Infographic
Campus 2030
Envisioning Tomorrow’s Multi-Modal Campus
Our infographic shares how seven campus spaces will change over the next decade due to trends in student expectations, hybrid work, and more. Explore the infographic below to see the future of the multi-modal campus, or download the infographic as a PDF.
Holistic Health and Wellness Centers
Institutions will establish one-stop facilities that co-locate various health and wellness units, services, and spaces under a single roof to reduce stigma, improve service access and utilization, and promote cross-unit collaborations.
Implementation Checklist
Select high-traffic campus location
Include mix of public and private spaces
Incorporate design features that promote health (e.g., natural light)
Key Functions to Co-Locate in Health and Wellness Centers
Dining Halls and Food Spaces
Generation Z has more diverse food expectations and needs than previous cohorts of students, which will drive institutions to create more transparent, interactive, and convenient dining experiences.
Rising rates of student food intolerances, diagnosed allergies, and food insecurity are also leading institutions to make investments in:
- Allergy-free dining halls
- Food-filtering dining apps
- Choose-what-you-pay shops
- Distributed food pick-up lockers
- Self-service cooking stations
Case Study
George Mason University’s Robotic Delivery Program
Modern Student Housing
To meet student demand, on-campus living spaces will reflect modern expectations and preferences for practical features, living-learning communities, efficient spaces, and inclusive designs and programs.
Four Guiding Principles for Student-Centric Design
Invest in Modern Necessities
- Tech access and integration (e.g., door access via smartphone)
- Convenience (e.g., in-house dining)
- Privacy (e.g., private bathrooms)
Hardwire Community Engagement
- In-residence academic program support
- Classrooms and study spaces throughout
- Access to food and student services within building
Enhance Space and Design Efficiencies
- Small, private sleeping pods (<250 sf) with ample shared spaces
- Wall storage, shelving to maximize floor space
- Thematic, cross-pod communities to promote social integration
Promote and Support Inclusivity
- Gender-inclusive housing
- Accessible features (e.g., wheelchair access)
- Options for housing-insecure students
Hybrid and Flexible Office Spaces
An increase in employees working in remote or hybrid arrangements will prompt changes to office structures, including fewer private offices and less permanent seating.
When physically present on campus, professional staff will increasingly work in dynamic space arrangements, moving amongst quiet, collaborative, and social spaces that best suit their projects and needs.
Case Study
University of Leicester’s “WorkSmart” Model
Tech-Enabled Classrooms
Institutions will create a portfolio of classrooms with varying sizes, layouts, and tech integrations to meet the evolving needs of multi-modal learners.
Active Learning
- Monitors at each table
- Wireless sharing capabilities
- Support space outside the classroom (e.g., hallways)
Lecture
- Group table seating
- Video/audio integration at each table
- 360-degree seating around podium
Hybrid-Enabled
- Ceiling-mounted mics, upgraded cameras
- Multiple monitors, screens on walls to see participants
- Green rooms for preparation, demo spaces for training
Libraries and Learning Commons
Less space will be dedicated to book shelving and instead will be repurposed for other student needs, focusing on convenience, collaboration, and connectivity.
Most universities will renovate the library around the concept of the “learning commons,” including:
- Collaborative study spaces
- Cafes and outdoor spaces
- Academic and technology support services
- Classrooms and hands-on learning spaces
- Easy Wi-Fi and outlet access
Library book circulation has declined over time, even as student enrollment increased
Interdisciplinary Research Facilities
Centrally-managed research facilities will house research teams from multiple departments to increase interdisciplinary collaboration.
Implementation Snapshots
Lab-Centric Design Considerations
- Open and shared labs with 5-8 lab modules
- Flexible features (e.g., mobile casework)
- Adjacencies between wet labs, dry labs, and offices
- Specialized spaces (e.g., low vibration)
Building-Wide Design Considerations
- Variety of workspaces and meeting areas
- ‘In-between’ spaces and shared pathways
- Modern amenities (e.g., cafes, lockers)
- Natural light and clear sight lines
- Unfinished shell space
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