SLEEP TIGHT Designing innovative accommodation for students

In recent years, Denmark’s university cities have experienced a boom in student numbers – each year seems to set a new record. This is an extremely positive development for the cities themselves, but it also puts pressure on the local housing market.

Three of Denmark’s largest university cities; Copenhagen, Aarhus and Aalborg, and White Architects are therefore asking the question: how do we solve the student accommodation challenge facing these cities?

The competition is seeking innovative answers to a complicated challenge. Do we need to become better at utilising the square and cubic metres we already have in our existing buildings? Do we need to learn from other countries where young people live on campuses or at home while they are studying? Should renting to young people be made more attractive? Should we utilise the city’s roofs and recreational areas or move university departments out of town? Should architects and designers design homes that are far more compact and floor area-efficient? How do we solve the challenge without clogging up these cities with (too) cheap buildings or temporary ’disposable’ solutions that are expensive for both society and climate?

We want to start a debate and encourage new ways of thinking and alternative proposals. The results will all form part of an idea bank and the competition’s winning proposals will be exhibited in an innovation caravan that will tour Denmark’s university cities, form a space for debating events and workshops and regularly be topped up with more information and ideas.

The task
Using words or images, please provide an innovative take on student accommodation in Denmark’s largest university cities. Your proposal might consider the following:

- Should an attempt be made to house more people in existing buildings? If so, how?
- Is it possible to build new student accommodation quickly and cheaply?
- How does your proposal take into account ’seasonal demand fluctuations’ which peak at the start of each academic year and are intensified by the concentration of overseas students in the autumn semester?
- Can the city’s resources in general be harnessed to accommodate students in alternative locations?
- Can we learn from other countries?
- Can alternative ways of living solve both this specific and the general pressure on the housing market?
- Can we re-use spaces, materials and resources to minimise the pressure of housing on the local community and the environment?
- Should we make it more attractive to live in and rent small properties? If so, how?

Your proposal should clearly state the student accommodation challenges you are solving and how.