In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski sits down with Stephen Parker, architect and mental health planner at Stantec, to explore the power—and responsibility—of trauma-informed design. Stephen shares how his personal and professional experiences have fueled his mission to create spaces that foster safety, dignity, and belonging for people in crisis. From veterans living with PTSD to individuals overcoming addiction, Stephen explains why the built environment is never neutral—and how even simple details like door placement, daylight, and acoustic privacy can make or break a healing experience. They also discuss cultural competency, the hidden triggers in institutional settings, and the crucial role of co-design with communities. This conversation is a masterclass in designing buildings that heal not just bodies, but hearts and minds.
More About Stephen Parker
Stephen Parker is a dedicated Mental + Behavioral Health Planner with significant healthcare projects across the US, Canada, China, Kenya, Australia and India. A Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Rising Star, Parker is a proponent of “architect as advocate” for colleague, client, and community alike, he believes strongly in leadership through service. Stephen has served a diverse client base, including the Cleveland Clinic, Kaiser Permanente, and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, helping develop the VA’s new Inpatient Mental Health Design Guide. An accomplished design researcher and pro bono community designer, Stephen is a Behavioral Health Business Future Leader, AIA AAH Best Healthcare Designer Under 40, ENR Top 20 Under 40 Young Professional, HCD Rising Star, HFSE George Pressler Under 40 Award recipient, and ULI Health Leader. Stephen championed the AIA Strategic Council’s Mental Health + Architecture during the pandemic and is a US representative to the International Union of Architects’ Public Health Group. He currently serves as Associate Director for the Design in Mental Health Network headquartered in England, Founding Member of the Center of Health Design’s Behavioral & Mental Health Environment Network, among other service leadership roles at organizations advocating for mental health environments from the Arctic to Australasia.
CONTACT:
https://www.stantec.com/en/people/p/parker-stephen
https://www.mentalhealthdesignandbuild.com/story/44645/drawn-together-through-lived-experience
https://www.ribaj.com/intelligence/rising-stars-2024-stephen-parker
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