From prefab pods and 3D-printed units to vertical forests and modular campus housing at scale, these projects represent innovations in design, construction and materials in response to challenges such as the need to build community, address affordability and increase housing stock at scale and speed.
1. Skovsporet, Holstebro (Denmark) – Europe’s First 3D‑Printed Student Housing
Students in Denmark could soon be living in 3D-printed student housing thanks to Europe’s biggest 3D-printing project to date. The project, undertaken by 3D-printing construction tech startup 3DCP Group and SAGA Space Architects for project developer non-profit social housing organisation NordvestBo, will construct six buildings, each containing six apartments, on a former industrial meatpacking site close to VIA University College’s Holstebro campus.
Each unit will range from approximately 420 square feet to nearly 540 square feet and will feature a kitchen, laundry room, bedroom, bathroom, and living room. When complete, each of the buildings will be “some of the largest 3D-printed houses in the world”, according to the SAGA Space Architects’ website.
Renderings show that the walls of the apartments will be 3D printed, with timber used to complete the remainder of each structure.
The project is currently under construction following a ground breaking ceremony in April 2025.
2. Dyson Institute Village, Malmesbury (UK) – Modular Pods
The Dyson Institute of Engineering & Technology combines academic study with hands-on experience in a real-world commercial and R&D environment. Undergraduate students live in the Dyson Institute village while earning their engineering degrees and working alongside Dyson’s Global Engineering Team.
Designed by the architectural firm WilkinsonEyre, the Dyson Institute of Engineering & Technology’s student village is situated on the Dyson Campus in Malmesbury, Wiltshire. The development comprises 67 modular timber housing pods set within a landscaped setting, each designed for single occupancy. At the centre of the development is the Roundhouse, a multifunctional clubhouse that features a cafe, bar, lecture theatre, and study areas. Surrounding this central hub are shared facilities, including communal kitchens, social lounges, laundry rooms, and a reception area, all of which are integrated to foster a strong sense of community within the campus.
World Architecture notes that “the pods were manufactured off-site and each unit was delivered to site fully fitted, with bespoke furniture and built-in storage, before being craned into position. The pods can be reconfigured according to the changing demands and are arranged in a variety of cluster configurations. Each cluster consists of up to six units, including a shared kitchen and laundry space at mid entry level, and an entry area with reception and storage.”
Beyond its architectural expression, the project serves as a prototype for a new form of student living, pushing the boundaries of prefabricated modular construction through thoughtful design, master planning, and advanced engineering methods that enable rapid delivery.
3. Tietgenkollegiet, Copenhagen (Denmark) – Circular Living
Tietgenkollegiet in Copenhagen, designed by Lundgaard & Tranberg, and built in 2001, has become a globally celebrated benchmark in student housing architecture. Commissioned by the visionary Nordea Foundation as a “residence hall of the future,” the project was unconstrained by budget and driven by a bold ambition to design for maximum community building—a pioneering concept at the time.
Tietgenkollegiet’s iconic circular form surrounds a beautiful central courtyard and is intersected by five vertical access points, creating openness and flow. Rooms do not have private kitchens – all cooking takes place in the thirty large communal kitchens to encourage community and connections. Unique artistic interventions add vibrancy and individuality to each corridor and shared space. With a strong emphasis on community, equality, and transparency, Tietgenkollegiet embodies a distinctive vision for student living, offering residents both aesthetic beauty and a deeply considered social environment.
4. Trudo Vertical Forest, Eindhoven (Netherlands) – A Biodiverse High Rise
Not exclusively for students, this 19-story social housing tower aimed at both students and young professionals integrates over 125 trees and thousands of plants into its façade. Designed by Stefano Boeri Architetti, the Trudo Vertical Forest, which opened in 2021, is a streamlined interpretation of Milan’s famed Bosco Verticale. Its design aims to enhance wellbeing and biodiversity, while responding to affordability and urban density goals.
Source: WikiMedia Commons License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license. Photo: Choinowski – no changes were made to the original photo.
The building’s green façades are a response to the urban heat island effect, helping to cool the surrounding environment. Its water system is designed for sustainability, with rainwater collected and stored in four underground tanks, each holding 20,000 litres. This harvested water is then reused to irrigate the extensive network of plant containers integrated into the façade.
The Trudo Vertical Forest also incorporates specific design strategies aimed at reducing both construction and long-term maintenance expenses, aligning with the principles of social housing. This has been achieved through the use of prefabricated construction methods and careful resource optimisation throughout the building’s design and delivery. The primary structure consists of modular precast concrete elements combined with components manufactured on site.
5. Cal Poly Modular Housing, San Luis Obispo (USA) – largest modular student housing project in the US
California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo is undertaking a major modular housing initiative that will add 4,200 student beds by 2030, marking the largest prefabricated student housing project ever attempted in the United States. Designed by Steinberg Hart and constructed by FullStack Modular, the units will be produced off-site and assembled into buildings reaching up to 12 storeys. This approach is expected to deliver faster construction, cost savings, and improved sustainability compared to traditional building methods. The project will be designed to achieve LEED Gold certification.
Set to begin manufacturing in late winter 2025, the development will consist of nine suite-style residence halls. It comes at a critical time for California, where a growing housing shortage is increasingly impacting students.
