Campuses and student housing are no longer just a place to sleep for students, but rather the space that promotes connection and supports overall mental health. Whether it’s through fostering a sense of inclusivity, offering tailored amenities, or design, student communities are now embracing a more wellness-centric approach by integrating certain amenities and decisions that help them connect, study and feel better.

As we acknowledge Mental Health Awareness Month, I interviewed Beryl DePalma Alder, AIA associate and senior project designer at Moody Nolan, about what it means to design student housing projects with wellness in mind. Since well-being is not limited only to amenities and green spaces, Alder shared some insights on integrating natural light, biophilic design, adaptable layouts and certain colors into communities to foster connection and support students’ mental health.

Even the smallest architectural or design decisions can make or break an environment. If done right, thoughtful design creates a sense of belonging and reduces stress. “Design is preventive care,” believes Alder and it can help reduce burdens by incorporating wellness into the daily lives of students.

Here’s what we talked about:

• What is purposeful design? (1:45)
• Elements that can make or break thoughtful design (03:20)
• A closer look at Moody Nolan’s work (07:02)
• How can wellness-focused design make a difference? (10:42)
• What’s in and what’s out for thoughtful design (13:30)
• Incorporating nature and flexibility into student housing (15:12)
• Amenities that shine (18:10)
• More listening, less designing (22:23)