Vanessa Assaf

Alone, Together explores the impact of contemporary technology on human forms of interaction. It aims to uncover how our increasingly connected world has created an epidemic of loneliness – particularly for young 'digital natives' across the globe. The project asks: in what ways might architecture be deployed to address this unique, global crisis? Can space be a useful medium through which to mitigate the consequences of loneliness?

Taking its lead from the historic Committee for National Morale (a state endorsed group of sixty journalists, anthropologists and psychologists established in America following the conclusion of WWII, whose sole aim was to use exhibitions, performances, propaganda and installations to prevent the spread of communism), the project proposes a new Committee for National Morale be established to prevent or significantly reduce the rise of loneliness in the UK and beyond that is predicted to become an epidemic by 2030. Its main focus is on creating pieces of architecture or infrastructure that encourage people to engage with ideas, discuss them and thereby change their perspective on life.