Interior

Haven

At its core, the true motivation driving Haven is immensely attributed by the sheer lack of facility resources and accessibility to refuges for women, children and dogs. Haven provides short-term and long-term accommodation while in addition, providing users with a strong sense of community to aid in trauma healing for both humans and animals to re-build their livelihoods and regain their independence; while seeking to create a research based benchmark exemplar where the combination of a refuge and rehabilitation centre can exist in harmony to enrich the lives of women, children and dogs of violence and abuse. The concept is strongly guided by trauma therapy and how the influence of a research informed interior built environment can aid in victims healing and recovery. The analogy of growth and prosperity was fostered through the adaption of a tree, where the building has been designed within three sections. The first third of the building is labeled ‘branches’- symbolising protection and security while enveloping the space, followed by the ‘trunk’ which symbolises stability while grounding users and stimulating growth, and lastly, the ‘roots’, where the environment aims to offers users support, security and structure.