Room: D139-140

Audience: School Administrators

Call to Action: Attendees will receive a trauma-informed design check list of steps to create environments that employ a sense of calmness, safety, dignity, empowerment, and well-being for all. Within the case study of Boys Town Education Center, presenters will define the types of spaces and design considerations for kids who endure boundary challenges. Attendees can apply this knowledge to their next project. Within the case study of the Green Hill School, presenters will outline the benefits of integrating natural materials in the activities and wellness center to transform the daily experience of staff, visitors, and youth in their journey toward reentry into their community. Regardless of facility type, integrating natural elements and connections to nature benefits all project types. Attendees can implement these tips into their next project.

Abstract: Trauma-informed design ensures that each space in a project plays a significant role in supporting the healing process of residents or occupants. This session explores case studies of two projects varying in facility type, size, and occupant goals. Each project team applied trauma-informed design principles to create welcoming exterior environments and interior spaces that elicit a sense of calm and support personal well-being. Boys Town is a treatment center for youth placed through the juvenile justice system or state family services departments from across the United States. Because all the youth are placed due to behavior health issues and many of them suffer from mental health and substance abuse issues, safety was a major design priority. Extra considerations were taken to create a safe environment that does not feel institutional. The new Education Center at Boys Town is filled with next generation learning environments for students in grades 4-12, upholding its vision that all students deserve inspiring learning environments, especially at-risk youth and those who have experienced trauma. Students played a critical role in the design of the facility to ensure it is a family-oriented, innovative, and inviting environment. Green Hill School Wellness and Recreation Center provides healthy lifestyle and wellness opportunities for staff and male youth in a secure juvenile rehabilitation facility. Using an integrated site and building design to create a restorative, calm and therapeutic environment, the rehabilitative treatment approach acknowledges past trauma experienced by youth and provides campus staff with a safe place for respite and collaboration. The new Wellness and Recreation Center will be the State’s first Net-Zero Energy Justice Facility, and focuses on providing critical emotional regulation skills, education and training for youth to achieve successful reentry into their communities.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how trauma-informed design can positively impact a learning environment or rehabilitation facility.
2. Learn how multi-purpose, flexible, and adaptable spaces support soft-skill development.
3. Examine how facility design can bridge learning and social-emotional wellbeing.
4. Recognize elements of trauma-informed design, including access to outdoors or views of nature; light-filled spaces; materials like larch wood that symbolically resemble rehabilitation and growth; areas for self-expression; connections to staff; balancing transparency and privacy; and dedicated spaces for somatic therapies such as yoga or meditation.