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Holman Hall, Monash University
Holman Hall, Monash University La Trobe St student accommodation
Here, the integration of social spaces and private spaces will be critical in providing a sense of harmony throughout the building for the many students who will reside inside. To do this, we’ ve included an array of social-based communal spaces designed for interaction, including terraces, lounges, dining rooms, kitchens, sports and recreation, a cinema and videogame spaces.
From a mental health perspective, designing for this high level of social and pastoral support can often be critical both in reducing the sense of isolation a student may feel when moving out of home, and improving student retention rates. A report from the Department of Education in 2015 found that 42 per cent of students considering dropping out of university did so due to issues with health or stress. Another report highlighted that nearly a quarter of those aged 16 – 24 experience a mental health disorder in a 12-month period, the highest incidence of any age group. The same report states that for international students, there is an“ increasing incidence and severity of mental health problems”.
While there’ s a lot that universities need to do to help rectify this, there’ s also a lot that architects can do to support young people’ s mental wellbeing through the design of student accommodation.
It’ s something that we explored in great detail through our 500‐bed project for the Monash University Halls of Residence. With more than 20,000 overseas full-time students enrolled, as well as local students, the university had a great need to create spaces that maximised interaction while allowing for serenity, so all students would feel at home. Hayball, in a joint venture with RMA Architects, designed two award-winning halls that incorporated communal
dining, lounges and games rooms on each level, with both buildings linking to a key pedestrian thoroughfare that connects them to the greater university.
Connectivity and opportunity for social interaction is central to the pastoral care element that modern student accommodation seeks to provide. As such, it has played a leading role in the design of our student accommodation buildings. This can be afforded by creating run in zones or communal spaces that are visible and inviting to all, offering young people a space other than their rooms in which to socialise and engage with their peers.
But as much as university is about one’ s social life, it’ s also about education. Student accommodation design also needs to address the educational aspects that are inherent to student life. In addition to the relaxed communal spaces at 42 La Trobe Street, the tower will also include collaborative learning spaces for studying and hot‐desking, which aims to promote collaboration between students as well as encourage study. Along with tech and wifi enabled zones and flexible spaces for group and individual work, students can have a better chance at academic success if they’ re provided with well-equipped amenities.
The design of student accommodation is vital in supporting Australia’ s position as a leading education capital of the world. To maintain this, we need to prioritise the wellbeing of students and provide them with the best living spaces so they can truly thrive. ■
Thomas Gilbert is a senior associate at architecture practice Hayball.
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