Investigating the Impact of Third Place Design on Student Social Connection and Well-being at the University of Arizona

Abstract

This study investigates how third spaces within the built environment influence social connection among students at the University of Arizona and how designed specifically impacts student well-being. Utilizing a qualitative data triangulation approach, research was conducted through an online Qualtrics survey of 19 students, three semi-structured in person interviews, and an observational case study of the sustainable ENR2 Slot Canyon courtyard. Results indicate that student’s primary motivation for visiting third spaces is to socialize with friends (84%), with a strong preference for design elements such as open floor plans (89%), convenient locations (84%), and flexible seating (74%). A central finding of the study was that despite the high environmental quality of an on-campus space like the ENR2 Slot Canyon, students mentally categorize these locations as “academic” environments, which limits their ability to function as true social third places. Consequently, students expressed a stronger social attachment to off-campus multifunctional spaces such as cafes and bars, which provide a greater sense of psychological escape and informal flexibility. The research concludes that universities must move beyond simple functional efficiency to create intentionally designed multifunctional spaces on campus that prioritize psychological comfort and a sense of openness to effectively support social health.