KTGY Unveils “Mod Hall,” an Innovative Modular Concept to Address High Demand for Student Housing

September 28, 2018

Design Combines Suite-Style Units, Living-Learning Environments, High-Quality Activity and Study Spaces, Digital Mail Rooms, Social Hallways with Speed-to-Market Saving Universities Up to 20 Percent Cost and 50 Percent Time Savings.

IRVINE, Calif. – More than 6.4 million additional students have enrolled in universities in the last 20 years and, as of fall 2017, 94.8 percent of the student housing beds were occupied. Universities are struggling to keep up with the demand for more student housing, especially when off-campus housing in supply-constrained markets make it even harder for students to find housing. To address this need, KTGY Architecture + Planning’s R+ D Studio has unveiled “Mod Hall” concept, which provides modular student housing.

According to Marissa Kasdan, director, design with KTGY’s R+ D Studio, “By constructing unit modules off-site while simultaneously completing the on-site construction, the modular student housing process can save both time and money. Universities can serve their growing student populations while keeping construction costs low.”

KTGY estimates that universities could save up to 20 percent in construction cost and up to 50 percent in construction time savings.

“Universities are also finding a strong correlation between students living on campus and increased academic success,” Kasdan stated. “Students living amongst like-minded individuals tend to form stronger support systems, utilize on-campus support services, and experience greater academic accountability.”

The modular construction can be made out of wood or steel. KTGY has designed more than 14,000 beds of student housing units and is commencing construction in October on Hope at Alvarado, a four-story, 84-unit apartment complex in Los Angeles, the first of a series of Hope projects that uses shipping containers as the main building material as an innovative solution to house the homeless.

Why Build Student Housing Modularly?

  1. Student housing lends itself to modular construction due to its repetitive nature and commonly narrow room dimensions.
  2. Due to time and cost savings, modular student housing can be built and thus rented more affordably. Shorter construction timelines are also better suited to the university calendar.
  3. Despite misconceptions that modular construction limits design breadth, modular student housing can be designed and constructed to look just like other buildings on campus, in support of the campus brand.
  4. Off-site construction and quick on-site assembly time minimize disruption to student life.

To maximize the benefits of modular construction, room dimensions are coordinated with the typical dimensions of a freight truck. Each module stretches from exterior face to exterior face of a double loaded corridor building, including components of two units and the corridor running through the middle. As much as possible, unit interiors are finished in an off-site factory with finish materials, cabinetry, and fixtures, prior to relocation to the site. This simplifies the delivery process and on-site construction.

Kitchen
Appliances and cabinetry are kept to one living module for efficiency of on-site construction. (Image credit: KTGY Architecture + Planning’s R+D Studio)

 

Living Room
The narrow dimensions associated with modular housing easily translate to typical student housing unit sizes. (Image credit: KTGY Architecture + Planning’s R+D Studio)

 

Bedroom
Unit configurations include single and double occupancy room options. (Image credit: KTGY Architecture + Planning’s R+D Studio)

 

Lounge
To achieve site flexibility, additional modules are inserted into the building layout as common space. (Image credit: KTGY Architecture + Planning’s R+D Studio)

 

Reading Room
Common areas provide a space for both studying and socializing. (Image credit: KTGY Architecture + Planning’s R+D Studio)