The effects of living through and being freed from human trafficking are clearly those of great proportion that impact every aspect of a survivor's life. While healing from such trauma, a human trafficking survivor's thoughts and emotions are incredibly susceptible to her surroundings. There have been several studies both in the fields of architecture and psychology about the impact one's environment has on their mind, body, and wellbeing. Results from these studies have formed hypotheses such as biophilia (the tendency of humans to gravitate to connections to nature) and prospect and refuge (the feeling of a space being enjoyable based on its provision of a scene to observe from a place of safety). This project utilizes these two concepts heavily as well as extrapolates their underlying principles in the investigation of how to create a space that feels empathetic and enjoyable for someone who has undergone severe trauma. This project also employs principles from psychological theories such as embodied cognition (a theory that one's environment constantly plays a role in their thought process). Through the integration of the natural environment, the use of warm and familiar materials, the implementation of passive security methods, and the telling of a symbolic narrative this project aims to create a space optimal to a human trafficking survivor's healing before transitioning back into society.
