{"id":203344,"date":"2022-11-28T09:15:08","date_gmt":"2022-11-28T14:15:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/interiordesign.net\/?post_type=id_project&p=203344"},"modified":"2022-11-28T09:15:14","modified_gmt":"2022-11-28T14:15:14","slug":"spacesmith-trauma-informed-design-sco-genovese-family-life-center","status":"publish","type":"id_project","link":"https:\/\/interiordesign.net\/projects\/spacesmith-trauma-informed-design-sco-genovese-family-life-center\/","title":{"rendered":"Spacesmith Fosters Trauma Informed Design for a Family Center in New York"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Marset pendants illuminate the foster family visiting room, with Allsteel poufs and Andreu World tables.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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November 28, 2022<\/p>\n\n\n

Words: <\/span>Jesse Dorris<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Photography: <\/span>Eric Laignel<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Spacesmith Fosters Trauma Informed Design for a Family Center in New York<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Experiencing significant life challenges can be traumatizing; design shouldn\u2019t be. And yet, too many institutions of human service\u2014foster care centers, medical offices, social service providers\u2014are housed in unpleasant environments with stressful spatial arrangements and bleak interiors that may, unintentionally, increase the trauma of those they mean to heal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spacesmith<\/a>\u2019s plan for the SCO Family of Services Genovese Family Life Center was to do the opposite. The firm employed \u201ctrauma informed design\u201d for the 30,000-square-foot center in Jamaica Queens, New York. \u201cAdverse childhood experiences, such as time in foster care, carry an elevated risk of toxic stress physiology, which leads to chronic illness, depression, and other life-threatening circumstances,\u201d says Spacesmith principal \u00c1mbar Margarida. \u201cWith a clear spatial layout, thoughtful furniture choices, visual interest, light and color, and biophilic design, the center promotes a sense of calm, safety, and well-being.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The firm completed a gut renovation of the five-floor building, with levels for family visiting, foster care, residential and youth justice, and medical services. Interiors promote spatial availability with clear sightlines, reduced barriers, and hospitality-inflected furnishings, while pastel color palettes and engaging, biophilic wallcoverings seek to inspire engagement and relaxation. \u201cThe stress of an unpleasant environment can cause you to feel uneasy, sad, or helpless, \u201c says Margarida. They hope a new design can reverse that.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Marset pendants glow before a nook in the training center caf\u00e9, with a custom bench by Beachley, Stylex chairs, and Knoll tables. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A partition opens to reveal two rooms in the basement level training center, where Stylex chairs line up upon a pair of Interface carpet tiles. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Small reception areas on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors are carpeted in Interface tiles, with benches and tables by Davis and Marset sconces. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"floral
Floral Flavor Paper wallcovering brightens up gender neutral restrooms on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A botanical Flavor Paper wallcovering defines the gender neutral restrooms, with custom sinks and Bradley faucets. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Herman Miller sofas and Allsteel armchairs gather on an Interface rug in the ground floor reception area; the wallcovering is by Maharam.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"a
Marset pendants illuminate the foster family visiting room, with Allsteel poufs and Andreu World tables.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Off reception, a medical suite offers a duet of Designtex wallcoverings: Spaces in the hallway, and Leafery in the exam rooms.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n