The Beloit Courtyard

Beloit Residential Treatment Center provides care to children of all different ages who have experienced trauma and toxic stress throughout their lives.  Beloit strives to create an environment where the kids can receive treatment and care in hopes to empower them and overcome the struggles they may face in their lives.  They feel their courtyard has been underutilized in the past and have wanted to take advantage of the space they have. That's where Iowa State's College of Design comes into play.

This Trauma-Informed design studio is comprised of interdisciplinary design students who are redesigning the interior courtyard for the Beloit facility.  This project's goal is to create a therapeutic space for the children, their visitors, and staff at Beloit by using our understanding of trauma-informed design.  Our design process is comprised of background research and participatory activities with the kids through weekly activities.  We started by getting to know them, drawing and coloring, and eventually making edible models learn their ideas.  Lastly, we will hopefully publish our process to hopefully become a precedent for trauma-informed design.

This will be a space where kids can be kids and use the power of nature to live life to its' fullest.  Your contributions will help us create the ideal garden that is both safe and engaging in the sensory and developmental activities that children need and offer positive childhood experiences.  We hope to include tunnels, an interactive water table surrounded by sand, and new windows and doors to improve views.  In addition, we will include an herb garden, rocking chairs, hammocks, and plush pebble chairs.