School facility design is one of the biggest underrated factors influencing student wellbeing.
And here’s the problem…
Schools are constantly investing in their curriculum, edtech, and hiring more teachers and staff. But when it comes to the buildings their students spend every day in, they let poor design slide.
That is until you consider this:
A survey revealed that 86% of Americans believe mental health and wellness should be prioritized when designing community buildings like schools. Knowing that nearly 9 in 10 voters care about how school facilities are designed should be food for thought for any administrator.
It doesn’t matter if you’re talking about better lighting along corridors or a bathroom sign outside a restroom door. Every decision your school makes is communicating to students they either belong or they’re an afterthought.
Which brings us to the real question…
How can schools use design to show students they matter?
Here’s what you’ll learn:
- Why school facility design is more important than most think
- How restroom design alone is impacting students
- 4 ways schools are getting creative with design
- Steps you can take to improve your school facilities today
Why School Facility Design Is More Important Than Most Think
Students spend 6 to 8 hours inside of their school buildings every day.
More time than they spend at home or anywhere else with their families.
According to UNICEF WASH in Schools, 427 million children lack basic sanitation services at school. Staggering numbers like that clearly impact attendance, academic performance, and student health.
And while we often point fingers at schools in low-income countries to solve the problem, it’s not just a third-world issue. Schools in the US with poor ventilation, outdated fixtures, inconvenient layouts, or neglected restroom facilities are sending the same message to students. We don’t care about you.
And when students don’t feel safe or valued in their learning environment, everything else suffers.
How Restroom Design Alone Is Impacting Students
If you think that statement is overstated, consider how school restrooms fit into the equation.
Restrooms are some of the most psychologically impactful rooms inside a school.
When students can’t find the restroom. Or they’re not sure where they are. Or, heaven forbid, they’re dirty. Students will go to extreme lengths to avoid them.
A survey from Unilever found that 1 in 5 students cannot concentrate during class because they don’t want to deal with the physical discomfort of using a school restroom. The same study went on to show 1 in 10 students will purposely avoid drinking any water or eating lunch so they don’t have to use school facilities.
That is shocking. And completely avoidable.
Poor restroom design impacts:
- Physical Health — Students who avoid going to the restroom can experience urinary tract dysfunction and long-term health consequences.
- Mental Health — Unclear, stale or dirty restroom environments can cause anxiety and stress.
- Focus & Concentration — Physical discomfort causes students to lose focus. A big reason students avoid school restrooms.
- Attendance — Schools with poor facilities experience consistent student absenteeism.
Schools that get ahead of their restroom hygiene, signage, and overall experience will leave their competitors behind.
4 Ways Schools Are Getting Creative with Design
So how can schools use facility design to show students they matter?
Here are the areas seeing the most innovation right now.
Installing Clear, Inclusive Restroom Signs
Schools often forget about the importance of bathroom signs.
Don’t be that school.
Out-of-date, confusing or hidden restroom signs make students feel lost and anxious. Designing and installing ADA compliant, inclusive bathroom signs let your students know you care. The American Institute of Architects recommends all gender restroom signs be easily identifiable with universal signage. Symbols along with simple text stating the purpose of the room should be displayed.
Good bathroom signs can completely eliminate student stress around finding and using your restroom facilities. Taking the time to install proper bathroom signs lets every student know this school welcomes you. If you’re renovating or building new facilities, consider bathroom signs one of the first things you buy.
Upgrading Lighting Throughout Your Facility
If you want to instantly improve your school’s atmosphere, think natural light.
Natural light has been shown to improve student test scores by ~20% and decrease depression. But even lighting along darker hallways and inside restrooms can help students feel safe and secure.
Dark, poorly lit restrooms will be avoided at all costs. Take every opportunity you can to keep students out of the shadows and into the light.
Offering All-Gender and ADA Compliant Restrooms
Students and parents are demanding more gender-neutral and all-access restroom facilities.
The California Department of Education even has design recommendations for All-Access Restrooms. Schools are beginning to learn how important private, stigma-free restroom facilities are to overall student health, achievement, and school culture. All-gender and ADA compliant restrooms should have correct fixtures and layout to accommodate any student that needs them. Don’t forget about proper restroom signage.
Installing all-gender or ADA restrooms is only half the battle. Schools need to ensure students can find them too.
Wayfinding & Creative Bathroom Signs
Bathroom signs shouldn’t be the only signs you think about.
Wayfinding systems using murals, colour, and creative signage can help students better navigate your building. When students feel confident getting around school and enjoy where they are going, you’ve done your job.
Steps You Can Take To Improve Your School Facilities Today
You’re thinking to yourself, “that all sounds great, but we can’t afford to tear down and rebuild.”
Newsflash. You don’t have to do that to improve your school facilities.
Here are a few things that can be done right now to show students they matter:
- Perform an audit of your existing restroom signage
- Improve lighting inside your restroom and along hallways
- Install all-gender restroom facilities
- Upgrade your restroom hardware to modern, easy-to-clean options
- Get creative with your wayfinding and use colour
These are all low-budget ways to send students a powerful message.
Why Facility Design Will Make or Break Your School
Every decision a school makes impacts students either positively or negatively.
School facility design has been overlooked for far too long. From academic performance to student mental health. Proper lighting, cleanliness, and wayfinding make a huge difference.
Need some proof?
Think back to the longest happiest day spent at school.
Chances are the weather was great and everything just felt nice.
That’s how students should feel every day at school.
Here’s what to remember…
- Facility design plays a pivotal role in student health and wellbeing.
- School restroom design directly influences students’ physical and mental health.
- Clear restroom signage reduces stress and shows all students they are welcome.
- Budget-friendly changes to your school facility can create a positive impact.
- When you invest in your facility, you’re investing in your students.
