Credits: 1 AIA LU/HSW; 1 AIBD P-CE; 0.1 ICC CEU
May qualify for learning hours through most Canadian architectural associations
In this course, you will learn about the origins of hospitality, the guest-host relationship, and considerations for supporting hospitality in higher education environments. Colleges and universities are dealing with rising student mental health needs, faculty and staff burnout, increasing competition from alternative learning programs, and commuter students who feel disconnected. One way to address these problems is by applying the concepts of hospitality to campus design.
Research into the cultural origins of hospitality show that hosts can fill fundamental human needs by extending psychological and physical security, belonging, and wellbeing to their guests. Designing spaces that offer protection, intellectual welcome, and open table fellowship can help faculty, staff, and students develop a sense of belonging to their campus communities.
Learning Objectives:
- Analyze how social and relationship-based stressors on campus (e.g., isolation, lack of belonging, faculty burnout) manifest in the built environment, and evaluate how architectural design strategies can mitigate these risks by improving occupant mental health, safety, retention, and functional performance of educational facilities.
- Explain how principles of hospitality—addressing basic human needs for safety, security, nourishment, and individual recognition—translate into architectural design strategies that enhance psychological well-being, physical safety, and equitable access within campus environments.
- Assess how hospitality-driven design principles—such as protection (physical and psychological safety), intellectual welcome (cognitive clarity and accessibility), and open table (social inclusion and equity)—can be applied to reduce risk, improve security, support mental health, and foster inclusive, health-promoting environments.
- Apply hospitality-driven design strategies to campus spaces—including libraries, study areas, dining facilities, student lounges, and faculty offices—to improve occupant safety, support mental and physical well-being, enhance accessibility, and promote equitable, inclusive use of the built environment.
Sponsored by:
