This year, we’ve all experienced our fair share of trauma to say the least, with a cherry on top courtesy of one of the wildest presidential election nights in history. And because of this, many of us are yearning for calm – for a break in the tension anxiety that follows us around in every conversation, news article, and sick loved one we come across.
Mental health experts are indicating that in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, diagnoses and treatment of anxiety and depression – even post-traumatic stress disorder – are on a sharp incline.
A growing body of evidence, provided by federal agencies and experts around the country, is showing that our mental health system isn’t able to keep up with the swift uptick in care needs. Pre-pandemic, the U.S. mental health system was already “vastly underfunded, fragmented, and difficult to access”, according to a May 2020 Washington Post article. As with many other world crises, many of us will be dealing with anxiety, stress, and depression on our own.
This caused us to wonder – if our society is struggling and will continue to struggle with heightened anxiety in the foreseeable future – are there ways for design to help ease these anxieties? The answer, of course, is yes.
I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Ámbar Margarida, a principal at Spacesmith, about something called trauma-informed design.
World crises like the COVID-19 pandemic are of course just one example of trauma, and Margarida and her team have been working with the concepts behind trauma-informed design for the past several years.
“Trauma-informed design stems from the term ‘trauma-informed care’, which refers to mental and physical health care for people who have experienced and are recovering from trauma,” said Margarida.
In a recent presentation Margarida gave at the Rooftops Conference NYC 2020, an annual symposium for the nonprofit sector hosted with New York Law School’s Center for Real Estate Studies, she outlined the bedrocks of trauma-informed design:
>Realizing how the physical environment effects an individual’s sense of identity, worth, dignity, and empowerment.
>Recognizing that the physical environment has an impact on attitude, mood, and behavior.
>Responding by designing and maintaining supportive and healing environments for trauma-experienced individuals to resist re-traumatization.
Above all else, trauma-informed design fosters a sense of welcome, safety, calm, continuity, and personal choice.
Spacesmith often use trauma-informed design concepts in designing environments that host trauma-experienced individuals — including nonprofits in health and social services; clients include the SCO Family of Services, the New York Legal Assistance Group, and others.
Margarida notes that nonprofit organizations have historically occupied older buildings and sites that weren’t designed for them. Slowly, these nonprofits are turning more to architecture and interior design as tools for creating pathways to recovery from trauma.
“A lot of these design concepts might seem normal for a lot of organizations, but those in the nonprofit sector are still working in these really old spaces, often residential builds, that don’t serve their needs very well. I actually first learned the term trauma-informed design from a client, and it was really interesting to me because it is rooted in evidence-based design. As a practice, we know aesthetics are very important, but the spaces we design must be functional.”
Though trauma-informed design is a relatively new design context, the evidence behind it is not. In her speaking engagements, Margarida cites research from such sources as the WELL Building Standard and the University of Minnesota showing how environments increase or reduce human stress, impacting physical health. She calls attention to the proven assertions that what you see, hear and experience throughout your day, week, life, is changing not only your mood, but how your nervous, endocrine and immune systems are working.
“The stress of an unpleasant environment can cause you to feel uneasy, sad, or helpless,” Margarida often notes. “This in turn elevates your blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle tension, and suppresses your immune system. A pleasing environment can reverse that.” This movement among groups aiding society’s more vulnerable people, including victims of neglect and violence, aims to help build more supportive surroundings for those people trying to heal.
Margarida notes that designing to help trauma-experienced people feel more comfortable and respected can be accomplished by taking note of very simple things that often go overlooked.
“Part of the way you care for people who have experienced trauma is that the care is very individualized – because the way people experience trauma is also very individualized. Because of this, trauma-informed design really needs to be a big piece of the planning phase.”
Trauma-informed design is similar in nature to design for the neurodiverse, a group of people with specific needs that move beyond the needs of neuro-typical people. [For more information on designing for the neurodiverse, check out our article on the subject here.]
It was a pleasure speaking with Margarida, as her enthusiasm for working with and sharing knowledge behind evidence-based design comes through immediately. In her presentation, Margarida outlines the design elements behind a trauma-informed space, through various lenses, citing the Nova Scotia Health Authority’s work in trauma-informed care and research. For your reading leisure, find those design elements below…
SPATIAL LAYOUT
>Keep the space simple, linear, and easy to navigate with clear and consistent signage
>Too much visual complexity can increase stress and anxiety. For example, a reception should be organized with little clutter. Keeping our environments clean is not just common sense from a hygiene perspective; it also makes clients and staff feel more valued. Disorganized work spaces can create concerns about professionalism in the setting. Doubt can lead to mistrust and affect interactions and relationships.
>If space is perceived as open, with clear sightlines and few barriers, it will increase the sense of safety
>Natural light is ideal. If this is not possible, consider having lights that are soft (no high-blue light) and that do not emit any sounds (buzzing).
>Computer screens displaying confidential information should not be within view of people in the waiting area.
NATURE & COLOR
>Art can create a visual distraction that alleviates stress and improves mood, comfort, and customer satisfaction.
>Landscape paintings and nature photography are all associated with increased positive effect and comfort. Modern or abstract art has been found to be less calming than nature-themed paintings or photography. Avoid these works, as they can be “triggering” to some people.
>Use cool colors (i.e. blue, green, purple) that have a calming effect.
FURNISHINGS
>Emphasis on personal space, i.e. individual chairs with arms, choices in where/with whom to sit, quiet areas vs. engaged areas, etc.
>The furniture should feel intentional and not temporary, i.e. no folding chairs.
>Sitting face-to-face across a desk or table may be perceived as confrontational, whereas sitting corner to corner invites conversation and interaction. Consider arranging furniture so that people do not have to sit directly across from each other, next to each other, and when possible, have the option of single seats.
>In waiting or common areas, orient seating so users are facing out from sheltering walls.
Examples: built-in banquettes offer a more secluded sitting experience. A permanent bench facing out from a sheltering wall. High back sofas and chairs provide protection in an open space.
ART & MESSAGES OF EMPOWERMENT
>Murals and art add visual interest and create a visual distraction to alleviate stress
>Use of art and mural can promote a sense of identity, belonging, welcoming, openness, and to strengthen community identification to place.
>Walls can have signage that conveys useful information. However, punitive sounding messages can make people feel unwelcomed.
ACCESSIBILITY & EQUITABLE USE
>Provide spaces and furniture that can be used by people with diverse abilities. Wide aisles provide ample space for moving around waiting areas and other facilities.
>Universal design reduces barriers to engagement based on accessibility
>Proper arrangement of furniture can provide a sense of safety and trust. Furniture that can be rearranged can provide a sense of control and independence.
>Absence of clearly marked exits can be anxiety provoking.
>Consider having an automated thermostat. People can become very uncomfortable in rooms that are too hot or too cold.
NATURAL MATERIALS AND BIOPHILIA
>Settings that include vegetation reduce stress, promote peace and tranquility
>Plants connect occupants to the natural world, which has been found to reduce stress and pain, and to improve mood.
>View of nature and indoor plants are associated with an increased positive effect and comfort.