The SEES Model: An Architectural Analysis of Socially Enhancing Elements of Space for Combating Loneliness Among Older Adults

Denmark’s aging population is increasingly affected by loneliness, a condition with severe public health and economic consequences, including an estimated annual cost of 2.2 billion DKK and approximately 770 excess deaths. Cohousing communities offer a promising approach to counteract these effects by fostering social networks that enhance health and well-being among older adults. Yet, architects often lack an evidence-based understanding of how spatial design supports social interaction. This study conducts a comparative analysis of four Danish cohousing developments to identify spatial features that promote social connectedness. The findings inform the development of the Socially Enhancing Environmental Spaces (SEES) Model, which provides architects and policymakers with a framework for designing built environments that encourage social engagement and improve quality of life in later life.