By Ben KasdanĚý

Student housing design leads the industry in wellness and sustainable design strategies because the current generation of college students, primarily members of Gen Z, expect their communities to address those issues. This cohort exhibits more self-awareness of their own mental and physical wellness, expresses less stigma about mental illness and has demonstrated more interest in the greater good at a younger age than previous generations. As the current generation of student residents graduate and enter the workforce in the next few years, they will expect market rate housing to do a better job of addressing wellness and sustainability too.Ěý

Encouragingly, the University of Michigan’s latest Annual Healthy Minds Study from 2023-2024, which surveyed 100,000+ college students from 200+ universities across the country, reports positive trends in mental health outcomes for American students:Ěý “..there are decreases in symptoms of anxiety, depression and thoughts of suicide, and increases in receiving mental health care and support.” Specifically, they found a decrease in severe depressive symptoms from 23% in 2022 and 20% in 2023 to 19% in 2024, more students (61%) are using mental health therapy or counseling compared to 59% in 2023, and more students reported taking psychiatric medication (31% in 2024 vs. 29% in 2022 and 2023). This and other studies do show an increase in the diagnosis of mental illness among college students, though this may be attributable to greater awareness and increased diagnoses, not increased prevalence.Ěý

Remember that the Gen Z students entering college now were in middle and high school during the height of the pandemic, and they bring that visceral experience of isolation and missing milestones with them. The potential impact of health-related events deeply affected their collective perspective on the world and their individual roles within it. To them, health and wellness is associated with personal safety and their ability to thrive, so they bring that expectation to their first experience living away from home. These factors and preferences lead designers to make student housing communities that effectively employ wellness and sustainable strategies to resonate with the current generation of student residents.Ěý

The KTGY Research and Development Studio created “Thrive Hall,” a student housing concept for mental health and wellness that proposes seven evidence-based design objectives to improve and support the mental health of student residents: creating community “pods” of 50 or fewer people, reinforcing community using current co-housing principles, connection to nature in both natural light and outdoor spaces, intentional study spaces separate from sleeping rooms, prioritizing quality rest, encouraging an active lifestyle, and providing easy access to mental health support. Building on the research foundation of Thrive Hall, KTGY designs student housing communities, like The 87 near the University of Notre Dame and Pique near UC Berkeley, which employ these design principles.Ěý

The 87 in South Bend, Ind. creates community pods by subdividing the site into multiple buildings and a variety of types of units, both stacked-flats and multi-story units. The visual and physical connection to nature is emphasized by a series of amenity courtyards linking the buildings and creating a hierarchy and mix of outdoor open spaces. A large central study space located adjacent to the other main amenity spaces (leasing, lounge and fitness areas) and satellite study spaces are dispersed throughout the other buildings, as well. The 87 opened in the fall of 2024 and the initial reviews indicate early successes in building a welcoming sense of community, with positive comments about the multiple study rooms, common amenity spaces and resident services programming.Ěý

Pique in Berkeley, Calif., leans into co-living by proposing macro-units that can house up to 14 students — a strategy to reinforce a sense of community while also increasing housing attainability by creating a unique path to non-subsidized affordability in an extremely high-cost housing market. Pique only parks bicycles on-site, which reinforces its aggressive sustainability goals while also encouraging physical activity and enhancing the walkability of its infill urban context.Ěý

The lack of parking for automobiles at Pique also responds to Gen Z’s decreased interest in private car ownership as both a cost-saving strategy and, perhaps more altruistically, to reduce their personal carbon footprint and preferring public transportation, cycling and ridesharing over solo-driving. McKinsey published a report in 2022, citing data from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration, that noted the stark decrease in the percentage of teenage drivers: in 1997, 43% of 16-year-olds and 62% of 17-year-olds (aka the “elder Millennials”) had driver licenses; but by 2020, only 25% of 16-year-olds and 45% of 17-year-olds had drivers licenses.Ěý

