Design Angels of America

115 River Road, Pier Building - Suite 112 Edgewater, New Jersey 07020 (201) 917-3589 info@designangelsofamerica.com www.designangelsofamerica.com

CREATING NEW SPACES FOR NEW BEGINNINGS

Design Angels of America (DAOA) is a design enterprise led by a social mission with a public benefit. We create environments that fortify the collective well-being of communities through projects that offer competent housing, social-emotional healing, economic independence, education, technology, and cultural equity.

EVIDENCE-BASED DESIGN CREATIVE PLACEMAKING TRAUMA-INFORMED YOUTH SERVICES CONSULTING AND FULL-SERVICE DESIGN & BUILD

115 River Road, Pier Building - Suite 112 Edgewater, New Jersey 07020 (201) 917-3589 info@designangelsofamerica.com www.designangelsofamerica.com

Before and After Photos

Secaucus, NJ New interior construction for International Jewelry Company Corporate Headquarters

Baltimore, MD The Victim & Witness Waiting Room for the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office EVIDENCE-BASED DESIGN

CREATIVE PLACEMAKING

TRAUMA-INFORMED YOUTH SERVICES CONSULTING / FULL-SERVICE DESIGN & BUILD

115 River Road, Pier Building - Suite 112 Edgewater, New Jersey 07020 (201) 917-3589 info@designangelsofamerica.com www.designangelsofamerica.com

About Us

The spaces we inhabit can define us. But what if we have no place to call our own? Where do we turn when our community lacks environments that have the power to heal? At Design Angels of America (DAOA), we work with private and public agencies, organizations, and businesses to solve this problem by creating new spaces for new beginnings in support of those who need them the most.

Our Areas of Expertise • • • •

Evidence-Based Design Creative Placemaking Trauma-Informed Youth Services Full-Service Design and Build Consulting

Our Missions • • •

Blend DAOA areas of expertise to transform inefficient spaces into human-centered interiors Galvanize key stakeholders and community organizers to create community impact measures that address structural determinants of health Enhance the living, educational, social, wellness, and occupational environments designed to serve our nation’s most marginalized/vulnerable communities, including homeless youth, young adults aging out of foster care, and youth who identify as LGBTQ.

25+ years’ experience in Interior Design, Construction, Project Management and Planning 10+ years’ experience in Non-Profit Board Service and Advocacy EVIDENCE-BASED DESIGN

CREATIVE PLACEMAKING

TRAUMA-INFORMED YOUTH SERVICES CONSULTING / FULL-SERVICE DESIGN & BUILD

115 River Road, Pier Building - Suite 112 Edgewater, New Jersey 07020 (201) 917-3589 info@designangelsofamerica.com www.designangelsofamerica.com

Evidence-Based Design What is it about a designed space that can trigger a positive response the moment you enter? This phenomenon is often referred to as a “vibe or emotional response.” It is the heightened feeling of connection with self and others experienced in a shared environment.

At Design Angels of America (DAOA), evidence-based design principles allow us to create spaces that inspire, heal, and encourage community collaboration and revitalization. When designing and building, we consider the physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual ways that people experience places and spaces, such as the following types of physical environments: • • • • •

Social Workplace Co-working Behavioral Health and Wellness Emergency Temporary Housing and Hospitality

Whether in a work environment or at home, physical environment matters. The nature of the spaces we inhabit can cause changes in emotions, energy levels, and overall health. Negative environments can trigger toxic stress and result in other health conditions for workers, clients, or customers. Scientific evidence shows that when the physical design of a space incorporates elements of nature, ergonomics and integrates natural light, it can help the human system engage in a state of elevated clarity. Communities use this evidence to integrate various concepts and approaches specific to interior space design, including the partners outlined below.

New York, NY Program to work with emergency temporary housing locations

Baltimore, MD Re-design primary Drug Treatment Court office, judges’ chambers and employee conference area

Baltimore, MD Re-design of the victims and witness services area

Our use of Evidence-Based Design or EBD allows DAOA to design intentional spaces that create better outcomes for our clients and the target populations they serve.

EVIDENCE-BASED DESIGN

CREATIVE PLACEMAKING

TRAUMA-INFORMED YOUTH SERVICES CONSULTING / FULL-SERVICE DESIGN & BUILD

115 River Road, Pier Building - Suite 112 Edgewater, New Jersey 07020 (201) 917-3589 info@designangelsofamerica.com www.designangelsofamerica.com

Creative Placemaking When artists, organizations, and community development practitioners collaborate to integrate arts and culture into community revitalization work, lives can change. Creative placemaking projects have the power to transform communities into lively, beautiful, and resilient places that use the arts as a tool to enhance land-use, transportation, economic development, education, housing, infrastructure, and public safety strategies. Leaders and policymakers are becoming increasingly aware of how creative placemaking can advance their missions. It amplifies efforts to enhance quality of life, increases creative activity among youth and families, and supports communities in creating a distinct sense of place.

