Resilient Retreat is an organization focused on helping those impacted by trauma and abuse, located on 84 acres of conservation land in Sarasota, FL. After an extensive design process taking into account safety, circulation, sunlight and internal management, we successfully worked with the founder and volunteers, called "Voices," to design an open but secure place to house up to 30 residents in a short term capacity.

Using the concept of Hygge, a Danish word representing a feeling or moment as cozy, charming or special, we worked with PS-Interior Design Studio and Patty Schimberg to design a place responsive to its surroundings and reflective of its needs. The main building includes an open dining and living area, a commercial kitchen and needed administration. In two flanking "wings," the residences are connected by a covered porch, emphasizing the sense of community and providing a direct connection to the adjacent beautiful forest and pond.