Student housing design is often on the forefront of trends, and it represents the next era of housing designed to support human wellness and sustainability. Today’s student residents are tomorrow’s market-rate apartment dwellers. These current student residents’ values are successfully influencing the design and programming of their communities at universities across the country and will continue to do so as they emerge into the greater housing market in the next several years.Ěý

Ben Kasdan is a Principal with national architecture and design firm KTGY.Ěý

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By Denzil D’Sa and Jack Carter

Across California, universities are racing to meet the evolving demands of today’s students — none more urgent than the need for on-campus housing. Once considered “commuter colleges”, many public institutions are now experiencing a seismic shift as more students seek a residential university experience. This change is reshaping campus master plans and challenging school leaders to rethink how student housing is delivered — faster, smarter and with less disruption.

For example, California’s CSU (California State University) and UC (University of California) systems are facing a mounting student housing crisis fueled by rising enrollment, limited on-campus housing, and unaffordable rental markets surrounding many campuses. Combined, these pressures have left tens of thousands of students without stable housing options. UC campuses report a shortfall of more than 20,000 beds, while CSU estimates its gap to be over 14,000. This has left many students on lengthy waitlists, commuting extreme distances, or facing housing insecurity that directly impacts their ability to succeed.

Responding to the Housing Crisis with Innovation

Enter Progressive Design-Build (PDB), a collaborative, solutions-forward delivery method that’s helping universities break ground faster and open doors sooner, all while maintaining quality and cost control. This design-build model has reshaped what’s possible, allowing companies like McCarthy, a long-standing partner in California’s higher education landscape, to deliver more than 5,000 student beds in the last four years.

From Concept to Completion in Record Time

At San Francisco State University (SFSU), the clock was ticking. The campus urgently needed student housing to support its growing population and improve the student experience. Thanks to the Progressive Design-Build (PDB) delivery method, project stakeholders were engaged from the very first design workshop through to ribbon-cutting — enabling the construction and delivery of 700 beds in just 17 months. That pace makes it the fastest-delivered housing project in the California State University (CSU) system to date.

Early alignment with the university, designers — EHDD Architecture, and trade partners allowed the team to evaluate options, control costs and iterate in real time — rather than waiting for full design completion before pricing and procurement. This approach built deep trust between the university and the design-build team, a critical element for making decisions at speed.

Speed was supported not just by process, but by purpose. The team prioritized minimizing disruption to ongoing campus life, particularly since construction occurred during active school sessions. Deliveries and site activities were coordinated around academic calendars to reduce noise, traffic and student impact — especially during finals and move-in weeks.

Student-centered thinking also influenced material selection and scheduling. The design and preconstruction teams worked closely with SFSU to choose materials that supported the campus vision while navigating the constraints of an occupied site. “Through the early partnership with SFSU, we were able to release long lead items — like electrical equipment — early to ensure timely delivery,” shared McCarthy Building Companies Senior Project Engineer Lana Jarnutowski.

Operations personnel were brought in early to contribute to design decisions and foster strong collaboration with the broader team. According to Jarnutowski, that trust laid the groundwork for seamless field execution. “Together, we designed and built a place where 700 people can call home. That is something we should all be proud of.”

The result? A state-of-the-art student housing community delivered not just on time, but ahead of expectations. Today, SFSU has a signature facility that reflects its evolving identity, enhances student success, and supports a vibrant living-learning environment.

The success of this project demonstrates the power of early collaboration and flexible delivery models — an approach that’s now being used to accelerate other projects across California.

Scaling the Model Across California

Following the success at SFSU, McCarthy’s approach is scaling across multiple campuses. At UC Riverside, a similar progressive design-build model is being combined with prefabricated Cold Form Steel (CFS) panels to deliver 1,500 student beds in just 23 months. This evolving delivery method — Progressive Design-Build + Prefab = Accelerated Results — is now being applied at UC Davis, where the team is building on lessons learned to enhance speed, quality and efficiency on its next major student housing project.

