From Classrooms to Communities: Designing for Belonging

Belonging is a defining priority for the future of learning, shaping well-being, purpose, and performance while influencing how institutions measure success. As academic environments evolve, strengthening human connection is an imperative. A multi-phase research study by The Ohio State University and Gensler examined how spatial design impacts belonging across students, faculty, and staff. The research identified conditions that support or constrain interaction and found that flexibility, hybrid readiness, biophilic strategies, and inclusive informal space can strengthen connection, enhance well-being, and influence campus culture. This CEU session translates research into actionable design strategies for human-centered planning and spatial innovation. Through concepts such as Pocket Spaces, Campus Outposts, and Living Classrooms, attendees will learn how intentional design can foster collaboration, equity, and shared identity while elevating curiosity, connection, and well-being.