Student Housing Updates: 3 Reasons to Renovate

Privacy is a growing priority in student housing for student rooms and bathrooms. F&M College Schnader Hall

Meet Student Expectations

Campus housing is a valuable marketing tool to attract students and keep them living on campus.  In a survey of more than 25,000 students by American Campus Communities, more than 78 percent of respondents said that the availability of high-quality housing affected their college selection.

The reality is that the majority of existing on-campus student housing stock in the U.S. has become mediocre at best. Campus housing updates, beyond the annual paint refresh a few days before students move in for the fall semester, can help turn these older housing models into a positive differentiator for your campus.

Addressing the Need for More Privacy

Bathroom renovations are often the focus of student housing renovations.  Students are no longer accepting of the ubiquitous “gang-style” communal bathrooms.  Current expectations for privacy, equity and accessibility are frequent drivers for renovations.

All-gender bathrooms are being introduced to supplement communal options which are also being adapted for more privacy.  For example, hard-walled toilet rooms or redesigned toilet stalls with floor-to-ceiling partitions and gap-free doors enhance privacy in communal bathrooms.

Adding and Enhancing Amenities

Most older residence halls also lack the amenities that appeal to today’s students who expect accommodations for learning to occur anywhere and everywhere. Contemporary student housing blurs the lines between academic spaces and residences to promote individual and group learning beyond the classroom.

Updates to introduce new interior finishes and flexible furnishings are critical to make these spaces attractive to prospective students.  Introducing a mix of recreational spaces throughout the building also helps to create a unique residence hall identity. Renovations can substitute a combination of quiet study and group interaction spaces for the former uninspired television lounges of the past. Thoughtfully considered spaces along corridors can activate previously underutilized areas while expanding the range of available amenities.

Alvernia CollegeTowne was created through renovations that converted an urban office building into a mixed use campus resources including student and faculty housing, a business trading lab, commuter lounge, classrooms, labs and an event/training room. The project was funded in part through RACP and other community grants.

Save Time and Money

New construction avoids the constraints of having to work within the building infrastructure, but updates to existing housing offer significant value through cost and scheduling efficiencies.  Many private and public institutions face constricted budgets due to the impacts of COVID-19 on top of financial and enrollment challenges prior to the pandemic.

In most cases, renovating existing housing represents significant cost savings over new construction. This savings is achieved through retention and reuse of the building shell, foundation and structure.  Our team has found this can represent up to 20% of the building value. Likewise, renovations can shorter project timelines by avoiding the often lengthy land development process and eliminating or significantly reducing site preparation time.

More often than not, older housing is located in a prime location at or near the campus center, making replacement more challenging, costly and disruptive to campus life. Residence hall renovations eliminate the need for additional land development and can help to preserve your campus character and culture – particularly when it comes to historical buildings.

Interior updates planned for this historic 1950s era four-story campus residence hall include building system upgrades include HVAC system replacement, enhanced fire protection system, updated lighting and telecom systems. Dickinson College, Drayer Hall

Enhance Sustainability / Improve Operational Efficiency

Campus updates can help to convert older housing into a valuable asset while also promoting sustainability.  Updating existing housing to serve your campus for years to come is one of the most environmentally responsible measures you can take.

Renovations allow institutions to update building systems to enhance sustainability and reduce operating costs.  Choosing to renovate represents good stewardship, just by avoiding the energy that would be used to demolish an existing structure, as well as the energy expenditure and materials production associated with building a new one.

Adding insulation, new windows, and energy-efficient systems can significantly reduce future energy consumption, as well as enhance student comfort.  New plumbing fixtures offer a significant reduction in potable water usage. Updated lighting enhances living spaces.  Coupled with power system upgrades, it also delivers a positive impact on energy consumption.

One of the cornerstones of university life, student housing remains a vital component of the campus experience.  Whether the goal is to refresh dated interiors, provide new amenities, enhance the student living experience or upgrade building operations, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to renovating.

The key to success is a feasibility study to evaluate existing building conditions in the context of project goals and objectives. Realistically assessing building potential is essential to clearly understanding what can be achieved, likely challenges, work timeframes and associated costs.

Our team collaborates with your staff to develop strategies that align available funding with desired outcomes, stakeholder engagement and the potential for summer construction periods.  This applies to significant building reconfiguration, small-scale and deferred maintenance projects, as well as building integrity-focused projects such as building envelope details, roof repairs and window replacement.