Featured News
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National Geographic - How to design a city to improve your mental health - according to science
Discover how innovative urban design can boost mental well-being in cities. This featured article explores science-backed strategies for creating environments that support emotional health, from integrating nature to fostering social connection, and highlights the challenges and opportunities in building healthier urban spaces.
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Psychology Today - How to Design for Solitude
Find calm in a busy world. This featured article by Erin Peavey explores how thoughtful design can create spaces for true solitude-whether at home, in nature, or at work. Discover practical strategies and inspiring examples that show how architecture can nurture reflection, creativity, and well-being for everyone seeking a restorative pause from daily life1.
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Erin Peavey Honored as 2024 AIA Young Architect
Erin Peavey, AIA, has been honored with the 2024 AIA Young Architects Award, recognizing her national leadership in advancing design for health, well-being, and social connection. As an architect, author, and advocate, Erin bridges research and practice to create environments that help people thrive-from hospitals and schools to city neighborhoods. Her innovative work, mentorship, and public outreach are inspiring a new generation to see architecture as a catalyst for healing and community.
How School Design Can Help Children Feel Safe
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.
Designing a Brain-Healthy Workplace
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.
Floral Farms Park Wins Urban Design Unbuilt Award
Park for Floral Farms is the collective vision of the Floral Farms residents to fight against environmental injustice on the former Shingle Mountains site. Through co-planned and co-led community engagement sessions with the neighbors, the design team listened to their vision. It helped them give physical form to their dream of turning this former toxic waste site into a beautiful community park. Soccer fields, walking trails, a community garden, trees, and a splash pad were high on the list for programmatic needs. Flower beds dot the site and mark the entry as a way of reclaiming their Floral Farms’ identity.