Specification & Spatial Guides Library

First impressions shape safety.

• Balance  welcome with security
• Use layered access (porch → lobby → interior)
• Design for dignity at check-in points
• Ensure clear sightlines from entrance to exit

Movement can soothe or unsettle.

• Keep corridors wide, well-lit, and without blind spots
• Offer alcoves or resting points for retreat
• Separate private and public pathways
• Use colour or texture for gentle wayfinding

Light sets the emotional temperature of a space.

• Maximise natural light without glare
• Use diffused, adjustable artificial lighting
• Avoid harsh shadows or flickering fluorescents
• Choose calming, culturally sensitive colour palettes

Every surface tells a story.

• Warm, domestic textures over institutional finishes
• Rounded edges and soft tactility for safety
• Non-toxic, low-VOC materials for health
• Durable but welcoming — spaces should feel lived in, not clinical

Healing happens when people feel they belong.

• Gradation of space: public → semi-public → private
• Provide refuge rooms for retreat
• Support both collective and individual needs
• Offer personalisation opportunities (pinboards, movable furniture)

Safety should be felt, not forced.

• Position CCTV discreetly — never intrusive
• Integrate security hardware seamlessly
• Provide staff presence that feels supportive, not surveillant
• Ensure escape routes are always visible and accessible

The smallest details restore dignity.

• Storage for personal possessions (lockable, private)
• Furniture that adapts to different needs
• Domestic scale — avoid overwhelming proportions
• Encourage choice: where to sit, how to arrange, what to use

Nature is a co-therapist.

• Safe but accessible outdoor spaces
• Planting that engages the senses gently
• Views to greenery from indoors
• Outdoor areas zoned for quiet reflection and communal activity

Healing spaces are for everyone.

• Universal accessibility for mobility, vision, and hearing
• Neurodiverse-friendly layouts (predictable but flexible)
• Culturally inclusive design — respect traditions in colour, privacy, ritual
• Gender-neutral and family-friendly facilities