Nurturing The Human Spirit Design Blog | About Space Designs

"Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment: Incorporating Trauma-Informed Design in The Soft Interview Room"

Aug 63 min read

"Creating a Safe and Supportive Environment: Incorporating Trauma-Informed Design in The Soft Interview Room"

The soft interview room has become integral to law enforcement's investigative toolbox in many parts of the world. Using intentional design

Manina Murphy

Jul 19, 20221 min read

Why Everybody Loves Design Shows

Let me start by saying these shows are "reality tv" with little actual reality. However, here's why we love them... We meet the people,...

Repurposing Spaces for Supportive Housing

Manina Murphy

Aug 21, 20212 min read

Repurposing Spaces for Supportive Housing

There has long been a shortage of supportive housing in Ontario for our vulnerable populations. The impact of the pandemic has left many...

Healing by Design. The benefits of trauma-informed design in supportive housing.

Manina Murphy

Mar 20, 20213 min read

Healing by Design. The benefits of trauma-informed design in supportive housing.

My goal is to raise awareness about the proven benefits of evidence-based design through a trauma-informed lens. While this is...

Rethinking Supportive Housing for Homeless Youth

Manina Murphy

Mar 9, 20213 min read

Rethinking Supportive Housing for Homeless Youth

The INNclusion Home program is a first of its kind for the region. Blue Door Services identified the need for population-specific support...

Design your Happy Space. Mental Health and Biophilic Design

Manina Murphy

Jan 14, 20213 min read

Design your Happy Space. Mental Health and Biophilic Design

You know that feeling you get when you're sitting on the beach, a warm gentle breeze, the delicious salty smell of the ocean in the air,...

"Safe and Welcoming Spaces" - Is this what it looks like?

Manina Murphy

Dec 19, 20202 min read

"Safe and Welcoming Spaces" - Is this what it looks like?

This image blew up on Twitter about a month ago. It's Toronto's new 100-bed shelter in the Better Living Centre at Exhibition Place which...

Why don't they just go to a shelter? But would you want to be here?

Manina Murphy

Dec 12, 20202 min read

Why don't they just go to a shelter? But would you want to be here?

There is a great deal of stigma around homelessness and much that reinforces those negative perceptions. "Shelters and other housing...

How evidence-based design can support frontline workers

Manina Murphy

Dec 5, 20202 min read

How evidence-based design can support frontline workers

Workplace stress is a reality for many people. For frontline professionals like corrections, homeless support staff, addiction and mental...

Manina Murphy

Oct 28, 20201 min read

Let There Be Light, Just Not This Kind

If you use CFL's (compact fluorescent lightbulb) in your lighting fixtures then this is going to be a lightbulb moment💡 Let me enLIGHTen...

Trauma-informed spaces proven to benefit recovery

Manina Murphy

Jun 9, 20202 min read

Trauma-informed spaces proven to benefit recovery

There exists a dire need to recognize the powerful influence of our surroundings on mental health.

Integrating the healing power of nature into design

Manina Murphy

Jun 1, 20203 min read

Integrating the healing power of nature into design

That connection to nature is restorative and healing for our mental and physical health.

Manina Murphy

May 27, 20204 min read

Design Your Emotional Wellness

Having a space of comfort and healing has become ever more important to our emotional well-being.

Home Sweet Home? Not for at-risk youth. A call to shelter them with dignity through design.

Manina Murphy

May 7, 20203 min read

Home Sweet Home? Not for at-risk youth. A call to shelter them with dignity through design.

How can we expect the best result when we don't provide them with all the tools and supports to recover and thrive.

The Therapist's Chair and How Interior Design Can
Improve Patient Outcomes

Manina Murphy

Feb 28, 20202 min read

The Therapist's Chair and How Interior Design Can Improve Patient Outcomes

After many decades of research, we are now designing healthcare facilities with a human-centric approach. Evidence has proven that...

Peter Levine, PhD, on how your furniture arrangement impacts clients. That's evidence-based design.

Manina Murphy

Nov 5, 20191 min read

Peter Levine, PhD, on how your furniture arrangement impacts clients. That's evidence-based design.

When treating clients with shame or trauma, how space is designed can make all the difference. Peter explains one simple change that...

Evidence Based Design - it's a thing!
How interior design impacts mental health

Manina Murphy

Sep 23, 20193 min read

Evidence Based Design - it's a thing! How interior design impacts mental health

The emerging field of evidence-based design (EBD) is quickly gaining traction based on decades of scientific research. Largely applied...

Manina Murphy

Aug 24, 20172 min read

Let there be Light!

We have something very important to talk about and I'm going to enLIGHTen your today. I'm hoping you will soon see things in a whole new...

The New Reality of Selling Homes in The Kawartha Lakes

Manina Murphy

Jul 27, 20162 min read

The New Reality of Selling Homes in The Kawartha Lakes

The beauty, serenity and affordability, attracts a wide range of buyers to the Kawartha Lakes region. With the Muskoka’s being...

Manina Murphy

Jul 23, 20163 min read

Deal or No Deal???

We all look for a great deal when purchasing products. This is especially true when it comes to home improvements. The trouble is…. how...

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