Residential Design for Living and Learning
emerging trends in residence hall design create communityand connectionforanew generation
Across the country, colleges and universities are reimagining what campus life looks like for today’s students. Residence halls are no longer just places to sleep and study—they are vibrant hubs for learning, collaboration, and wellness. As institutions compete to attract and retain students, housing plays a critical role in shaping the overall campus experience.
In the Southeast and beyond, enrollment growth, rising costs of offcampus housing, and evolving student expectations are driving innovation in residential design. Universities in thriving cities are investing in nextgeneration housing that blends comfort, technology, and sustainability. These trends reflect a broader shift toward creating spaces that foster community, support academic success, and prioritize well-being.
trend forecasts
COMMUNITY-CENTERED DESIGN
Students crave connection. Residence halls increasingly feature shared kitchens, multipurpose lounges, and outdoor gathering spaces to encourage interaction and build a sense of belonging.
WELLNESS INTEGRATION
Mental health and physical well-being are top priorities. Fitness rooms, meditation spaces, and access to natural light are common elements of campus residence hall design.
TECHNOLOGY-ENABLED LIVING
From smart thermostats to app-based access control, technology enhances convenience and security. High-speed Wi-Fi and charging stations are nonnegotiable for today’s digital natives.
SUSTAINABILITY
Green building practices, energy-efficient systems, and sustainable materials resonate with environmentally conscious students and align with institutional goals for carbon reduction.
FLEXIBLE SPACES
Modular furniture and multipurpose rooms allow residence halls to evolve as student needs change, supporting everything from quiet study to collaborative projects.
MIXED-USE INTEGRATION
Housing is increasingly combined with dining, retail, and academic spaces, creating dynamic environments that blur the lines between living and learning.
bridging the gap: designforimpact
Residence halls are catalysts for student success. Thoughtful design can foster community, support wellness, and enhance academic outcomes. Residence halls should reflect these priorities, balancing durability and flexibility with an inviting, human-centered approach.
Transparent design strategies such as open lounges and visible maker spaces showcase the vibrancy of campus life and highlight the institution’s commitment to innovation. As colleges and universities navigate shifting demographics and rising expectations, investing in next-generation housing is not just a trend—it’s a strategic imperative.
Across the Southeast, institutions are recognizing the critical role of residential life in student engagement and retention. The result: residence halls that do more than house students; they empower them to thrive
NC STATE UNIVERSITY | RALEIGH, NC
Wolf Ridge Apartments
ASSOCIATE ARCHITECT: Sasaki
By
the Numbers
520,000 SF 1,200 Beds
20,000 SF Dining Facility
Unique Features
Student Commons
General Classrooms
Collaboration Areas
Administrative / Faculty Offices
Fitness Center
Studio
1-4 Bedrooms
Apartment Style
New Construction
UNC SCHOOL OF THE ARTS | WINSTON-SALEM, NC
Artist Village
ASSOCIATE ARCHITECT: Ayers Saint Gross
By the Numbers
115,000 SF
448 Beds
Unique Features
Student Commons
Collaboration Areas
1-2 Bedrooms
Suite Style
New Construction
Administrative / Faculty Offices
Maker Spaces
Laurel Hall
ASSOCIATE ARCHITECT: Ayers Saint Gross
By the Numbers
145,000 SF
408 Beds
Unique Features
Student Commons
General Classrooms
Suite Style
New Construction
Collaboration Areas
Game Room 1-4 Bedrooms
CONVERSE COLLEGE | SPARTANBURG, SC
Senior Student Housing
ASSOCIATE ARCHITECT: Sasaki
By
the Numbers
50,000 SF 128 Beds
Unique Features
2-4 Bedroom
Apartment Style
Sustainable Design
New Construction
SOUTH CITY PARTNERS | CHARLESTON, SC
SkyGarden Student Apartments
By the Numbers
190,000 SF
309 Beds
Unique Features
Collaboration Areas
Fitness Center
1-5 Bedrooms
Apartment Style
New Construction
M C ALISTER DEVELOPMENT
Campus Center Apartments
By the Numbers
175,000 SF
419 Beds
Unique Features
Fitness Center
2-4 Bedroom
Apartment Style
New Construction
SAVANNAH COLLEGE OF ART & DESIGN | SAVANNAH, GA
The Hive
ASSOCIATE ARCHITECT: Mackey Mitchell Architects
By the Numbers
536,000 SF Housing
50,000 SF Amenities
2,000 Beds
725 Space Parking Deck
Unique Features
Collaboration Areas
Dining Facility
Fitness Center
2-Bedroom
Suite Style
New Construction
FURMAN UNIVERSITY | GREENVILLE, SC
Clark Murphy (Lakeside) Housing Complex
By the Numbers
145,000 SF
636 Beds
7 Building Complex
3-Phased Renovation
Unique Features
Student Commons
Auditorium / Seminar / Lecture
Collaboration Areas
1-2 Bedroom
Traditional Style
Suite Style
Renovation
residential life experiencelist
Appalachian State University
Millennial Campus & Student Housing Master Plan Boone, NC
Converse University
The Heath Upperclassmen Residence Hall Spartanburg, SC
East Tenneessee State University
Powell Hall Repairs Johnston, TN
Furman University
Lakeside Housing Renovation Greenville, SC
Mars Hill University
Dogwood Hall
Laurel Hall
Mars Hill, NC
North Carolina State University
Wolf Ridge Apartments
Student Housing Master Plan Raleigh, NC
The Savannah College of Art & Design
The Hive Montgomery House Savannah, GA
UNC Charlotte Laurel Hall Charlotte, NC
UNC Greensboro
Spartan Village Mixed Used Housing Phase 1
Greensboro, NC
UNC School of the Arts
Artists Village Winston-Salem, NC
UNC Pembroke
Cypress Residence Hall
Oak Residence Hall Pembroke, NC
Wingate University
Freshman Residence Hall
Cannon Residence Hall Extension
Wingate, NC
530 Meeting Street Residential Partners
Summit Place Charleston, SC
Armada Hoffler Properties
Hoffler Place Charleston, SC
McAlister Development
Campus Center Apartments Charleston, SC
South City Partners
SkyGarden Apartments
Charleston, SC
LS3P’s design process was very inclusive. The outcome is a living and learning environment that has brought a feeling of community to the campus.
Tim Luckadoo
PH.D. Former Vice Provost for Campus Life North Carolina State University
SCAD THE HIVE STUDENT HOUSING
excellence since1963
LS3P is an architecture, interiors, and planning firm celebrating more than 60 years of design excellence. LS3P operates from its 12 offices in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, providing its clients the expertise and resources of a large firm with the local knowledge and personal connections of a small firm. We are deeply committed to the communities we serve, with over 675 design awards in diverse practice areas.
At our core, we are a design firm, dedicated to contributing our best to our projects, our clients, and each other with integrity and passion. We engage people in the process of architecture to create outstanding places to learn, live, work, and play. Our broad range of expertise allows us the ability to create innovative solutions, and to provide expertise to address the complex programs of today’s design projects.
125+ University and College clients
400+
Higher Education projects in the Southeast since 2015
13M+ SF of higher education projects designed in the past 10 years
19M+ SF of LEED certified space designed firmwide
CHARLESTON
COLUMBIA
GREENVILLE
MYRTLE
ASHEVILLE
CHARLOTTE
GREENSBORO
RALEIGH
SAVANNAH
JACKSONVILLE