“Four walls and a roof provide shelter, but they can also comfort, inspire and sustain us.”
– Manoush Zomorodi, journalist and host of NPR’s “TED Radio Hour”
In the summer of 2020, amid the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, journalist Manoush Zomorodi shared a compelling interview series called “The Power of Spaces.” At a time when people everywhere were confined indoors, these conversations explored how our physical environments – from homes to hospitals to places of worship – shape our emotions, influence our health and deepen our sense of connection.
These insights continue to resonate, especially within academic medicine, where the spaces we inhabit profoundly affect our ability to teach, heal and innovate. They also serve as active participants in fulfilling our mission.
I invite you to pause and picture your favorite space. What makes it so special? Is it the natural light, the calming colors, a peaceful view of nature (potted plants count!), or the thoughtful layout? Research shows that these features can reduce stress, enhance well-being, boost cognitive function and foster collaboration.
Even subtle elements – like ceiling height or room shape – can impact creativity, focus and wellness. For example, higher ceilings encourage abstract thinking, while lower ceilings promote attention to detail. Studies using virtual reality have also found that curved walls elicit more positive emotions and lower heart rates than angular designs.
These findings are more than theoretical. At The Ohio State University College of Medicine and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, they inform how we create places for learning, patient care and research – settings designed to support well-being, fellowship and purpose for everyone who enters them.
This year, we were delighted to receive a 2025 Building Columbus Award for Best Historic Preservation, which recognized our integration of 100-year-old Hamilton Hall with our new Interdisciplinary Health Sciences Center. The renovation prioritized wellness and creativity through abundant natural light, warm neutral tones, and flexible rooms that support both quiet focus and collaborative exchange. Its intuitive layout reflects the latest advancements in learner-centered design and includes welcoming shared spaces meant to foster connection and renewal.
Just steps away, the new University Hospital – set to open in February 2026 – embraces these same principles on a much larger scale. Soothing color palettes, enhanced airflow, and stunning views create an environment that promotes healing, while thoughtfully planned community areas invite staff, patients and visitors alike to pause and recharge. This hospital embodies our belief that spaces are not simply functional – they also provide comfort and nurture a sense of hope.
The places in which we live, work and play are far more than backdrops for daily life. They empower everything we do. Whether we are healing, teaching, learning or discovering, our surroundings truly matter.
Dean, College of Medicine
Leslie H. and Abigail S. Wexner Dean’s Chair in Medicine
Vice President for Health Sciences, Wexner Medical Center