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.
Global Exchange for Mental Health
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.
Building Connected Communities
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.
Psychology Today: Designing for Happiness
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.
World Happiness Week: Designing for Urban Connection
Partnering with Social Health Lab’s founder, Kasley Killam, MPH from Harvard University, to discuss Designing for Urban Connection as a part of the World Happiness Week events, hosted by Togetherness Hub!
SXSW 2020: The Antidote to Loneliness
In a time of hyper connection and communication, many of us report feeling lonely and detached, and there is strong evidence that this has a toxic effect on our health and happiness. This panel will discuss what’s driving increases in social isolation and loneliness (hint: it’s not just technology) and examine scalable strategies — some unexpected — that lead to social environments that promote meaningful connections. The trick is to think not only about places where communities are formed IRL, but the people who gather there and the shared experiences that keep them coming back. Huge opportunities await entrepreneurs who can leverage this knowledge to build a future marked by connections that boost our collective health.