Designed for Connection
How Our Environments Shape Wellness, Community—and Loneliness "Loneliness isn't just emotional. It's architectural." We’re told to seek wellness through self-care. Yoga. Cold plunges. Mindful scrolling. But what if the problem isn’t in us—it’s around us? What if the real reason we feel so disconnected is because we built a world that disconnects us? Wellness Isn’t Just Internal—It’s Environmental Modern life is efficient. We can order everything from dinner to dopamine on-demand. But convenience has come at a cost: isolation-by-design. Our buildings are more private. Our commutes are longer. Our sidewalks are empty. The result? We’re more comfortable than ever—and more alone. Research shows that people living near green spaces report significantly lower levels of loneliness. In contrast, sterile urban design contributes to what psychologists now call "lonelygenic environments"—places that quietly push us apart. We didn’t just lose connection. We designed...