The Design of Learning Environments

A4LE White Papers

White Paper for the Association for Learning Environments
To Promote Student Health & Well-being
by Parul Minhas
with Prakash Nair, AIA

Publication Date: February 4, 2022

View White Paper

Extensive research shows there is a strong correlation between the health of children and the primary environments in which they spend most of their time: home, school, and neighbourhood. Yet, when it comes to designing and constructing schools, architects and planners are rarely asked to employ design strategies that promote the mental and physical health of children. All too often, the holistic health of the child is not prioritized when devoting resources to the design of a school. The concept of salutogenesis—building design that seeks to enhance health and well-being—is relatively new and, as such, lacks guidelines that would otherwise assist architects when designing or renovating schools. This paper proposes a comprehensive set of 27 design guidelines and an accompanying assessment tool to help architects map out the steps necessary to create salutogenic learning environments that enhance the well-being and resilience of children.