CRISIS INTERVENTION CENTRE FOR WOMEN

Vishakha Chotaliya, Reg: No: 114010441,

VII Semester, Section A, B. Arch, Dr D Y Patil College of Architecture, Akurdi, Pune
Email: vishakhachotaliya@gmail.com

ABSTRACT

Domestic violence, Rape and harassment, abandonment from family or society are major
concern in our country that sadly shows no sign of abatement. Thousands of the women fall
under such crisis. Victims are under a great deal of stress , there are physical and mental
impacts on the victim which leads to PSTD (post-traumatic stress disorder), depression,
abusive compulsive disorder and suicidal tendencies .Women in crisis seek shelter that
provides services, but the services falls short in assistant to them who are no longer in
danger or may choose never to seek a shelter. The main aim of the research is to study how
shelter can be utilized to create an environment for growth, stability and rehabilitation,
rather than just holding cell for women in crisis. The architectural design of this shelter must
be sensitive and appropriate to the specific needs of this highly vulnerable population.
Psychological impacts, the problems they face, their perspective, services offered in the
shelter homes, and the behavioural implications of the built environment on the residents
where studied through case studies, online interviews, documentaries and ted talks. The
case studies helped to understand the need of the victims, the strategies to build a healing
environment which can reduce the stress and depressions of the victim. From this research,
it will help to establish the design principles that may implemented in shelters which will
help the survivors to overcome the stress and depression. Architecture and design can
harness the potential to change how users engage with community and themselves, by
rehabilitating the sense of dignity once taken from them through use of space light and
materiality.
Keywords
Crisis , victim, stress, depression , shelter

1 INTRODUCTION:
Every third women in India is the victim of domestic and sexual violence, every 15
minutes a rape is reported according to national crime records bureau. Intimate
partner violence (IPV), i.e. domestic violence, sexual assault victims, rape victims
abandoned women and other crisis represents a severe stressor for the abused. This
crisis may include physical as well as emotional distress with long term psychological
effects for the victim. When victims are able to safely escape and remain free from
their abuser or any crisis they experience emotional, behavioural, and social, as well
as post-traumatic stress symptoms. They often survive with long-lasting and
sometimes permanent effects to their mental and physical health; relationships with
friends, family, and children; their career; and their economic well-being. Survivors
are abused where they should be the most secure; their own homes. In such
situations, they lose their dignity, confidence, strength, desire to live and trust in
people. Due to impact on the mental health, they no longer feel safe around people
and places. They often feel lost and empty.

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 To overcome the stress and heal themselves, the they turn to shelter homes for safety
and security. Crisis intervention centre provide a safe haven for women who flee from their
situation of crisis. The shelter homes provide an array of services like legal, psychosocial,
health, mental health, employment, and academic needs. But the challenges faced by
women who use shelters are complex, and the barriers women encounter as they attempt
to live free of violence are difficult to overcome. In order to provide the best possible
assistance to women using shelters, it is important to understand the journey of women
from being victims to survivors and the complex needs of these women and their children.
Victims residing in a shelter are also akin to patients in a traditional hospital in that both
“patients” are healing and under stress during the duration of their stay.
The theory of “Environmental Press” developed by M.P. Lawton (figure 1) illustrates
the relationship between the built environment and the competence of an individual.
According to this theory, the ability of a person to adapt to their environment depends on
both their level of competence or abilities and the level of environmental press (challenge
posed by the environment). Optimal fit occurs when one’s capacities of adaptability are
consistent with the demands of the person’s environment. Only if there is a balance
between these two components, can the environment have a positive effect on the person.
It is clear from this theory that the physical environment of a shelter has the potential to
play a role in offering residents a place for respite, action, and change during their time of
crisis.

1.1 AIM: The

main aim
of the
research is
to study
how
shelter
can be
utilize to
create an

Figure 1 Environmental press

environment for growth, stability and rehabilitation, rather than just holding cell for
women in crisis

1.2 OBJECTIVE:

 To identify and understand the mental and emotional state of female victims upon entry
into a shelter as a means of establishing specific user needs.
 To understand the relationship between user needs and design characteristics of the
shelter.
Scope

The main objective of this research is to study the aspects which help in creating Healing
environment for the victims in the shelter. This study will help to investigate how
architecture will be helpful in reducing stress of the victims.

