As we conclude our discussion on Trauma-Informed Design (TID), we will take a deeper dive into how we incorporated trauma-informed principles and the SPACe model (Safety, Privacy, Accessibility, Control, and Efficiency) throughout the design and development of the Gilbert Advocacy Center.
The Gilbert Advocacy Center, when complete, will be an incredible new facility dedicated to supporting victims of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, human trafficking, and other interpersonal crimes. The Gilbert Advocacy Center (GAC) will establish a new standard for serving and empowering victims and survivors in Arizona.
Proposal and Planning Phase
From the beginning, the Town of Gilbert placed a huge emphasis on incorporating Trauma-Informed Design in GAC. The DFDG Architecture (DFDG) Team began our process by thoroughly reviewing existing TID research and guidelines, focusing on best practices in therapeutic and facility design. It became clear that adding a TID specialist to the team would significantly enhance both the project and its outcomes. This led to including architectural psychologist Dr. Dak Kopec on our team as our dedicated TID expert. His insight helped us create a compelling proposal package that included our initial thoughts on the design and resulted in our team being selected to design the project.
After being awarded the project, the DFDG team began exploring how to design this facility through the lens of TID. An initial study, led by Dr. Kopec, uncovered a significant challenge: many existing TID standards were too broad and did not address the unique cultural and operational needs of the Gilbert Advocacy Center. While general principles provided a theoretical foundation, the design team identified critical gaps in their applicability to our real-world facility.
The team adopted a research-driven, collaborative planning approach to translate clinical trauma insights into architectural strategy. This is where the SPACe model (Safety, Privacy, Accessibility, Control, and efficiency) was born. It has served as a checklist to evaluate how every room, material, and detail could support trauma recovery. By creating this model specifically for the GAC, the team set up a common language to discuss design choices.
Stakeholder engagement played a crucial role during the planning phase, shaping and refining the project’s design direction. The team went beyond standard document reviews, delving into real-world experiences through interviews and interactive workshops with key users, victim advocates, police personnel, and counselors. These sessions helped uncover pain points in traditional facilities and identify opportunities for meaningful improvements.
To further involve the community, the Town of Gilbert organized open houses and forums, fostering public input throughout the process. From the 2019 Community Needs Assessment that established the center’s necessity to the 2024 design open houses, residents and future users were given a platform to share their concerns and aspirations for the facility.
By the conclusion of the schematic design phase, the inclusive and iterative process had delivered a well-defined roadmap for embedding TID principles throughout the building.
Goal Setting and Philosophical Approach
Gilbert’s project team expressed ambitious yet pragmatic goals that defined the project’s philosophical approach. First was longevity and timeless appeal: the facility should have a welcoming environment that holds its comfort and relevance for decades. This meant avoiding overly trendy or institutional designs in favor of classic, humanizing elements that would continue to feel inviting and safe in the long term. Flexibility was another key goal – the design needed to accommodate evolving needs and different scenarios of use. Given the sensitive and varied nature of cases (ranging from child interviews to adult counseling and forensic medical exams), spaces had to be adaptable. Achieving such flexibility ensures the center can respond to changing demands or trauma-informed best practices over time without major renovations.
The main goal was to prioritize a trauma-centered human experience in every aspect of design. In contrast to traditional justice projects that prioritize efficiency or security , GAC set out to “actively support healing, minimize stress, and foster positivity for all who use the space.” The team embraced the idea that a trauma-informed facility is “not just for those who have experienced trauma–it enhances spaces for everyone”. Every design choice would be filtered through the question: “How will this make a survivor feel?” – aiming to instill safety, dignity, and a sense of control for users who may be in a heightened state of crisis.
As an evaluative model, SPACe allowed the design team to evaluate ideas against the five core principles at each stage. For example, during design reviews, the team would ask:
- Does the space layout uphold Safety (clear sightlines, no hidden corners)?
- Are all rooms configured for Privacy (soundproofing, no outside visual intrusion)?
- Is the wayfinding intuitive for Accessibility (easy to navigate without confusion)?
- Can a user exercise Control (adjust lighting or choose a secluded seat)?
- Does a proposed material or feature balance user comfort with operational efficiency (durability and budget mindfulness)?
