Student Housing Design Guide: Cafe

CURATED SPACES RESIDENCE HALL PRODUCT APPLICATION

How Might We Design Student Housing Amenities that Build Community?

SELECT A SPACE TO EXPLORE.

Following the results of a recent student wellness survey highlighting the need for more collaborative spaces, this floor plan was designed with intention—to bring students, staff, and faculty together in meaningful ways.

A central community space provides opportunities for connection and informal learning, while the adjacent cafe extends that experience outdoors with a community garden that supplies fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Together, these environments offer students a place to connect, recharge, and truly belong.

V I E W PA L E T T E

F LO O R P L A N

RECEPTION

DORM ROOM

COMMUNITY LOUNGE

CAFE

CORRIDOR

DORM ROOM

R EC E P T I O N + C O M M U N I T Y LO U N G E

A well-designed student lounge serves as both a landing pad and a launch point to invite students to settle in, recharge and build community. Thoughtful contrast between vibrant zones and calming areas allows students to choose how they come home.

Why this Product?

1. P I VOT | EC OWO R X™ R E S I L I E N T

PVC-free and high-performing, EcoWorx™ Resilient stands up to heavy foot traffic in dynamic spaces like shared lounges and cafes. Our PVC-free construction meets indoor air quality standards for low VOCs supporting a safer breathing environment for students living in dorms.

2. G RO U N D E D S PAC E S | CA R P E T T I L E

Affordable and expressive, Grounded Spaces uses bold pops of color to help define zones and foster a sense of place. Its youthful palette brings energy to the room, striking the perfect balance between playful and purposeful.

3. WA L K O F F | CA R P E T T I L E

Placed at key entries, walk-off tiles serve as a first line of defense against dirt, moisture and debris. Testing has shown that 12–15 feet of entryway carpet will remove 90% of the soil from the bottom of shoes, protecting your flooring investments.

4. M E D I TAT E T I L E | CA R P E T T I L E

Used at the reception desk, Meditate Tile draws the eye and guides foot traffic.

This intentional visual cue doubles as wayfinding and helps dampen any office noise.

TA K E A C LOS E R LO O K R E T U R N TO F LO O R P L A N

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R EC E P T I O N + C O M M U N I T Y LO U N G E

Take a Closer Look 1.

PIVOT (4499V) IN REFORM (00111)

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GROUNDED ACCENT TILE (5T676) IN TURQUOISE (76323) + TANGERINE (76668)

3. ALIGNMENT TILE (5T668) IN STONE (62530) + CONNECTED TURQUOISE (62323) + FRIENDLY GRAPE (62979) 4. SWIFT WALK OFF TILE (5T414) IN TROT (14500) 5.

MEDITATE TILE (5T671) IN TAWNY (00109)

O R D E R SA M P L E S R E T U R N TO F LO O R P L A N

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D O R M RO O M + C O R R I D O R

A student’s dorm room is more than a place to sleep—it’s their retreat, workspace and sanctuary. Thoughtful flooring selections add visual warmth, comfort underfoot, and a sense of home that supports student well-being.

HEAR THE DIFFERENCE

Sound Advisor® helps you select the right floor covering for your project by presenting the industry’s most comprehensive set of data—all collected at the same lab, allowing you to accurately compare the difference between floor coverings.

Why this Product?

1. P I VOT + E X P E R I M E N T | EC OWO R X™ R E S I L I E N T​

Accenting each dorm room entry with a contrasting visual creates a subtle runner effect for easy navigation. Two-tone palettes add visual rhythm and support intuitive wayfinding.​ 2. B R A N C H I N G O U T | R E S I L I E N T​

Branching Out acoustic planks help absorb sound, reducing floor-to-floor noise for a quieter, more comfortable living environment.

3. M E D I TAT E T I L E | CA R P E T T I L E​​

Featured throughout the bedrooms and living areas, Meditate tile delivers high aesthetic value at a budget-friendly price. Its textile-like texture brings depth and softness, offering the visual richness of woven materials without the maintenance, while also enhancing acoustic comfort to support student well-being.

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D O R M RO O M + C O R R I D O R​

Take a Closer Look 1.

PIVOT (4499V) IN REFORM (00111)

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EXPERIMENT (4581V) IN CONNECTION (00501)

3. BRANCHING OUT CORETEC 20 MIL (4309V) IN PINECONE OAK (56720) 4. MEDITATE TILE (5T671) IN TAWNY (00109)

O R D E R SA M P L E S R E T U R N TO F LO O R P L A N

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G RO U N D E D I N T E L L ECT PA L E T T E

The Grounded Intellect palette is designed for movement, flexibility, and connection—perfect for students who thrive on the go. Neutral tones provide a sense of consistency, while dynamic hues and patterns spark creativity and curiosity.

