5 Popular Residence Hall Design Trends

These are not your grandfather’s residence halls. Not even your fathers. Once cookie cutter dorm rooms where students would mostly study and sleep, the modern residence halls in colleges and universities aim to meet the needs of this generation of students and beyond. 

Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) is generally more technically savvy than its predecessors, and demands for residence halls reflect modern design trends in areas such as flexible spaces, health and wellness, sustainability, community and digital technology. 

“Gen Z is the most digitally engaged group of students, as they have never known life before technology,” says Paul Wuennenberg, AIA, LEED AP, a principal with KWK. “They are also the most diverse and well-informed, knowing exactly how to get the information they need to make decisions.” 

Technology demands are not the only ones that Gen Z considers important for the college experience. KWK lists five of the most important considerations that today’s students are looking for in residence halls. 

1. Sustainability and eco-friendly designs: Buildings featuring solar energy; energy-efficient appliances; green spaces such as rooftop gardens and communal courtyards to encourage engagement; and low-flow fixtures, rainwater harvesting and smart technologies to reduce water consumption. 
2. Flexible and multi-use spaces: Room layouts that encourage easy adaptation for studying, socializing or hosting small events; co-working spaces and study lounges for group projects equipped with tech-integrated tools; and social lounges and common areas for social and academic purposes.  
3. Smart technology integration: Employing devices such as voice-activated lighting, temperature controls and smart locks or smart card identification; high-speed internet; and smart security systems including biometric access and app-controlled security.  
4. Health and wellbeing focus: Amenities like meditation rooms, fitness centers and counseling services that include more daylighting; noise-canceling materials and quiet environments; healthy building materials used to construct buildings; and more single bedroom units and private bathrooms. 
5. Community and social interaction: Welcoming spaces that encourage social interaction, community kitchens, academic workshops, clubs and organization participation; and areas that encourage diverse cultural experiences. 

And while these implementations are popular with current students, designers are already looking at the next wave of students only five years down the road – Generation Alpha, considered the largest generation in history. Among the technologies expected to emerge for that group are integrated artificial intelligence (AI), multi-screen capabilities, superior bandwidth and even more space flexibility. 

“While most of the future jobs and degrees related to these technologies do not currently exist, AI is on the cusp of revolutionizing the workplace and academic world,” says Javier Esteban, AIA, LEED AP principal, KWK. “As a result, Gen Alpha will stay in college longer, and colleges and universities will need to adapt to that challenge and competition with more off-campus housing.” 

Dave Lubach is executive editor of the facility market. 

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