When you walk onto a particularly stunning university campus, it’s easy to understand why students chose to attend that school: historic architecture, sweeping gardens, water fountains, sculptures. Colleges are, of course, a place for learning, but their purpose extends beyond that. When you create higher education designed environments—not only focusing on advertising outside of school but impressing people on campus—you have the potential to increase both enrollment and retention.
Many colleges and universities around the world have taken to creating exhibits and permanent installments that inspire. Here are a few designed environment concepts to help your team come up with your next idea:
University Museums
Museums are engagement magnets and can range from full-blown structures to sections of buildings to temporary exhibits within collegiate libraries. Higher education has an opportunity to create a sense of wonder for teenagers as they consider their college decisions as well as give current students a chance for primary research, addressing topics from their classes. For example, Harvard University is home to multiple museums and offers exhibits within their libraries. Case Western Reserve University (not too far from our office) hosts the Dittrick Museum of Medical History.
Park Displays
Green spaces attract students and families to college campuses around the world. Outdoor displays can be a huge draw! The University of Chicago, for instance, has their botanic garden. These types of environments not only contribute to the world’s greenery but are educational for environmental issue-related college majors that are working toward preservation efforts.
There are opportunities beyond plants, too. Kent State University has a Poetry Park with their traveling stanzas exhibit.
History Walls
Many colleges and universities opt to incorporate a bit of history around campus, like Virginia Commonwealth University’s history wall to honor its predecessor, Richmond Professional Institute. History walls offer a way for visitors to understand the roots of a school, and there’s room for innovation as well.
Try interactive video walls or offer tactile experiences much like you would find within a museum display. These history walls can be enticing elements to add to campus, inspiring future and current college students.
When you add designed environments to your campus, you’re building something far beyond what advertising alone can offer. These experiences are unique incentives to encourage younger generations, students, faculty, and the community to engage with your university—a multifaceted ROI that can have an impact for decades.