Design of a Therapeutic Student Centre in Covenant University, Ota, Nigeria: User-Centred Approach

Abstract

This qualitative study addresses the pressing need for a therapeutic and supportive student center at Covenant University, Nigeria, to tackle escalating mental health concerns and the absence of dedicated well-being spaces on campus. Through semi-structured interviews with 100 undergraduate and postgraduate students, it gathers comprehensive insights into their needs, preferences, and perspectives regarding such a center. Employing a combined inductive-deductive approach to thematic analysis, grounded in trustworthiness strategies like prolonged engagement and member checking, key findings underscore the importance of natural lighting, private comfortable rooms, counseling services, art activities, and a welcoming atmosphere. These insights directly shape recommendations for the center's layout, furniture, services, and stigma-reduction campaigns. The study's rigorous methodology, emphasizing trustworthiness, highlights its contribution to capturing authentic student voices and translating them into actionable recommendations. Acknowledging limitations, such as cultural specificity, it calls for future cross-cultural studies and architectural expertise integration. By centering on students’ perspectives, this research advances discourse on therapeutic architectural design's mental health impact, offering a model for higher education institutions to co-create supportive, user-centered spaces prioritizing holistic well-being