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1.3 NEED/PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
This research and exploration of shelter housing aims at improving the shelter experience
and lives of those who use these spaces. Crisis intervention shelters should allow women to
escape to safety, gather the resources necessary to begin a new life, and take the
opportunity to heal physically, mentally, and emotionally. The purpose of this study the
qualities of the environment of a Crisis intervention shelter and to understand how the
design of such facilities affects the survivors in a therapeutic manner and supports them in
recovering from their traumatic experience and returning to a state of consensus and
balance with dignity. The study will derive design suggestions from the literature and the
case studies.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTION

What are different architectural aspects in the design of a shelter that are supportive and
therapeutic in nature for the victims residing in the centre?

1.5 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

A qualitative method was used to study about the psychological impact and built
environment of the shelter. For this, online interviews where study to understand the
impact of crisis onto their mental health and physical health of the victim. Due to crisis like
domestic violence the victims suffers with depression and also the physical injuries done by
the partner. Rape victims suffers from trauma, loses her dignity, have suicidal thoughts
which she cannot overcome in a mean time which may result in taking shelter to overcome
the stress.
Literature reviews and thesis project where study to understand the parameters in design
that can help healing the victim. It also explains the need of the victim on entering the
shelter like psychological and physical help, legal help, employment and academic needs.
The case studies were studied to understand the built environment of the shelter and how
the spaces are design and are there any healing factor in the centre. The spaces were
studied to understand what objectives they could conform in helping clients regain their
confidence and dignity.

2 ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

Environmental factors such as noise, crowding, odours, pollution, lighting, proportion,

scale, colours, etc. affect the immediate atmosphere of the space.
For instance , objectionable odours can cause stress, artwork and aesthetics can enhance
the soothing and calming qualities of a spaces; inability to locate a particular room or
facility may add to anxiety or stress; crowding can cause uneasiness , etc. Consideration of
these factors lead to life-changing outcomes.

1 WAY FINDING
An uncertainty of any manner can set off negative emotions for a person undergoing
trauma. Inability to locate things and places can lead to anxiety. Such facilities are

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inherently complex environments. The built environment should provide clear visuals cues
to orient and guide people to their destination. An effective way finding programme include
physical elements, commutations and human interaction. Landscaping, building elements,
color, texture and pattern should give cues, in addition to artwork and signage.

2 COLOUR THERAPY
Colour Therapy is a holistic and non-invasive therapy that involves use of colours for treating
various physical ailments and emotional disturbances. Colour Therapy uses a set of
principles to create harmonious colour and colour combinations for healing. Colours affect
our emotions and wellbeing. Shades of blue, for example, are restful and can be used to
help lower blood pressure, improve sleep and to reduce pain perception. In contrast,
exposure to red light tends to have the opposite effect and can cause raised blood pressure
and feelings of stress as it triggers the release of adrenaline.

3 DIFFERENT COLOURS AND THEIR PROPERTIES

Red
Red is a powerful color that has always been associated with vitality and ambition. It can
help overcome negative thoughts. However, it is also associated with anger; if we have too
much red in our system, or around us, we may feel irritable, impatient, and uncomfortable.

Pink
Pink is emotionally soothing and calming, and gives a feeling of gentle warmth and
nurturing. It lessons feelings of irritation and aggression, surrounding us with a sense of love
and protection. It also alleviates loneliness, despondency, oversensitivity, and vulnerability.
While red relates to sexuality, pink is associated with unselfish love.

Orange
Orange is a joyous colour. It frees and releases emotions and alleviates feelings of self pity,
lack of self worth, and unwillingness to forgive. It stimulates the mind, renewing interest in
life; it is a wonderful anti-depressant and lifts the spirits. Apricot and Peach is good for
nervous exhaustion.

Green
Green has a strong affinity with nature, helping us connect with empathy to others and the
natural world. We instinctively seek it out when under stress or experiencing emotional
trauma. It creates a feeling of comfort, laziness and relaxation, calmness, and space,
lessening stress, balancing and soothing the emotions. Dark green represents the onset of
death and is non-descript, unassertive, a negation of love and joy. Lime green and olive
green can have a detrimental effect on both physical and emotional health since sickly
yellow and green are associated with the emotions of envy, resentment, and
possessiveness.

