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.

“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.

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.

“Something inside me still lights up when I think about how to use the built environment to love and care for people, not just my family, but for people I might never meet, and the people that care for them.”

On the TEDx stage, Erin shares research at HKS, Inc. on how design of public spaces has the power to combat loneliness is so important to the health of our communities.

To those in the design community, the small strokes you make when designing parks, architecture, or even simple sidewalks can heal us or hurt us.

Our digital and physical workplaces can support or inhibit our brain health.

Our reliance on single office workstations can reduce our effectiveness and render us less active and adaptive.

Creating a range of spaces provides people choice, allowing them to fit their place of work for the type of work they are doing.

"I think a lot of the beautiful traditional forms of architecture over the centuries, really, [have] responded to the natural environment of that area. And they responded to the people and their needs. And I think in so many different areas of life, right now, we're going back to understanding this wisdom that we used to have, that we sort of talked ourselves out of, and I hope that the built environment can be a part of that," said Peavey.

"It doesn't actually have to cost more, it just needs to be designed mindfully."

Rest is essential to keeping one's mind and body fertile, creative, and well. Here’s my personal and scientific journey of investing in rest.

Join us for the third event in the Connect+Conversations series! This session will focus on how the places where we live, work, and play influence our social relationships.

We will explore the latest research, recommendations, and real-world examples of designing the built environment and neighborhoods to reduce loneliness and strengthen communities.

You will hear from experts in this space and have the opportunity to engage with people across the US and globally. Join the conversation if you are interested in learning and discussing:

• What features of the built environment contribute to social health

• How urban vs. rural communities help or hinder social connection

• Why design and programming must go hand-in-hand

• And more!

Loneliness and social isolation are threatening millions of people; however, increasing connection can reduce risk.

The places we live can exacerbate our sense of isolation and loneliness.

Concrete design strategies—like universal accessibility, incorporation of nature, and shared spaces—can foster social health.

Loneliness and social isolation are threatening millions of people; however, increasing connection can reduce risk.

The places we live can exacerbate our sense of isolation and loneliness.

Concrete design strategies—like universal accessibility, incorporation of nature, and shared spaces—can foster social health.

The pandemic has created a new normal of remote living: forcing many of us to move from in-person interactions to online and virtual experiences, heightening feelings of loneliness, disengagement and disproportionately affecting vulnerable and marginalized communities.

Join this event on utilizing health, hospitality and design to reframe human connection, share our humanity, promote inclusion.

Loneliness can affect anyone at any point in life and is a topic that employers should address proactively as it can have a negative effect on workplace productivity and a person’s health. The workplace can serve as the foundation for improving vitality and reducing feelings of loneliness and starts by creating a culture of inclusion.

Loneliness can affect anyone at any point in life and is a topic that employers should address proactively as it can have a negative effect on workplace productivity and a person’s health. The workplace can serve as the foundation for improving vitality and reducing feelings of loneliness and starts by creating a culture of inclusion. But how do you do this in a time of social distancing? Managers and leaders of organizations can lead the way by building connections with their employees and setting a cultural tone of relationship-building and inclusiveness both in the office and virtually. Join us to learn what steps you can take to combat loneliness in your workplace and improve your employees’ health, well-being and productivity. Erin Peavey of HKS Architects will discuss how the built environment is an essential tool in creating a world that is more connected, comforting, and well. By working together with the communities we serve, we can co-create places that foster health.