Key points:
- Campus planning decisions influence how the institution is perceived by students, faculty, alumni, and donors
- Student-centered campus design begins in the spaces between
- What K-20 leaders should know about building resilient campuses
- For more news on campus planning, visit eCN’s Campus Leadership hub
In higher education, space tells a story. Buildings reflect how a campus operates, what it prioritizes, and how it sees its future. As colleges and universities face changing student needs, tighter budgets, and growing sustainability expectations, managing space has become a crucial responsibility.
Increasingly, schools are weighing two options: building new or working with what they have. Most projects land somewhere in between.
Avoiding the either/or trap
Framing the choice as “new build versus renovation” oversimplifies what is often a layered and complex decision. Most projects require a close look at how space is used, what is missing, and what is possible.
Evaluating a space’s function and role in campus life helps inform the right path. Some buildings hold deep symbolic or historical value, making them strong candidates for reuse. Others may no longer meet programmatic needs or require costly upkeep, making replacement a more effective investment.
When reuse aligns with strategy
Reusing an existing building often offers environmental and financial benefits. It can reduce costs, limit demolition waste, and support sustainability goals while preserving a sense of continuity on campus.
At one campus, a new building was added at the end of a historic oval. Its surroundings were long established, so a design that fit the setting was prioritized over one that drew attention to itself. The result supported current needs without disrupting the existing character.
To evaluate reuse opportunities, institutions can conduct a “test fit” to compare adaptive reuse and new construction. Side-by-side comparisons of cost, energy performance, layout, and usability help clarify direction.
Right-sizing for evolving needs
Many campuses are larger than they need to be. Shifting enrollment trends and new modes of learning, including hybrid and flexible formats, have changed how space is used.
Right-sizing isn’t about shrinking for the sake of efficiency. It’s about aligning space with actual demand and functionality. In one case, an outdated academic building was reconfigured to support collaborative learning. Its footprint was reduced, but its performance and usefulness improved.
Visibility and perception
Campus planning decisions are highly visible. They influence how the institution is perceived by students, faculty, alumni, and donors. Decisions about space signal long-term vision and values.
Prospective students and stakeholders often prefer environments that strike a balance between tradition and progress. Campuses that integrate old and new in a thoughtful way stand out for the right reasons.
Lessons across project types
Design insights from hospitality, housing, and athletics can inform campus projects in meaningful ways. Concepts such as wayfinding, comfort, and user experience are not limited to any single building type.
In one recent university project located near a historic district, these broader design principles helped shape a welcoming and practical space that respected its context.
Student housing design, for example, offers lessons in community building, resilience, and everyday functionality–principles that also apply to academic and social spaces.
Strategy begins with listening
Effective planning starts with listening. Engaging with facilities staff, administrators, faculty, and students can uncover what is working, what isn’t, and where there are opportunities.
Gathering diverse input leads to decisions that reflect real needs rather than assumptions or short-term trends. It also builds shared understanding of what each space should do and who it should serve.
Looking forward
Colleges and universities today have a unique opportunity to reimagine space planning with a long-term lens. Adaptive reuse, right-sizing, and mission-aligned strategy are tools that can support that shift.
The most successful outcomes start with careful assessment and a willingness to think beyond traditional solutions. In many cases, the right next step begins not with something brand new, but with a fresh look at what’s already in place.
As Principal Architect and founding owner, Chris Meyers guides Meyers+Associates in creating spaces that reflect the individualism of each client, embracing their vision and culture. He is an ardent champion of serving others, readily giving his time and knowledge to civic and professional organizations and mentoring the next generation of architects and designers. This creative compassion for clients and communities has earned him awards in design, business, and civic engagement.
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- Student-centered campus design begins in the spaces between - January 23, 2026