Katja Terzic
Winner of travel grant of DKK 30.000.
Trauma-informed designs for socially vulnerable children and youth
Katja Terzic’s problem statement is: How can Trauma-informed Design better meet the needs of youth seeking refuge from domestic violence? How can the idea of focusing on children and youth in crisis increase our understanding of supportive environments and healing trauma?
The investigation consists of three main stages. The first is meeting study environment: Associate Professor Ceridwen Owen at University of Tasmania & Lecturer Samantha Donnelly at University of Technology Sydney, in addition to Core Collective Architects based in Hobart, Tasmania. The next is field trips to crisis shelters and other interests in Australia conducting site analysis(es), mappings and qualitative data on trauma-informed design developed with and for youth. The last step is to answer the problem statement and identify potentials and gaps in relation to Danish Health Design.
Katja plans to conduct her investigation from July to December 2024 in several states in Australia such as New South Wales, Tasmania and potential field trips to the State of Victoria and Queensland.
Watch the pitch below.
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Katja Terzic
's investigation
Katja has started her investigation in Australia. Below you can read posts along the way from her journey where she describes the experiences she has had and what she has learned so far.
December 2024
Study exchange in Sydney
I recently returned from a five month long study exchange at University of Technology Sydney (UTS), in Australia. During my time here, I conducted my individual project on trauma-informed design for children and young people (aged 12-18) living in crisis, originally developed during the Bevica Scholarship Program 2023-2024.
It was wonderful to finally meet with Samantha Donnelly, lecturer in the School of Interior Architecture at UTS, and Ceridwen Owen, Associate Professor in Architecture & Design & Founding Director of Core Collective Architects. They are currently working on developing trauma-informed design for Hobart Women’s Shelter (HBS) in Tasmania, with aim to deliver spaces which provide safety for women and children facing homelessness. Thanks to Ruby Finlen (Strategic Partnerships Manager HBS) and the rest of the team for taking time to meet me and show me around, even in the busiest time pre holiday season. When walking in the outdoor spaces, I was especially drawn to a stunning art piece made many years ago, notably, by local artists (first picture). I hope to one day be back and witness this integrated in the new trauma-informed spaces!
In Dr Endriana Audisho’s architecture class “Practice: Advocacy”, we were weekly introduced to (landscape) architects leading and working in different social and environmental advocacy-led practices in Australia. I was especially inspired by Rhiannon Brownbill (M. Arch) journey to designing with Country and her graduate thesis Burudi Gurad, Burudi Ora (Critical Spatial Relationalities of Care), which made me reflect on the role of First Nations Knowledge and worldview – to incorporate history, culture and community – when creating healing and supportive spaces.
A big win for merging project and exchange program together, was having the time to get to know the Australian culture and society. I want to thank Bevica Fonden, Havekulturfonden, Jubilæumsfondet ved SCIENCE KU & DREYERS FOND for making this project & exchange experience possible.
