When designing a new student housing project, incorporating the latest technology and features that will support and appeal to modern students is probably top of mind. Today’s student housing architecture is innovative, open, creative, and most of all, it is powered by cutting-edge technology that is guiding the design of state-of-the-art residents both on and off school campuses.
Below we dive into some of the latest top technologies shaping student housing design trends and future student lifestyles.
AI and Smart Home Support
Smart home and voice assistant technology is taking center stage. The basic smart home technology can now be empowered with AI semantic capabilities and a database of school-related knowledge to help students live their best lives. Smart home speakers and hubs built into student housing architecture can provide students with voice-controlled amenities, from lighting to wake-up alarms.
Even more useful, however, is the fact that these AI assistants can also answer student questions. Students can inquire about school policies, event schedules, class locations, and common-knowledge facts. A school-programmed AI can then provide accurate answers to keep students informed, turning student housing into an interactive support resource.
5G Internet Access
Modern students rely on internet connection to complete school work, attend remote classes, and collaborate with other students. This calls for an upgrade in student housing Wi-Fi technology. With dozens to hundreds of students in each building, 5G is an excellent solution to the question of strong signal and near-infinite simultaneous bandwidth.
The latest student housing projects include 5G routing and wireless signal projected into every student room and study area with all the multi-device support and short-wave signal benefits that the 5G upgrade provides.
Dorm Apps and Social Media Groups
Students are more connected than ever through social media and shared mobile apps. Schools and individual student housing projects are tapping into that network by providing dedicated apps that bring students together who share the same housing community.
Dorm-specific apps and social media groups make it easy for students in the same building to connect for study and social time both digitally and in person. These app solutions can also share updates on events, remind students to get home safe in the evening, and provide security access.
Keyless Entry Security
Student housing is tapping into resort-style cutting edge security tech. Building and room entry are going keyless, relying instead on keycards and/or phone apps that emit the appropriate unlock signal. Students connected through their personal account on a campus or dorm-specific app can emit a signal that unlocks electronic door locks for advanced residential security.
This solution both eliminates the need to keep track keys (constantly replacing lost keys and locks) while also ensuring that only resident students can gain access to the building’s private shared spaces and individual rooms.
Solar Panel Sustainability
Student housing rarely has a backup generator, but they often have flat rooftops that are perfect for soaking up solar energy. Solar panels are a great sustainable and emergency-ready addition to any student housing structure. Most of the time, energy generated by the solar panels will offset the building’s power needs and reduce the annual carbon footprint.
However, solar panels also provide a valuable source of emergency power to keep key lights, appliances, and possibly emergency HVAC running should a local power outage occur.
Device-Ready Study Areas
Lastly, student housing architecture has continued to advance the design of shared study areas where students bring their own devices. Instead of computer labs, we are seeing more collaboration spaces with outlets and induction charging pads for laptops and phones to come together during student projects and shared study sessions.
Modern students love flexible spaces that are open and can be rearranged to suit their ever-changing needs. Because most students have their own laptops and phones, these spaces are the most welcoming when there are power sources, strong Wi-Fi signal, and even peripherals like screens and printers that they can all connect to as a group during study and project gatherings.
We may even see the introduction of ‘hybrid meeting’ technology in student housing shared spaces so students can more easily collaborate with other groups and team members in more distant locations.
Design Cutting-Edge Student Housing
If you are preparing to construct a new student housing building and want to incorporate the latest designs and cutting-edge student technology, Ted Trout Architect and Associates and can help you prepare an innovative, cutting-edge, and competitive design. Your student housing structure will enrich the students of today – and tomorrow – with the perfect blend of residential architecture and the latest technology.
Contact us today to consult on your vision of student housing for the upcoming generation of high-tech students.
