As mental health challenges rise, education leaders are rethinking how campus spaces support wellness, safety and connection. A Wold State of Community Facility Design report found 86% of Americans—and 91% of Gen Z and Millennials—want mental health prioritized in public space design.
“People no longer want institutional buildings that are just function-driven,” says Vaughn Dierks, partner at Wold and lead author of the report. “They want spaces that go beyond their core purpose to support how people feel.”
From K12 to college campuses, this means moving away from traditional layouts—rows of identical classrooms and isolated cafeterias—and designing more flexible, inviting and interactive environments. This shift reflects a broader trend: a move from institutional to intentional design.
Moving from structure to student experience
Historically, architects designed schools around function: along a corridor, large dining halls and utilitarian finishes. “Students used to joke that school felt like jail,” Dierks says. “That comparison wasn’t far off.”
Today, however, school buildings are being reimagined with student experience and mental health outcomes in mind. “We’ve been designing educational spaces for quite some time with passive social spaces—areas that allow organic interaction,” he says. For example, these include soft-seating in media centers, smaller dining pods and glass-walled classrooms that reduce anxiety.
At Prairie View Elementary School in Minnesota, the library is treated as a “living room.” Specifically, glass doors enclose the books, opening by day and closing at night, with furniture always accessible. These solutions can apply across K12 and higher ed, Dierks says.
Designing for mental health and safety
Designing for mental well-being isn’t a trend—it’s essential, says Dierks. To help normalize this further, Dierks explains, “We’re designing spaces where students feel comfortable asking for help—where seeking support feels normal.”
Schools are now blending student services into everyday spaces to reduce stigma. “Everyone needs help at some point. It shouldn’t feel like you’re going to a separate building to get it,” Dierks says.
For physical safety, the Wold report emphasizes securing zones instead of individual classrooms. “If I can’t access a cluster of classrooms because a front set of doors is locked, that’s just as effective as barricading every room—but without sacrificing openness and connection,” he explains.
Advancing mental health and wellness through the built environment is critical, according to the report. To effectively support student well-being, the following strategies are recommended:
- Prioritize natural light: Large windows, skylights and open floor plans support mood and productivity.
- Include sensory zones: Quiet, calming areas reduce stress and support neurodiverse users.
- Incorporate flexible spaces: Modular furniture and multi-use rooms promote inclusivity and engagement.
- Add wellness amenities: Cafés, green spaces and fitness areas promote self-care and community.
- Design for accessibility and safety: Universal design principles support mental health in terms of emotional security and equity.
To support mental health and student retention, colleges must ensure their campuses encourage students to stay and engage. For students who are on campus briefly, it’s essential to make staying worthwhile. “If we provide quiet, acoustically protected Zoom rooms or small-group fitness spaces, they’ll stay. If we don’t, they’ll leave and be alone,” Dierks says.
Meanwhile, K12 districts are adapting with multipurpose, community-facing facilities and flexible furniture plans. “The easiest change? Furniture,” Dierks says. “You don’t need a massive construction project. Start by replacing rigid desks with movable tables and chairs that support different learning styles.”
Start with a plan—and a mindset shift toward supporting mental health
Meaningful transformation doesn’t require major renovation. “Most schools already do annual maintenance—floors, lighting, HVAC. Why not rethink how that space functions?” Dierks says.
Ultimately, K12 and college leaders could accomplish healthier spaces for students with strategic planning over time. Dierks encourages leaders to ask: “What are we excited to offer but lack space for? What small changes could ease student stress? Then, bring in architects early—not just to build, but to help imagine.”
