Student Housing // Q&A
Forum’s Amanda Froelicher and Tezja Panzik are gearing up for the upcoming Interface Student Housing conference. In the spirit of learning and sharing, they’re offering their insight on some of today’s top student housing trends.
Q: Gone are the days when asbestos was commonly used in construction. What types of healthy building materials are you seeing in new student housing?
Amanda: A strong emphasis on health and wellness has increased the use of eco-friendly and non-toxic building materials. Sustainable construction practices prioritize low-VOC paints, adhesives, and flooring materials that minimize harmful emissions, improving indoor air quality. Additionally, using receycled and renewable resourcessuch as bamboo flooring, reclaimed wood, carpet tiles made from recycled water bottles, and recycled metalhelps reduce environmental impact. Incorporating natural lighting, green walls, and enhanced ventilation systems further promotes physical and metal well-being through biophilic design.
Q: How important is flexibility in amenity space planning for student housing?
Tezja: Flexibility is always of utmost importance when focusing on space planning and designing for overall amenities. The students will land where they feel most comfortalbe, so although we design the main amenities for specific activities based on the owner’s program, these areas act as an overflow for study spaces. Banquettes are an excellent feature for this. On the first floor of Union on Frank, the study rooms double as closing rooms and leasing space during leasing season. The second-floor amenities have a combination of seating groups and a long banquette. At Legacy 202 and one of our newest student housing projects in Florida, various seating groups and styles are programmed for events, general gatherings, and open study.
Q: Noise reduction is an issue we address in all markets we design for. Wat are some common ways you address this in student housing projects?
Tezja: We are currently reviewing ways to reduce noise on a private university project in Florida. We have many spaces, both open and private, as well as content creator studios. Each requires a variety of finishes that require acoustic ratings, from flooring to ceiling treatments, specialty lighting, wall coverings, and even sound-deadening foam.
Q: How are smart home technologies showing up to enhance the student housing experience?
Amanda: Smart technology integration transforms student living spaces by enhancing convenience, energy efficiency, and security. Common smart home features in student housing include keyless entry systems, automated lighting and climate controls, communitywide high-speed WiFi, package locker systems, smart vending markets, and e-bike rentals.
Q: How is the wellness movement being programmed into student housing projects?
Tezja: We incorporate wellness-focused amenities into our student housing projects in various ways. For instance, Union on Frank has a fitness center and Wellness studio with spin bikes and Pilates equipment, two meditation rooms, and most notably, a seminar studio that doubles as a large study space for property management to host student wellness seminars.
Q: What are some suggestions for maximizing space in common areas and units?
Amanda: Adaptable and space-saving furniture solutions are essential in student housing, where flexibility and functionality are top priorities. Modular furniture trends include elevated beds that accommodate built-in or under-bed chest of drawers storage, enhancing space efficiency. Additionally, multifunctional spaces throughout student housing developments provide diverse seating options, allowing students to gather for group activities or work individually in a collaborative setting.
