Supporting residential health

When students walk through UC Irvine's Oso Tower, they encounter more than just a place to live. From open pathways that invite movement to shared spaces designed for connection and calm, the residential community reflects a growing understanding that where people live directly shapes how they feel, learn and thrive.

That philosophy has now been formally recognized: Opened last fall with 424 beds for first-year students, Oso Tower has earned a two-star Fitwel certification.

Fitwel is a global building certification system created by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. General Services Administration. Unlike traditional building standards that focus primarily on energy efficiency or materials, Fitwel evaluates how buildings support the physical, mental and social health of the people who occupy them. Every aspect of the assessment is backed by public health research, linking design decisions directly to measurable health outcomes.

The rating "highlights the things that we're already doing and affirms that we're supporting the overall well-being of students," says Melissa Falkenstien, Student Housing's senior director of facilities operations and capital projects. "We do it because we think it's the right thing to do, but we don't really have a sense of what that means objectively or quantitatively, so this process is aligning third-party research and providing real value to our programs and the buildings that we're creating."

The certification places Oso Tower among a select group of residential projects nationwide that meet Fitwel's rigorous, evidence-based standards for health and well-being. It's UC Irvine's second housing complex to achieve the honor - after Verano 8 - signaling a broader, campuswide commitment to wellness-enhancing design.

"It's a privilege to see UC Irvine continue to set the benchmark for health-centered environments that support the whole student," says Fitwel ambassador Hilary Noll, associate principal and sustainability integration leader with Mithun, which has designed several campus structures, including Oso Tower.

She adds that UC Irvine has been a pioneer in Fitwel-certified student housing within the University of California system and across the nation. Oso Tower is the first UC project to achieve the multifamily residential Fitwel standard. (Verano 8 was certified under Fitwel's community standard.)

For a university campus, where students spend much of their time living, studying and socializing, this focus is especially meaningful.

Resident Ian Ang says he appreciates the community it fosters. "Oso has helped me adjust a lot easier and feel less isolated," says the first-year environmental engineering major. "Everything in the building feels very intentional. I often find myself having small conversations with people in the communal areas. At the same time, we're next to the trails and a marsh, which is peaceful and really important for my mental health."

Freshman Jacob Alegre, another resident, enjoys the sensory room. "I'm able to come here after a midterm, lay down, close my eyes and decompress," says the computer science major. "I also come here to talk to my parents. It's nice having a space to be able to connect with them and have a private conversation."

From the earliest planning stages, the five-story Oso Tower was designed with such wellness principles in mind. The project team approached health and well-being not as add-ons, but as essential components of the residential experience. That intention is reflected throughout the grounds.

Pedestrian-friendly pathways and intuitive circulation encourage walking and movement as part of everyday life. Stairways are visible and welcoming, promoting physical activity without requiring residents to think twice about it. Outdoor courtyards, landscaped areas and gathering spots offer a connection to nature and create opportunities for students to spend time outside.

Attention to indoor environmental quality helped create spaces where students can focus, relax and recharge inside the buildings. Mindful signage, access to healthy food choices and natural light contribute to healthier living conditions; shared common areas support social interaction and a sense of belonging. The design weaves in safety, accessibility and inclusivity with a disaster response plan and access to public transportation, ensuring that Oso Tower is hospitable and functional for all residents.

The project stands as both a milestone and a starting point - an example of how thoughtful design can translate research into lived experience and buildings into places that truly promote well-being.

Falkenstien says the certification reflects UC Irvine's broader commitment to creating environments that help students succeed both academically and personally.

"We're hopeful that Oso Tower prepares students with the knowledge and ability to maintain wellness even after they move beyond campus housing," she says.