‘Space of healing energy’: trauma-informed design in restorative justice program spaces

Trauma-informed design (TID) is an emerging field that builds on trauma-informed care and known design principles to create physical spaces that are supportive of trauma survivors’ need for safety, control, and physical and emotional regulation. Little is known about TID within the context of restorative justice programs and those who are impacted by or involved in violence that is codified as a crime. This mixed-method study explored TID design principles and characteristics for survivors and perpetrators of violence engaged with a trauma-informed restorative justice program and the staff who serve them. By answering questions on an electronic survey, participants designed a space for a hypothetical ‘difficult and emotional conversation.’ In group virtual design labs, participants designed an office space through conversation and by moving images of design features into a blank room layout. Results revealed 10 design elements to consider in the office design: spatial designation, spatial diversity, seating, art, nourishment, nature, lighting, windows, color, and sounds/acoustics. The discussion maps the elements onto eight trauma transformation needs to create a preliminary TID framework.