The Power of Trauma-Informed Design in Senior Living
by Rebecca Greek, RA | Published in the Colorado Real Estate Journal
As architects, our responsibility extends beyond functionality; we design environments that shape lives, foster community, and support well-being. This mission is especially vital in senior housing, where trauma-informed design (TID) can transform spaces into havens of healing and resilience.
With 70% of people experiencing at least one traumatic event in their lifetime and 54% of U.S. families affected by disaster, understanding trauma’s pervasive impact is crucial.
For older adults, who may carry decades of unhealed trauma, the need for thoughtful, inclusive design is particularly pressing. TID is more than just a methodology; it’s a commitment to fostering human dignity and resilience through thoughtful design.
What is Trauma-Informed Design (TID)?
TID recognizes how physical spaces affect individuals’ emotional and physiological states. By prioritizing safety, comfort, choice, and connection, it mitigates trauma’s lasting impacts while fostering healing. Research from the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University highlights that severe or persistent childhood trauma can leave deep, enduring scars that influence adult behavior, perception, and health. For seniors, these effects can be compounded by additional stressors such as loss, illness, or social isolation.
Applying a trauma-informed lens allows architects to design spaces that reduce stress responses, promote self-regulation, and support recovery.
Principles of Trauma-Informed Design
The core principles of TID—safety, comfort, choice, and connection—guide every design decision. These principles ensure that environments are not only functional but also responsive to the diverse needs of their users.
1. Safety: Physical and emotional security are paramount. Secure entrances, clear wayfinding, and thoughtful lighting reduce anxiety and foster trust. Sightlines are also crucial—people feel safer when they can see who is coming and going and have a clear exit path.
2. Comfort: Spaces should soothe the senses. Noise reduction, adjustable lighting, and controlled airflow create environments that cater to individual preferences. Blackout curtains or dimmable lights help manage sensory input, addressing trauma-related sensitivities.
3. Choice: Offering a range of spatial experiences empowers residents to engage with their environment in ways that suit their needs. Some may find solace in quiet, private areas, while others thrive in lively, socially interactive spaces.
4. Connection: Community-driven design fosters a sense of belonging. Shared gardens, intergenerational gathering spaces, and cultural or historical references in design strengthen ties to self, community, and landscape.
Practical Applications in Senior Housing
Whether you’re embarking on a new project or a renovation, integrating these principles into your community can be cost-effective, even in affordable housing. Below are some practical applications and design strategies. We’ve been able to implement many of these strategies in our recent project, Ravenfield, an affordable senior living community being designed in Brighton.
Biophilic elements
Natural light, views of greenery, and nature-inspired aesthetics provide mental health benefits, including lower blood pressure and reduced stress. At Ravenfield, we incorporated a sunroom filled with plants where small groups can gather and experience nature, even on a cold winter’s day.
Sensory boundaries
Minimizing disruptive noise while enhancing pleasant sounds, such as water features or soft music, creates a calming atmosphere. Managing odors and air quality is equally critical.
Personalization & identity anchors
Allowing residents to personalize their space reinforces their dignity and sense of belonging. Design elements reflecting local culture or history further strengthen these connections. For example, Brighton’s agricultural heritage influenced Ravenfield’s materials and forms.
Flexible activity zones
Budgets for amenity spaces can be tight, so designing flexible rooms is key. A space designed for morning yoga can seamlessly transition into a lively card game venue in the evening. Creating adaptable interiors requires close collaboration with engineers to ensure that mechanical systems can support multiple uses. Smart storage solutions also help transform spaces seamlessly. Community gardens, for instance, should include irrigation and convertible beds that transition from vegetable plots to perennial plants, avoiding empty, neglected areas. Successful amenities hinge on understanding residents’ needs and ensuring an engaged property management team actively facilitates their use.
The Role of Collaboration
Effective TID begins with listening. Residents and staff are the true experts in their lived experiences. Engaging with them ensures designs are context-sensitive and responsive. Understanding the socio-cultural fabric of the neighborhood, city, and region allows architects to create spaces that reflect community values. When designing Ravenfield, the team consulted the housing authority, community partners, and residents in similar independent living communities. This engagement helped shape a project that truly met stakeholders’ needs and aspirations.
A Path to Healing
While trauma research often focuses on health and mental care, the physical environment’s role in healing is profound. Thoughtfully designed spaces provide not just shelter but also hope. For seniors, such environments offer comfort, connection, and a higher quality of life.
About the Author
Rebecca Greek, AIA, is a registered architect and project manager with over 19 years of experience specializing in affordable and permanent supportive housing. A passionate advocate for inclusive design, Rebecca has led more than a dozen affordable housing developments in recent years—many of which integrate sustainable building practices and trauma-informed design. She is committed to creating environments that foster dignity, safety, and community for all residents, especially older adults. Rebecca is currently a project manager at JLA Architects and an active member of several housing and community advocacy groups in Colorado. Learn more about Rebecca here.
