As universities around the nation enter the summer season, the traditional lull on campus offers an opportunity to recharge and prepare for the coming school year. Summer months are popular times to make campus adjustments and plan for future needs.
Many school administrators and staff also are hoping that this summer also brings a level of normalcy back to campus. For sure, the past year and half has been unlike any other for universities in the United States. The Covid-19 pandemic created chaos and forced schools to quickly pivot to new ways of engaging with students, faculty, and staff. And as many universities welcomed students back to campus in the preceding months, they often were confronted with new protections and guidelines.
The pandemic forced all universities to reconsider how their facilities and campuses are used. Some changes, such as mandatory masks, social distancing, and limited social events, will inevitably fade away. Other adjustments, though, are likely to remain. A greater emphasis on outdoor spaces, for example, will be a priority for all universities.
The pandemic highlighted the intrinsic and growing value of these spaces. University administrators and facility professionals are wise to carefully consider the role of outdoor spaces on university campuses. Schools should prioritize and repurpose outdoor spaces to be multifunctional and encourage even more usage.
Outside perspective
For many years, universities focused significant attention on interior aspects of facilities and new technological tools that support student, faculty, and staff members. Outdoor spaces were added or enhanced on campus, but these areas were not typically a priority.
The pandemic changed the perspective for some and highlighted the importance of these outdoor spaces as students and faculty got creative. They adapted these areas to meet a variety of needs, including classrooms, student gatherings, fitness programs, and more.
The growing demand for outdoor spaces was certainly accelerated as a result of the COVID pandemic, but that demand among students, faculty, and staff was already gaining momentum.
Why?
Research has demonstrated tangible and lasting wellness benefits to outdoor spaces on campus. An increasing body of scientific research demonstrates that exposure to nature and being outdoors for even a few minutes a day will elevate a person’s wellbeing and happiness. A Harvard Medical School report analyzing research on this topic found a clear and strong connection between time spent outdoors and a reduction in anxiety, stress, and depression.
Additionally, a 2019 Time magazine story reported on new research that found that spending time outdoors, especially in green spaces, is among the quickest ways to improve health and mood.
In addition to this established science, evidence has shown a dramatic drop in risk of exposure and infection to Covid-19 when outdoors compared with interior spaces. It’s no surprise we’re seeing a renewed focus on exterior environments.
Investing in existing outdoor spaces and creating new spaces fit nicely within the heightened attention toward student health and wellness on campuses across the country. Students—as well as faculty and staff—are putting more emphasis on wellness. Outdoor spaces used for class, student activities, or social gatherings should be a key component of any college or university’s facilities strategy.
Financial benefits
Outdoor spaces also provide economic and environmental advantages. From the financial perspective, renovating or adding an amphitheater or outdoor classroom is less expensive than renovating or constructing a new indoor facility. It is likely more sustainable as well, and less costly to operate.
When a campus plan calls for a new facility, planners should identify ways to incorporate outdoor spaces. The University of Richmond in Richmond, Va., offers a helpful example of how it effectively incorporated outdoor areas into a new facility.
The university’s growing international studies program required a new facility, which resulted in construction of the Carole Weinstein International Center. Inspiration for the design came from the program’s academic mission and its surrounding campus context. A courtyard building type was selected because of the prevalence of courtyards throughout most cultures and time periods.
As a central feature of the facility, its primary courtyard serves as a gathering space to share a meal from the building’s café, relax, read and study, or participate in a class discussion. Additionally, the facility includes a small outdoor amphitheater with teaching wall. This space is used for classes, student gatherings, and as a study space. These multiple outdoor amenities make the Weinstein Center one of the most active buildings on campus. Furthermore, the outdoor features were key components in the facility’s receiving a LEED Gold certification.
Sustainability is an important factor in prioritizing outdoor spaces. These spaces are more likely to conserve existing natural settings and have a much smaller carbon footprint than a renovated or newly constructed building. Furthermore, they can be designed as demonstrations of sustainability through design elements such as rain gardens. Ensuring a sustainable environment is one reason of many to include both architects and landscape architects in the design of any outdoor spaces.
Flexibility
In order to maximize the benefits of outdoor spaces, universities should ensure they are multifunctional. As the demand for more outdoor space on campus rises, flexible design is crucial. Usage could range from yoga class early in the morning to a classroom setting during the day to a student-led performance at night. It’s also likely that students and faculty will find other unexpected or surprising ways to use a space. The key in both design and maintenance is flexibility.
The historic amphitheater at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Va., highlights how an outdoor space can meet a variety of demands. A long-cherished campus space that dates from 1923, the school repaired and updated the amphitheater to retain its attraction as a quiet wooded campus park while continuing to serve as a flexible outdoor facility. Among the considerations during the renovation was respecting the historic nature of the amphitheater, the inclusion of barrier-free access paths, seating, and newly constructed restroom facilities. Similar to other types of facilities, accessibility can’t be overlooked for outdoor spaces.
During the past year, the amphitheater has served as the unofficial location for many classes and group meetings that have moved outside. Its consistent use highlights the demand for these exterior environments.
Outdoor spaces served a crucial function during the pandemic and are poised to remain pivotal parts of successful campus plans in the future. Universities should invest in renovating or developing new outdoor spaces that can serve academic and student life needs for years to come. For universities that want to remain competitive, a more serious focus on and investment in outdoor spaces is critical.
Lori Garrett, FAIA ([email protected]) is a senior principal at Glavé & Holmes Architecture in Richmond, Va. As director of the firm’s Higher Education Studio, she oversees the design direction of higher education projects for colleges and universities throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. She can be contacted at [email protected].
