Recently, the City of Madison, Wisconsin, opened a 250-bed temporary shelter for men experiencing homelessness.  The shelter, located on Bartillon Drive, is the first-ever, purpose-built emergency shelter in Dane County. Previous shelter settings in the county converted large spaces such as former stores to serve as emergency shelters. The Bartillon Shelter was designed to offer trauma-informed care in a safe, comfortable space with greater access to supportive services such as case management, housing navigation services and connections to community resources.

The challenge in trauma-informed design is to keep the building from looking or feeling institutional while also using materials that can withstand the heavy use of an emergency. The building was intended to be a place of healing and dignity as people get back on their feet, and an aesthetic that feels institutional and stark doesn’t serve that purpose. Therefore, products and materials chosen for the space needed to thread the needle between strong and durable and welcoming and comfortable.

Among the areas that created the greatest challenge were the restrooms. In temporary shelters used during the construction phase, the bathrooms experienced the greatest wear and tear, so the need for durable fixtures in those spaces became clear. Scranton Products Eclipse Partitions and Shower Stalls were chosen for the shelter for their durability, maintainability, privacy and aesthetics.

Eclipse partitions have a contemporary European design with hidden hardware and crisp panel lines, as well as shiplap door edges that increase privacy. Manufactured from solid HDPE, they have a solid color throughout, so are easy to clean and have superior resistance to dents, impacts and daily wear. If graffiti does occur, it can be removed with common off-the-shelf products, allowing the material to maintain its appearance over time. The taller panels of the Eclipse partitions also offered higher privacy compared with more traditional partitions, without restricting staff from being able to determine if someone needed help.

The shower partitions are also made of easy-to-clean solid HDPE that is impact resistant doesn’t absorb water. They also resist graffiti mold, mildew, odors and soap stains. The Scranton Products Shower Partitions with doors provide private, comfortable and secure shower spaces in keeping with the trauma-informed design.

Beyond the direct benefits of privacy and a sense of comfort, the material choices fit within another important goal of the design: sustainability. The building has been LEED Gold Certified and savings in energy and maintenance costs are used for programs and resources to serve guests. Among the ways they achieved this were through energy-saving initiatives such as geothermal systems and a solar array, as well as use of materials like the Eclipse partitions that reduce the need for maintenance and replacement over time.

The Bartillon Shelter now serves up to 250 individuals on a reservation basis, providing comfortable sleeping areas with secure storage at each bed, ample bathroom and shower facilities, secure outdoor areas, a commercial kitchen and meeting space and a medical wing alongside services to help them secure stable housing.

To learn more about Scranton Products Eclipse Partitions, please visit www.scrantonproducts.com or call 800-445-5148. 

About Scranton Products: 

With more than 30 years of experience, Scranton Products is the industry leader in plastic bathroom partitions and lockers. Endless design options and an array of designer colors and textures provide confidence and elegant style in every project, creating a lasting impression. Proudly made in the USA and constructed from premium-grade solid plastic, our products’ unmatched durability withstands impact, corrosion, graffiti and mildew. Backed by sustainable technologies and industry-leading warranties, with our partitions and lockers you are investing in peace of mind.