Top five 2025 residence hall design trends: Sustainability, Flexibility, Community, Technology and Wellbeing

Student housing design has evolved significantly over the years to meet the changing needs and preferences of each generation of students. As Generation Z (born between 1997 and 2012) comes to the forefront, the design trends for 2025 will prioritize flexible spaces, health and wellness, sustainability, community, and digital technology, according to experts in higher education design at KWK Architects, Principals Paul Wuennenberg, AIA, LEED AP and Javier Esteban, AIA, LEED AP.

Gen Z is known for being the most digitally connected generation, having grown up immersed in technology. They are also highly diverse and well-informed, with the ability to access information quickly and efficiently to guide their decisions. Despite their digital engagement, this generation still values face-to-face communication and social interactions, which influences the types of spaces and amenities that should be incorporated into residence halls.

Top Five Residence Hall Design Trends for 2025

1. Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Design

• Energy-Efficient Buildings: Sustainable materials, solar energy systems, and energy-efficient appliances will be central to the design. These efforts aim to minimize the environmental footprint of student housing while keeping operational costs low.

• Green Spaces and Urban Gardens: Features like rooftop gardens, communal courtyards, and vegetable gardens are gaining popularity. These outdoor spaces encourage community engagement and offer students tranquil environments for studying and relaxation.

• Water Conservation: The integration of low-flow fixtures, rainwater harvesting systems, and smart water management technologies will help reduce water usage.

2. Flexible and Multi-Use Spaces

• Modular Room Designs: Flexible room layouts will allow for adaptability throughout the semester. Rooms will be designed to serve multiple purposes, such as studying, socializing, or hosting events, based on the students' evolving needs.

• Shared Workspaces: Collaborative spaces will be prioritized, with co-working areas, study lounges, and meeting rooms designed to facilitate group study and teamwork. These spaces will be equipped with advanced technology to support diverse learning styles.

• Multi-Use Social Spaces: Common areas and social lounges will be designed to serve a variety of functions, including hosting events, group study sessions, movie nights, and informal meetups, fostering a balanced blend of academic and social engagement.

Above: Students gather in a mixed-use space at the University of Minnesota’s Pioneer Hall. Image courtesy of KWK Architects

3. Smart Technology Integration

• Smart Home Features: The use of voice-activated lighting, temperature controls, and smart locks will enhance both comfort and security. With technology integrated into everyday life, students will have the ability to personalize their living environments with ease.

• High-Speed Internet & Connectivity: As hybrid learning and remote work become more prevalent, high-speed internet will be essential. Residence halls will focus on providing robust Wi-Fi coverage throughout the building and in communal areas.

• Security Innovations: The use of smart security systems, such as biometric access, smart cameras, and app-controlled features, will ensure enhanced safety for students.

4. Health and Wellbeing Focus

• Wellness-Focused Amenities: In response to growing awareness around mental health, student housing will incorporate wellness amenities like meditation rooms, fitness centers, and on-site counseling services. The inclusion of nature, natural light, and improved air quality will support students' mental and physical well-being.

• Noise Reduction and Privacy: Acoustic design will play a crucial role in creating quiet spaces for rest and study, with noise-cancelling materials and private study areas becoming more prevalent.

• Healthy Building Materials: The use of non-toxic paints, flooring, and ventilation systems will ensure healthier indoor air quality, contributing to a more supportive living environment for students.

• Bedroom/Restroom Configurations: There will be a greater emphasis on private bedroom units and bathrooms to accommodate student preferences for privacy. The trend toward gender-neutral bathrooms will continue, with private bathroom clusters that can be used by anyone, ensuring full privacy.

Above: A lounge area with snacks and refreshments inside North Hall at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis. Image courtesy of KWK Architects

5. Community and Social Interaction

• Community-Centric Design: The focus will be on creating spaces that foster social interaction and a sense of belonging, such as larger community kitchens, collaborative lounges, and communal dining areas, which will encourage diverse student engagement.

• Student-Led Events and Activities: The design will facilitate events like social mixers, networking opportunities, fitness classes, and academic workshops, with dedicated spaces for student-led clubs and organizations.

• Cultural Integration: Multi-purpose areas will cater to cultural diversity, allowing international students to connect, share meals, and celebrate their heritage.

As the next generation of students—Generation Alpha—begins to enter college, institutions will need to prepare their housing facilities for a generation that will likely require advanced technologies such as AI integration, multi-screen capabilities, and faster internet speeds. As current technologies will soon become outdated, it will be vital for student housing to adapt to these evolving needs.

