New shelter update: What is trauma-informed design?

You probably know that we’re opening a new shelter complex this spring – but did you know that it was specially designed to help survivors of trauma heal? 

This design is called trauma-informed design. Here’s how the architects who designed the shelter, from MASS Design Group, define this:  

MASS was one of three finalist firms who participated in a design competition, submitting an approach that leverages trauma-informed design, which is anchored in five key principles: safety, trust, choice, collaboration, and empowerment. The design also focuses on enabling Haven’s unique approach of embracing survivors as whole people by providing adaptable spaces for their unique needs and improved access to the wrap-around services Haven’s network of supporters offer.

One of the principles we talked about with architect Sarah Mohland was choice. Survivors will have a choice in which staircase they use in the new shelter – an enclosed stairwell or an open one. Here’s Sarah Mohland talking about how something as simple as a stairwell can have a thoughtful, trauma-informed design: