America Doesn’t Have Third Spaces—So We Turned to Work

America’s love affair with work runs deeper than productivity. In a country where suburban sprawl and commercial zoning have pushed out gathering places like public squares, diners and barbershops, the workplace has filled that void. 

For many Americans, the office isn’t just where they earn a living—it’s where they find community, identity and meaning. The problem? Work wasn’t designed to carry that weight. 

Experts say relying on the workplace as our default third space might be doing more harm than good, but a focus on community could reverse this trend. 

What are third spaces and why are they vanishing?

The term “third space” was coined by sociologist Ray Oldenburg to describe informal gathering places that exist outside of the home (first space) and work (second space). These spots–cafés, libraries, parks and pubs–serve as neutral zones where people of all backg