Categories

Awards tall buildings designed specifically for purpose-built student accommodation, emphasising student-focused amenities, community spaces, and liveability.

Judges in this category will be looking for projects that set new standards in creating vibrant, supportive, and well-designed environments for students. The focus is on how design innovation enhances both individual wellbeing and the sense of community within a vertical living context. Key considerations include:

• Student experience and liveability: Quality of life offered through well-planned layouts, comfort, privacy, safety, and access to natural light and ventilation.
• Community and social design: Provision and design of communal areas that encourage interaction, inclusivity, and a sense of belonging among residents.
• Amenities and functionality: Integration of study spaces, recreational facilities, and support services that enrich student life and promote balance between academic and social needs.
• Design innovation: Creative architectural solutions that respond to the unique challenges of student housing, including density, affordability, and flexibility.
• Sustainability and wellbeing: Use of sustainable materials, efficient building systems, and wellness-driven design principles that create healthy, responsible living environments.
• Integration with context: How the building connects to its surrounding campus, neighbourhood, or city, contributing positively to its urban or educational setting.