Design for Wellbeing

5    Social connectedness, social interaction and the design of interior environments

Tiiu Poldma

Introduction

In this chapter we will examine how social interaction frames wellbeing from the perspective of people’s experiences and how social connectedness occurs within public interior spaces. How spaces are designed impacts on the conditions that favour (or hamper) social interactions, social inclusion and connectedness for people from all walks of life. When social connectedness is only available to some and not to others, such as people with disabilities, too often this is due in part to the design of the interior environment. Whether it is getting together for a coffee with a friend or going shopping together, all people want to have social ...