What is placemaking? A bottom-up, asset-based approach that emphasizes collaboration amongst a diverse group of people who inhabit or use a place to 1) ‘discover needs and aspirations’ and 2) to create a common goal or vision for constantly evolving spaces, places, and communities.

Evidence illustrates the value of merging arts and culture within multiple sectors and ecosystems to tap into a community’s unique character. At Design Angels of America (DAOA), we understand the role that creative placemaking plays in the following: • • • •

Stimulating local economies Supporting urban planning and community-building Encouraging increased innovation, cultural diversity, and civic engagement Helping address the social inequity, disinvestment, and discrimination that has plagued vulnerable neighborhoods.

Our Design Philosophy Human-centered + socially responsible design emphasizes the needs and experiences of people and communities.

Baltimore, MD Laundromat Initiative We Wash Pop-Up EVIDENCE-BASED DESIGN

CREATIVE PLACEMAKING

New York, NY Native Son, branded Co-Working/Social Space for Black Men Identifying as LGBTQ

Miami, FL Noire Miami Arts and Cultural Lounge

TRAUMA-INFORMED YOUTH SERVICES CONSULTING / FULL-SERVICE DESIGN & BUILD

115 River Road, Pier Building - Suite 112 Edgewater, New Jersey 07020 (201) 917-3589 info@designangelsofamerica.com www.designangelsofamerica.com

Trauma-Informed Youth Services A desire to serve marginalized and underserved youth is what inspired the formation of Design Angels of America (DAOA). We partner with public and private agencies, organizations, and businesses to address the social and physical space needs of young people in vulnerable communities. This requires an understanding of the importance of trauma-informed care and services. Trauma does not discriminate. Brought upon by adverse experiences, including abuse, neglect, violence, discrimination and loss, it can impact anyone, regardless of race, gender, socioeconomic status, or age. Our team uses a trauma-informed lens to guide concept development and to drive implementation for all of our youth-focused design projects.

Trauma-Informed = Realizing widespread impact + Recognizing signs and symptoms + Responding with changes to policies and culture + Resisting re-traumatization.

(Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration)

Designing with Dignity, Safety, Transparency, Empowerment, Collaboration, and Inclusivity in Mind As designers, the DAOA expert team can connect, coordinate, and integrate functionality and style to enhance perceptions and experiences and to ensure spaces aim to heal and not re-traumatize. Our evidence-based design sensibility supports clients in creating spaces and places that promote a positive sense of being, acceptance, and dignity for young people interacting with institutions and social organizations.

DAOA is poised to engage with the following ecosystems to provide trauma-informed youth services: • • • • •

LGBTQ Youth Juvenile Justice K–12 Education Agencies Housing Agencies Child Welfare Agencies

Baltimore, MD Re-design of victims and witness services area

Key Service Goals: Foster Empathy + Increase Self Esteem + Improve Social Engagement EVIDENCE-BASED DESIGN

CREATIVE PLACEMAKING

TRAUMA-INFORMED YOUTH SERVICES CONSULTING / FULL-SERVICE DESIGN & BUILD

115 River Road, Pier Building - Suite 112 Edgewater, New Jersey 07020 (201) 917-3589 info@designangelsofamerica.com www.designangelsofamerica.com

Consulting/Full-Service Design & Build Our full-service interior design and build approach integrates neuroscience and evidence-based design principles to deliver intentional spaces and experiences for clients and users. We have a collective understanding of how cognitive behavior and trauma-informed services can enhance concept development and implementation processes. Key focus areas include supporting design projects that offer the following to our client’s constituents: • • • •

Cultural experiences Access to competent housing Educational enrichment opportunities Socially equitable environments that create better emotional and health outcomes

Secaucus, NJ New interior construction Corporate Headquarters

At Design Angels of America (DAOA), we offer design and construction services under one contract for our clients. This team integration saves both time and money, and also fosters collaboration between designers and builders, leading to the conception and execution of innovative designs that consider function, style, and service.

Key Services Construction Management – Assess project requirements, source resources, select subcontractors, review construction documents with architect of record and manage all project subcontractors and vendors

Design – Create design concepts and select furnishings, finishes, and equipment (FFE) Biophilic Design – Integrate green walls, interior landscapes, and blooming/floral design Project Highlight In the public sector, DAOA led the redesign of Baltimore City’s Victims and Witness Services Area. During the period of a trial, individuals impacted by the crime often spend a great deal of time working with victims and witness advocates and other service providers. In addition, they spend countless hours preparing for and actively participating in the trial process. Like many public social justice spaces, the experience of the built environment and those who use it had long been overlooked and neglected. DAOA was asked to address safety, privacy, trauma-informed design, dignity, comfort, and convenience when considering the clients’ needs.

EVIDENCE-BASED DESIGN

CREATIVE PLACEMAKING

TRAUMA-INFORMED YOUTH SERVICES CONSULTING / FULL-SERVICE DESIGN & BUILD