Our ability to think like an owner and what their bottom-line needs are, but at the same time, making sure all the details the end user requires is something that I think we just do really well because we speak both languages.

The existing building had the square footage ODHS needed, and it was already separated quite nicely. We did a lot of due diligence, looking at potential building deficiencies and things already working in our favor. 

And then we started to meet with ODHS and when we heard what they’re up against every day, we were like, “oh, we have to do this for them.” Just hearing them talk about all the difficult things they do every day, so nonchalantly. It’s just what they do. Every day. 

We thought, with a better facility it could be so much better for them. So it became a passion project at that point. We were all in.

M: How do we find a balance between creating a space that fosters a sense of softness with the need for security for both employees and the populations they serve? 

MT: We learned a lot when we were talking to ODHS initially. I think we all have our picture of what we think this type of facility looks like for folks. Really hearing what happens daily, we were like, okay, this is so important that we take care of these people. 

First, we looked at space planning, paying attention to the security needs of the facility. The building has four stories. We planned the first and second stories as a more public realm, and then the top two stories were secured off from the public and where most of the ODHS staff would work. You couldn't get up the elevator to them or through the stairs without a badge unless it was an emergency. The staff felt like they had a space that was separate, where they could retreat and get their work done.

Next, we ensured the public spaces maintained a line of sight for staff. We strategically placed desks where employees could have 180-degree view of things, but without making people feel like they're being watched. This can be a challenge when you are space planning in an existing facility with core elements that we couldn't move. 

There needed to be a careful balance between safety and comfort for both the users of the facility and the staff. Sensitive issues occur here and people need to feel their needs are being met.

When we talk about environmental considerations, we first looked to space planning. It was a perfectly rectangular, four-story building. We tried where we could to keep that exterior window line open so that all staff workstations and the counseling rooms had natural light. That connection to nature is really important. 

We also found a company that takes real trees and dries them for use indoors. The trees that are now in the children's waiting area are actual trees for them to touch and feel. The carpet we chose because we felt it looked like grass. We want these children to have this idea that they’re in a safe, playful area. We want them to feel that this isn't a scary place for them to be at. 

Our color palette was the biggest cue to that trauma informed design. We brought the saturation of color way down. There's not that punch of energy anywhere. It's very tonal, it's very soft, but at the same time, we didn't want to go into the clinical side of things. 

Utilizing the warm walnut wood that existed in the building, we complimented it with calming green hues. Then we even got some mauves and pinks in there too to balance things out. 

Our vinyl flooring had to be super durable because these are government facilities, they're going to be there forever. They must wear like iron. We have floor materials that look like wood and then also look like pebbles or terrazzo, so another nod to nature without being in nature. It’s all getting toward biophilic design. 

For furniture, we really tried soft lines. That meant lots of sweeping furniture pieces, nothing that felt severe. It has to be “bleach cleanable” too. So trying to find that balance with the materials was key. 

M: Is this facility primarily for young children or does it serve teenagers too?

MT: I know I came in with a bias of thinking this was a facility for young children. There are many, many teens facing these issues, and it was very important for ODHS and for us to create a hangout space for the teens to be, where they could play their video games and do their homework and just be teens. 

So, we tried to have a little bit of fun with that and, you know, trying to think like a teenager, which is hard when you're old. We created a community kitchen where they'll go in and they'll teach the teens life skills. There's an oven. Let's teach you how to cook and how to bake. There's a washer and dryer. You've never done your laundry. Well, let's teach you how to do it. So, lots of life skills training happening on the site as well, which I just thought was really cool. 

M: What do you hope children who encounter the space will take away from the experience?

MT: I hope they feel that it's a safe place, and that they have hope. That everything's fine. I'm taken care of. Period. Whatever that looks like for that child, in whatever age they are, and for their families. 

Architecture and interior design can communicate these things to people. I think sometimes we forget about that because we're just trying to get the project done on time and on budget, but this is just the power of good design. It doesn't have to cost a lot. It doesn't have to be anything, earth shattering, but it can be impactful. 

Learn more about the Midtown Child Welfare Center here.  Contact our team here. 

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