How interior design can improve health justice -not -profit messages

When most people think of interior design, think of wall paint, lights and decorative pillows. Although this is part of it, the interior design is so much more. It can be used to convert the values ​​and traditions of black and indigenous communities in honor and deliberately spaces in environments of restoration and liberation. A psychologist, Desirée Gonzalez, uses her experience in interior design to do that.

Gonzalez studies psychology with a specialty in the liberation of the community, which means that their work focuses more on systemic problems than on individual diagnoses. One of the systemic problems she wants to tackle is the exclusion, people with color experience in health and wellness rooms. This exclusion results from a variety of topics ranging from the treatment tigms, linguistic restrictions and pension costs to reliable transport. However, supporters of the health justice often overlook an important aspect of medical exclusion – the physical environment.

The restorative container framework

Many people understand anecdotically that the physical environment has a profound influence on the psyche and well -being of a person. In order to optimize this influence, Gonzalez has developed the restorative container framework, which is a deliberate design approach, the BIPOC principles centered in health rooms and creates the physical and unconscious belonging.

“For me the way I would describe [the framework] Really creates environments of restoration, security – both externally and in ourselves, “said Gonzalez.” It really comes from the inside. “

According to Gonzalez, “from the inside out” means of individual emotional security to cultural values ​​and finally into the external environment. Such an approach ensures this agreement between the external and internal and makes the patients fundamentally secure and seen.

Colonial or decolonial design

Gonzalez notes that many health and wellness rooms use colonial design principles in their facilities. These could look:

1. A waiting area full of individual chairs that are arranged in rows and emphasize the separation instead of the community.
2. An advisory room with an elaborate desk for the caregiver and a simple chair for the patient who deepens a feeling of hierarchy.
3. Naked walls and steamed colors, which makes the room feel cold and lifeless.

These design decisions will not resonate for organizations that welcome black and indigenous people. Instead, Gonzalez claims that supporters in health justice should try to deconstruct these decisions in favor of Forms, colors and textures that are drawn from locals and afroentric values. These design decisions can create spaces that focus on calm, community and inclusiveness.

Shape

One of the most powerful form applications is the seating arrangement. As a rule, waiting rooms in the healthcare system arrange chairs in rows and force people to stare at the walls or back of the other.

In contrast, the restorative container framework from the indigenous tradition of circular practice is supported. A circular spatial design is reminiscent of a sense of community and trust in the subconscious. Therefore, a circular waiting area can reduce hierarchy and promote the common susceptibility.

“From the point of view of deep psychology, it's about wholeness,” said Gonzalez. “Even if you don't talk to the person next to you, it can heal to see you only with your back instead of seeing them.”

Tip: Simple convertors could promote the connection, reduce the imbalances of electricity and support a more common experience.

Colors

In health areas, the color theory in wall paint and upholstery is most noticeable. Health institutions often make up in the sterile white color, which comes from a colonial heritage that feels alienating and cold.

Alternatively, Bipoc people show a higher preference for warm colors (such as red and purple) than their white colleagues, as can be seen from a study by American Demographics and Busmback market research from 2002. The restorative container framework uses thoughtful color psychology to cause heat, comfort and cultural response for BIPOC people. The frame focuses on warm colors, earth tones, healing and soothing blues to promote an environment of comfort and belonging.

Tip: A simple accent wall can inhale life and color into a room and feel more at home.

Textures

Textures are also widely overlooked in health areas, where providers tend to choose materials that are easy to disinfect, such as plastics and other synthetic materials.

However, people with color often see nature as a healing and support themselves from local practices that recognize the connection of mankind to earth. The restorative container framework uses biophilic design principles to have natural influences.

“I wanted to bring in the biophilic element, but subtly,” said Gonzalez about her designs. “Natural wood, warm lighting, green – everything affects people on a deep, unconscious level. It is about bringing nature to them if they cannot be in it.”

Tip: Natural wood, stone surfaces and plant life can ground visitors and give them the feeling of being welcome.

Practical steps for the lawyers for health justice

Gonzalez claims that advocates of health justice can take these simple steps to approach a BIPOC lens and greet people with colors in rooms in which they normally feel excluded:

1. Check the room: Strap, paint, make tomers and paint. Identify big and small possibilities on how the health facility can be updated.
2. Inclusion of small changes: There can be simple, inexpensive changes that would implement a joint -based design in the room. For example, the purchase of decorative pillows instead of polishing a chair, painting an accent wall instead of reorganizing an entire facility or bringing in low -maintenance house systems.
3. Integrate big changes: Select a larger project in which you invest in the investment in the exchange of individual chairs for circular sofas for the promotion of belonging, the complete color scheme to change the way the space feels, or replace floor coverings with wood or stone to bring natural elements into a room.
4. Collect feedback: Ask the visitors about your experience in the new room. You will probably find that your efforts have been noticed and valued and may get some new ideas.

Remember that the restorative justice is not just about rejecting colonial framework; It is about creating rooms and actively greet the Bipoc Communities.

Hope through deliberate design

Gonzalez calls on the medical specialists, designers and political decision -makers to adopt these design principles so that the patients feel more at home. As a result, BIPOC patients will probably feel more secure if they are committed to their needs and build trust in a system that marginalizes them historically.

Health justice managers should see interior design as an essential instrument to promote authorization, healing and trust. By focusing on shapes, colors and natural elements, the restorative container framework can change the health settings from sterile to integrative dimensions and create a fairer space in which BIPOC personnel can get in touch with health services.

To learn more about Desirées work, read your profile in the Center for Consciously Design.