Architecture and Engineering
Architecture and engineering firms design new buildings and renovations, prepare construction documents and coordinate with engineers on structure, mechanical and life safety systems. Many also help oversee construction to make sure the work matches the design.
Guide updated Oct 29, 2026. Written for operators, with input welcome from people who do this work.
Why this matters
Student housing design affects how well beds lease, from bedroom and bathroom ratios to study space and amenity layout. An architect or engineer who understands student residents can help you plan new buildings or renovations that hold up to heavy use and appeal to students year after year.
When you need it
- When planning a new student housing building or a major renovation.
- When reworking floor plans or amenities to keep a property competitive.
- When a building system or structural issue needs a licensed professional to assess and design a fix.
- When permits or code updates require stamped drawings.
Common challenges in student housing
- Balancing bedroom and bathroom counts with leasing appeal and construction cost.
- Designing finishes and layouts that hold up to heavy use and yearly turnover.
- Meeting local codes, fire safety and accessibility rules in each market.
- Working backward from the fall deadline when permitting takes longer than expected.
- Keeping design intent intact when contractors propose substitutions.
What to look for
- A portfolio of student housing projects, with bedroom and bathroom layouts you can review.
- Experience designing for durability, since student units see heavy wear and an annual turn.
- Knowledge of local building codes, fire safety requirements and accessibility rules in your market.
- A realistic schedule that works backward from the fall move-in date.
- Coordination with your contractor and consultants, including who handles construction administration.
- Clear fee terms in writing and what happens if the scope changes.
- References from owners or operators you can call.
How pricing usually works
- Fees may be a share of construction cost, a fixed fee or hourly, depending on the project.
- Fees are often split by phase, such as design, construction documents and construction administration.
- Engineering, surveys, renderings and permit work may be billed separately.
- Changes to scope after design starts usually add fees.
How prices are usually structured, not what they cost. Actual prices vary by market, property and scope, so compare written proposals.
Questions to ask a supplier
- What student housing projects have you designed, and can we see the layouts?
- How do you design for durability in high-turnover units?
- How familiar are you with codes and permitting in our market?
- How will your schedule fit our fall move-in date?
- Who handles construction administration, and how often will you visit the site?
- How is your fee structured, and what happens if the scope changes?
- Can we speak with operators you have worked with?
Architecture and Engineering suppliers 38
Pick your state in the filter to see firms serving your market, plus firms that work nationwide. Look for the "Mentions student housing" tag to find firms whose own site describes student housing projects.
Verified companies have claimed their listing and confirmed their details. They're listed first. Claim yours free.
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alm2s
Serves CO · Mentions student housing
Provides architecture, interior design and planning for student housing, residence halls and multifamily apartment properties.
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Ayers Saint Gross
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Architecture and planning for university student housing and residence halls.
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BSB Design
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Provides architecture and design for student housing, including mixed-use apartments, podium buildings and interior design.
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CannonDesign
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Student housing architecture and design for university residential facilities.
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Clark Nexsen
· Mentions student housing
Provides architecture and engineering for university student housing, including residence halls, apartment-style layouts and shared living spaces.
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Design Collective
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Architecture and design firm with documented student housing and university residence life projects.
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Hanbury
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Campus residence hall and university housing architecture and interior design.
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Hedenkamp Architecture & Planning
Serves CA · Mentions student housing
Provides architecture and planning for multifamily, affordable and student housing, including feasibility studies and project coordination.
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Hensley Lamkin Rachel
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Designs student housing and multifamily developments, including student apartments, university residence halls and commercial properties.
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HMC Architects
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Architecture and design firm with documented student housing and university residence life projects.
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Hord Coplan Macht
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Architecture and design for student residence halls, campus housing renovations and university residential facilities.
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Humphreys & Partners Architects
· Mentions student housing
Designs multifamily and off-campus student housing communities, including residential buildings, unit layouts and shared amenities.
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JLG Architects
· Mentions student housing
Provides higher-education architecture for campus developments, including student housing and academic facilities.
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KAP Architecture
Based in Champaign, IL · Mentions student housing
Provides architecture and MEP design for multifamily and student housing, including schematic design, construction documents and construction administration.
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KSQ Design
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Architecture and design firm with documented student housing and university residence life projects.
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KTGY
· Mentions student housing
Provides architecture and planning for off-campus student housing and multifamily apartment properties, including mixed-use buildings and community amenities.
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KWK Architects
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Student residence hall design and campus living-learning facilities.
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Lamar Johnson Collaborative
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Architecture and design for purpose-built student housing and campus residence halls.
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Lawrence Group
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Designs student housing and campus residences, including residence halls, Greek housing and housing studies.
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Little
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Architecture and design firm with documented student housing and university residence life projects.
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Lord Aeck Sargent
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Student residence hall design, university housing and campus architecture.
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Mackey Mitchell Architects
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Student housing and campus design including new and renovated university residence halls.
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Mithun
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Architecture and design firm with documented student housing and university residence life projects.
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Moody Nolan
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
University residence hall architecture and interior design.
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NELSON Worldwide
· Mentions student housing
Provides programming, architecture and conceptual design for student housing and multifamily properties, including shared study and gathering spaces.
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Netta Architects
Based in NJ · Mentions student housing
Provides architecture for student housing and multifamily buildings, including residence halls and apartment developments.
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OZ Architecture
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Provides architecture and interior design for student housing and multifamily properties, including campus residences and mixed-use developments.
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Perkins&Will
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Architecture and design firm with documented student housing and university residence life projects.
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Rhode Partners
Based in Austin, TX · Mentions student housing
Provides architecture, master planning and interior design for student housing developments, including residential towers and shared amenities.
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Robert Siegel Architects
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Architectural design for university residence halls and campus student-life buildings.
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Scion Advisory Services (CannonDesign)
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Campus housing feasibility, P3 advisory, housing master planning and residence-life operations consulting.
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Stantec
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Architecture and design firm with documented student housing and university residence life projects.
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Steinberg Hart
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Architecture and planning for university residence halls, student apartments and dining.
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The Beck Group
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Integrated architecture, construction and master planning for university student residences and higher education projects.
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Treanor
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Architecture and design firm with documented student housing and university residence life projects.
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VMDO Architects
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Architecture and design firm with documented student housing and university residence life projects.
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Winks Snowa Architects
Serves VA · Mentions student housing
Designs multifamily and student housing developments, including residence halls and off-campus apartment buildings.
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Workshop Architects
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Architecture and design firm with documented student housing and university residence life projects.
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