Resources
Recommended Resources
The following resources are a list of design guidelines and toolkits that we recommend for further readings. Many of these resources provide sets of design recommendations to inform designing and building housing through a gender-sensitive and trauma-informed approach.
A Design Guide for Older Women’s Housing (Donnelly et al., 2022)
Using research findings and insights, this guide provides design responses and recommendations to housing developers and designers to support the development and construction of quality, affordable housing for older women at risk of homelessness.
Architectural Principles in the Service of Trauma-Informed Design (Grabowska et al., 2021)
This pamphlet focuses on the ways to design a building to support a therapeutic approach. It offers design principles towards trauma-informed architecture and presents annotated spaces and examples to visualize the principles.
BC Housing Design Guidelines and Construction Standards (BC Housing, 2019)
This document provides standards and technical guidelines for the design and construction of new buildings, conversions and renovation projects funded and financed by BC Housing.
BC Housing Design Guidelines For Women’s Safe Homes, Transition Houses, Second Stage Housing, and Long-Term Rental Housing (BC Housing, 2021)
This guide includes design recommendations to assist development teams with the planning, and design processes for upgrading existing buildings or constructing new buildings that are to be used for the women safe homes, transition houses, second stage housing and long-term rental housing.
Designing for Healing, Dignity, & Joy. Promoting Physical Health, Mental Health, and Well-Being Through a Trauma-Informed Approach to Design
(Shopworks Architecture et al., 2020): This document offers a framework for trauma-informed design practice and process to promote healing, dignity, and joy in housing and offers examples to demonstrate the values of trauma-informed housing design.
HLC Design Guidelines Part 3, Module 3b: Children Living at Density (Isthmus Group Ltd, 2018)
This guideline offers design considerations related to ensuring the needs of children and their families are met in housing and neighbourhood developments.
HLC Design Guidelines Part 3, Module 3b: Children Living at Density (Isthmus Group Ltd, 2018)
This guideline offers design considerations related to ensuring the needs of children and their families are met in housing and neighbourhood developments.
Manual for Gender Mainstreaming in Urban Planning and Urban Development (City of Vienna, 2013)
In Vienna, all housing projects that require public funding are examined through this guideline to ensure housing is suitable for women and everyday life. Chapter 8 of this guideline includes a list of criteria to evaluate the gender equity and suitability to meet every day needs of housing projects.