Designing Socially Connected Homes - small changes to make a big difference

This article, co-authored by Emma Avery (Urban Planner & Communications Specialist, Happy Cities) and Tara Fernando (Strategic Communications Specialist, Hey Neighbour Collective), originally appeared in the Fall 2024 issue of Landlord BC’s quarterly print magazine, ‘The Key.’

Homes can foster more resilient, engaged communities when they embed social connections into daily routines. This article explores three key design strategies for new multi-unit housing that help foster more inclusive and connected communities for residents of all ages and backgrounds.

More than just neighbours

Our neighbours are our closest source of social support and connection. The homes we live in play a significant role in encouraging and creating opportunities for positive neighbourly interactions. However, for these connections to thrive, certain fundamental needs must be met. For example, secure, affordable, and stable tenure in a safe home is an essential foundation for wellbeing. Without a home that meets these core needs, it is much harder for people to nurture supportive relationships with neighbours and build a sense of belonging in a community.

Regular social interactions with neighbours boost wellbeing at all ages. Neighbourhood connectedness is particularly crucial for life satisfaction among older adults, those with lower incomes, individuals with less education, and people facing health challenges. Similarly, youth in supportive, trusting communities are more likely to play outside and have better physical and mental health. Overall, frequent interactions with neighbours help us integrate social connection into our daily lives, making them one of the most effective ways to reduce loneliness. In a time when loneliness and social isolation are on the rise, neighbours are among our most accessible and valuable resources.

What can you do about it?

Developers, architects, planners, housing operators, landlords, property managers, community organizations—and of course residents—all have important roles to play in nurturing multi-unit housing communities where neighbours know and support each other. In 2023, Hey Neighbour Collective published a set of detailed Practice Guides for residents, housing operators, community organizations and local governments. These practice guides identify the vital roles that each of these groups can play in fostering neighbour-to-neighbour connectedness and social resilience in multi-unit housing.

More recently, Happy Cities and Hey Neighbour Collective worked together to publish a design toolkit, released in August 2024. The Building Social Connections toolkit highlights numerous design and policy opportunities to enhance social wellbeing in multi-unit housing. As part of this initiative, we are collaborating with community planners and municipalities to implement policies that empower both market and non-market housing providers to create and manage more socially connected living environments. This toolkit aims to reintroduce social connection into our daily lives through thoughtful housing design. Drawing on over a decade of research and engagement with residents and housing industry actors, the design principles and actions in the toolkit equip policymakers, planners, designers, and community members to build and advocate for more socially connected, inclusive communities.

Even small changes can make a significant impact. While our toolkit explores 13 practical interventions in detail, we’ll focus here on three key strategies: social circulation, social amenities, and social homes.

The resource list at the end of this article includes links for both the Practice Guides and Design Toolkit.

Designing social circulation: Wider hallways and cozy nooks

Circulation spaces have significant—and often unmet—social potential. Residents use these spaces daily, regardless of whether they are actively looking to socialize with neighbours or not. Design influences whether people rush through corridors, elevators, and stairs or pause on the way in and out of their homes. For example, narrow, dark, empty hallways may feel uninviting or even unsafe, and discourage residents from stopping to chat. In contrast, wide corridors with natural light and social nooks encourage lingering and increase opportunities for spontaneous, positive interactions between neighbours. Saying ‘hello’ to a neighbour in the hallway is often the starting point to a longer-term relationship.

One effective way to design social circulation is to create social nooks off of corridors, lobbies, or outdoor shared spaces where small groups of residents can interact. Social nooks should be well-located and visible, accessible, have natural light, and allow neighbours to personalize them to meet their needs.

To see some great examples, take a look at the social nook off the elevator at Little Mountain Cohousing in Vancouver (below). This space is well-lit and functions as the community library. Comfy seating, natural light, and a rug create a cozy atmosphere for residents of all ages. Similarly, the wide, exterior walkways at Driftwood Village Cohousing in North Vancouver are lined with differently coloured doorways, windows, plants, and seating areas (feature image). Nooks are placed adjacent to the elevator and stairs, increasing opportunities for social encounters as people pass through the building. While both of these examples are within cohousing communities, the toolkit provides practical and accessible suggestions for integrating and adapting such designs for purpose-built rental housing.

