Contemplation by Design: Leveraging the “Power of the Pause” on a Large University Campus Through Built and Social Environments

Abstract

College and university campuses have long been designed as embodied places of societal values and aspirations, reflecting both academic traditions and heritages alongside social and scientific change and innovation. More pragmatically, these spaces share some commonalities with other living and working environments, and must adapt to changing technological and social norms. Since the 1970's, workplace adaptations included employer-sponsored health promotion programs and facilities. While campus environments such as fitness centers and dining halls have been incorporated into health promotion initiatives, other aspects of human well-being have been neglected. In this paper, we describe an initiative, Contemplation By Design, to incorporate contemplation and mindfulness into the daily lives of all members of the Stanford University community, including students, faculty, staff, and their families, as well as alumni and retirees who live close by. This case study highlights ways that physical planning and programmatic initiatives for contemplative practices have been integrated to deliver generalizable, community-based well-being resources that can be emulated in diverse settings throughout the Stanford University campuses, including the main campus and local satellite campuses. Based on experience drawn from Contemplation By Design, practical recommendations for designing contemplative practice spaces and programs are offered.

Contemplative Practices Behavior Is Positively Associated with Well-Being in Three Global Multi-Regional Stanford WELL for Life Cohorts

“…While this study speaks to the broader possible benefits of CPB, other research [ 15 ] suggests that health and well-being promotion interventions that cultivate and support contemplative practice behavior are feasible, affordable, and adaptable. Broader approaches such as these could be fundamental to achieving the broad visions set forth by national and international frameworks, such as Heathy People 2030 and the World Health Organization constitution, which states: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity” [ 84 ].…”

“…Contemplative practices include tools and techniques from the world’s traditions of spirituality and religion, and indigenous systems of healing and health promotion. Thus, most contemplative practices originated as part of integrated coherent lifestyle systems intended to strengthen an individual’s ability to thrive , create innovations that address the needs of humanity and society, and serve the health and well-being of all of life [ 15 ]. The integrated systems provided philosophical and theoretical frameworks that have examined and offered explanations for the evolution and expression of the natural interplay of the mental, emotional, and spiritual facets of human life that support biopsychosocialspiritual development, health, and well-being [ 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”

Scoping Review of Workplace Mental Health and Well-being Programs in Higher Education Institutions

“…Stanford University launched a well-being initiative in 2013, referred to as Contemplation by Design , focused on the need to establish contemplative spaces suitable for activities such as prayer, yoga, and meditation 49 . Stanford’s evidence-based design of its physical spaces was intended to create a “pause from high levels of productivity and innovation to experience multifaceted, transformational learning, and develop skills to support sustainable, whole-hearted, ethical, purposeful engagement in all areas of research, teaching, learning, and services.” 49 While available to students, faculty, and staff, it was designed to benefit the broader community, recognizing the value of such investment. The University received positive feedback from its employees, students, and community members largely focused on increased engagement in contemplative practices and the benefits therefrom 49 …”

“…The University received positive feedback from its employees, students, and community members largely focused on increased engagement in contemplative practices and the benefits therefrom. 49 50 Trinity College Dublin's program was built on a large-scale Health Promoting University model, based on the Okanagan Charter, and informed by the World Health Organization's policy. 51 The "setting-based" model requires that health promotion be embedded throughout the culture of the university through physical, organizational, and social contexts.…”

Campus Planning and Design across Southeast Asia: A Scoping Literature Review from 2002-2022

“…Design elements such as visual connectivity, functionality, accessibility, comfort, seasonal strategy, and human-scale proportions of the spatial configuration have a significant impact on the area of motion and field of view, influencing user perceptions and preferences (Grocer et al, 2018). Experiences in these settings offer different levels of restoration likelihood and can significantly impact the overall quality of life of students (Gulwadi et al, 2019) and emphasizing on subjective parameters such as inter and intrapersonal values, emotional intelligence, and civic engagement is proven important when planning and designing spaces (Chrisinger & Rich, 2020). Moreover, campus spaces should enable knowledge and creativity hubs, and foster social well-being through a sense of place and community (Soares et al, 2020).…”