Trauma-informed Design: A Framework for Designers, Architects, and Other Practitioners - Paperback

by Christine A. Cowart (Author), Janet E. Roche (Author), Adrienne Erdman (Author)

In a world where 90 percent of adults have experienced at least one traumatic event, how can we create spaces that promote healing rather than harm? This groundbreaking manual introduces Trauma-informed Design (TiD), a revolutionary approach that transforms how we conceive, create, and inhabit our built environment.

Drawing from the established principles of trauma-informed care, this comprehensive framework guides practitioners through the essential elements of designing spaces that foster safety, resilience, and healing. Four leading experts in the field combine their unique perspectives to present a holistic approach that encompasses not just physical spaces, but the entire design process.

This essential resource:

• Introduces the three spheres of application: policy, process, and the built environment;
• Outlines 11 crucial domains for implementing trauma-informed care in design;
• Provides practical strategies for anticipating and mitigating environmental stressors;
• Demonstrates how to create spaces that support healing and promote safety; and
• Offers guidance for practitioners to advocate for meaningful organizational change.

Whether you're an architect, designer, healthcare professional, or organization leader, this framework provides the tools you need to create environments that truly serve and support their occupants. By understanding and addressing the impact of trauma through thoughtful design, we can transform our built environment into a powerful agent of healing.