Discovering better student housing: Turf competition finds a solution for the student housing crisis.

'Turf' is an architecture competition that invites thoughtful and effective design solutions to create healthy living environments for students in their accommodations. In many cases, the increase in demand and cost of mass housing may have led to compromised quality of spaces. In such conditions, architects and designers are needed to bring forward economic designs to build modular, scalable, and affordable student housing. Students are not only shaped in their educational spaces but also by their living conditions. The competition encourages architects/designers to consider various needs of students, physical and psychological, and provide quality housing that supports their overall well-being.

Students' living environments

Education is a powerful weapon that can be wielded by students to change the world. This makes students a valuable asset to every nation, and the manner in which they are taught and guided will be reflected in the future. 

While academic spaces are responsible for being conducive to creativity and problem-solving, other spaces in students’ lives are given less thought. Students spend a lot of time in different forms of student accommodations, and these places are capable of largely influencing their physical and mental health. 

Student accommodations are generally designed to function as living spaces, through minimal interventions. Even so, it is important that these spaces be as open and creative as we want the student’s minds to be, and design plays a major role in creating such quality environments. 

Achieving quality is a difficult goal to achieve since it is often governed by economic factors. But with the demand for housing solutions rising, maintaining a balance between quality and quantity becomes more complicated.

The need for better student housing

Among the various crises that the world is facing right now, housing is a big part of it. Housing Solutions for the homeless, migrants, refugees, poor people, students, and so on are being actively sought after. But in this priority list, the authority is scrambling to find solutions for the larger sections of society, while the needs of the comparatively smaller crowd of students may go unnoticed. 

In countries like the Philippines, the authorities are pitching ideas for condominium and dormitory-type housing for students to foreign stakeholders, as the high demand for such accommodations in the country makes it a beneficial investment. So, while the economic front is being taken care of, the reliance on architects and designers has increased to achieve high-standard spatial design for student-accommodations. 

What role can architects play in achieving improved living quality in student accommodations?

Brief: The challenge of the architecture competition was to design a student housing community that caters to its function as well as the psychological needs of its residents. 

The main challenge to be addressed was to find ways of making the design economical but in a pleasing way. This housing must be designed to cater to a diverse group of students, so an inclusive approach is expected in planning the access and layout.

The units must be designed in a modular manner so that they promote equality. The customization will be left over to its users. The function of the housing must be achieved in an innovative spatial design with a good aesthetic. Creating safe and comfortable spaces must be a top priority.

Community housing is all about group living and it is necessary to provide ample opportunity to occupants to engage with nature as well as their peers. Isolation and depression are common issues with students and this can be tackled with social design. 

The jury for the competition consisted of esteemed designers, professionals and academicians from around the world. The Lead Jurors for the competitions were as follows: 

Allen Buenaventura, Principal Architect, ARBUENA ARCHITECTS, Philippines

Ar. Danny Ko, Principal Architect, DTKO Arch Firm, Philippines

Some of the Best of competition projects are as follows:

Winning Project: PANDACAN STUDENT HOUSING

By: Yunus Almahdaly, IZAD OTHMAN & Nigel Lo

 _{Fig: 1 Floor Plan and Cross-Sectional Perspective}

Description: The whole premise of this project revolves around creating student accommodation and academic spaces that are safe, engaging with nature, self-sustainable, and economical. The project in nature must provide these qualities that we believe can benefit not just the students, but also the neighborhood.

Jury Comments: Concepts & layouts is good, especially with regards to the diff social activities in helping to bring people together. However, fire exits & accessways seem to be lacking, especially from the grd to the 1st flr part, something that would make access to the first flr from grd flr more inviting. The exterior facade looks too massive also, suggesting to make it more open & inviting.

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Runner - Up: Spectrum

By: Shaygan Kiafar, Kiana Jaberi & Afshin Mosharaf

_{Fig: 2 Site Plan and Interior View}

Description: Spectrum will create a solidarity atmosphere between people and the environment that can maximize social interaction between individuals and lead to forming a vibrant community. In this project, we seek to find solutions to define a new pattern of Social-living-learning. Thus the provided design must be capable of providing facilities for social learning alongside giving a sense of belonging to the community and feel like home. 

Jury Comments: Refreshing presentation technique. The total built-up area wasn't indicated but must have exceeded the required 2x site area. Too much buildable area to be economical.

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Editor’s Choice: The Study Hamlet

By: Tanay Kulkarni, Adyot Saigaonkar & Kimaya Nemade

_{Fig: 3 Section Plan}

Description: The Study Hamlet is an attempt to make the student's life in the Philippines better in all aspects especially to convalesce their mental health. "For a student, enjoying the learning is more important than just studying in four closed walls".

Jury Comments: The concept doesn't exactly translate to the output. The more playful interaction between living & social spaces would have done wonders.

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People’s Choice: Ang Kalye - The Street

By: Mrunal Dusane, Ruchira Bhagwat, Subhasish Sahoo & Harsha Verma

_{Fig: 4 Section Plan}

Description: Student Housing project based in Manila, aimed at social interaction among all. The project tries to portray the culture of manila by capturing the essence of its popular busy street life thus making the student feel 'at Home' even away from home.

Jury Comment: Conceptual visual form is nice, however, more thorough research would do wonders, as the design inspiration should not come from a long alone, as this project is not catered to Maguindanao people only but to the general public, And Maranhao alone doesn't represent the whole Filipino people. At 5 st high, an elevator is already required. Plans lack in detail, but the rough draft looks promising, if only it were developed further.

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