Our firm is dedicated to improving our communities. We achieve this goal through our projects and in how we support our clients; and we collaborate to deliver inclusive designs that meet the needs of a diverse population. As Pride month comes to a close, we reflect on what we are hearing from clients and colleagues in our industry and how thoughtful design is positively supporting the LGBTQIA+ community.
Justice and Public Safety
In the justice and public safety market segments, we design environments that elevate the human experience and strengthen communities. These environments include courts, secure housing facilities, behavioral health and alternative facilities, and public safety facilities.
When designing these facilities, we work closely with clients to determine how the space supports and contributes to human dignity. We know that design can positively support entry back into community and reduce recidivism. Our designs incorporate safety, transparency, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and mutuality into the physical spaces to empower and support building occupants.
LGBTQIA+ inclusive design in the justice market segment involves creating non-threatening, trauma-informed, and inclusive supportive spaces. Design best practices for secure facilities include appropriate color selection, outdoor space and connection to nature, educational and skill-building spaces, transparency and wayfinding, increased access to healthcare (medical, dental, mental, and behavioral health). Inclusive and trauma-informed design allows thoughtful representation of all facility occupants and better supports members of the LGBTQIA+ community, whether a staff member, a justice-involved individual, or a public visitor, in the built environment.
In public safety facilities, LGBTQIA+ inclusive design includes reimagined locker rooms with separate unisex restrooms, where officers of all identities can feel safe and supported to communicate, decompress, and connect with their teammates. Those designs include staff amenities such as, fitness centers and break areas for stress reduction and team building. Wellness is also supported by bringing in natural daylighting and connection to nature.
Open spaces where people can connect are vital to inclusive public safety facilities.
Education
In K-12 and higher education markets, we’ve seen a lot of interest from clients in how to design restrooms that support LGBTQIA+ communities. At least 424 colleges and universities list campus gender-inclusive restrooms on their websites, and campuses are asking for feedback and support on how to make spaces flexible for students.
Design elements that support inclusivity in this market segment include restroom hand washing areas with visibility and openness and individual stalls with full-height walls and doors. Both of these elements support safety and privacy for users.
In addition, inclusive design best practices are now trending toward signage with symbols indicating a toilet and the words “all gender,” rather than man and woman symbols or terms like “unisex” or “gender neutral.”
Inclusive design is about designing for all users of a space. Dewberry strives to create holistic spaces in every market that contribute to positive experiences for all individuals."
Tracy Coker, Brooke Martin, Erica Nelles, and Skip Notte
Commercial Retail
In the commercial retail market segment, we are focused on using design to positively impact customers’ experiences. Each commercial project is about manifesting a brand’s culture in a physical space, and we are pleased to work with brands who share many of the same values as our firm.
Inclusive design looks a little bit different to each commercial client. Our support can include:
- Signage
- Technology integration
- Public outreach
- Store design
- Graphics
- Loyalty programs
- Kitchen efficiency
- Visual merchandising
- Program management
- Branding and strategy
- Operations and maintenance
We design these elements to be inviting and inclusive to all customers who may enter the space. This may include signage around the store that say welcoming phrases or unique technology integration that supports a smooth customer experience. All of these elements point back to creating positive experiences to engage and build loyalty with customers.
Inclusive design is about designing for all users of a space. We strive to create holistic spaces in every market that contribute to positive experiences for all individuals.
Perspectives summarized from a panel discussion, “Market Segment Perspectives on LGBTQIA+ Inclusion in Design, Construction, Operations, and Maintenance,” June 9, 2023, organized by Prism, Dewberry’s LGBTQIA+ employee resource group.