Studio 4: Student Housing

The project explored the relationship between privacy, social interaction and everyday domestic rituals within a student housing proposal through the adaptive reuse of an existing heritage structure. The design challenged traditional hierarchies of private and public space by creating a series of thresholds that allowed spaces to shift between private, semi-private, and communal conditions. Organised around a central wet core, the unit typologies encouraged both autonomy and interaction through soft boundaries, shared circulation, and adaptable living arrangements.

A key focus of the project was retaining the existing building fabric while introducing greater porosity to create a more inviting and socially connected environment. Existing structural steel beams, circulation cores, and the heritage façade were preserved, while selective removal of floor plates and glazing improved ventilation, sightlines, and spatial openness. Shared mundane activities such as cooking and laundry became opportunities for interaction through a communal ground-floor hub and a custom-designed trolley system that connected bedrooms, balconies, and shared spaces. The project ultimately aimed to create a mindful and socially responsive living environment that balanced individuality with collective student life.