American neighborhoods have declined over the past few decades, contributing to rising isolation, mistrust, and polarization. Weaker social ties are leading to greater depression, anxiety, addiction, suicide, and alienation. Moreover, during the past 50 years, the number of high-poverty neighborhoods has tripled and the population of poor people in these neighborhoods has doubled, even as spending on welfare has soared. And yet, there are few systematic efforts to bolster neighborhoods. The role of institutions is key to reviving a neighborhood. The way these institutions structure—or fail to structure—relationships at the neighborhood and interneighborhood level affects the vitality of each locale and the well-being of everyone living there.

Some topics really make you stop and say "what the f&%$ is that?" So, we made a whole series around it! Learn "WTF is design for connection" in a fast-moving, Cliffs Notes–esque format.

As design researcher and architect, Erin Peavey describes it, we don’t merely have a mental and physical health crisis in society, we have serious social health issues looming around us.

Erin details how our environment needs to be transformational, and architects need to reflect on that.  We are wired for social connection.   There is data on how the lack of social connections link to a negative health impact from loneliness, which can even include obesity and smoking.

The traits of extraversion—gregariousness and comfort with the spotlight—are often seen as synonymous with leadership, confidence, ability, and likability—especially in the United States. Author Susan Cain coined the term "extrovert ideal" to describe this well-researched preference of people in Western societies.

But where does that leave introverts or ambiverts?

Because even introverts frequently like company. According to Erin Peavey, a design leader in health and well-being at the global firm HKS Architects, shared public spaces can allow lone individuals “to feel a part of the world but not have to engage in it or feel a responsibility to perform.”

The Texas A&M College of Architecture has announced seven distinguished former students for the College of Architecture Harold L. Adams ’61, Outstanding Alumni Award. To honor their remarkable lifetime contributions to their industries and disciplines, the college will host a banquet on Nov. 15, 2024, at the Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center. These individuals represent the top one percent of the top one percent among the school’s alumni.

Former students nominated the 2024 Outstanding Alumni, and a school committee selected them for their exceptional achievements. This recognition is the highest honor the college bestows, with less than one percent of its more than 16,000 alumni having received this accolade.

Each June, alongside our partners at the Global Initiative on Loneliness and Connection (GILC) and Marmalade Trust, the Coalition activates local communities, policymakers, and innovators for Global Loneliness Awareness Week. Together, we share resources, identify areas of collaboration, and educate the public on the importance of connection. This year, we are excited to convene once again on June 11th in Washington, D.C. Stay tuned for more information – including our agenda and speakers!

The built environment has a role in combating social isolation and loneliness and in fostering connection.

Interconnected physical spaces shape our cities and communities, from homes, to streets, parks, and more.

Social connectedness can be boosted via design, planning, and policy, and across stakeholders.

With the growing global mental health crisis, this event is dedicated to fostering insightful discussions, exploring innovative approaches, and understanding the evolving landscape of mental wellness in our community. We will bring together diverse perspectives exploring the future of design for mental health through the lens of programs, place, and tech. We will break down silos, charting a transdisciplinary path forward to cultivate meaningful change and provide a context for future design and research.

For her career-long efforts, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has named Peavey as a recipient of its 2024 Young Architect Award, one of the organization’s highest honors.

In recognizing her, the AIA called her “a visionary leader fueled by enthusiastic curiosity and striving for a higher level of design excellence.”

I was honored to be in conversation with Evelyn M Lee on her podcast, Practice of Architecture talking about how to use architecture and design to address loneliness, promote well-being, and foster inclusive and supportive work environments

Where we live, work, play, and learn impacts our social health and how connected we are as a society

As cities invest in infrastructure, design for social and community well-being benefits everyone

Design guidelines for social health can be created with PANACHe

Learn about the link between social health and overall health outcomes, specifically how loneliness has toxic health outcomes worse than smoking and obesity, and how social connection fosters health.

Explore how the built environment is a determinant of social health, working on a systems level to help to foster social interaction and health

Understand how third places impact social health and what tangible steps we can all take to reduce feelings of loneliness in our lives and in our communities.

Share an evidence-based framework to design for social connection, examine scalable strategies that lead to social environments that promote meaningful connections.

American adults say that having close friends is essential to living a fulfilling life.

Social infrastructure in our cities and communities can foster connection.

Clubs and associations tie us to local community and support.

Being more present with others can foster connection.

“There is a serious skills shortage in many countries, which has been part of the reason a lot of businesses have gone all in on offering employees flexibility. This raises an interesting question about where the duty of care lies in terms of employers being responsible for their employees’ wellbeing. Is an area you’ve looked into, and what are your thoughts are about how that dynamic is playing out?”…

Children with adverse childhood events may have increased sensitivities and struggle to self-regulate.

Thoughtfully designed school environments can help children soothe themselves and cope with triggers.

Trauma-informed design can help all children—not just those who have undergone trauma.

Author and architect, Erin Peavey, discusses ways to find a support system and combat feelings of loneliness.

Architect and researcher, Erin Peavey speaks to the BBC Woman’s Hour about how design of our built environment can help to foster social connection and heal loneliness.