REVIEW: Which Upper School buildings are best for your mental health?
By Brittney Haldorsen ‘25
Upper School buildings, photos by Olivia Morrison
Picture yourself on our bustling campus, where 8 prominent buildings lie. Have you ever wondered how the environment you are in can shape your productivity?
Each space on campus is unique. There is the Upper School library, divided into the upper and lower levels, and Dant House, a place known to have a strong smell. Vollum, where the Batcave and limited air circulation live. The Creative Arts Center (CAC) houses giant windows and wonderful displays of art. The Modern Language building (ML) features unconventional table placements and minimal lighting.
Lastly, we have the Science building, which occasionally has a unique scent of cats. Additionally, the math building is known for its whiteboards and chalkboards adorned with many drawings. It's worth noting that these two buildings are situated quite a distance away from the others, requiring a bit of a trek to reach them, especially if you are across campus.
These 7 buildings all have very different vibes. Each space has unique things to offer from lighting, air circulation, and windows. All these factors can affect people’s mental health.
I interviewed Rodney Reid, a psychiatrist at the Providence Behavioral Health Adolescent Program. Reid said, “We are physical beings interacting with physical objects. Insufficient lighting, poor air circulation, and cramped spaces can contribute to a decline in mental health.”
The design of a space can impact our behavior and emotions. In the past, spaces were mainly functional, but now there's a greater understanding of their psychological impact. Just as Doctor Reid said, lighting, colors, and other objects can influence our well-being. Interior building designs should prioritize the occupants' emotional and social requirements.
Looking at the buildings on campus, some meet these requirements, while others do not. To narrow things down, I surveyed students at Catlin Gabel School (CGS). Some respondents chose to remain anonymous, but others elected to give their names.
Along with the student survey rankings, I reviewed each building according to the three main criteria that are important to create a space that fosters productivity: motivation, lighting, and seating.
Vollum
A senior at CGS, Campbell Keys, stated “I have a love-hate relationship with Vollum. The classrooms feel a bit odd and I feel like the learning center rooms are a bit threatening but maybe that makes me get more work done… sometimes the rooms get TOO warm.” Many other students also didn’t like how Vollum felt. It was mentioned that the upstairs of Vollum had nice windows but could definitely feel like a fishbowl with all the students walking around outside. This can contribute to a lack of productivity because a lot of people don’t want to be watched while studying. But then the lack of windows as you get downstairs is quite a switch, and with barely any ventilation and fresh air, it's bound to get stuffy, also causing a distraction.
Dant House
Dant is always crowded and loud and has the pungent smell of whatever is stuck in the carpets, which lots of people on campus can agree with as something that needs to go.
The layout can make people feel like they are intruding in public places. Senior Oliver Chally said “The Dant 10 classroom is a great classroom, surrounded by loud spaces and also really awkward stairs. It's the most convenient place on campus, but there are a lot of issues that are outside of my control as I mentioned before.”
Another positive of Dant is “the new mindfulness center in the sophomore lounge.” said Violet Daly, a sophomore. Thanks to the club Bring Change to Mind. Despite these aspects, most people still believe that the negatives like the smell and the layout outweigh the positives.
Modern Language
ML is known to be cold, isolated, dark, and arranged oddly. These points are examples of factors that can affect people's mental health. In an article written by Falmouth University, they mention Students need warm, well-lit areas with colors and natural lighting.
Students at CGS believed some of the classrooms in ML did not hold these qualities. One junior said “It's really hard to stay motivated in ML because of the dim lighting, uncomfortable temperature, and lack of proper windows that aren't the opaque glass skylights. The environment just makes me want to sleep!”
These three buildings explained above, diverge from the consensus of psychological research, which indicates that specific spatial designs can boost productivity and motivation.
Math and Science buildings
In the middle of the rankings sit the Math and Science buildings. Many said they reminded them of math and science, which makes sense because they’re the subjects for each building. Keys said “I am never fully comfortable in the Math building. The seats in the classrooms are remarkably uncomfortable and my math class always smells odd. 5/10 experience.”
Many also complained of the fact the math building doesn’t have a bathroom which is an inconvenience, and the science building doesn’t have a good water fountain. Students said they were ambivalent about motivation from both buildings.
Lower Library
Students said very little about the Lower Library. Except that Gerlinger is a nice smaller auditorium compared to Cabell, and a great in-between space for breaks in the morning, and eating lunch. However, the classrooms in the lower library don’t have any windows, therefore lack natural lighting. And as I explained before, it isn't good for motivation and productivity.
Upper Library
Lastly, Upper Library and CAC were the fan favorites. The Upper Library was a top pick for most people, but that's mainly because of the people. Upper School Librarians Sue Phillips and Derek King were mentioned many times in the survey as being absolutely amazing, very helpful, and known to make wonderful conversation.
The Upper Library also has huge windows but doesn’t feel like you are being watched; with high ceilings and soft lighting, the environment is quiet and comfortable, which helps many focus. It's a go-to spot for studying and getting things done. Not to mention the college counseling area which also is a great place to go if you need a little extra quietness, or to talk to the lovely College Counselors Joanna Frady and Blythe Butler.
Creative Arts Center
The CAC is also a classic place to hang out with friends. This building has all the factors that increase your mental health when it comes to motivation and productivity. Many students enjoy the art displayed, the modern vibe, the lively atmosphere, and the floor-to-ceiling windows that makeup almost the entire building.
There are lots of comfortable seating places and Upper School Art Teacher Chris Mateer’s art room is a great place to be creative and get work done. Although it was one of the most highly-rated buildings on campus, it is also important to mention that many also said there are downsides since it’s one of the buildings we share with middle school students. That factor can make it very loud at times and it echoes throughout the building. The concrete can be squeaky and has barely any traction making it very easy to slip.
Although it may not seem like different buildings can have an effect on your mindset, things like lighting, circulation, and temperature can change how comfortable and motivated one feels in the space. So if you're searching for locations that have a proven track record of fostering motivation and productivity, it's clear that studying in the CAC, Upper Library, or Lower Library, is your best course of action.