Contributors:
Bella Steiner, Sarah Weng, and Sarah Graf
Project Overview
Bella Steiner, MBA, MPH, Sarah Weng, MBA, MPH, and Sarah Graf, MBA candidate at Yale University’s School of Management, have developed Culdesac, a community-based urban midrise apartment living concept. Culdesac uses people-centered design and technology to promote a living experience that facilitates quality social connection and combats loneliness, which contribute to overall health and wellbeing. Culdesac redesigns the urban mid-rise building experience by creating opportunities for regular organic interactions between neighbors, designing living spaces that adjust to residents’ lifestyles and life cycle needs, and promoting intergenerationality.
Culdesac builds upon the global trend toward urban and small-space living, while combatting the loneliness and social isolation felt by many city dwellers. The Culdesac concept building offers both private and shared spaces and resources to provide the benefits of communal living – without the stresses and hassles. Bulletin, Culdesac’s AI-supported technology platform, facilitates the formation and development of meaningful, lasting relationships and efficient sharing of resources. The modular building design enables residents to expand or downsize their living spaces as life and family circumstances change. Pools and fitness spaces offer opportunities to exercise, socialize, and connect with other residents. Food is a shared resource at Culdesac; communal kitchens, shared pantries, and CSA (community-supported agriculture) deliveries ensure ready access to healthy food. Private, soundproof individual units promote quality sleep. And a tree-filled rooftop park offers access to nature.
Culdesac is purposely designed to appeal to all demographics in order to ensure quality interactions between highly diverse groups of people. The modular nature of unit construction and cost savings from shared kitchens ensures customizable and affordable price of ownership.
Our judges agreed that the Culdesac concept pushes the envelope for how housing could be constructed to decrease loneliness and break down generational barriers. The team outlined a clear 10-year timeline for implementation and a clear understanding that evolution is needed in construction technology and policy. And the Culdesac team’s submitted materials were of top-notch quality.
TOP FEATURES
- Leverages people-centered design to create a living experience that delivers privacy, security, comfort, ownership, and belonging
- Pairs the benefits of traditional community living with the capabilities of modern technology
- Addresses multiple target health behaviors by reducing loneliness and promoting social connection
- Designed to be appealing and affordable for all demographics
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