Student Wellbeing
Wellbeing seems to be a prevalent ‘buzz’ word in the last few years - quite rightly so, but it is a quality, that as a designer, I believe is innate in my conscience and is something I will always consider as one of my top priorities when designing.
There are so many ways to interpret and put into practice ideas that aid an individual’s wellbeing and that is a topic that I am constantly exploring and learning more about. I want to share with you how we, at N&L, consider and incorporate things into our designs that will improve a student’s wellbeing.
One fact I keep reading and hearing is that we can spend up to 90% of our time indoors. How crazy is that? Mindboggling, but plausible. Cast your mind over your day and think how much time outdoors you have had - 10%, 20% of your day? Quite honestly, I am sometimes guilty of a low percentage! If you’re reading this and are closer to 100% then that’s amazing, but unattainable for most. Quite likely, unless you exercise regularly (outdoors), have a pet or have a job that warrants you to be out a door, you too might have a percentage similar to mine.
Gym
Design by nelsonandlong
Although most post pandemic activities in the UK have resumed, there are still so many people who are hesitant to mix. Also, companies are more flexible now and are letting their employees work from home, some companies are even opting for a 4-day work week, which is amazing for their employees’ wellbeing in many respects. More flexibility and less working hours could lead to less or more indoor time dependent on the individual, but I imagine there would be a significant increase or decrease to one of these. It will be interesting to see how the working week will change due to the pandemic and the effects it has on us.
The time we spend indoors has a direct link to wellbeing. By spending an immense time indoors, we need to spend an immense investment indoors (not literally, but figuratively). We need to invest our time and thoughts and consider how we can get the best out of the space we inhabit or design.
For those of us still working from home, our homes have had to wear various hats over the last few years such as home, office, restaurant, nursery… most people have had to adapt and change their spaces to suit their ever-changing roles.
Our homes are unique from one another and spaces we have chosen to live in and are equipped for our daily needs. Now, let’s think of a student moving away to university, they are inundated with accommodation to choose from, but certain factors will contribute to which halls they eventually pick such as location, budget and aesthetic. Not all halls are aesthetically pleasing, and this is where the problem lies - they should all be! Just because a student may not have a huge budget does not mean that they should have to live in unconsidered and lacking spaces. Even on a tight budget the use of paint can transform and freshen a room and banish lacklustre student accommodation.
In the coming months many young adults will be preparing to embark on their biggest adventures to date – going to university. This experience, for most, is usually a positive, exciting and fun experience, transitioning from being reliant to self-sufficient. In the last few years though, this experience has changed significantly due to the pandemic. Most classes in the last few years have opted to do online tutoring, instead of face to face. Mixing in halls was discouraged unless in small groups and going out in the city they so desperately wanted to explore was deterred. Thankfully the last of these restrictions have loosened up, but that doesn’t mean that every student will want to embrace that change. I remember going to university and feeling exuberant the prospect of meeting new friends, partying until the morning and studying, of course, made me feel so grown up and independent. I fear for some students with all that’s going on in the world their university experience will differ to all those that have gone before them. That is why it is imperative, more so than ever, that the spaces we design, and the procedures put into place are inclusive, student’s wellbeing is considered, and we are striving to create communities and places they can call their home away from home.
We had a meeting with a client a while ago and they really were leading the way with their ideas to aid student welfare, such as virtual counselling, virtual bingo and virtual workouts to name just a few. It’s amazing when you see a provider that considers students’ wellbeing as being integral to their makeup. Not all providers are equipped for these types of things, but there is always something that could be done, such as sending out an email to the residents from time to time to check in and give them tips of things to do within the accommodation or nearby. Now is the time to be going above and beyond to help the students as they may feel isolated.
We have found that the way we are designing spaces has had to change to accommodate hand washing, sanitising stations, and smaller groups. These things need to be incorporated into a design, but in a clever way, so the space doesn’t feel so clinical.
There are so many great books and reading material out there, but sometimes they can seem a bit overcomplicated, and some seem to skirt around the problem without giving you some simple solutions to incorporate into a design, but here are a few things that we think can and will help when designing that we always consider when putting a scheme together.