This kind of “rolling expertise” is critical for higher education systems managing multiple projects across different locations. Rather than starting from scratch each time, institutional leaders can rely on proven delivery partners to bring transferable knowledge, repeatable systems and a tested playbook for success.

The Shift from Commuter to Campus Community

Behind all these housing projects lies a deeper story. Once known as commuter schools, institutions like SFSU and UC Riverside are now embracing a residential campus identity, providing students with immersive, community-oriented environments. This is not just about beds; it’s about creating spaces where students can thrive, learn and grow.

Amenities such as study lounges, wellness spaces, community kitchens, and outdoor courtyards are no longer “nice to have” — they are expectations. And because design-build teams are engaged early, these features can be designed, priced, and integrated efficiently into the plan without creating late-stage cost overruns or schedule delays.

Driven by student needs and supported by delivery innovation, this shift is shaping a new era of campus development. Institutions are turning complexity into clarity and crisis into opportunity. They’re reimagining the college experience not as a logistical challenge, but as a chance to create spaces that reflect their mission and meet the real needs of their students.

As funding opportunities like California’s $2 billion Higher Education Student Housing Grant Program continue to drive new projects forward, the importance of smart, student-centered delivery models will only grow.

Denzil D’Sa is Preconstruction Director and Jack Carter is Vice President, Project Executive with

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SAN DIEGO — The first-ever -hosted took place on Feb. 12 at the University of San Diego. Despite the rainy weather, the event brought in close to 400 attendees and focused on the planning, development, construction and design of higher education facilities and university housing units. In particular, the two sessions and variety of expert panelists dove into the deliverability of student housing—as well as the trends and current challenges and realities that developers, AEC professionals and end users are experiencing. Ěý

Kicking off the half-day event, Joseph Von Meier, partner at CGS3, moderated the first presentation, “Developing & Designing the Next Generation Of Student Housing.” Panelists included Hemlata Jhaveri, senior associate vice chancellor for residential, retail and supply chain services, UC San Diego; Alex Leonard, senior director of development, Greystar; Eric Naslund, principal, Studio E; Guy Carpino, engineering principal, Michael Baker International; Jason Dunster, senior integrated design director, McCarthy Building Companies; and Chris Sullivan, project director, Sundt. Von Meier explored a few topics but key among them was delivering cost-effective solutions for student populations, while not sacrificing quality, design and safety. Ěý

Both Jhaveri and Dunster discussed how student housing facility design has shifted and how both facility operators and AEC professionals are responding to students’ changing needs. “Since COVID, we are really looking at amenities that set [students] up for success,” explained Jhaveri. Ěý

Panelists dove into those amenities and how facility owners/operators are spending money wisely based on the needs of the current student population. Some “standout amenities” that have become popular for on- and off-campus student housing, according to Dunster, include more indoor/outdoor community spaces to prepare students for a remote workforce and create healthy habits around work-life balance; creating gathering spaces through unconventional spaces that are “typically hidden”, including laundry areas; outdoor security that blend into the natural environment; and student-favorite rooftop terraces. Ěý

In conjunction with creating community spaces, on-campus facilities departments are prioritizing mental health programming through residential programs. While these programs vary from campus to campus, in general, programming is all about building a safe community space to thrive, including offering wellness activities, cooking courses, community gardening, residential events and more.Ěý

While providing high-end amenities to student populations at an affordable price is desirable for many owner/operators, there are obvious barriers. However, panelists explored tried-and-true construction and delivery methods to help mitigate some of these challenges, including prefabrication.

