Working Together, Not Alone: Combatting Loneliness in a Shared Space

One of the unexpected but powerful benefits of the Architecture + Design Library has nothing to do with samples, design, or inspiring products.

It’s connection.

So many of us—whether we’re designers, architects, freelancers, consultants, or small business owners—spend our days working solo. It can be fulfilling, yes, but also isolating. You go from your home office to site visits and back again. You might email, Zoom, or scroll, but real, face-to-face interaction? That’s rare, particularly if like many you are a one man band.

Loneliness is something we don’t talk about enough in our industry.

When we opened ADL, we thought we were building a resource hub. And we are. But what we didn’t fully anticipate was how powerful the simple act of being around others would be.

It’s in the spontaneous chats by the coffee machine. It’s in overhearing someone say, “Oh! I’ve used that tile before—it looks amazing in natural light.” It’s in asking for help moving a table and ending up in a 30-minute conversation about business, burnout, and your new favourite wallpaper supplier.

We’ve seen friendships form. We’ve seen collaborations spark. We’ve seen people walk in alone and leave feeling seen, supported, and part of something bigger.

Loneliness doesn’t always look like sadness. Sometimes it’s just a sense of disconnection. But at ADL, that connection is built into the walls—literally and metaphorically.

Whether you're popping in to grab a sample, work from a desk for the day, or attend an event, know that this space was created for more than just design. It’s here to remind you: you don’t have to do this alone.