Exploring Trauma-Informed Design with AHR

Landscape architecture plays a pivotal role in how we perceive and interact with our surroundings. Recently, OOBE’s Greg Meikle joined a panel hosted by AHR to discuss a design philosophy that is becoming increasingly essential: trauma-informed design.

While architectural discussions often focus on the interior of a building, at OOBE, we believe the experience begins much earlier. Trauma-informed design is about more than just the physical structure; it encompasses the approach, the arrival, and the wider journey people take as they navigate a space.

We have been able to put select principles into practice through our work on the Health and Society Campus at the University of Salford. For the Thrive building, the landscape was designed to be an extension of the care provided inside. By carefully considering the user journey, we aimed to shape a positive experience that supports wellbeing and dignity for every visitor.

A huge thank you to Robert Hopkins and Stuart Bryson at AHR for facilitating such a vital discussion and inviting us to share our perspective.

We are committed to pushing the boundaries of inclusive design across all our sectors. If you would like to learn more about how trauma-informed principles can be integrated into your next project, please get in touch with Greg Meikle or Mike Goodall.