Safety & Security

Trauma, by its very nature, disrupts an individual's sense of safety and control, leaving lasting impacts on their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. Feeling safe, both physically and emotionally, is the most fundamental requirement for trauma recovery; thus, providing an environment that fosters feelings of safety and security is the top priority.

A large portion of this is achieved through location. Haven House and Cloud Nine Studios were built in a calm, mature neighborhood of a few cul-de-sacs, so there is no fast or through traffic; sometimes hours can pass without a car driving by. This location is extremely quiet and peaceful. Although rare to find in a place this central within a major city, there is essentially no street noise. This location is nestled in a natural canyon, which eliminates almost all noise from wind or adjoining areas, making it especially serene. Often, the only ambient sounds residents will hear are the calls from songbirds in the surrounding trees. This lack of auditory threat cues allows the amygdala to wind down and the parasympathetic nervous system to be engaged, lowering the heart rate and increasing the sense of calm.

Furthermore, Cloud Nine is set far back from the street, surrounded by canyon walls and mature vegetation, enhancing the feelings of insulation created by the Recovery Pathway. When combined with the natural white noise generated by the waterfall, it’s practically impossible to hear any sounds from the street while outside, let alone inside. People with PTSD will enjoy a significant amount of stress reduction just by living in a place so safe and free of chaotic sensory input.

Both buildings have been designed to have extremely high visibility around all entrances and lighting that eliminates shadowy areas. Despite being uncommon features in such a safe area, both actual and perceived safety have been enhanced through a variety of physical security measures such as motion-activated lights, advanced electronic door locks, double-gated perimeter paths, and an extensive network of security cameras.

However, for people recovering from trauma, it is not enough just to be safe but to also feel safe. To that end, certain architectural elements elevate the perceived safety even further. For example, the outdoor aesthetic incorporates elements from castles, like rough-hewn stone block walls, keystones and crossheads, and handcrafted lion door knockers on every entry door. While such features do not provide any additional physical security, they do deliver subconscious cues that calm residents and guide them toward seeing their home as a fortress that will keep them safe.

To learn about the largest measure taken to make residents feel safe, please read about the Recovery Pathway.