Lara Aptowitzer- BA (Hons) Interior Design
WADE: Women's Autonomy, Direction & Empowerment
WADE is a trauma-informed support hub for women in Greater Manchester who have experienced domestic abuse, developed in partnership with ‘Stockport Without Abuse’. Rather than functioning as a temporary shelter, WADE supports long-term recovery through a carefully considered spatial journey inspired by the rhythm and movement of a river. The scheme reflects the non-linear nature of healing, guiding women from spaces of safety and retreat towards openness, confidence, and public engagement. Through trauma-informed and sensory design principles, WADE prioritises emotional wellbeing alongside physical safety, using light, materiality, and spatial hierarchy to create environments that encourage choice, empowerment, and gradual reconnection.
