In the past, interior design for student accommodation was seen as nothing more than an exercise of ticking boxes to ensure that students’ basic needs and requirements were being met. To cut costs, PBSA operators focused on the robustness, durability and longevity of the environment at the expense of aesthetics. As a result, little attention was paid to the ineffable characteristics of comfort and well-being. While the prioritisation of cost and functionality remains at the fore, there has been a monumental shift in designing for residents, their changing demands and their increased expectations.

Universities tend to generalise their students as a unitary body. On the other hand, designers are increasingly picking apart and discovering the nuance of behaviours within various communities of students. This allows them to identify a purpose for each space they design. Now more than ever, design has become an anchor within student accommodation and coliving schemes. Intentional design not only improves wellbeing but fosters a sense of community. As noted in this ArchDaily article about how spaces can affect our emotional well-being:

“Creating spaces for interaction as well as spaces for isolation is essential, so people can choose the best space for each specific moment and activity. Furthermore, aspects such as biophilia – including the healing and calming effects of the colour green, beyond aesthetics – and the creation of outdoor areas play a fundamental role in improving the quality of the space, which consequently improves people’s mood and health.”

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The Class Foundation hosted an Academy on ‘Spatial Design for PBSA and Coliving’ in collaboration with our expert designers, operators and academics. The team explored the rapidly evolving world of student accommodation and the transformational influence of the latest developments from around the world in coliving and coworking spaces. They delved into the underlying trends stimulating shifts in how we approach the design processes and methodologies that are leading to the creation of groundbreaking spaces. Moreover, the course discussed the emergence of innovative approaches in valuing and evaluating design, in addition to gauging the impact of key drivers of change through examples ranging from suppliers to operators. Our partner participants included:

• Jonathan Foster – Multi Story Thinking 
• Naomi Clever – Naomi Clever Design 
• Lauren Maylor – LOFT
• Michiel Vrijman – Greystar

In addition to sharing best practices, theories and trends, the experts identified design challenges for developers and operators such as:

• Community building: Difficulty in building a community that is coherent and accessible;
• Identification & purpose: The student body is diverse and complex, which creates a need for inclusive and accessible spaces for individual needs but also the group at large;
• Current trends: Keeping up with trends such as popular amenities and changing cohorts year on year;
• Resident wellbeing: Pressure, stress and loneliness among students;
• Support networks: Building adequate support networks and spaces to socialise for students living away from home;
• Sustainable furniture that has durability and longevity: Sustainable furnishing can have an impact at many stages including sustainable sourcing, quality fabrics, reusing, repurposing as well as disposing in a non-harmful way.

We continued to identify solutions for our sector:

• User feedback: Survey the user ‘student’ and ask what they like, want and need;
• Design & purpose: Create bright, comfortable spaces for students and community to meet and use;
• Indoor Greenery: Add plants and greenery to your spaces into your student coliving standards;
• Proptech: Partner with proptech solutions to enhance design and create space and community solutions;‍
• Create a sense of ownership: Provide the ability to book rooms for personal events, designate customisable space in bedrooms (such as shelves, pin boards, picture frames, etc.);‍
• Nature & nurture: Integrate well-designed landscapes and green spaces such as gardens, terraces and courtyards;‍
• Minimalist design: Minimal design = More affordability and well-being;‍
• Multi use / flex spaces: Create multi- purpose and flex- use spaces that residents can adapt to various activities, such as a chillout foyer which can be utilised to host networking socials.

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Student housing is an extension of the university campus. Therefore, its design ought to cater to the needs of students by considering comfort, safety, community and amenities. According to recent research commissioned by The Class Foundation and conducted by ABF Research, “Student wellbeing was particularly high in residential complexes where communal activities and support for wellbeing was readily available... Students seemed to experience a higher level of well-being when their housing complex offered communal activities or had a communal relaxation area, shared roof terrace or courtyard. These services/facilities also provided a better living experience for students.”

Challenges lie with ever-changing cohorts in addition to evolving demands and expectations from diverse stakeholders ranging from planners to universities and investors. Higher expectations increase the quality of the product – but will students continue to be able to afford luxury? Creative strategies are needed to balance use and cost. This, in turn, diversifies market portfolios.

While the link between design, wellbeing and community is apparent, operators must try to maximise the usage of these spaces to cultivate a truly vibrant atmosphere. From as early as the development stages, the integration of intentional design can stimulate healthy environments. It is important to state that older products – such as traditional halls – may struggle to create social spaces if not currently present in their design schemas. Alternative solutions will need to be identified, such as repurposing and renovating ground floor apartments into foyers, and expanding green space onto rooftops where possible.

All in all, purpose- built student- coliving spaces are becoming more popular within the PBSA sector. Only time will tell what long-term impacts they will have on students’ education, well-being and ongoing professional and personal lives.

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