Blue

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Blue color is calming, relaxing and soothing. Therefore, use blue in any room except for a
kitchen (not good for appetite) and basement (too cold). Blue is great for a bedroom to
induce a peaceful sleep.

Yellow

Yellow is also a happy, bright, and uplifting colour, a celebration of sunny days. It is
associated with the intellectual side of the mind, and the expression of thoughts. It
therefore aids the powers of discernment and discrimination, memory and clear thinking,
decision making and good judgment. It also helps good organization, assimilation of new
ideas, and the ability to see different points of view. It builds self-confidence and
encourages an optimistic attitude. Conversely, dull yellow can be the colour of fear.

Turquoise
Turquoise is invigorating, cooling, and calming. Like green, turquoise is good for mental
strain and tiredness or feeling washed out. It is an elevating colour that encourages us to
make a sparkling fresh start. Turquoise enhances communication, sensitivity, and creativity
and is helpful for those who feel lonely.

4 LIGHT
Light plays a critical role in human life and daily affairs that we can hardly imagine our
existence without it. It permits one to function at a basic level and it also plays a key factor
in our psychological and physiological health.

Natural light
The balance or imbalance of a space can easily be altered in rough The play of light and in
combination with forms, colours, and natural elements. The quality of light can be
manipulated and adapted to ultimately create the ability to transcend individuals into an
alternate state of consciousness that would essentially be recollected in memory, after is
lived experience

Fabrizio Benedetti, professor of physiology and neuroscience at the University of Turin

Medical School, as proved that patients exposed to an amplified concentration of natural
sunlight perceive less stress, require less medication and even experience less pain.

A dark or dingy atmosphere generates a feeling of imprisonment, whereas an artificially lit

space has no impact on the mood. The changing character of daylight adds a dynamic
qualitative dimension to the ambiance of the room that is not easily achievable with an
electric illuminate. The warmth of sunlight cannot be replaced by artificial lighting. Along
with delivering vitamin D to the body, natural light also leads to higher productivity; greater
natural light during the day can help stabilize circadian rhythms and improve the mood.
The design of openings can contra tre quality and quantity al light in a space. Depending on
the functionality of the space, open ngs can be designed to control the mood of the space.

5 VIEWS (OPENINGS)
Roger S. Ulrich revealed the “power of the window” trough a science experimental
confirmed that patients in hospitals recovered faster when their rooms have direct view of
the external natural environment rather than the blank wall.

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 A window is not seen merely as a functional necessity that provides light and ventilation,
but also a gateway that has the ability to transport patient from a harsh reality to a place of
contemplation, serving as a temporary escape.
Windows allow sunlight and warmth views to the outside, thereby adding a sense of
openness, spaciousness, and orientation a room while providing view to the outside. There
BY ADDING SENSE OF OPENNESS, SPACIOUSNESS, AND ORIENTATION.

MATERIALS

Materials too are considered to leave a direct influence on the overall sense of the
environment like the ability to affect the sound environment, circulate movement,
increase/decrease comfort and various other actions. Building materials used in therapeutic
architecture should be carefully chosen – like natural materials if used in such spaces have
not only a healing benefit but also an ecological one. If a building is harmonious and close to
nature, it has a positive effect on the environment too. By designing spaces that are self-
sufficient, “eco-cycle houses,” or agriculture systems, architecture can work with nature in
harmony. Using local materials allows for the community to play a role in the construction
process, as well. Natural materials that have been handcrafted are unique, which is as
appealing as it is authentic.

3 CASE STUDIES

1.1 Shelter For Victims Of Domestic Violence ,Israel

Designed by London-based practice, Amos Goldreich

Architecture, alongside local firm, Jacobs-Yaniv
Architects, this shelter is one of only a handful in the
world which has been designed and built in
consultation with the staff who will occupy and run it.
Led by pioneering human rights activist, Ruth Rasnic,
for international charity ‘No To Violence’, the facility
will provide a much-needed refuge for distressed and
abused women and children from all localities and
backgrounds.

