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Trauma-informed design in practice

Exploring how emotionally intelligent design can shape places where people feel safe, confident and supported, through one of the UK’s first trauma-informed buildings.,

overview

How trauma-informed design is reshaping the way we think about places

Across health, education and civic environments, many buildings still prioritise efficiency, compliance and output. Yet for the people who use them every day, how a place feels can be just as important as how it functions. Noise, lighting, layout and a lack of clarity can quietly increase stress, reduce confidence and make everyday interactions more demanding than they need to be.

At AHR, we believe places have the power to positively influence how people feel, connect and thrive. Trauma-informed design (TID) builds on this belief by recognising that environments shape emotional responses, behaviours and wellbeing. By designing for psychological safety, sensory comfort and choice, we can create places that support people through a wide range of lived experiences, not just those who identify with trauma.

To explore how these principles can be applied in practice we worked in partnership with the University of Salford on Thrive Health and Wellbeing Centre – one of the UK’s first trauma-informed buildings. The project gave us the opportunity to test ideas, challenge assumptions and translate theory into built reality.

The insights from this work are captured in our white paper, which offers practical, evidence-informed guidance for anyone shaping environments where wellbeing matters.

Download the white paper here

Get in touch

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AHR University Thrive Health and Wellbeing Centre Architecture Salford Stakeholder map
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AHR University Thrive Health and Wellbeing Centre Architecture Salford Seating Area 01
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case study

Thrive Health and Wellbeing Centre

The University of Salford's Thrive Health and Wellbeing Centre brings together teaching, clinical practice and community services within a single setting. Students, children, families, clinicians and academics will use the building daily, making it an ideal environment to explore how trauma-informed design principles can operate within a complex, multidisciplinary brief.

From the outset, the project was shaped through close collaboration with academics, clinicians, students, estates teams and community partners. Their lived experience and professional insights helped us move beyond assumptions and established a shared set of values on safety, clarity and sensory comfort that guided the brief and influenced every design decision.

Rather than treating trauma-informed design as an added layer, we embedded it into the fundamentals of how the building works. Clear and intuitive circulation reduces anxiety around navigation. Generous sightlines support orientation and a sense of control.

Natural light, carefully balanced acoustics and considered material choices help create calm, welcoming spaces without overwhelming the senses. These elements combine to create a place where people will feel secure, oriented and emotionally regulated.

Thrive demonstrates that trauma-informed design is not about softening architecture, but about sharpening its ability to support people - creating environments where learning, care and connection can coexist naturally.

This project gave us the opportunity to ask different questions about design. Instead of focusing solely on function, we looked closely at how a space can support psychological safety and how subtle details can help people navigate their day with greater confidence.”

Professor Victoria Halliwell

Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of School of Health and Society
AHR University Thrive Health and Wellbeing Centre Salford Architecture TID framework principles
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context

What do we mean by trauma-informed design?

Trauma-informed design applies principles from trauma-informed care to the built environment. It starts from the understanding that spaces influence how safe people feel, how much control they experience, how easily they connect with others and how supported they feel emotionally through spaces. Our approach is shaped by four interconnected principles which provide a shared language that translates psychological needs into spatial qualities.

Safety and trust

Safety in trauma-informed design is about more than reducing risk. It’s about creating environments that feel calm, predictable and secure, supporting emotional safety for people who may be highly sensitive to their surroundings.

Choice and empowerment

Choice and empowerment are central to trauma-informed environments. By involving people in decisions and supporting autonomy, design can strengthen wellbeing, confidence and a sense of personal control.

Community and collaboration

Community-focused design recognises the value of shared support and cultural understanding. Strong communities help create inclusive, trauma-responsive spaces that reflect diverse lived experiences and support recovery.

Beauty and joy

Beauty and joy play an important role in healing spaces. Incorporating uplifting, positive design elements can support emotional regulation, wellbeing and connection, making joy a meaningful part of TID.

explore each principle in practice

AHR University Thrive Health and Wellbeing Centre Architecture Salford Four principles
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AHR University Thrive Health and Wellbeing Centre Architecture Salford Four principles3
AHR University Thrive Health and Wellbeing Centre Architecture Salford Four principles4

Safety and trust

Creating environments that feel predictable, legible and calm, reducing unnecessary stress and uncertainty.

Choice and empowerment

Designing spaces that offer people control over how they move, where they pause and how they engage with others.

Community and collaboration

Supporting connection and belonging through inclusive, welcoming places that encourage positive interaction.

Beauty and joy

Recognising that delight, nature and sensory richness play a vital role in emotional wellbeing.

This framework gave our team a shared language and helped us translate psychological needs into spatial qualities. The result is intuitive circulation routes that offer clear choices, generous sightlines that help people feel secure, and natural light that creates connection to the outside world while maintaining privacy.”

Robert Hopkins

Project Director and Head of Sustainability

our expertise

Learn more about trauma-informed design

Dive deeper into trauma-informed design through our thought leadership articles, podcast conversations with Victoria and our team leading this work and stay current with the latest industry news.

Introducing the University of Salford's landmark building, Thrive Health and Wellbeing Centre

Project News

Introducing the University of Salford's landmark building, Thrive Health and Wellbeing Centre

Discover how our design for the University of Salford’s Thrive Health and Wellbeing Centre combines trauma-informed design, biophilia, specialist clinical teaching spaces and community access.

Date: 26 Nov 25

AHR -

by AHR

How is trauma-informed design transforming university spaces?

Podcast

How is trauma-informed design transforming university spaces?

Guest Speakers: Robert Hopkins, Stefan Harris and Vicky Halliwell.

Date: 29 Aug 25

Robert Hopkins - Director, Architecture

Hosted by Robert Hopkins

Director, Architecture

Designing for safety, dignity and belonging: Reflections from Learning Places Scotland 2025

Thought Leadership

Designing for safety, dignity and belonging: Reflections from Learning Places Scotland 2025

Learn how trauma-informed and biophilic design create healthier, inclusive education environments, showcased by the Thrive Health and Wellbeing Centre at the University of Salford.

Date: 26 Nov 25

Robert Hopkins - Director, Architecture

by Robert Hopkins

Director, Architecture

read our white paper

Evidence, frameworks and practical guidance

Download the white paper

Our white paper brings together research, lived experience and real-world delivery. It explores how trauma-informed design can be applied across sectors, from healthcare and education to civic and community environments. Whether you are responsible for shaping strategy, delivering projects or managing estates, you’ll find practical guidance you can apply to your own spaces.

If you’d like to explore how trauma-informed principles could support your own projects or estates, we’d love to continue the conversation. Get in touch here

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