Soft Surface 1. MEDITATE TILE (5T671) IN TAWNY (00109) 2. ALIGNMENT TILE (5T668) IN STONE (62530) 3. ALIGNMENT TILE (5T668) IN CONNECTED TURQUOISE (62323) 4. ALIGNMENT TILE (5T668) IN FRIENDLY GRAPE (62979) 5. GROUNDED ACCENT TILE (5T676) IN TURQUOISE (76323) 6. GROUNDED ACCENT TILE (5T676) IN TANGERINE (76668)

Hard Surface 7. EXPERIMENT (4581V) IN CONNECTION (00501) 8. OBSERVE (4566V) IN OUTLOOK (00535) 9. PIVOT (4499V) IN REFORM (00111) 10. BRANCHING OUT CORETEC 20 MIL (4309V) IN PINECONE OAK (56720)

Contact your Shaw Contract account executive to learn more.

AC C O U N T E X EC U T I V E LO CATO R R E T U R N TO F LO O R P L A N

CA F E

In an increasingly digital world, the on-campus cafe becomes a real-world hub supporting casual connections and much-needed study breaks. Thoughtful wayfinding cues, cozy overflow areas, and durable finishes help turn this space into a destination.

Why this Product?

1. P I VOT + E X P E R I M E N T | EC OWO R X™ R E S I L I E N T​

Used in high-traffic zones like cafe bathrooms and connecting hallways, Experiment delivers durability. Its stain resistance and ability to support rolling loads make it ideal for spaces that work as hard as they serve.

2. S H E LT E R T I L E | CA R P E T T I L E

In the cafe overflow area, Shelter Tile brings visual texture and comfort underfoot. Pops of color define seating zones, provide acoustic softness and create a sense of place to turn open space into a purposeful gathering zone.​ 3. WA L K O F F | CA R P E T T I L E

Installed at cafe entrances, walk-off tile captures dirt and moisture before it enters the space.

4. B R A N C H I N G O U T 5 M M | R E S I L I E N T​

With a 20 mil wear layer and a seamless transition to carpet tile, Branching Out in the cafe’s community room is a smart solution for both aesthetics and ease of cleaning. At 5mm, it aligns seamlessly with EcoWorx® carpet tile — no transitions required.​ 5. P U LS E | P O RC E L A I N T I L E​

Featured throughout the cafe bar area, Pulse is selected for its strength and sleek appearance.

The 24 x 48 format minimizes grout lines for a cleaner look and streamlined maintenance.

6. D UA L I T Y | C E R A M I C WA L L T I L E

Behind the bar, Duality ceramic tile creates a vibrant accent wall to infuse the space with color, energy and identity.

7. T E M P O | WA L L T I L E​

Wrapping the cafe bar front, Tempo brings style and resilience. Built to handle the demands of daily use, it adds a layer of durability without compromising design.

TA K E A C LOS E R LO O K R E T U R N TO F LO O R P L A N

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CA F E

Take a Closer Look 1.

PIVOT (4499V) IN REFORM (00111)

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EXPERIMENT (4581V) IN CONNECTION (00501)

3. SHELTER TILE (5T240) IN GOLDEN (38210) + MINT (38327) + APRICOT (38675) + ROSEWOOD (38870) + GREIGE (38516) 4. SWIFT WALK OFF TILE (5T414) IN TROT (14500) 5.

BRANCHING OUT CORETEC 20 MIL (4309V) IN PINECONE OAK (00720)

6. PULSE (CT93K) IN NOVA (00105) + VENTO (00761) 7.

DUALITY (CT81K) IN HARMONY (00375)

8. TEMPO 3 X 14 (CT21L) IN SERENE (00100) 9. TEMPO 3/5 X 14 ACCENT (CT22L) IN SERENE (00100)

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E N E RG I Z E D S I M P L I C I T Y PA L E T T E

The Energized Simplicity palette is crafted for those who crave depth and discovery—the ‘Connoisseur’ student. Neutral tones provide a grounding backdrop, while bold color and rhythmic patterns invite curiosity and conversation.

Soft Surface 1. SHELTER TILE (5T240) IN GOLDEN (38210) 2. SHELTER TILE (5T240) IN MINT (38327) 3. SHELTER TILE (5T240) IN APRICOT (38675) 4. SHELTER TILE (5T240) IN ROSEWOOD (38870) 5. SHELTER TILE (5T240) IN GREIGE (38516)

Hard Surface 8. PULSE (CT93K) IN NOVA (00105) 9. PULSE (CT93K) IN VENTO (00761) 10. TEMPO 3 X 14 (CT21L) IN SERENE (00100) 11. TEMPO 3/5” X 14” ACCENT (CT22L) IN SERENE (00100) 12. DUALITY (CT81K) IN HARMONY (00375) 13. PIVOT (4499V) IN REFORM (00111)* 14. EXPERIMENT (4581V) IN CONNECTION (00501)* 15. BRANCHING OUT CORETEC 20 MIL (4309V) IN PINECONE OAK (00720) *not pictured.

Contact your Shaw Contract account executive to learn more.

AC C O U N T E X EC U T I V E LO CATO R R E T U R N TO F LO O R P L A N