Faculty of Design

Industrial Design

Priscilla Lee

The People's Library

Minimal contact between people during the pandemic has revealed just how much we need to connect with each other for physical, mental and emotional support. So how might we strengthen community support structures by enabling the chance for meaningful social connection in public spaces?

“Isolation takes a toll on a person’s quality of life — a difficulty made more prominent and evident by the COVID-19 pandemic — its effects perhaps especially pronounced in older adults. But when people living within the same locality begin building and rebuilding relationships with each other, everyone benefits. The result of this project includes physical spaces for people to meet, objects that encourage person-to-person interactions, and services that make the whole system work while further connecting people to their communities. More robust communities help everyone to feel less lonely, provide support where it's needed, and make life more enjoyable overall. ”