OPENspace Honorary Fellow Dr. Caroline Pearce recently shared her research as part of a Foundations LIVE webinar held on 21 April 2026, contributing to a wider discussion on how housing design can better support relationships, belonging and community across different stages of life.

The webinar brought together researchers and practitioners to explore how homes and neighbourhoods can respond to changing needs, with Dr. Pearce presenting work from the Advanced Care Research Centre (ACRC) project. Her talk focused on the role of neighbourhood environments and communities in shaping wellbeing, and highlighted the Ageing in Place Standard Tool. This emerging tool aims to support policymakers, designers, third-sector organisations and communities in creating environments that enable people to remain connected and supported as they age.

The Foundations LIVE session, funded by the UK Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, reflects growing national interest in innovative housing approaches. Other speakers included Savannah Fishel from the Innovation Unit, who shared her Churchill Fellowship work on intergenerational communal housing.