Designing for a body that remembers

Trauma doesn’t just live in our memories—it resides in our bodies, shaping how we physically respond to the spaces around us. When certain design elements trigger stress responses, the nervous system reacts automatically, often beyond our conscious control. What feels neutral to one person might feel overwhelming or unsafe to another, making it uniquely challenging to create environments where individuals with trauma histories can feel safe, supported, and able to function effectively (Blehm, 2022).

And trauma is far more common than many realize. In Canada, over 60% of people report having experienced at least one adverse childhood experience (ACE), with disproportionately higher rates among women and non-heterosexual individuals (Joshi et al., 2021). These experiences don't simply fade with time. They continue to shape how people navigate spaces and interpret their surroundings, turning ordinary environments into potential sources of distress.

At Holland, we believe thoughtful design can help ease these invisible burdens. Our Project Lead, Jamie Falkner, brings a signature blend of evidence and empathy to every project, guided by her philosophy that the most effective design elements are those that occupants never consciously notice—only the comfort and ease they provide. In this blog, Jamie decodes the subtle yet powerful principles of trauma-informed environments and illustrates how deliberate design choices create spaces that support psychological safety and functional needs simultaneously.

Design grounded in evidence and empathy

At Holland, trauma-informed design is built on deep stakeholder conversations, research insights, and a commitment to inclusivity and equity. In the early design phases, we involve key partners, like J5, and engage all stakeholders to understand how they interact with their environment, surfacing potential triggers that might otherwise go unnoticed; like a reception desk where staff have their backs to incoming visitors, a lack of visual privacy in consultation areas, or confusing wayfinding that creates anxiety.

Every preliminary design undergoes careful evaluation through the lens of psychological safety, ensuring that the environments we create support all users, including those with heightened sensitivities, in feeling secure, empowered, and at ease. Here are 4 trauma-informed design elements we consider to support healing and well-being:

1. Lighting

Finding the perfect lighting balance is one of the most critical yet delicate challenges in trauma-informed design. Research reveals a narrow window of optimal illumination: excessive brightness can intensify emotional responses, potentially triggering anxiety or overwhelming sensory systems (Bedrosian & Nelson, 2017), while insufficient lighting can increase depressive symptoms by 40% and create environments that feel unsafe or threatening (Brown & Jacobs, 2011).

At Holland, we've developed a layered lighting approach that responds to these complexities. Rather than implementing a one-size-fits-all solution, we create lighting ecosystems that are both functional and therapeutic. Working closely with electrical engineers, we ensure control systems are intuitively positioned and accessible to those who need them.

Our lighting strategy integrates several key elements:

• Ambient lighting that provides general illumination without harsh overhead glare
• Task lighting that focuses on specific activity areas without flooding the entire space
• Accent lighting that creates visual interest and spatial definition
• Natural light management through thoughtful window placement and light-filtering solutions
• Lighting controls that allow users to adjust lighting levels according to their needs

2. Spatial layout

How we configure a space directly impacts a person's sense of safety, orientation, and control. At Holland, we pay particular attention to circulation patterns, thinking carefully about how people navigate a space. For individuals with trauma histories, unpredictable pathways or forced proximity to strangers can trigger stress responses. Well-designed circulation fosters predictability and choice, two essential components of psychological safety.

Here are some ways we utilize effective circulation:

• On-stage/off-stage model that separate staff and visitor circulation paths, protecting privacy and reducing stress
• Clear sightlines that allow people to see what's ahead, reducing the anxiety of the unknown
• Multiple pathway options that offer choice and prevent feeling of entrapment
• Intuitive wayfinding that minimizes the cognitive load of navigation
• Buffer zones between public and private areas that create comfortable transitions

3. Acoustics

Noise exposure can cause hormonal changes in the body, leading to elevated levels of adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol. Over time, these physiological effects can contribute to mental health challenges, with noise recognized as a significant factor in conditions that affect around 30% of the global population (Madvari et al., 2024). Given the strong connection between sound and well-being, managing noise is essential to creating trauma-informed spaces that minimize stress responses and foster a sense of safety.

We approach acoustic design intentionally by:

• Designing wall partitions with adequate insulation
• Extending partitions to the underside of the structural slab to prevent sound transfer
• Coordinating with mechanical engineers to ensure any wall openings maintain acoustic integrity
• Incorporating soft materials like upholstery, curtains, and acoustic wall panels to reduce echo
• Working with acoustic consultants to strategically place sound-absorbing materials

4. Furniture

Furniture selection significantly impacts how people interact with a space and each other. In trauma-informed environments, we focus on creating different zones that accommodate diverse needs, recognizing that while some people thrive in collaborative settings, others require more privacy.

When selecting furniture, we consider:

• How long someone will use a particular piece
• The level of comfort needed for different activities
• Elements of "cocooning" that provide a sense of protection
• Materials that offer tactile comfort
• Arrangements that allow people to choose their preferred level of engagement

The next evolution of trauma-informed design

As awareness grows around how spaces affect mental well-being, here are the trends we're seeing take shape:

• Blended approaches: The integration of residential, hospitality, and wellness elements creates environments that feel less institutional and more nurturing.
• Flexibility as a priority: Spaces that can adapt to changing needs allow for personalization and responsiveness to different sensory preferences.
• Sustainability as security: Environmental stability through sustainable practices contributes to psychological security and overall well-being.
• Technology integration: Digital innovations can provide users greater control over their environment, from lighting and temperature to wayfinding and information access.

‍Get in touch with us

Trauma-informed design isn't just about avoiding triggers. It's about actively creating spaces that support healing and growth. At Holland, our human-centred approach considers the full spectrum of human experience within the built environment. By building empathy and seeing spaces through the eyes of those who will use them, we design with the goal of improving quality of life at every touchpoint.

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If you’re ready to bring trauma-informed design into your workspaces, get in touch with us today!