Daily News
From Home Furnishing Business
IKEA U.S. Announces Donation of Small Home in San Antonio
October 29,
2024 by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry 
IKEA U.S. is proud to announce the completion of a permanent supportive housing unit (Small Home), which was donated to Towne Twin Village in San Antonio, TX. The Small Home is built with sustainable materials and guided by the principles of trauma-informed design (TID), which aims to create an environment that supports healing, reduces the risk of re-traumatization and promotes overall well-being.
“As experts in small space living, innovative solutions and democratic design, IKEA U.S. is uniquely positioned to amplify this empathy-based design approach to our communities, co-workers and customers,” said Sam Eisenman, Sustainability Business Partner at IKEA U.S. “Our vision of creating a better everyday life for the many people goes beyond home furnishing. We are on a journey to be a facilitator of and advocate for trauma-informed design as a tool to address the root causes that contribute to the affordable housing crisis in the U.S.”
Together with WestEast Design Group & Social Impact Studio, IKEA U.S. applied the principles of trauma-informed design to an in-store model of a Small Home at IKEA Live Oak in the spring. By engaging Towne Twin Village residents, the broader community and IKEA co-workers, the project gathered valuable insights on the efficacy of trauma-informed designed spaces. For instance, data showed a preference for a combined shower/tub as opposed to shower only and that residents want the option to accommodate guests, so furniture that is flexible and multi-purpose increased resident satisfaction.
Using the data and learnings from focus groups, IKEA U.S. built the Towne Twin Village Small Home, which is ready for occupancy, with a resident scheduled to move in soon. Additionally, IKEA is providing complete interiors and home furnishings to three existing units at Towne Twin Village and providing home furnishing gifts to all residents.
Looking ahead, IKEA U.S. is investing in trauma-informed design pilot projects across the country, including initiatives in Memphis, TN and Washington, D.C, to create spaces that support healing and dignity for all. IKEA U.S. has developed a trauma-informed design training course for co-workers, enhancing their ability to apply these principles in local projects.
This is the beginning of a journey at IKEA. In the long term, IKEA envisions bringing together stakeholders and advocates across all markets to support existing efforts and encourage others, across sectors, to adopt a trauma-informed approach in their respective industries.
The Small Home project marks a significant milestone toward the IKEA commitment to creating a better life for the many people. Other key consultants who supported bringing this design to life include Arup, Cleary Zimmermann Engineers, and Northcutt Construction.
IKEA U.S. is committed to supporting the neighborhoods in which it operates and the communities it serves. On October 29, 2024, the San Antonio IKEA at Live Oak and its stakeholders will hold a ribbon cutting of the Small Home at Towne Twin Village.