Using SPACe in this manner made the typically abstract TID goals very concrete. Each element of the building could be measured and discussed relative to trauma-informed outcomes. By setting these goals early and rigorously evaluating design options through SPACe, the team created a solid foundation: GAC would be a purpose-driven facility where design serves as a tool for empathy and empowerment.
Design and Programming
As design development got underway, the team distilled the project’s vision into a few thematic inspirations – Beacon, Haven, and Journey. These became touchstones for the programming and form of the building.
Beacon denotes the center’s outward identity. The architecture should signal a beacon of hope to the community. This influenced the exterior design and site placement. For example, ensuring the building is approachable and prominent, with warm lighting and signage that communicates a safe refuge. The GAC was described at its groundbreaking as “a beacon of hope for crime victims,” underscoring the intent that survivors can immediately recognize the facility as a place of help and hope.
Haven speaks to the interior character of the building, where the atmosphere immediately shifts to one of protection, comfort, and privacy. Spaces are intentionally designed with soft transitions, controlled light, and thoughtful acoustics to create a sanctuary from the chaos or danger outside. Town leaders envisioned the center as “a haven for victims,” a place where healing begins the moment someone enters. More than a functional facility, the environment itself actively contributes to safety, dignity, and calm—offering reassurance that those inside are protected, valued, and not alone.
Journey guided the spatial layout and sequencing of experiences. Every survivor’s path through the building, from the entrance to their own private waiting room, then to the interview or exam rooms, and then to counseling spaces in future visits, was mapped to be intuitive and stress-reducing. The entrance is designed to be non-intimidating and discreet, leading to a reception area where sightlines are maintained for safety but arranged so visitors are not exposed to prying eyes (supporting a sense of privacy and control). Corridors and signage are kept simple and logical to avoid confusion, acknowledging that someone in crisis may be easily overwhelmed. There are no maze-like layouts or dead ends; instead, clear cues help users know where they are and where to go next without feeling lost.
The design recognizes that everyone’s journey is unique, providing multiple pathways and options: for example, a family in crisis might go straight to a quiet room with an advocate. Whereas a police detective might usher another victim through a secure entry to more quickly get to the interview suite. Community leaders emphasized “acknowledging the uniqueness of each journey” as a core principle for the center, and the architectural programming reflects that with flexible, user-responsive planning.
Dr. Kopec’s involvement brought valuable insights from environmental psychology that helped guide many of the design details. He emphasized that trauma survivors experience space differently, which made our team more aware of how even small design features can shape a person’s perception. It is not enough for a space to be secure; survivors need to feel safe and in control. As an example, if a person who has experienced trauma feels trapped or cornered, their stress response will increase. To avoid this, the GAC’s layout was planned with clear routes and sightlines in mind. This caters to the primal need to know “I can get out of here quickly if I need to,” reducing unconscious anxiety.
A related concept introduced by Dr. Kopec was design neutrality – meaning the environment should not impose a strong emotional tone that could clash with a user’s current state or trigger memories. Neutral design does not mean bland or sterile, but rather adaptable and understated. The interiors of the GAC use a calming, muted color palette and abstract forms to avoid overstimulation. This neutrality allows each visitor to interpret the space in a way comfortable to them, rather than an overly decorative or thematic interior that might inadvertently remind someone of a negative experience. By rigorously evaluating each material and color against the SPACe criteria, the team filtered out elements that might send an undesired signal. Complex patterns that could be perceived as chaotic (potentially aggravating anxiety) were avoided in favor of solid or gentle textures. Lighting temperatures were selected to be warm and adjustable, avoiding harsh fluorescents that might feel clinical or interrogative. The design strived to be a canvas for healing, with nothing jarring that would distract or distress an already traumatized individual.
Key Design Applications
Privacy and Dignity from Entry to Exit: Protecting victims’ privacy was a top priority in the GAC design. One strategy involved extensive window film studies for the public entry areas. The main lobby features a glass wall on the north side to allow natural light while preventing a claustrophobic or bunker feel, but these are treated with high-translucency frosted film and strategic frit patterns. This ensures that while daylight enters, no one from outside can identify or watch a person inside the facility. Other visual privacy measures are used inside the building as well – for instance, doors into waiting rooms are tucked away from main corridors so individuals can step out of the direct line of sight of strangers.
