Wellness in Educational Facilities
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Abstract
Universally children are sent to attend school to
gain basic knowledge in most communities. In the United
States the standard is about 7 hours a day, 5 days a
week, for 13 years. These educational institutions that are
in place have a strong impact on the growth and development of
young individuals.
Many schools are historical or show strong elements that
speak to the time they were built. These elements include
architectural style, classroom size, amounts, and types, and systems
within the building. As communities grow from the framework
in which the school was originally constructed, there lies the
opportunity to be more intentional with updates and redesign.
To foster intellectual growth, those who attend need to have the
ability to grow mentally and emotionally. Creating safe spaces for
the youth aids the cultivation of skill sets needed for success and
well-being. Moving forward, schools need to be places of relief
and positive stimulation. Green building design, incorporating WELL
building standards, using space psychology, connecting the school’s
surroundings to their environment, and ensuring safety are all
strong goals to create more positive learning environments. These
positive learning environments will encourage focus, exploration, and
collaboration of ideas and learning.