Aesthetics
Well, of course aesthetics is a major contributor to wellbeing. We all know the phrase ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’, but of course many of us do! It’s our first reaction to something. If it looks good it will catch our eye. We are attracted and drawn to beautiful things. Design has so many layers and this is one of the fundamentals that needs to be considered. I’ve seen so many amazing designs and you know what they all have in common? A strong concept, which someone has spent some extensive time collating. Visiting inspiring places is a great way to get your creative juices flowing. You can then mimic or reimagine your findings in your design. All design has been inspired by something, whether that is direct or indirectly. The right finishes in the right space can be cathartic, exciting, fun, immersive and comfortable, just to name a few - it’s amazing what considered design can do. A good foundation for a good design is aesthetics, so start there and take your time during this part of the process (it’s one of our most enjoyable parts of a job). As you know, a good source for imagery is Pinterest - you’ll find lots of inspiration on there.
Top Tip: Try making a concept board with images to make things easier, swap images out for ones that don’t quite look right until you have a cohesive theme you are happy with.
Study Room
Design by nelsonandlong
Tactile Qualities
We as humans are drawn to and feel a certain way toward materials. Opinions may vary from person to person, but we all react to tactile things. These things need to be considered when designing. When you think of a sofa, what word comes to mind? Well, I think soft and luxurious, whereas someone else might think firm and supportive. A good way to make sure you have the right tactile qualities is to consider who is using the space and even better if you can get some feedback from previous clients, and users of the space. Consider how you want whoever is using the space to feel and this will influence what textures you put together for a scheme.
Top Tip: Don’t be put off using a velvet, or any fabrics to be honest, as the commercial market will have something to offer. We put forward all types of fabrics, which are literally bomb proof and have never had any issues, the only issue for us is what colour to go for!
Finishes Board
Design by nelsonandlong
Sustainability
Thankfully we live in a world where climate change and the things we can do to help is an important issue, a lot of people have so much passion about the world they live in and are trying to do their part to help. One of our clients mentioned how their students are taught about sustainability in their modules – isn’t this amazing? After this meeting I spoke to a few students and they put sustainability quite highly on their list of wants, if possible, for their new home. This leads me to believe that these pioneers of the future want to be surrounded by products that have been sourced responsibly. We always look to use suppliers who have these practices in place, whose products can be recycled, and we buy from UK manufacturers when we can, so the furniture hasn’t had to travel too far. This is such an important and poignant issue and one that we should be considering for the wellbeing of our students and the world.
Top Tip:
When doing a refurbishment try to keep as much furniture as possible and restore/upcycle. With the remainder - donate to charities. When doing a new build source products responsibly where possible.
Reupholstered sofas
Design by nelsonandlong
Lighting
Natural or not! Lighting affects us so much! Take a moment and think about how you feel when you are out and about on a bright sunny day, now think about how you feel on a dark winter’s morning and how you would do anything for a few extra minutes to stay snuggled up in bed, because it is so dark and dreary out. Well, the impact of the right lighting is that dramatic too! Sometimes you do want darker spaces, therefore the light will be darker, but you must get the right balance because it will affect the mood. Consider and use different lighting including ambient, directional, and overhead lighting dependent on what your space is being used for, as they all have a purpose and a time and a place. The best light of all has to be natural light of course; if you have expansive windows let the light flood in as this will only have a positive effect on wellbeing.
Top Tip:
Never underestimate the power of a good wall light. Sometimes people think to omit these if the budget is getting tight. These are not only a great light source, but with the right fitting they can add further interest to a scheme by adorning the wall like a piece of art. Two birds, one stone.
