Who are we without each other? I’m a wife, a mother, a friend, a daughter — without others, none of those roles would apply. Sure, even if I were the last person on earth, I’d still be a word nerd, a book enthusiast, and a design lover. But who writes books, who shapes space? People do.

There’s an African philosophy known as ubuntu that perfectly encapsulates this idea of our interconnectedness; it translates to, “I am because we are.”

Our world is fueled by relationships, and the built environment can help foster connection, or frustrate it. The Spring issue of Perspective is all about designing for human connection — in healthcare, hospitality, spiritual spaces, even eco-parks. Yes, eco-parks.

Our cover story zooms in on the work of landscape designer Michael Skowlund of Hoerr Schaudt, who helped bring Chicago’s Wild Mile, the world’s first floating eco-park, to life. Located along the North Branch of the Chicago River, the 17-acre park, which is filled with native plants and floating habitats, allows visitors to commune with nature and each other. It’s a space for recreation, research, and respite.

We also spend a day in the life of Lori Mukoyama, a hospitality design leader at Gensler whose work is, by definition, the art of welcome. She gives us a glimpse into her daily rituals and shares her proudest moments (spoiler alert: they’re less about design elements and more about the elation she feels when a finished space is alive with people sharing a laugh or a meal).

And because connection reaches beyond the material world, this issue also features a roundup of award-winning spiritual spaces from around the globe, places where great design helps people find their way to each other, and toward something larger than themselves.

The through-line is this: We need each other, and we need well-designed spaces to help us look inward and reach outward. At its best, the design industry offers the world the gift of reflection, growth, and connection. It’s a It’s a profound responsibility, and a profound privilege — one we shoulder together.