‘Designing for dignity’: Architects behind homeless shelter, supportive housing in Clark County focus on not only on function, but healing
Author
Mia Ryder-Marks
Date published
March 2026
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Details make difference for those who had been living on streets
When’s the last time you noticed the width of a hallway? Or the sharpness of the corners where the walls of your home meet? Or the way your bedroom window lets in the breeze?
These often overlooked details make all the difference for those who land housing after living on the street.
That’s why the architects who design Clark County’s shelters and permanent supportive housing apartments are intentional about each element down to the light switches and floorboards. These architects know they’re not just drafting a blueprint for living quarters but designing a place for healing and new beginnings.
“How do we allow for choice? That ripples through design decisions at all levels,” said Brendan Sanchez, principal at Access Architecture. “When we don’t design spaces intentionally, there can be unintended consequences.”\
Space to heal
About 90 percent of people who are homeless have experienced some form of trauma. Many return to the streets after finding housing. A 2023 report found residents had greater success when living in homeless shelters that incorporate trauma-informed elements that helped them feel safe, hopeful and prepared for the next chapter.
Architects designing Clark County’s supportive housing options said they seek a delicate balance between making the spaces functional without feeling institutional.
“The idea of coming into a congregate shelter is traumatic. It can be very lacking in dignity,” said Hayley Purdy, principal at Scott Edwards Architecture, the firm tasked with designing Vancouver’s 120-bed homeless shelter. “We focus on the concept of choice and empowerment.”
Sanchez said each design starts with ensuring the space is accessible, equitable and welcoming. Access Architecture has designed a variety of shelter and supportive housing options in Clark County, including Lincoln Place II, The Elwood and The Meridian, apartment buildings for people exiting homelessness.
Architects from the two firms agreed that, when designing a space to house people who have experienced homelessness, an important first step is to identify what has worked and what hasn’t.
Both firms toured other similar shelters and spoke with residents and operators there. Staff also spoke with nearby neighbors to help integrate the new buildings into their surroundings.
After conversations with other homeless shelters, Scott Edwards Architecture settled on a two-building design for Vancouver’s large shelter — one for dormitories and the other for dining, community gathering and other uses.
Sanchez said architects also learn from their past designs. The Elwood includes planter boxes because nature has positive health outcomes, he said.
“When we came back a year later to do our post-occupancy analysis, we found there was a long waitlist to use the garden beds and that was really cool to see,” Sanchez said. “So whenever possible, we try to learn from past designs, what worked, what didn’t and be intentional with our future designs.”
Outdoor spaces are important for people exiting homelessness, who can sometimes have trouble transitioning indoors, the architects said.
Scott Edwards Architecture’s designs for Vancouver’s new shelter include outdoor gathering areas, a dog run to accommodate residents with pets and a basketball hoop to promote interaction among residents.
The shelter will have a garage door opening to the outdoor communal area.
“We made sure to have a nice space for (residents) to gather outside. It is not only good for their health but also aligns with what we heard they usually need and want,” said Eugenia Fama-Higgins, a Scott Edwards Architecture senior associate.
Sanchez said that when designing the outdoor communal spaces for The Meridian, architects included open-air areas, covered seating and benches off to the side. The building includes stairway landings for people who want to pause for a view of the space.
“We want people to use the outdoor spaces and feel safe. So we provide a gradient of spaces from private to public because everyone should be able to choose when and how they want to interact with others and their home,” Sanchez said.
Architects said those design principles carry themselves indoors, too. Designers said they use community spaces, calming colors and warm textures to ensure residents feel safe in their homes. Both firms said they use earth tones or a Pacific Northwest-inspired palette.
Architects said some of the important design elements include clear sight lines, open hallways without dead ends, and communal spaces and layouts that separate high-activity and noisy areas. Architects also ensure that entrances and exits are clear and visible to residents.
“Every decision on color and how you turn a corner, and how you see things … really affects how you feel inside of a space,” said Jenna Hays, Scott Edwards Architecture’s interior designer. “We’re designing for dignity; it has such a huge impact on someone’s ability to grow in their sense of confidence and self-worth.”