Study Room Concept
Design by nelsonandlong
Technology
We are in an era where for a lot of us our phones are our third arm - an extension of ourselves. I consider myself to be pretty tech savvy, but maybe not as tech savvy as my younger counterparts. Keeping up to date with the latest gadgets and gizmos (that phrase even seems outdated!) is something that will be appreciated by the students. Things are evolving every day and we should be trying to incorporate some of these changes into our design to impress and align with the students’ wants and needs. Although phones are one of the most amazing inventions, they aren’t always good for our wellbeing due to the amount of time we spend on them. We can get so immersed scrolling and clicking - hours can fly by. We can even work from our phones, so it’s a real struggle to set them down. So how do we incorporate tech as a theme without it being too over facing and costly? Well, what about the opposite and introduce tech-free zones as a fun concept? Introduce technology in a space that the user has no direct control over but will enhance their overall experience. A great tech-free zone concept that comes to mind is a cinema. You could happily sit and be engrossed in a movie for hours without your phone. It’s all about giving the students a distraction whilst still using technology. It’s better for wellbeing, more fun and there is an opportunity to bond with your peers.
Top Tip:
To impress and introduce tech without blowing your budget, try integrated wireless charging. Looks great and won’t break the bank.
Cinema Room
Design by nelsonandlong
Biophilic Design
If you know us, you know we are advocates for Biophilic Design. If you don’t know what that means in laymen’s terms, it’s a concept used within the industry to describe the use of nature within a space.
The greener the better we think! We always budget to include lots of foliage within our designs. Sometimes maintenance can be an issue, so go faux. There are so many amazing faux suppliers out there. Having greenery helps your wellbeing, it’s as simple as that. Our personal preference is Boston ferns and hanging plants, as we love to incorporate foliage onto every surface possible.
Top Tip: If budget is tight and you can’t get as many plants as you would like. Think of placement such as communal corridors/hallways and places that get a lot a foot traffic – also opt for bigger plants and pots to make your plants a feature focal point.
Concept Board
Design by nelsonandlong
Use of Space
The layout and user journey of a space directly effects wellbeing. Having clear zones of space will direct and inform the user on how to use the space. We try to keep quieter and more relaxed zones together, then louder and busier zones together. This way the user knows what to expect and will naturally gravitate towards the areas they feel comfortable in and want to use. For example, if you have a snug area you wouldn’t expect to find someone in there playing music, it will mess with the vibe of the room. People who want to use the snug expect a quieter space to relax and unwind.
Top Tip:
As soon as you get your floorplan from your client start mapping out suitable locations for different rooms. Also let someone else cast their eye over your suggested locations as two eyes are better than one (well four eyes are better than two!) and there might be something that might have been missed or a room might be better suited elsewhere.
Study Room
Design by nelsonandlong
Ergonomics
If you don’t feel comfortable in a space, however beautiful your experience will be tarnished. You have to incorporate furniture that will invite the user to relax and aid them in whatever they are using the space for efficiently. When designing we have to consider to the millimeter to ensure that the furniture we put forward works together and this in turn will create a better environment. There are so many great multipurpose furniture products on the market these days that can adapt to your space too, so if your space is multi-functional there is a furniture solution for you.
Top Tip:
Measure, measure, and measure again. Make sure all things you have put forward work well together, the sizes complement each other, and all elements have been considered.
Snug
Design by nelsonandlong
For a design to be successful, user friendly and promote wellbeing we believe that the combination of the above qualities must be considered when designing. These are just the essentials to think about but, we should also be considering the senses such as hearing, smell and taste if appropriate. Thinking about all these things will only strengthen a design and benefit the students.
The way something makes you feel has a subconscious psychological effect on you and can provoke emotions and feelings. When you’ve been to an extraordinary interior it can have a lasting and lingering effect on you, that is why it’s imperative that we consider and include any aspect that will enhance the student experience and in turn that will elevate their mood and wellbeing.
You may not have extensive knowledge or know where to get the right products from, so give us a shout because we would be more than happy to help. Creating well balanced, characterful, inspiring and happy places is what we aim to do every day.
Another handy hint to get some help is to reach out and speak to professionals in each of these fields. If you are trying to be savvy and want a firsthand perspective, ask for help from students studying related degrees, strike up a conversation with someone for help, trade skills, and network.
We thoroughly enjoyed writing this one and hope it has helped.
Over and out! (A)