There’s home, there’s work, and then there’s that other place, the third space. On a recent trip to Spain, aside from the spectacular architecture, food, and culture, the thing that i didn't I realize I needed was the simple plaza. A place to simply sit and let the world wander by.

For centuries, third spaces quietly held together the social fabric of cities. Cafés, libraries, barber shops, diners, stoops, skateparks, churches, jazz clubs. These were the in-between places. You didn’t have to pay to be there. You didn’t have to perform. You didn’t need a reservation. You just showed up. You lingered. You ran into people you knew and people you didn’t.

Third spaces weren’t just social. They were deeply democratic. Ideas got tested there. Subcultures formed. Movements sparked. You saw how people lived differently than you, and maybe started to imagine a new way for yourself.

But somewhere along the way, especially in the U.S., we stopped making space for them. Public life got pushed out. Zoning codes prioritized separation over connection. Coffee shops turned into remote offices. Parks started to feel like liabilities. Suddenly just being out in public started to cost something.

So what do we do about it? How do we bring third spaces back, especially now when commercial rents are up, social trust is down, and people are tired?

Here are a few ideas that we’ve been thinking about:

1. Design for Loitering

This sounds small, but it’s a big shift. Not everything needs to be over-designed or programmed to the max. Some of the best third spaces are low-key. A decent bench, some shade, maybe a plug to charge your phone. Places where people can hang out without having to spend money or explain why they’re there. The design should invite people to stay, not just pass through.

2. Use Commercial Space as Civic Space

We’ve got so many dead strip malls, parking lots, and empty big box stores. Instead of trying to force them back into retail, what if we reimagined them as shared public hubs? Spaces that flex. Maybe a bar one night, a town hall the next, and a market on weekends. Think of them as modern-day public squares tucked into our existing sprawl.

3. Plan Around the 15-Minute Neighborhood

You can’t have good third spaces if everything is a half-hour drive away. Walkability matters. People need to be able to stumble across something interesting. The 15-minute neighborhood idea is simple. You should be able to live, work, eat, and gather within a short walk or bike ride. That kind of planning creates the opportunity for real, spontaneous connection.

—

This isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about what people actually need.

We’re living in a time when loneliness is high and trust is low. Third spaces give us a chance to be part of something again. They offer casual connection. A sense of place. And a way to belong without needing a membership or an invitation.

So no, we’re not just designing spaces. We’re designing chances for people to find each other.

That’s what keeps us showing up.

— MVA

‍

‍