New Design Ideas

Campus open spaces function as critical restorative settings that support students' mental well-being by offering opportunities for voluntary solitude. However, gender-based differences in how these spaces are perceived and used for solitude remain underexplored within design-focused literature. This study investigates how male and female students at an Indonesian institute of technology experience solitude in campus open spaces, focusing on their spatial preferences and the supporting physical and non-physical elements. A total of 117 students participated through open-ended questionnaires and field observations. Thematic coding and statistical analysis, including chi-square and hierarchical cluster analysis, were used to identify patterns and gender-based distinctions. Results reveal that female students showed stronger preferences for refuge-like spaces characterized by protective infrastructure, cleanliness, comfort and perceived safety. Male students favored prospect-oriented features such as natural elements, openness, airflow and visual access to the environment. These contrasting tendencies align with Prospect-Refuge Theory, suggesting that solitude is shaped not only by environmental attributes but also by gendered psychological needs. The findings offer valuable insights for campus planners and landscape architects to design inclusive open spaces that accommodate diverse solitude-related behaviors and emotional requirements.