Originally published in Colorado Real Estate Journal’s Building Dialogue, September 2025
We’re proud to share that Angela Harris was recently featured in Colorado Real Estate Journal with her article “Academic Research: Taking the Guesswork Out of Design.”
In the piece, Angela explores how academic research is reshaping interior design by moving beyond aesthetics to measurable human outcomes:
“Just as key health drivers like exercise and diet rely on evidence to improve outcomes, there is increasing evidence of the power of research-backed design.”
With Americans spending nearly 90% of their lives indoors, the built environment profoundly impacts health, behavior, and community connection. Through initiatives like the Design/HEALth Advisory Council at CU Denver, Angela and TRIO are collaborating with doctors, psychologists, and designers to study how design choices—from daylight and natural materials to active stairways—shape wellbeing.
She highlights practical applications of evidence-based design in two critical housing segments:
55+ Communities – Clubhouses like Verterra—a Trilogy® Boutique Community™ are designed as social hubs that reduce isolation and support active lifestyles.
Attainable Housing – Flexible layouts, durable materials, and thoughtfully designed transition spaces ensure homes adapt to the rhythms of daily life.
“Developers who build with these patterns in mind aren’t just delivering housing; they’re creating environments that respond to real life.”
At TRIO, we believe research is not the opposite of creativity—it’s the engine for it.
