Healing home: exploring the potential of trauma-informed design in foster care group homes

Abstract

This thesis explores trauma-informed design’s capacity to improve the health and overall livelihood of youth living in the foster care system. Statistics indicate that many youth in foster care are living with accumulated trauma. This trauma presents itself through physical and mental illness, and fosters poor adult life outcomes. Progress in the field of trauma-informed design and homelessness, has validated the success of this practice in the healing and mitigating of trauma. The collaboration between trauma-informed design and foster care architecture however, has not been studied. In the attempt to improve the life outcomes for this vulnerable population, this thesis proposes a trauma-informed foster care group home. A home designed in purposeful response to the unique traumas experienced by youth in foster care, provides a safe residence, and curates a healing environment. This is needed to allow youth in the system a clearer path forward in becoming happy and healthy adults despite their trauma.