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.