The escalating issue of mental illness among students has emerged as a serious issue in learning spaces globally, with India being no exception. The hostel, in most cases, is viewed only as a shelter, but it assumes much more significant functions in shaping the psychological and emotional lives of students. With intensifying academic and social demands, the physical environment of these hostels is inadequately equipped to cater to the comprehensive needs of the students, causing alienation, stress, and burnout. The present research identifies ways in which the building design and operation of student hostels can be transformed to promote mental well-being and integrated living. The research employs a mixed-method approach using surveys, interviews, spatial mapping, and case studies of Indian and international hostels. It examines how specific design factors – like natural daylight, shared spaces, vegetation, and adaptability – can contribute to the positive mental well-being of students. The research proposes a set of design guidelines that integrate wellness, community, and comfort into hostel planning. The goal is to encourage a shift in perception: from hostels as functional dormitories to supportive environments that nurture emotional resilience and social connection.

Keywords: Built environment, environmental psychology, biophilic design, spatial planning, spatial hierarchy

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Antonovsky A. The salutogenic model as a theory to guide health promotion. Health Promot Int. 1996;11(1):11–18.
2. Kellert SR, Calabrese EF. The practice of biophilic design. New York (NY): Terrapin Bright Green; 2015.
3. Maslow AH. A theory of human motivation. Psychol Rev. 1943;50:370–396.
4. McMillan DW, Chavis DM. Sense of community: A definition and theory. J Community Psychol. 1986;14(1):6–23. doi: 10.1002/1520-6629(198601)14:13.0.CO;2-I.
5. Ulrich RS. View through a window may influence recovery from surgery. Science. 1984;224(4647):420–421. doi: 10.1126/science.6143402..
6. World Health Organization. Mental health and well-being in educational settings. Geneva: WHO; 2022.
7. Case studies: IIT Hyderabad hostel design reports, Cowan Court, UK.
8. Kaplan R, Kaplan S. The experience of nature: A psychological perspective. Cambridge: Cambridge Univ Press; 1989.
9. Kellert SR, Heerwagen JH, Mador ML, editors. Biophilic design: The theory, science, and practice of bringing buildings to life. Hoboken (NJ): John Wiley & Sons; 2008.
10. Pretty J, Peacock J, Sellens M, Griffin M. The mental and physical health outcomes of green exercise. Int J Environ Health Res. 2005;15(5):319–337. doi: 10.1080/09603120500155963.
11. Heerwagen JH. Green buildings, organizational success and occupant productivity. Build Res Inf. 2000;28(5–6):353–367. doi: 10.1080/096132100418500.
12. Steg L, de Groot JIM. Environmental values. In: Clayton S, editor. The Oxford handbook of environmental and conservation psychology. Oxford: Oxford Univ Press; 2012. p. 81–92.
13. Day C. Places of the Soul: Architecture and Environmental Design as a Healing Art. Oxford: Architectural Press; 2004.
14. Evans GW. The built environment and mental health. J Urban Health. 2003;80(4):536–555. doi: 10.1093/jurban/jtg063.
15. Nikitin C, Lederach JP. Design for community: Building infrastructure that supports well-being. New York (NY): Project for Public Spaces; 2015.

The escalating issue of mental illness among students has emerged as a serious issue in learning spaces globally, with India being no exception. The hostel, in most cases, is viewed only as a shelter, but it assumes much more significant functions in shaping the psychological and emotional lives of students. With intensifying academic and social demands, the physical environment of these hostels is inadequately equipped to cater to the comprehensive needs of the students, causing alienation, stress, and burnout. The present research identifies ways in which the building design and operation of student hostels can be transformed to promote mental well-being and integrated living. The research employs a mixed-method approach using surveys, interviews, spatial mapping, and case studies of Indian and international hostels. It examines how specific design factors – like natural daylight, shared spaces, vegetation, and adaptability – can contribute to the positive mental well-being of students. The research proposes a set of design guidelines that integrate wellness, community, and comfort into hostel planning. The goal is to encourage a shift in perception: from hostels as functional dormitories to supportive environments that nurture emotional resilience and social connection.

Keywords: Built environment, environmental psychology, biophilic design, spatial planning, spatial hierarchy

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Antonovsky A. The salutogenic model as a theory to guide health promotion. Health Promot Int. 1996;11(1):11–18.
2. Kellert SR, Calabrese EF. The practice of biophilic design. New York (NY): Terrapin Bright Green; 2015.
3. Maslow AH. A theory of human motivation. Psychol Rev. 1943;50:370–396.
4. McMillan DW, Chavis DM. Sense of community: A definition and theory. J Community Psychol. 1986;14(1):6–23. doi: 10.1002/1520-6629(198601)14:13.0.CO;2-I.
5. Ulrich RS. View through a window may influence recovery from surgery. Science. 1984;224(4647):420–421. doi: 10.1126/science.6143402..
6. World Health Organization. Mental health and well-being in educational settings. Geneva: WHO; 2022.
7. Case studies: IIT Hyderabad hostel design reports, Cowan Court, UK.
8. Kaplan R, Kaplan S. The experience of nature: A psychological perspective. Cambridge: Cambridge Univ Press; 1989.
9. Kellert SR, Heerwagen JH, Mador ML, editors. Biophilic design: The theory, science, and practice of bringing buildings to life. Hoboken (NJ): John Wiley & Sons; 2008.
10. Pretty J, Peacock J, Sellens M, Griffin M. The mental and physical health outcomes of green exercise. Int J Environ Health Res. 2005;15(5):319–337. doi: 10.1080/09603120500155963.
11. Heerwagen JH. Green buildings, organizational success and occupant productivity. Build Res Inf. 2000;28(5–6):353–367. doi: 10.1080/096132100418500.
12. Steg L, de Groot JIM. Environmental values. In: Clayton S, editor. The Oxford handbook of environmental and conservation psychology. Oxford: Oxford Univ Press; 2012. p. 81–92.
13. Day C. Places of the Soul: Architecture and Environmental Design as a Healing Art. Oxford: Architectural Press; 2004.
14. Evans GW. The built environment and mental health. J Urban Health. 2003;80(4):536–555. doi: 10.1093/jurban/jtg063.
15. Nikitin C, Lederach JP. Design for community: Building infrastructure that supports well-being. New York (NY): Project for Public Spaces; 2015.