7 Design Elements Higher Education Students Love

In the evolving landscape of higher education, the design of campus spaces is key to attracting and retaining students. Today’s students want more than just a place to learn—they seek environments that encourage collaboration, creativity, and well-being.

To meet these expectations, institutions are reimaging spaces with a focus on the users—students, faculty, and staff. Following are a few design elements that are shaping the future of higher education spaces.

1. Sustainability: Designing for Longevity and Responsibility

Sustainability is a growing priority for students—30% consider sustainability when choosing where to enroll. In response, higher education institutions are embracing circular design principles to minimize waste, reduce carbon footprints, and create lasting learning environments.

Key strategies for creating sustainable campus designs include repurposing existing buildings, implementing energy-efficient systems like geothermal heating and solar panels, conserving water with low-flow fixtures and rainwater harvesting, and using sustainable materials. For example, Grand Rapids Community College Lakeshore Campus transformed an empty mall space into an educational hub, showcasing how adaptive reuse can be a part of sustainable design.

Flexible, adaptable spaces are also sustainable spaces. GRCC continuously works to address the needs of the community it serves through a mixture of fixed and flexible classrooms and labs that can change and evolve.

2. Well-Being and Collaborative Spaces: Fostering Connection and Mental Health+

University life extends beyond academics—students need spaces that foster connection, collaboration, and belonging. As overall well-being remains a priority, campuses are integrating design elements that create environments where students can thrive.

At Greenville Technical College’s Prisma Health Center for Health and Life Sciences, intentional design encourages interaction and support. Lounge seating and high-top tables are strategically placed in hallways and staircase landings to spark impromptu meetings and casual conversations. Common areas, including study pods and cafés, offer inviting spaces for both focused work and social engagement. These ancillary spaces work to build a sense of community, and support student success beyond the classroom.

By prioritizing flexibility, comfort, and natural elements, universities create engaging spaces that provide choice, reduce stress, and enhance student well-being—key factors in both satisfaction and academic performance.

3. The Value of Variety: Adaptable Learning Environments

Educational spaces—once static and inflexible—continue to evolve with more modular elements, including furniture that provides ample design choice. Modern classrooms are dynamic environments—flexible spaces that allow reconfiguration that supports a variety of student activities.

A good example of this is the Donald W. Maine College of Business at Davenport University, which features a range of spaces that respond to the evolving needs of students, faculty, and staff.  The value is in the way the environment supports the ways students want to be involved in their own educational experience. Easily moveable furnishings allow students and faculty to rearrange spaces for their purpose or preference. Classrooms feature moveable walls and raised-access flooring for future space adaptability without high redesign costs.

4. Innovation and Creative Hubs: Inspiring Future Thinkers

To cultivate innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration, universities are establishing creative hubs and innovation incubators. These spaces are designed to encourage hands-on learning and technological exploration.

Illustrating this approach is the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking at the University of Calgary. Designed to help students develop an innovative mindset, the Hunter Hub demystifies entrepreneurship and provides a place for students and Calgary-area entrepreneurs to incubate ideas and build businesses.

These environments are equipped with state-of-the-art technology and flexible layouts, enabling students, faculty, community members, and local businesses to collaborate on cutting-edge projects. By providing dedicated spaces for innovation, institutions not only enhance their education through real-world learning experiences but also prepare students to excel in a rapidly changing world.  

5. Balancing Collaboration with Concentration

While collaborative spaces are essential, there is also a need for areas dedicated to privacy and focused work. Space for students to think, reflect, and work individually is a critical consideration when designing university environments.

The Conrad Student Commons at Northwest Nazarene University strikes a balance between collaboration and concentration. Adaptable spaces allow students to make the most of available resources. The university's flexible, mobile furnishings provide easy reconfiguration to facilitate both collaborative activities and focused individual work, allowing students to be “alone, together”.

6. Comfort (and Choice) as a Priority

A well-designed space isn’t just functional—it's also comfortable and inviting. Campuses that incorporate both choice and comfort into their facilities see quickly how these spaces become the places where students want to spend time.

The University of North Dakota's Union exemplifies this approach by fusing nature with architecture to help students connect to the outdoors—even when they are indoors. Wood and stone surfaces, large windows that flood the Union with natural light, and a color palette that evokes the outdoors reduce stress and enhance students’ ability to focus. A living room setting with a fireplace helps students feel at home, while outdoor patios and greenspaces provide additional places for students to gather, play, and participate in events. Student drop-in spaces encourage small group collaboration.

Built to foster an inclusive, comfortable environment for relaxing, socializing, collaborating, and studying, the Union features lounge spaces on every floor, including both hard-surface and soft seating. Elements, such as terrazzo, tiled floors, and movable furniture, make cleaning and sanitizing more effective and efficient.

7. Space to Recharge and Reflect

Academic success requires balance, and students need spaces to step away from work and reset. Research shows that downtime improves focus, creativity, and problem-solving, making it essential for cognitive performance and well-being.

Hope College offers students thoughtfully designed spaces that support their comfort and well-being. With inviting lounge areas, abundant natural light, and welcoming ancillary furnishings, the Haworth Hotel on campus provides a space were students and visitors alike can relax, socialize, or find a quiet moment of reflection.

By integrating areas for rest and recharge, universities create a more supportive learning environment—one that acknowledges the importance of balance alongside academic rigor.

Designing for the Next Generation

Higher education institutions that prioritize people create spaces that do more than attract students, faculty, and staff—they foster engagement, creativity, and well-being. From flexible learning environments to comfortable spots for collaboration or relaxation, these spaces shape a campus experience that prepares students for the future. By integrating thoughtful design principles, universities can inspire the next generation of thinkers, innovators, and leaders.