The main concept for building which has two facades - the secure and protective exterior,
and the inner façade, giving onto the central garden, the therapeutic “heart” of the
shelter.” On arrival at the shelter, each new family is given a small ‘house’ that is part of the
larger building. In order to allow the families to conduct a normal daily routine in the
shelter, the ‘houses’ are separated from the communal functions and connected by the
internal corridor. The nursery is physically separated from the larger building, which allows

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it to function as an ordinary nursery would, allowing women to drop their children off in the
mornings, and collect them later in the day.

Ground floor First floor

The shelter houses a diverse range of functions - communal areas, a kindergarten, a

computer room, laundry facilities, kitchens and a refectory, independent living quarters for
each family, staff accommodation, office areas for the shelter’s manager and staff (including
social workers, a child psychologist, housemothers, a child care worker, and a part-time
lawyer). There are additional professional workers: psychotherapist, drama or arts
therapists, as well as volunteers such as cosmeticians, hairdressers, reflexology and martial
arts practitioners, and others helping children with their studies and computer skills.

The green sanctum of the inner courtyard plays a

crucial role as a meeting place for the residents. It
also serves a functional purpose, providing
optimum visual connections between the house
mother and the families, as well as between the Internal corridor
women and their children.

The surrounding internal corridor (or ‘street’)

connects the inside and outdoor spaces and
creates a free-flowing space in which women and
children can interact, while at the same time
maintaining mutual sight lines between them and Courtyard
the staff.

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1.2 KWIECO Shelter House / Hollmén Reuter Sandman Architects

Consultancy Organization (KWIECO) was

founded in 1987. It provides advice on legal,
health, social and economic issues to women.
Just as in the rest of Africa, women in
Kilimanjaro are highly vulnerable to violations
of their rights to life, liberty and security.
Violence against women is permitted by social
and cultural attitudes; the law has failed to
provide adequate safeguards against violence,
nor has it been able to promote attitudes
conducive to women’s enjoyment of their Building view
fundamental rights.

The architecture of the Shelter House respects local culture and spatial hierarchy. Local
materials, renewable energies, local manpower and know-how are used, as well as
participatory planning to ensure that users have a sense of mental ownership in the shelter.

The Shelter House’s main gate greets visitors and

residents with artwork of a Tanzanian kanga skirt
and the printed Swahili message: “Equal rights for
all are the basis of development.” In addition to
drawing inspiration from the local culture, the
architecture was also directed by the desire to
minimize environmental impact. The large
covered open-air spaces promote natural
ventilation, while providing protection from the
sun and rain. To minimize reliance on electricity in
the daytime, the architects installed roof windows
and recycled glass bottles to bring natural light
into the rooms. Water is heated using low-tech
solar heaters. Local natural materials, such as
bamboo and banana leaves were used to
construct the ceilings and doors.

Courtyard building view

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 1.3 Casa Verde Young Women's Care Home for Mental Health / LDA.iMdA architect
associate

The project aims to recover and integrate an

old site, already used as an orphanage, built
on a portion of a hilly area.

The idea matrix is to protect, in

materials and shapes, (as
evidenced by the roof geometries)
the original plan and emphasize the
extension with shapes and
materials close to contemporary
culture.

In this elaborate design process the awareness to act inside a fragile landscape helped us; in
fact we choose the inhomogeneous green colour for the second level of the facade to
investigate the ability to insert and mitigate the new volume in the context. The ventilated
façade has not only a colour value, but it has different levels of reading: the double micro
perforated panels gives diaphaneity when your point of view is too close to the building and
massiveness when viewed from afar.

The micro perforated filter and the openings facade on the main elevation exalt the
relationship between indoor and outdoor space: natural light filtered by the micro-
diaphragm creates inside, on the main stairs, a well-being and feeling space; the openings
on the main elevation create two optical telescopes that project the user of the inside on
the outside historical access of the old house.

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The indoor spaces, in their simplicity, wanted to recreate the feeling of being in a carded
wool space. The basic colour used is a light grey with coloured lines (green, blue and orange)
forming the three different zones where the girls lives according to the degree of their
disease. Green, Blue and Orange are also in furniture details and in the icons on the
walls/doors (pear/strawberry - dining room, TV - room TV, smile – living room, boy /girls -
gym, patch - medical centre, washing machine - dishwashing room, pot – kitchen, sofa-living
room) to identify the various functions.

