Designing for Dignity: Elements of Practice

• The book presents state-of-the-art research and practice on Dignified Design (also referred to as Trauma-Informed Design), which has become a best practice in creating environments for vulnerable and underserved populations. Shopworks Architecture is a recognised leader in studying, defining, and implementing this approach in housing, shelters, and service settings
• The book features original, evidence-based findings resulting from a formal, grant-funded research process
• This is the most comprehensive guide of its kind, breaking down key considerations for thoughtfully executing these elements in a cohesive, balanced design
• The book features over 30 projects from the Shopworks Architecture portfolio, which together illustrate the evolution and maturing of our team's interpretation of Dignified Design over the years
• The book has been assembled to support different reading styles and exploration paths for those who may want to casually page through photos, download detailed guidance on a specific design feature, seek design inspiration, or learn about a specific project type

Dignity is a state of being, a quality of humanness inherent to each individual. It describes a sense of value, worth, honour, and respect for one's personhood—how we all individually navigate, independently experience, and uniquely perceive the world around us. It is the ultimate quality of being, a celebration of the human spirit, and the potential of each of us to live as fully as we define and determine.

Dignity in design, therefore, requires an intentional examination of the human experience—how we process information and connect with the world around us, how we fundamentally seek survival and pleasure in all we do, how we react in the presence of adversity and stress, surprise and delight. And with this understanding comes empathy for what it means to navigate the world as a complex, conscious, affectable human beings.
Designing for Dignity recognises the role of our built environment in supporting and fostering the health of individuals, neighbourhoods and communities. It acknowledges that nothing we design is neutral and that the places we inhabit shape our ideas about who we are and what we deserve. Drawing on broad multidisciplinary evidence and more context-specific lived expertise of end users in the spaces we design, Designing for Dignity aims to create places that protect, promote, and celebrate the dignity of life.

Jennifer Wilson is the Director of Research and Impact at Shopworks Architecture. As a social worker and social scientist, Jennifer has direct practice and program management experience in shelter and service delivery. Her research agenda focuses on social innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration in housing and homeless service systems. Currently, her research at Shopworks is dedicated to examining trauma-informed design to promote dignity, equity, and healing in housing as a key social determinant of health. Rachelle Macur is the Director of Sustainable Design and Social Impact at Shopworks Architecture and helps lead their research in Dignified Design. As a social scientist with a deep background in ecological and social sustainability, her focus is on the cross-section of humans, nature, and the built environment. Rachelle works with evidence-based research in trauma, health, neuroscience, and biophilia to further the industry's knowledge and impact in designing spaces that are healing, people-centered, and dignified. Chad Holtzinger has practiced architecture for more than 20 years and has been licensed in Colorado since 2001. His career has primarily consisted of affordable housing design and urban mixed-use development in Colorado and the Mountain West region of the US.