An example of a point block access style corridor at Little Mountain Cohousing. — Little Mountain Cohousing, building designed by Cornerstone Architecture. (Photo by Little Mountain Cohousing)

Designing social amenities – making functional spaces more social

Shared amenities offer space for residents to participate in activities together on common ground. They also accommodate uses that multi-unit housing residents do not have space for in their private units, such as workshops, outdoor areas, or large gathering rooms. Functional and well-designed common amenities allow residents to participate in a variety of social activities and provide gathering places. The availability of shared spaces where residents of different ages and cultures can interact and engage in activities together including community gardens, common rooms, courtyards, or play areas encourage intergenerational and cross-cultural relationships.

Additionally, the programming and policies governing these spaces—such as usage rules and allowed activities—significantly influence how often and how effectively residents use shared amenities. It is important to ensure that there are spaces residents can use without having to book in advance, are accessible at convenient hours, and accommodate and allow a wide range of activities.

Even amenities that seem more practical can still play an important role in building social connections. For example, well-designed, accessible bicycle parking encourages residents to cycle while also providing opportunities for social interaction.

The Bowline in North Vancouver is a great example of how to design bicycle spaces that are both accessible and social. The building’s storage space includes a bike nook that allows residents to socialize while repairing and maintaining their bicycles. In addition to bike parking, it offers designated parking for strollers, trailers, and wider bikes, giving families the flexibility to store items that might be challenging to keep in multi-unit homes.

Bicycle storage at The Bowline multi-family building in North Vancouver. — Bicycle storage at The Bowline in North Vancouver. Building designed by RH Architects and GWL Realty Advisors. (Photo by Happy Cities)

Designing social homes – entryways

It is important for people to have a private, quiet, and calm space at home where they can rest and recharge. Transition areas and semi-private spaces, such as balconies and entryways, ensure that when people step outside their homes they have opportunities to engage in social interactions if and when they are ready to.

Entryways are the start to any home. When you create a thoughtful transition between private homes and semi-private or semi-public spaces to ensure comfort and privacy for residents, entryways also become social! Examples of how to make entryways more inviting include adding a shelf near the front door for placing items while reaching for keys, or providing space for small decorations. Allowing residents to personalize their entrances with plants, decorations, or colours further enhances the sense of ownership and community. Personalized entryways also play a significant role in creating a sense of familiarity; personalized entryways can support residents experiencing cognitive decline to navigate their environment and find their home. When people are satisfied with their homes, they are more likely to stay there longer. Long-term, secure tenure is linked with a higher likelihood of knowing neighbours and a greater sense of belonging and trust.

One great example of a home entryway that is personable, accessible, and social, comes from Vancouver Cohousing BC (below). This entryway features a wide, social, exterior walkway. The orientation of the window balances privacy with natural light and visual connections to the corridor. Planter boxes and decorations make the entrance feel personalized.

An example of a personalized entryway set up for Halloween at Vancouver Cohousing — An example of a personalized entryway, courtesy of Leslie Shieh. Building designed by Ankenman Marchand Architects.

Sociable design affects us all – and includes us all!

Over the coming years, communities will continue to add density to accommodate growing populations—all while grappling with climate change, affordability, and meeting the needs of an aging population. We know that people can live healthy, happy lives in all types of homes and communities, but what matters is how—and for whom—we design these spaces. With multi-unit housing emerging as the fastest-growing housing form nationally, housing professionals and planners have a unique opportunity to ensure that new developments not only meet supply and affordability goals but also support the health and happiness of residents.

The Building Social Connections toolkit provides guidance on designing new multi-unit housing that supports both wellbeing and housing affordability—contributing to more inclusive, resilient communities across Canada. Whether you’re looking for big transformations or small adjustments, this toolkit offers something for everyone. Our vision is that as communities grow denser, they will become more social, too.

If you are interested in exploring the full toolkit, please visit our Building Social Connections page. We have also included some related resources below.