Purposeful design for outdoor spaces in student accommodation developments
The Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) sector is thriving due to a combination of factors that have transformed the student experience in recent decades.
Cheap and cheerful HMOs (houses of multiple occupancy) and traditional university halls of residence are now very much a minority choice for today’s students as they seek to get the best value, and have different expectations compared to previous generations regarding quality and provision of facilities.
According to Savills, £3.5bn was invested into the PBSA sector in the UK in 2024 which represents a 13% year-on-year increase. And over recent years the value of investments made across the sector as a whole has averaged £4.9bn per annum. This has reflected the extent to which developers and universities have responded to the growing demand for student accommodation in major cities across the UK as student numbers continue to grow.
The key design considerations for PBSA buildings are often centred around the quality and facilities within individual bedrooms, the provision of communal spaces within the building, and how the development integrates with its surroundings. However, the importance of incorporating well-designed, accessible and engaging outdoor spaces should not be overlooked.
This is because the provision of such spaces supports several top-level design objectives for buildings of this type. Coupled with the design flexibility that today’s street furniture products offer, the scope to optimise the quality of outdoor spaces is virtually unlimited.
Whether the intention is to create stand-out spaces characterised by bold colours and unusual forms, or more restrained areas which blend seamlessly with the local architecture, street furniture choices are key to the success of the project.
Supporting sustainable PBSA development
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) credentials are at the forefront of the design process for all PBSA projects – and in particular, environmental sustainability. And it is here where a focus on the design of the development’s outdoor spaces can have significant advantages.
Outdoor spaces, such as courtyards and rooftop gardens, provide an opportunity to incorporate planters for flowers, shrubs and trees. This can enhance biodiversity and encourage wildlife in what are often densely populated urban areas with extensive concrete, tarmac and brick but limited green space.
Increasing flora and fauna in urban locations also supports goals to improve air quality and rainwater management, and it can provide natural shading from strong sunshine in the height of summer to mitigate overheating risks. Natural shading provision can also be supplemented with bespoke elements, such as shelters and canopies as well as pergolas, which were incorporated into a Bailey Street Furniture Group (BSFG) project in Lincoln.
At the St Marks Student Village, BSFG provided an extensive suite of street furniture, including bespoke hardwood and powder coated steel pergola structures that create shaded, serene nooks for hangouts and external study spaces. Their sturdy design features consistent lines to filter direct sunlight providing an ambient environment for residents.
How PBSAs help to create green spaces in the city
In Walthamstow, north London, the Alliot House Student Accommodation development exemplifies how outside spaces in densely populated urban locations can become green spaces. Here, a ground floor garden space was created along with two roof terraces using street furniture from BSFG, including Greengate Picnic Benches to provide sociable seating for tenants and guests, and Belgravia planters which bring natural bursts of colour to the space.
A similar strategy was adopted in the PBSA project , completed by BSFG in 2024. Here, BSFG supplied fourteen Belgravia aluminium planters specified to support lush greenery, which would also contribute to water management and climate cooling objectives, as well as improve air quality and enhance wildlife habitats.
Boosting cycle use
Outdoor spaces are valuable in enabling sustainable transport goals to be achieved too. Incorporating cycle parking and cycle storage facilities into outdoor spaces helps to encourage students to use their bikes to get around locally, rather than public transport, taxis or cars. This can support the PBSA’s overall sustainability strategy by minimising the contribution that students make to local road congestion and the potential for air quality reduction.
Facilities to support cycling were an important dimension to the Frederick House PBSA scheme in York. In this project, sustainable development was key, with the client committed to a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. As part of this strategy, stainless steel cycle stands and Eastbrook cycle shelters were provided by BSFG, encouraging residents to cycle and provide safe storage for their bikes.
Positively impacting student health and wellbeing
Being outdoors is good for our physical health, particularly spaces where there are opportunities to participate in sports and fitness activities, but also our mental health and happiness. This is particularly important for PBSA given that many students will be at a key development stage in their lives, adapting to life away from home in unusual surroundings and creating new social networks.
Outdoor spaces which provide facilities to socialise, as well as areas to experience solitude, peace and quiet are, therefore, extremely valuable in PBSA developments.
Creating social spaces with unique character
One BSFG project that had a particular focus on creating high quality social spaces was the IQ Wilmslow Park student accommodation project in Manchester. In this project, BSFG were tasked with providing an extensive range of seating of various types to transform an underutilised internal courtyard into a vibrant communal space that encourages social interaction and relaxation.
This included Stone and Rivola seating which are both highly durable and low maintenance solutions. They encourage informal group gatherings, but they can also be used for solitary lounging and relaxation thanks to their intriguing organic shapes.
Aesthetics and placemaking
The quality of the outdoor spaces is important in defining the look and feel of PBSA, perhaps even more so than the interior, to give residents a strong sense of community. Branding and development identity can be extended by integrating these into street furniture elements such as seating, planters and litter bins, and vibrant colours consistent with interior design can be used to create unique spaces that are an extension of the indoors.
An excellent example of how this can look in practice is the Ten Traffic Street project completed by BSFG in Nottingham in 2023. The PBSA complex features courtyards and a roof terrace overlooking the city, with each space characterised by its own clearly identifiable aesthetic, driven by the building fascias and window frame colouring and reflected in the outdoor furniture designs.
For example, the roof terrace is surrounded by a large Inspira Modular Planting System which is powder-coated in a unique Khaki Grey. Tables, benches, and a Box Litter Bin were commissioned within a coordinated colour palette, which provide social seating and dining spaces, plus vibrant plastic Chill Lounger’s and Hop Op 500’s to offer more casual seating option. Additional elements to the design of the outdoor spaces include a gym, Fuente Drinking Fountains and extensive bike parking to encourage students to use cycles.
This combination of different features and facilities helped to create a safe, secure, accessible and appealing community, rather than just a place to stay. It is an excellent example of how the outdoor space design and construction can provide opportunities for plenty of human interaction and offer residents easy access to the great outdoors.
Have an upcoming PBSA project in need of external furniture?