With AI set to revolutionize both the workplace and the academic world, the length of time students spend in college may increase. Colleges and universities will need to adjust to these shifts and consider the competition posed by off-campus housing options.

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Header image: A student residence hall common area at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis. Image courtesy of KWK Architects

St. Louis County Library unveils flagship Clark Family Branch in "Your Library Renewed" initiative

The largest branch in the St. Louis County Library system, the Clark Family Branch Library, has opened its doors in Ladue, Mo., marking a significant milestone in the district's "Your Library Renewed" initiative. The two-story, 78,000 SF facility, designed by Lamar Johnson Collaborative (LJC), replaces a previous building that served the community for over 60 years.

Located on an 8-acre site at 1640 S. Lindbergh Blvd., the branch is a modern hub for learning, collaboration, and community engagement. Its design blends stone, glass, wood, and steel, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. Natural light, high ceilings, and open, flexible spaces emphasize its connection to both its natural surroundings and the community's needs.

The Clark Family Branch Library serves as the district's flagship facility, offering a wide range of amenities. Highlights include age-specific areas for children and teens, a multipurpose event space, and a history and genealogy center. The Stephany and Richard Kniep Children's Space features interactive exhibits like a magnetic gear wall and touch-screen games, while the Unity Foundation Teen Space includes a creative lab with a 3D printer, recording studios, and collaborative workstations.

Above: Some colorful reading nooks inside the new Clark Branch Family Library . Image credit: Kim Rodgers

For larger gatherings, the branch's 800-seat Post Event Space & Plaza provides flexibility for author events, community meetings, and other programming. The Emerson History & Genealogy Center, one of the largest in the nation, supports family research and digital preservation projects, while the small business center offers educational resources for entrepreneurs.

Outdoor spaces complement the interior design, with a walking path, a reading garden, and a second-level balcony offering opportunities for programming and relaxation. Thoughtful site planning prioritizes accessibility for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists.

Above: Inside the grand hallway of the Clark Family Branch Library, which offers many spaces, including age-specific areas for children and teens, a multipurpose event space, a creative lab, and a history and genealogy center. Image credit: Kim Rodgers

The project was supported by a $6 million donation from the Bob Clark Family, founder and executive chairman of Clayco, a design-build firm. LJC, a subsidiary of Clayco, integrated architecture, interior, and landscape design to create a cohesive, sustainable, and community-focused facility.

The new branch consolidates library functions, with administrative operations moving to a separate building in Frontenac, which LJC also designed. This operational shift optimizes the library system's resources and enhances service delivery.

The completion of the Clark Family Branch Library, part of a decade-long effort to modernize all branches, exemplifies the evolution of libraries into vibrant civic hubs. By balancing cost-efficiency with aspirational design, the project delivers a community asset that embodies the library's mission to inspire and support lifelong learning.

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Header image: The Clark Family Branch Library recently opened as the largest branch in the St. Louis County Library system at 78,000 SF. Image credit: Kim Rodgers

One Foundry Way brings modern living and historic charm to Midtown

Tenants are now settling into One Foundry Way, a transformative addition to Midtown St. Louis and the first high-rise market-rate apartments in the area in nearly 50 years. The mixed-use development, located at 3835 Foundry Way along Vandeventer Ave., represents Phase 2 of the City Foundry STL redevelopment project.

Lawrence Group led the $96 million initiative, serving as the lead architect and interior designer.

One Foundry Way builds upon the success of City Foundry STL Phase 1, a bustling hub for dining, retail, and entertainment that opened in 2021. The redevelopment revitalized a 15-acre historic foundry, used initially by Century Electric Company for motor and generator manufacturing, into a modern urban destination.

Above: A street-level view of One Foundry Way, a mixed-use redevelopment in Midtown St. Louis. Image credit: Sam Fentress Photography

One Foundry Way's eight-story residential tower rises above a six-level parking structure with 481 spaces. The ground floor features retail spaces designed to blend seamlessly with the dynamic commercial environment of City Foundry STL.

The residential portion includes 270 luxury apartments in studio, two-, and three-bedroom layouts. Interiors emphasize a blend of modern and industrial design, incorporating floor-to-ceiling windows, exposed concrete elements and warm natural materials.

Above: Inside one of the luxury apartments at One Foundry Way. Image credit: Sam Fentress Photography

Residents enjoy premium amenities such as a rooftop pool, zen garden, fitness center, lounges, bike storage, fire pits and a dedicated dog run. The design prioritizes communal and outdoor gathering spaces, fostering social connections and shared experiences. The features complement the vibrant atmosphere of City Foundry STL and contribute to its reputation as a central hub for city life.

