Featured Participant
Coursework
A Sampling of Participants' Best Work
Projects By
Architects and Designers
Trauma-Informed Transitional Home for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
This final design project by Kamilah Ain Welch was a trauma-informed transitional home for formerly incarcerated individuals in Providence, RI. Her intention was to design a space that provided opportunities for their restoration, growth in community, and a reaffirmation of their agency, along with the supports to gradually work at healing physically, mentally, and emotionally, without neglecting the needs of the staff.
Trauma-informed Design Emergency Department
Christina Shaffer explored the applicability of Trauma-informed Design principles in an emergency department (ED) to enhance elements of physical, psychological, and emotional safety through the built environment. Based loosely on the size, scope, and floor plans of an existing ED in Nova Scotia, Canada, this project sought to identify opportunities, such as modifying the flow of traffic, to modulate the busy and sometimes unpredictable stimuli of an ED setting to enhance care for individuals experiencing trauma.
Trauma-informed Design Project: Cape Cod Wellness Center
Kelsey Jones chose to use an existing historical structure in Cape Cod, MA as the floor plan for a women's transitional housing center. The concept and programming for her design was based on the services provided by two housing programs that support women experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity in Boston, MA.
Transitional Housing for Unhoused LGBTQIA+ Youth
Tara Dawkins’ final project, Darcelle’s House, reimagines a former church in Portland, Oregon as transitional housing for unhoused LGBTQIA+ youth under 18. LGBTQIA+ youth—especially those who are BIPOC—face disproportionately high rates of houselessness. This project aims to create an affirming and inclusive environment that addresses their unique challenges and offers not just shelter, but dignity, empowerment, and holistic support.
Transitional Housing for Survivors of Domestic/Intimate Partner Violence
Krishna Sreenivas set this program that aids women and children in their transition from emergency shelter to permanent housing on 2.58 acres in Cupertino City, CA. The site contains 14 residential units, four of which are designed specifically for individuals with mobility needs, a counseling room, community and multipurpose halls, a gym, library, common kitchen and dining areas, and day care facilities, all set around a beautiful and interactive courtyard.
Projects By
Practitioners From Other Fields
The First Relationship: Creating Trauma-Informed Therapy Environments
Licensed clinical therapist Sarah Jordan reimagines the outpatient mental health environment as a clinical tool for healing in itself. She sees the interaction with these physical spaces as the first relationship that clients encounter when they are approaching therapy. By making these spaces welcoming and approachable, clients are more likely to have better clinical outcomes.
Trauma-Informed Transitional Housing for the Unhoused
Tori Hobson reviewed and assessed La Plaza Esperanza, a 16,593 square foot, two-story community building in Gresham, Oregon, designed by Salazar Architects. The analysis highlighted several existing TiD principles, then identified potential triggers in the built environment and recommended changes intended to bring the site even more into alignment with the TiD Framework.
Healing Created Together: Trauma Informed Community Based Mental Health and Social Service Agency
This Community Mental Health Clinic was chosen by licensed clinical social worker Angela Lewis-Dmello for her final TiD project. Working in this building, Angela recognized that the location is ideal, but the space was not designed for its current programing. Although originally an office space, this project identifies how the SAMHSA principles could be realized to support all staff and clients.
Outpatient Mental Health Complex for Individuals with Trauma, Sensory Processing Difficulty, and ADHD
Krista Jimenez evaluated Dr. Basant Mohamed Saied Aboushal's child center from "A study on treatment centers for children with ADHD." She chose this center because it included many of the TiD elements already, then went on to re-envision the space as a treatment center for patients of all ages with a very unique layout. This project very clearly identifies how the SAMHA principles are realized in the design.