When it comes to higher education institutions, academics are only one piece students look at. A flourishing campus community is more than a collection of infrastructure, but rather a harmonious blend of community and innovation that influences the student experience. 

Satisfied students are more likely to remain engaged in their studies, finish their academic programs, and reach graduation. It’s important to understand the moving parts that make up a satisfied student’s experience such as the quality of facilities, differentiation between campuses, and other amenities. At TKDA, we help campuses foster student satisfaction through elevating dining and culinary spaces, residence halls, laboratories, one-stop food service areas, and fitness and recreation centers.

Dining and Culinary Spaces

Campus dining halls and communal areas are the center of activity and a cornerstone for social gatherings. At TKDA, we design high-quality dining centers and other culinary spaces to elevate the student, faculty, and staff user experience with efficiency and sustainability at the forefront. Overall, we prepare student centers to encourage socializing and activation of spaces while focusing on the economic realities of campuses with efficiency in core functions like food service operations. 

Residence Halls

Student residence facilities are living and learning communities that encourage collaboration and foster a sense of belonging. The quality of housing is one of the most important measures students consider when evaluating residential campuses, and we are committed to designing living spaces that align with student needs and interests. As our team designs student residences, we include contributions from students, making their input a crucial part of the project.

Laboratories

Allowing students to immerse themselves in a lab environment allows them to interact with the equipment and technologies they may see in their careers. TKDA leverages our experience in corporate and industrial laboratory environments to create teaching and research labs for faculty, students, business partners, and researchers. Our lab designs explore meaningful upgrades to enhance core programs and the built environment where people learn and work regularly.

Grab and Go

Students are constantly on the move and need quick access to snacks, meals, and beverages. One-stop student dining areas replace standard vending areas with healthier alternatives at easily accessible, strategic areas for students to quickly enter and exit. Having a small food service retail space allows students the opportunity to grab food items such as prepackaged sandwiches and food products, espresso and coffee, and soft drinks.

Fitness and Recreation Centers

TKDA’s dedicated sports and recreation design team understands the impact athletic facilities have as attractive amenities to current and prospective student-athletes. From athletic fields and stadiums to wellness centers, we develop facilities that accommodate the diverse and evolving sports, recreation, health, and wellness needs. These facilities are also gathering places serving assemblies and events of all types, designed with flexibility to open doors to the surrounding community.