Designing for the Next Generation: McCullough at Bisnow’s Student Housing & Higher Education Summit
David McCullough, ASLA, PLA
McCullough was proud to take part in Bisnow’s Student Housing & Higher Education Summit in Los Angeles, where AEC leaders, designers, and developers came together to explore the future of campus life. The event brought urgent conversations to the forefront, centered around affordability, wellness, innovation, and the design strategies that support today’s evolving student experience.
David McCullough, ASLA, PLA, served as the moderator during Focusing on the Student Experience & Reimagining Student Living Through Development & Design, which highlighted everything from modular construction and electrification to public space design, safety, and student mental health. Also in attendance were Catherine McCullough, FSMPS, CPSM, and Associate Tianchi Zhang, representing McCullough’s continued commitment to shaping higher education environments that are inclusive, engaging, and resilient.
In the lead-up to the event, Bisnow featured David in a Speaker Spotlight article written by John Krukowski, which dives deeper into the challenges and design trends impacting student housing today.
Topaz Mixed-Use Student Housing
David discusses the shift toward mixed-use, campus-as-community environments and how landscape architects are rethinking safety and comfort through CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) principles, microclimate strategies, and social space planning.
“What’s cool is they are turning their campuses into mini-downtowns,” David said in the article. “Everything is right there, so the students no longer need to leave campus to go grocery shopping, for example. There's a lot of social interaction because all the students are hanging out at these third places and getting to know each other.”
Read the full article here: Bisnow Speaker Spotlight: David McCullough
As student housing continues to evolve, we remain focused on designing landscapes that support learning, living, and well-being. Events like these are a reminder that thoughtful design can be a powerful tool in shaping a more connected and compassionate campus experience.