Soundproofing and white noise machines are used to guarantee personal conversations cannot be overheard, addressing auditory privacy. Even olfactory privacy was considered; separate ventilation zones prevent investigative or medical areas (which might have antiseptic or other odors) from influencing the more relaxed counseling spaces. These interventions align with the SPACe model’s emphasis on privacy for all senses – sight, sound and, scent. A tangible example showcasing all of these strategies is the forensic medical suite. It has a discrete entrance and its own attached restroom with a shower. A survivor can clean up immediately after an exam in total privacy, without crossing public hallways. This not only supports dignity but also avoids re-exposure to any triggering environments at the most vulnerable moment.
Calming Biophilic and Sensory Elements: The design incorporates nature-inspired elements to harness the healing power of biophilia. Research shows that introducing elements like water, natural materials, and daylight can significantly reduce stress and promote well-being in trauma recovery environments. An interactive trickling water feature is in the therapy courtyard garden and is audible from the adjacent family waiting area. The gentle sound of flowing water provides a soothing auditory backdrop that helps regulate anxious emotions. Visitors can also retreat into the garden to touch and play with this water feature in a controlled way, which serves as a positive sensory distraction. The multi-sensory elements (soft natural textures, the sound of water, greenery visible through windows) collectively create a calming atmosphere that helps occupants self-soothe.
Balancing Welcoming Aesthetics with Institutional Needs: Because GAC houses police operations (investigators, evidence collection) alongside victim services, the design had to balance an official, secure facility with a non-threatening ambiance. DFDG approached this by “softening” the traditional institutional look wherever possible. Instead of hard tile or concrete floors, most interior areas use wood-look resilient flooring or carpet with warm tones, making the space feel more residential and less like a government building. The color scheme abandons the stereotypical gray or beige of public facilities; in its place are muted blues, greens, and earth tones that evoke calm and optimism.
Curved forms were introduced in the architecture and millwork. For example, a gently arcing reception desk and rounded corner details psychologically signal gentleness (sharp corners can subconsciously feel aggressive or dangerous). This strategy echoes a broader trend in therapeutic design, where using “home-like materials to create a more rehabilitative environment” has proven effective in promoting well-being.
The building’s critical safety and security features could not be compromised. The team’s solution was to integrate these unobtrusively. Secure entries and controlled access points are present but designed to be low-profile. A visitor encounters a friendly, well-lit lobby rather than a guard booth. This design achieves what the SPACe model calls physical safety with perceived safety. Robust protection is in place, but the predominant feeling one gets inside is one of comfort and refuge, not of being watched or contained.
Avoiding Imagery of Trauma – Emphasizing Healing: A subtle yet important design application was the conscientious avoidance of any symbols or messages that might connote violence, chaos, or “brokenness.” The team vetted artwork, interior finishes, even the building’s name and signage to ensure they sent a positive message. For example, shattered glass patterns or abstract art with very sharp, jagged forms were ruled out, as they could subconsciously resonate with feelings of brokenness or threat.
Community Input: At a beam-signing event during construction, citizens wrote messages of hope on a structural beam literally embedding community support into the building. By design, the GAC tells every survivor who walks in you are not defined by what happened to you; you are on a path to healing. This conscious avoidance of negative cues and promotion of transformational hope differentiates GAC from standard facilities. It stands as a physical manifestation of the idea that “the environment can support resilience and help turn victimization into empowerment.”
Outcome and Reflections
As the Gilbert Advocacy Center moves through construction, it is already being hailed as a success in terms of design process and expected impact. One major outcome is that the project remained steadfast in its trauma-informed mission from conception to realization. What made the GAC project successful is, primarily, the alignment of purpose among all stakeholders – a clarity that the human experience of the space was the top priority. This shared vision allowed innovative ideas (like the SPACe model and biophilic features) to flourish and overcome the usual hurdles of budget or skepticism.
When the Contractor was brought onto the team after a successful bidding process, they were fully incorporated into the team and bought into the TID vision. Before the ink was dry on the contracts, teambuilding workshops were held to align them with the needs of the victim to ensure all of the important elements were correctly built into the facility. The Contractor later invited their trade partners to learn about what TID is and how it was applied to this facility. These steps all help to ensure the vision becomes reality.
The incorporation of the SPACe framework proved immensely valuable as an evaluative tool; it ensured that the final design was not just checked once for TID compliance but continuously shaped by those principles. As a result, the finished center will open with confidence that every detail has been thoughtfully designed to promote healing, reduce stress, and instill hope.