Designing Learning Spaces that Support Student Mental Health and Wellness
- By Artemis Ettsen, Robert Sehm
- 07/03/25
In today’s education landscape, schools are more than just centers for learning; they are integral to the holistic development and well-being of students. The global pandemic underscored the importance of addressing mental health in schools, as productivity dropped, stress levels rose and students faced challenges managing emotions. With students often spending around 15,000 hours in school before graduation, designing learning environments that promote wellness is no longer optional – it is essential.
This shift in priorities is reflected in Wold Architects and Engineers’ most recent State of Community Facility Design report, which identified a growing trend: above aesthetics and functionality, design needs to be about creating spaces that promote wellness, safety and connection. The survey found an overwhelming 86% of Americans believe that mental health and wellness should be prioritized in the design of community buildings, including schools.
Artemis Ettsen and Robert Sehm, educational planners and architects at Wold Architects and Engineers, a leading national firm specializing in innovative school design, have worked with districts across the country to create student-centered environments that promote belonging and success. Drawing from years of experience and a passion for supporting students beyond academics, they are sharing how wellness-focused design can transform school culture.
The Foundations of Wellness-Focused Design
The connection between environment and wellness is clear. Studies show that access to natural light improves test scores by about 20%, enhances focus and reduces depression. Children who grow up surrounded by green space are also up to 55% less likely to develop various mental disorders later in life. These findings highlight the profound impact that thoughtful design can have on students’ cognitive and emotional development.
Our Approach Centers on these Core Principles:
- Natural light and exposure to nature: Integrating daylight, outdoor views and natural textures helps to improve both mental and physical health. Classrooms and shared spaces should be designed to maximize exposure to nature, both visually and physically, through aspects like outdoor learning zones, biophilic materials and wide windows that connect nature to the learning environment.
- Flexible learning environments: Adaptable spaces support multiple learning styles and different group dynamics. Glass-walled Learning Studios, movable furniture and modular layouts allow both students and teachers to reshape their environment throughout the day, encouraging autonomy and engagement.
- Student voice and choice: When students are given agency in how and where they learn, it encourages adaptable and independent thinkers who are able to better self-regulate. Design strategies like adjustable seating, choice-based zones and open work areas empower students to take ownership of their learning.
- Dedicated areas for self-regulation: Not every student learns best in a traditional classroom setting. Quiet, calming spaces designed for emotional regulation, equipped with soft seating, muted colors, sensory tools and warm lighting, help students reset and return to learning with clarity.
- Wayfinding that supports curiosity: Outside of guiding students, impactful wayfinding can reduce stress and create identity. Murals, color-coded pathways and creative signage support spatial understanding and encourage exploration, all while fostering a sense of belonging and ease.
- Designing for safety and inclusivity: Safety doesn’t need to feel restrictive; it can be inclusive and welcoming. Design features like wider stairwells for smooth transitions, clearly lit corridors and private restrooms universally improve students’ daily experiences. Schools that embrace these features help all students feel seen, valued and secure.
Implementation and Impact
Wellness-centered design doesn’t require a blank slate or an unlimited budget. Many of the strategies mentioned can be integrated into renovation projects, repurposed spaces or phased construction. The key is thoughtful planning and collaboration from the start.
A successful design strategy begins with listening. We encourage districts to form stakeholder planning teams that include educators, administrators, families and students. These conversations surface the real needs and challenges of each community and can help identify existing gaps in mental health support, accessibility and engagement to guide design decisions.
The Future of Wellness in Education
The future of educational design lies in its ability to adapt. In recent years, the architectural response to mental health has evolved from isolated specialty spaces that were dedicated to a specific student population to integrated strategies available to the entire student body. As schools become more inclusive, equitable and student-centered, wellness-focused design will remain central to how we support the whole child.
From early planning to long-term facility strategy, collaboration between educators and architects is key. At Wold, we see every project as an opportunity to ask deeper questions: how can this space foster growth, resilience and joy? How can design support not just academic goals, but human needs?
By prioritizing wellness in the learning environment, we help shape not only stronger students but also stronger communities.
About the Authors
Artemis Ettsen is an educational planner and architect at Wold Architects and Engineers and can be reached at [email protected].
Robert Sehm is an educational planner and architect at Wold Architects and Engineers and can be reached at [email protected].