What are good spaces?

Consider some spaces you have recently been in. Perhaps you went to cosy café, with warm light, soft music and the familiar smell of coffee, tea, and scones: a space that focuses on comfort. Perhaps you went to a train station, with white light, clear signs and generally a space that prioritises functionality. Very often, we walk into a space or spend time somewhere without actively noticing the environment, it is information that stays in the background. A good environment especially, is something we rarely notice (unless it stands out!). Negative aspects are more likely to go notices, for example, the flickering light, the broken chair, or the cold room.

These aspects of an environment can really affect our inner feelings and thoughts.

How do spaces affect us?

That spaces affect us is not something new, in spy movies it is often mentioned how a cold room and uncomfortable chair is uses as an interrogation technique – to mention a strong example. But of course, even in less intense environments we need to consider how a space affects us. There are emotional effects and physical effects. The physical effects are perhaps easier to name feeling too hot, too cold, pain or comfort and warmth. Emotionally, the effects are harder to name. For this it is important to understand that the design of a space makes presumptions about the user of the space. To name an extreme example: If you think about the use of blue light in public bathroom, It makes the presumption that some users might use it for drug consumption. A less strong example is using plastic crockery: it assumes that the user might break the item. Of course, sometimes this presumption might be useful, if it shows the knowledge about the user. It would be reasonable, for instance, to use plastic cups with toddlers, as they are likely to break something. But not all presumptions are positive.

Some examples of physical spaces that the Advisory Group have highlighted as making negative assumptions are:

• Locks on cabinets (which assume theft)
• Plastic knives (which assume violence)
• Heavy furniture (which assume violence)
• Bland wall colours (which assume that a young person is not staying long)

How can you create a relational space?

Are there any aspects in the environment you work in that make assumptions about the user?

Sometimes, certain aspects about the physical environments cannot be changed. But it is important to aware of them and to address them with the young people you work with.

Consider speaking to the young people in the service to identify elements of the physical space that are not ‘homey’ or that stand out as ‘not usual’.

After these items are identified, discuss what would need to change. At this stage it is important to be realistic and transparent on what can be achieved and when.

Example items:

• Soap and toilet paper dispensers: would you find these in most homes?
• Bedding and linen: Are these how young people would like them?
• Wall colour: Is it homey? Does it create a welcoming space, or does it look clinical?

Beyond creating a comfortable space, it is also important to consider furniture and decoration from a perspective of disabilities and trauma.

Some disabilities make certain textures and colours difficult to handle, if you work with young people who have disabilities, consider their needs.

Further, you might work with young people who previously experienced trauma and who need help with emotion regulation. Some organisations identify ‘risks’ and try to mitigate them with safety measures that would usually not exist in a private home. If there are locks on cabinets, doors, etc. – reflect with your co-workers and with young people, whether these are truly needed or whether there are alternatives which do not make presumptions of the behaviour of young people.