“We are seeing a faster construction timeframe by utilizing prefab buildings…and the quality is really the same, so we are able to complete projects faster and more efficiently by incorporating these different methods,” said Sullivan.Ěý

The session concluded with a reminder to the audience that collaboration between project teams and stakeholders continues to be paramount to deliver attractive housing solutions to tenants that also meet the demand of the area—and the longevity of student populations.Ěý

Addressing the Housing CrisisĚý

After a packed networking break, where attendees had access to an exhibit space to meet with Bisnow sponsors—including Gensler, Sundt, Studio E Architects, Elen Consulting, CGS3 Law, McCarthy, Michael Baker International, McCullough Landscape Architects, Fenagh Engineering and Testing, and KTGY—the second session kicked off with moderator David McCullough, principal at McCollough Landscape Architecture. Ěý

The panel, “Accommodating the Growing Student Body Throughout San Diego,” included Bob Schulz, university architect and associate vice president of real estate, San Diego State University; Abbie Hawkins, vice president of development, The Michaels Organization; Rudy Medina, founder and development director, Next Space Development; Richard King, principal, Gensler; and David Senden, principal, KTGY.Ěý

A key theme of the discussion was reframing the dire lack of student house as a true “housing crisis” and not just a student housing crisis. Many panelists agreed that finding solutions has shifted to not just looking at on-campus housing for students, but to considering entire geographic areas that are facing housing shortages. This includes how to deliver cost-effective solutions both on and off campus and desiging for the lifestyles of current students and younger generations. Ěý

One of the guiding themes was an understanding that this generation of students is different than those previous. Many college students are staying in “student housing” beyond graduation, which is changing the approach to housing design. Ěý

“What we are seeing in San Diego, which is unique to this area, is that there’s jobs and opportunity, but it’s expensive,” said King. “For example, San Marcos (where Cal State San Marcos is located) has tripled its population in the last five years. The enrollment rates [at Cal State San Marcos] are continuing to grow and the students that are going to these schools are staying in these communities after graduation and working, which is great to have that talent contributing to the economy here.” Ěý

To accommodate current and former students throughout their milestones, designers are providing high-end aesthetics and amenities.Ěý

Delivering a student housing unit or community is so rewarding—when it eventually comes online, according to Medina, Hawkins and Senden. The three panelists spoke on the building permit process and how local government can ease the housing strain by loosening certain parameters and helping to expedite processes.Ěý

“The challenges for housing—both off-campus and on-campus housing have the same challenges—is that people don’t want students as their neighbors, it’s difficult to secure funding and wait times for permits can be up to three years. So, it’s really hard to get these projects done,” said Medina.Ěý

Hawkins also reminded the audience of SB169, which was part of the 2021-22 California State Budget and established a program of one-time grants for the construction of student housing as well as 50% of funding for housing for California Community Colleges. While only 12 community colleges in the state currently have on-campus student housing, there is much more of an untapped market to explore and develop if ongoing funding allows, according to Hawkins.Ěý

The event concluded by leaders signaling that the student housing market is certainly a robust area of higher education construction, and with an emphasis on creating long-lasting structures to serve the community for tenants beyond their studies, new approaches and ways to deliver buildings efficiently continues to be a hot topic for facility directors and the design and construction community.Ěý

Upcoming Bisnow EventsĚýĚý

Other in-person southern California Bisnow events include the on Feb. 25, the on March 13 and the on April 10.Ěý

Other national student housing events include the in-person on April 30 as well as the in-person on June 18.Ěý

For more information on the Bisnow San Diego Student Housing Summit, or to get involved in future events, please contact Samantha D’Angelo, senior event producer, at samantha.dangelo@bisnow.com.

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DAVIS, Calif. — The University of California, Davis (UC Davis), recently broke ground officially on The Green at West Village, a campus apartment project with room for up to 3,300 students.

“I’m thrilled to celebrate with our partners this major step forward in addressing the critical need for affordable student housing,” said Chancellor Gary S. May. “Today’s groundbreaking is part of an ambitious plan to provide access to more housing for our students.”