ARCO Construction was the project's general contractor, completing the development within a year. New + Found spearheaded the effort, continuing its vision of reinvigorating Midtown St. Louis.

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Header image: The open-air pool deck of One Foundry Way sits atop the enclosed parking garage adjacent to the 8-story luxury apartments in Midtown St. Louis. Image credit: Sam Fentress Photography

Innovation and customer experience key to St. Louis commercial real estate growth in 2023

More than 100 industry professionals attended MetroWire Media's 2023 Market Forecast Summit on March 9, 2023 at the Lodge Des Peres, which featured networking and a panel discussion with Addie Bunting from Wies Offsite as the moderator, and panelists Lauren Talley with Cobalt Construction Consulting, Tom Ray with CBRE, Tom Kaiman with Mia Rose Holdings, and Kyle Wilson with Kadean Construction. The panelists covered a range of CRE topics related to multifamily housing, office, industrial, and retail real estate.

Here are some highlights from the session:

Impact of the new Citypark Soccer Stadium

Kaiman: “It’s a great addition to the city that will spur other development in the area. Quality developments will bring people back to town. It will be an exciting place to live. The Taylor family is doing a great thing with this investment in the city.”

Talley: “It is exciting to see midtown coming to life,” said Talley. “Out-of-town developers are coming in.”

Multifamily

Kaiman: “Multifamily has been undersupplied for decades; zoning, permitting and NIMBY continue to be problematic. A lot of new product is coming online in St. Charles County.”

Wilson: “We continue to see a lot more interest in multifamily and condo properties for sale among empty nesters in Kirkwood, Webster Groves and Clayton. Small projects seem to infill well.”

Ray: “Apartments will fix downtown. The answer is more apartments. It’s more important than ever that people can live in walking distance of their offices.”

Talley: “Multifamily has exploded. The result is a flight to quality while commercial is seeing a flight to amenities.”

Office

Ray: “Downtown is seeing a nice absorption in startup and early-stage businesses looking for office space needing little improvement. Landlords are ready to deal. There’s an historic view that the prime downtown tenant is a large law firm that will stay forever, but smaller startup companies are the future. There’s a lot of leasing as companies look for smaller office space.”

Kaiman: “There’s no longer a playbook or one size fits all. We’re still trying to figure it out. The world will continue to evolve in how we work, how we live, how we play.”

Retail

Kaiman: “Development fits everywhere. It’s all about how you activate a site and bring people there. It has to be safe. Cities that keep an open mind will benefit. The economic development folks have to be out there recruiting for new businesses.”

Wilson: “Store chains are taking a new approach, adding a smoothie bar, clothing for sale, etc., to create a new experience.”

Ray: “Mixed use is a goldmine for commercial/retail. It’s completely based on walkability.”

Talley: “Mixed use is kind of the ‘new black,’ and jurisdictions are mandating it. I think it’s here to stay. We need to grow to be more welcoming to national chains.”

Cannabis

Kaiman: “It’s the best thing that ever happened to empty stores. Data also shows property values going up around dispensaries.”

Industrial

Wilson: “We’re finding more mega-sites — they seem to be bigger and bigger. Tenants who need smaller space might be left in the dust. Big is booming.”

Talley: “We have the land available (that companies need for large industrial uses). Cost increases for materials and supplies led to a pause. Products delivered to the home with continue to grow (and require large warehouse and distribution facilities). Companies are looking to automation because it offers less human error or possibilities of people getting hurt — all industries are increasing automation.”

Wilson: “Automation has much higher construction requirements, so we’ll see taller buildings. If it gets traction, it will change the way we build warehouses.”

What Clients Want

Kaiman: “Our customers are tenants, so the flight to quality is their number-one driver.”

Wilson: “Our biggest challenge is being asked for more product. The subcontractor market is overloaded — they need more workers.”

Ray: “The collective experience in the office sector is adding more amenities. A new building has to be different from the one next door. You have to figure out how to provide experiences.”

Talley: “Clients want transparency in everything — costs, where products are coming from, when items will arrive, whether prices will be the same on arrival.”

Overall, the panel was optimistic about the future of commercial real estate in St. Louis, highlighting the potential for growth and expansion across all four sectors. They emphasized the importance of providing customers with unique experiences, as well as the need for economic development teams to recruit new businesses to the area.

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