Presenter: Kallianne Young, College of Engineering, Applied Science and Technology, Interior Design
Authors: Kallianne Young
Faculty Advisor: Kristin Arnold, Engineering, Applied Science & Technology, Interior Design
Institution: Weber State University
Many women today suffer from domestic abuse and violence while their children are witness of this abuse. These women and their children need a safe place that they can go to in order to have safe shelter and gain the aid that they require to begin healing and work through their past. In order to provide aid to their situations a repurposed building will be designed with a focus on safety, security, and healing. Many commercial buildings and shelters in the past have used many commercial architectural features such as hard lines and harsh commercial lighting which would not allow these women to be able to feel as if they are in a safe and calming space where they can easily interact with others who are trying to help them. In order to rectify this problem, the building will be designed with more home-like features such as "attractive and soft room[s], which is more similar to the environment in which friends Interact, [and] would facilitate self-disclosure… [while] hard, impervious architectural designs [lead] to alienation from the place and people in it" (Miwa, Hanyu 2006). These softer more home-like spaces will allow them to feel more secure and safer in order to begin their healing process both on their own and with therapists and other caretakers who would support the women and their children. In all providing a solution for women who are victims of domestic violence and abuse.