4 LITERATURE REVIEW

4.1 Problem Statement: Across the world, 20-25% of all women are victims of domestic
violence or abused by their partners. Survivors are abused where they should be the most
secure their own homes.

4.2 Aim/objective of the paper: The aim of this paper aims to contribute to the body of
knowledge and make progress toward filling in gaps in the area of design for shelter housing
and crisis centre programs.

4.3 Data used: The paper explains the study took place in a Kansas organization that
provides resources and shelter housing to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Their services include state wide and local hotlines, safe shelter, advocacy, referrals,
children’s services, support groups, counselling, and assistance with legal proceedings. In
this case study staff members were interviewed advocated the importance of the shelter
feeling like home for the women living there.

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After the victim leaves an abusive situation it becomes vital to give them the opportunity to
develop a sense of place within the shelter environment. Spaces were crowded to those
inhabiting the space. It is important to have spaces that are public as well as ones that are
private. The kitchen and the patio area used for smoking, as places where people interact
and relationships are developed. Having spaces with varying degrees of privacy in the
shelter offers a wider range of activities that can be conducted inside the shelter, making it
more secure and convenient for the victims. Shelter housing should also be secure,
especially shelters that take in victims of domestic violence. Victims use shelter housing to
escape abusive and often dangerous situations. In order to protect clients it is vital for
shelters to take precautions to ensure the safety of the people staying in shelter housing.
There were features that served security purposes, such as privacy fences, locks that require
an entry code so that access can be restricted and reset in case of a security breach, and a
lack of distinguishing features on the façade of the shelter to help it blend in with the
surrounding area and remain as inconspicuous as possible. Other features like materials
furniture, storage and location of the centre must be taken to consideration.

4.4 Method of Analysis: The context of this research paper was to utilize shelter
housing and crisis centre resources to further inform the design needs of similar facilities.
Recurring themes included a sense of home, comfortable spaces, privacy, and security.
Although these concepts make up the foundation, many other aspects of design also
contribute to the supportive nature of shelter housing. Architecture and design are typically
not the first elements considered when deciding how to provide for the homeless or victims
of domestic violence who have become homeless. Most often provision for the homeless is
about supplying them with the basic resources to survive.

4.5 Conclusion: The purpose behind all of the research and interviews and exploration of
shelter housing and crisis centres was to improve the shelter experience and lives of those
who use these spaces. Architecture and design contribute to communities both by fulfilling
specific requests and by using knowledge and expertise to meet needs that are not already
addressed. It is important to look past the obvious in this area of design, because there is no
specific program for the design of a supportive shelter environment; designers must gather
information related to the program in combination with design theories about space and
users in order to produce the most supportive environment possible.

4.6 Inference: This paper explains us how a spaces can make an impact on a victims
mind and free environment develops and interaction develops sense of security and helps
then to nurture the negative thoughts. The needs of victims using these spaces; the
inhabitants of shelters are the ones who are intended to benefit from their design and
services.

5 CONCLUSION

Since there are very limited resources that throw light on this wide-ranging problem, this
research would help understanding the kind of spaces that would support the victims to
regain their lost identity and self-worth and overcome depression. By shedding light on this
issue, it will encourage and improve existing and future shelter environments, with the aim
of improving the shelter experience and lives of those who use these spaces.

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 6 REFERENCES

A Safe Place to Start Over: The Role of Design in Domestic Violence Shelters
Sarah M. Kesler ; Kansas State University

7 WEB REFERENCES

https://www.archdaily.com/894042/shelter-for-victims-of-domestic-violence-amos-goldreich-
architecture-plus-jacobs-yaniv-architects
https://www.archdaily.com/886409/casa-verde-young-womens-care-home-for-mental-health-
ldmda-architetti-associati
https://archello.com/project/casa-verde-2
http://www.interiordesignblogs.eu/kwieco-shelter-house-hollmen-reuter-sandman-architects/
https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/fresh-perspectives/a597-therapeutic-architecture-role-of-
architecture-in-healing-process/
https://issuu.com/manushisheth/docs/thesis_volume
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es2lmv_wJnY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1yW5IsnSjo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MvXZzKZ3JYQ
https://www.regain.us/advice/therapist/what-is-color-therapy-what-is-it-for-and-is-it-right-for-me/

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