
Tory Irmeger, BA, English
Tory Irmeger graduated from Lee University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with an emphasis on creative writing. While at Lee, Tory served as head of copy for the school’s biannual publication Vindagua. Since joining CMC Publications as editor, Tory has led ideation, conceptualization, and development of numerous health, wellness, and lifestyle articles published in print and online for HealthScope, CityScope, and Choose Chattanooga magazines – premier publications serving S.E. Tennessee and North Georgia.
