Jill Pable ’86 is breaking new ground through her research in trauma-informed design, and most recently with the launch of her website Design Resources for Homelessness. Pable, a professor in the Interior Architecture and Design Department at Florida State University, has long been interested in the impact that design in the built environment can have on people’s lived experience.
Jill Pable ’86 is breaking new ground through her research in trauma-informed design, and most recently with the launch of her website Design Resources for Homelessness. Pable, a professor in the Interior Architecture and Design Department at Florida State University, has long been interested in the impact that design in the built environment can have on people’s lived experience.
She got her start at Appalachian State University. After graduating from the then-called housing and interiors program, she returned to her home state of Florida and worked as a designer until an invitation to teach a course at Daytona Beach Community College opened her eyes to the possibility of becoming an educator.
“I found the experience tremendously gratifying, and was something that I both enjoyed and seemed to be successful in,” she recalled. “As an instructor, I stand the chance of affecting thousands of design projects through my students – far more than I could have as a design practitioner myself.”
She returned to school, first obtaining her MFA in interior design and then her doctorate in secondary education. Her first full-time teaching position led her to California, and it was there that she, along with her design students, had the opportunity to work with a local homeless shelter.
“The students’ interaction with staff and residents was a major moment for me, and showed me the potential for design to make a significant and lasting difference in people’s lives,” she said. “I have come to learn more about the deep need for recuperative programs and environments that people in crisis need, and how there is so much to do and learn in this area.”
So, she took action. For the past several years, her research has focused on developing a better understanding of trauma-informed design and connecting designers to research in various fields ranging from psychology and social work to medicine.
Pable is currently surveying various experts in the field to determine additional content that is needed in the Design Resources for Homelessness initiative. The goal of this free website is to interpret research, providing interior designers and architects with actionable information to help with their projects. Another goal is to eventually engage others to develop and describe voluntary guidelines for housing and shelter providers that better ensure the ability for these environments to help with recovery. She is currently developing a continuing education course focused on these principles to be offered through the American Society of Interior Designers.
Pable is optimistic that the website will spur further opportunities for collaboration and learning. She is also exploring additional channels to share best practices, including a newsletter or blog, more case studies and spotlight reports that communicate the perceptions of persons in crisis to designers that create environments that can help them.
