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In the NoCo

Architects used ‘trauma-informed design’ to reimagine a Denver youth shelter

A woman in an orange dress points out a feature to a man in a blue suit jacket during the Grand Opening, ribbon cutting and open tour of Urban Peak’s “The Mothership” in Denver, Colorado, U.S., on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.
Matthew Staver
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Courtesy of Chad Holtzinger/Shopworks
Urban Peak CEO Christina Carlson shows off some of the innovative design aspects of 'The Mothership' to Denver Mayor Mike Johnston during the facility's ribbon cutting and grand opening on Wednesday, July 27, 2024. The new 136-bed shelter will serve young people experiencing homelessness.

Architecture can provoke a powerful emotional response in us. Perhaps you've stopped on a sidewalk to stare up in wonder at a massive skyscraper... or stepped inside a beautifully designed building and felt a sense of peace or inspiration.

But the reaction to a building isn’t always positive -- particularly for people who have experienced trauma. Buildings that resemble schools, hospitals, or jails can make a person feel helpless or anxious.

A relatively new movement in architecture considers this throughout the creation process. ‘Trauma-informed’ design thoughtfully incorporates elements that help people feel welcomed and safe. And it’s a key component in a new youth shelter opened by Denver nonprofit Urban Peak.

The ‘Mothership,’ as it’s called, will serve young people between the ages of 12 and 24 experiencing homelessness. The 136-bed facility offers not only a place to sleep, but supportive amenities like a garden, computer lab, and a full-service kitchen that will offer cooking lessons. And the building itself is designed to help its residents feel empowered.

Chad Holtzinger is the founder of Shopworks Architecture, the firm behind the facility’s innovative design. He joined host Erin O’Toole to share more about the roughly $38 million project -- which is set to start welcoming youth in early to mid- August.

KUNC's In The NoCo is a daily slice of stories, news, people and issues. It's a window to the communities along the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The show brings context and insight to the stories of the day, often elevating unheard voices in the process. And because life in Northern Colorado is a balance of work and play, we celebrate the lighter side of things here, too.
As the host of KUNC’s new program and podcast In the NoCo, I work closely with our producers and reporters to bring context and diverse perspectives to the important issues of the day. Northern Colorado is such a diverse and growing region, brimming with history, culture, music, education, civic engagement, and amazing outdoor recreation. I love finding the stories and voices that reflect what makes NoCo such an extraordinary place to live.
Brad Turner is an executive producer in KUNC's newsroom. He manages the podcast team that makes In The NoCo, which also airs weekdays in Morning Edition and All Things Considered. His work as a podcaster and journalist has appeared on NPR's Weekend Edition, NPR Music, the PBS Newshour, Colorado Public Radio, MTV Online, the Denver Post, Boulder's Daily Camera, and the Longmont Times-Call.