Work on the site began in December and the first 1,000 beds are expected to be available for fall 2020; the remaining beds will be completed in time for occupancy in fall 2021. The student housing development will be part of the UC Davis West Village, which is the largest student housing construction project in the United States.

The Michaels Organization of New Jersey is the developer, with architectural services by Stantec, a global design company headquartered in Edmonton, Canada. The general contractor is CBG Building Co. of Arlington, Va.

“This student housing community demonstrates what is possible when the public sector and private sector form partnerships that leverage the strengths of both,” said Joe Coyle, president of Michaels Student Living. “An affordable, sustainable living environment for the students of UC Davis is the goal, and this groundbreaking is the first milestone toward that end.”

The Green at West Village will comprise nine four-story apartment buildings along with indoor and outdoor community space and recreational fields. A 10,000-square-foot community building will house a fitness center, multipurpose room and student support services. The project has a goal of 100 percent zero net-energy use on an annual basis.

The new undergraduate housing project is also a public-private partnership development with multiple study rooms and photovoltaic systems to provide power to the facility. The site for the construction is on approximately 34 acres to the north of the existing apartments at West Village and wraps around to the west.

The university’s original request for proposals aimed for 1,875 beds. However, UC Davis, The Michaels Organization and Stantec worked together to develop a plan that cut back on space for student vehicles, allowing more residential units.

The development is part of UC Davis’ new Long Range Development Plan, which projects the university will add 9,050 student beds and house 100 percent of any growth in student enrollment on campus.

The development is a public-private partnership between UC Davis, The Michaels Organization and Collegiate Housing Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

When construction is complete, the apartment complex will be operated by Collegiate Housing Foundation, which will hold the ground lease from the University of California. UC Davis Student Housing and Dining Services will provide on-site program and residence support services and be responsible for leasing and marketing activities.

The first phases of apartments at UC Davis West Village opened from 2011 to 2013, providing space for 2,261 students. The West Village is the largest planned “zero net energy” community in the United States. The West Village Neighborhood includes the existing apartments managed by Greystar, Los Rios Community College, the Energy Hub, and soon, additional undergraduate housing at The Green.

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SUIE is a coeducational, public master’s college and university in Edwardsville, located about 20 miles northeast of St. Louis. After spending its first 40 years as a commuter campus, SIUE introduced its first on-campus student housing in 1997. Due to increased growth of its student population, the school began developing off-campus with two facilities already online.

Dubbed The Reserve, the complex is being developed by Cleveland-based Richland Residential and will be comprised of nine buildings hosting two-bedroom, three-bedroom and four-bedroom units. The new complex will be located on a 15-acre site at the New Poag Road entry to the campus.

The project has not been without its critics — last year, the complex faced opposition when an SIUE biology professor inaugurated a petition that argued the student house project was situated too close to Bohm Woods Nature Preserve. The designated hunting area consists of 90 acres, and the majority of the parcel is composed of “upland woodland with several small grassland parcels interspersed on the east and west sides of the property,” according to the preserve’s website. Prof. Richard Essner argued that The Reserve could threaten wildlife in the preserve, notably the forest interior songbirds.

“Many of them are threatened and endangered. They’re very sensitive to forest fragmentation and development,” Essner told last year. “When you have housing developments close to forests like this, these really sensitive forest interior species just don’t nest there. They leave and go elsewhere.”

Locally based general contractor Contegra Construction Co. broke ground on the $20 million project in November 2017. The complex will be comprised of wood-frame construction and clad with brick and siding. Individual apartment units will feature full kitchens, washers and dryers, and living spaces. The development will also feature a clubhouse with a number of amenities, including a workout room, study area and a lounge/gaming room as well as leasing offices. Students will also be able to enjoy a pool and make use of a separate bathhouse.

Founded in 2003 by Eric Gowin, Contegra is one of the area’s largest general contractors and serves a national customer base that includes industrial, institutional, municipal, multi-family, office and retail projects.

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