Enhancing Campus Well-Being Through Research-Informed Design
Recent research reveals a troubling decline in student well-being, with rising levels of depression and anxiety reported among the student population. A study conducted in 2021–2022 by the Healthy Minds Network, in conjunction with leading research universities, surveyed U.S. students and found that 44% of students reported symptoms of depression and 15% had experienced suicidal ideation in the past year. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, approximately 24,000 college students attempt suicide annually, and 1,100 do not survive their crisis, making suicide the second-leading cause of death among U.S. college students. In Canada, a 2023 study by the Canadian Alliance of Student Association found that 37% of post-secondary students experienced suicidal thoughts, 46% felt depressed and 70% believed their academic performance suffered as a result of their mental health.
As student mental health challenges continue to rise, universities are seeking new ways to support well-being beyond traditional counseling services. We believe the built environment plays a powerful role in shaping student wellness. As we continue to invest in understanding how to design for the evolving needs of today’s student population, we’re drawing on our ongoing Student Wellness Research initiative to inform a holistic, student-centered approach to campus environments. Our goal is to contribute designs that not only respond to current challenges but also proactively support student well-being in meaningful, lasting ways.
Research Initiative Reveals Design Solutions for Improved Student Well-Being
Our research — conducted in collaboration with universities across North America and approved by their respective Institutional Review Board and Research Ethics Board — asks a fundamental question: Can university partners create physical campus environments that promote better well-being in their student populations? Through a two-phase, mixed-methods study developed with co-principal investigators from participating institutions we’re beginning to uncover answers.
Initial findings reveal that the environment’s impact on student well-being is mediated through factors like belonging, relationships, academic stress and physical health. With these factors in mind, designers can create emotional atmospheres within campus spaces that promote wellness and provide opportunities for socializing, studying, exercising, resting and engaging in nature or creative activities. These positive actions, also known as environmental affordances, are key to fostering resilience and connection among students.
We also asked students what they value in different types of spaces. Their responses emphasized variety, flexibility and comfort: group study areas with diverse seating and tech support; social spaces with affordable food, games and identity-based connections; and quiet, private zones for rest, reflection or solitude. Design features like windows, natural light, green spaces and walkability were frequently cited as having a positive influence on well-being.
These insights are already shaping our design thinking. Several recent projects exemplify how we’re applying this research in practice:
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Architecture Hall Phase Two Expansion
At the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL), Architecture Hall Phase Two Expansion was designed with both purpose and passion (many of the project’s designers were alumni themselves). The building includes outdoor fabrication and gallery spaces for social connection, a library and lounges for study and private advising and studio nooks for respite. A central courtyard links the renovation and addition, offering outdoor classrooms and a connection to nature. Mass timber, used as a primary structural element, serves both as a wellness feature and a learning tool for design students.
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts
Also at UNL, the Johnny Carson Center for Emerging Media Arts demonstrates how curriculum and building design can evolve together to support student creativity and well-being. Through the adaptive reuse of an existing building, the design fosters collaboration, experimentation and informal learning. Raw studio spaces, flexible labs and transparent design elements invite curiosity and community engagement. The center’s recognition as an HP-Educause “Campus of the Future” research site underscores its role in shaping the future of learning and wellness through technology and design.
University of Ottawa Learning Crossroads
At the University of Ottawa, the Learning Crossroads building serves as a gateway to active learning and community outreach. A welcoming ground floor and central atrium create a vibrant hub for student connection, while high-tech classrooms, multimedia studios and flexible study zones support diverse learning styles. Natural light, visual transparency and sustainable design features reinforce the university’s mission to foster accessibility, inclusion and innovation.
Queen's University John Deutsch University Centre
At Queen’s University, the revitalized John Deutsch University Centre serves as the heart of campus life. Entirely student-driven, the space supports a wide range of needs, from group activity areas and student-run food venues to lounges, club rooms and a wellness center with layered privacy. Mass timber brings nature indoors, while design elements honoring the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe territories root students in place and history, fostering a deeper sense of belonging.
As we continue to explore how design can support student wellness, we bring not only deep expertise in higher education design but also a growing body of research that grounds our work in empathy, evidence and innovation. We see each project not just as a building, but as a catalyst for a healthier, more connected campus culture that supports students in every dimension of their well-being.