From Healing to Learning:
Design Trends to Watch in 2025

Here are a few standout trends I’ve observed that, in my opinion, are likely to shape the year ahead:

1. Healing Through Design: At HCD, we saw and heard a lot about patient-centered solutions that put comfort at the forefront. Flexibility and modularity are still important but must be coupled with inviting materials that replace the cold sterility of the past, making patients feel much more at home during their visit.

2. Dynamic Learning Spaces: Flexibility is still king of the classroom from what we saw in Houston. Fresh ideas that adapt from group to focus modes will play a key part in ensuring that the diverse needs of the students and teachers are met within the space. Career and Technical Education (CTE) is a significant focus for many school districts in the K-12 realm. The design of these spaces is dynamic with the integration of tools, technology, and even AI-driven equipment to simulate real-life situations for career training.

3. Wellness at the Core: Wellness is a term that’s been buzzing around for years but has become a design imperative. Finally! Biophilic design is being seen as non-negotiable as it’s crucial to nurturing mental and physical health of inhabitants. In addition to incorporating green elements and natural light, amenity spaces, like quiet rooms for decompression, are now welcomed expectations vs. niceties of the past.

4. Embracing Neurodiversity: This topic is by far the most important to me. I was in awe of some of the great speakers we heard at HCD and loved that these conversations and ideas were also present at the EDspaces breakout sessions I attended. Supporting individuals with different cognitive needs and sensory preferences will help to foster a culture of belonging in the classroom and in the workplace.

5. Breaking Down Barriers: Intentionality in design, beyond the requirements of ADA and other regulations, will be key in satisfying the needs of a population that’s much more aware of our mental and physical needs than ever before. Empathy, which for those of you who know me know, is one of my favorite words, and is so important when considering spatial needs for end-users. How does this marry with the idea of a “typical”? Designing with a one-size-fits-all approach often means designing for no one. But of course, balance is key when it comes to budget.

6. Tech-Infused Spaces: This one is a shocker, right? Wrong. You all know technology is getting better and better and moving at a pace that can be challenging to keep up with.  Supporting and encouraging user interaction is crucial – think interactive whiteboards in classrooms, talking robots utilizing AI to help with teaching, smart hospital beds, virtual monitoring, and the use of technology to secure and alert for safety.