Sam Rajamanickam, AIA, WELL AP, is a Principal at Design Collective who focuses on student housing and campus life facilities. Over 30 years, he has partnered with institutions including Marquette University, the University of Idaho, Bowie State University and Rutgers University to plan and deliver residence life environments that support belonging, wellness, and student connection.

Sam became interested in Third Place theory while observing a persistent challenge: students living in close proximity yet feeling increasingly isolated. This paradox led him to explore how Ray Oldenburg's sociological framework could become a practical tool for housing professionals to evaluate and strengthen campus environments.

His approach emphasizes that physical design, programming, and policy must work together as an integrated system. As a WELL Accredited Professional, he brings wellness expertise to creating spaces that serve all students, with particular attention to equity, accessibility, and psychological safety—empowering housing officers to audit existing spaces and intentionally design environments where students naturally connect.