How the Built Environment Shapes Mental Health, Learning, and Human Potential
Whether it’s a college dorm or a forensic psychiatric facility, the design choices we make have a direct, measurable impact on wellness outcomes — cognitive, emotional, and social. On September 30, 2025, DASNY brought together education and healthcare perspectives to explore how the built environment influences health, learning, and human potential.
The event featured two panel discussions and three keynote speakers
Panel #1:
Built for Better: Advancing Well-Being Through Thoughtful Design – Higher Education
Discover how colleges and universities are reimagining residence halls, learning spaces, and recreation centers to support student wellness.
Moderated by: Molly Larkin, DASNY, Director of Upstate Design & Construction
Panelists:
- Mary Kate Young, Principal of Architecture +
- Margaret Carney, Cornell University Architect
- Joyce Dewitt-Parker, Assistant Vice President for Health & Well-being at the University at Albany
Panel #2:
Mental Hygiene & Forensic Facilities: Purposeful Places: Creating Healing Spaces in Psychiatric and Forensic Settings
Discover how architectural design in behavioral health settings can enhance safety for both staff and patients, while also fostering spaces that promote recovery and healing.
Moderated by: Annette Duran, Director, Downstate Design & Construction DASNY
Panelists:
- Kevin Murrett, AIA, President of Architectural Resources
- Sara Wengert, Principal at Architecture+
- Marshall Vitale, Director of Administrative Support Services, New York State Office of Mental Health