Embracing the Workation Trend: Adapting Student Housing and Coliving for the Future

Martina Pardo, the Founder and Director of A Designer at Heart Ltd, recently wrote an article about the rise in popularity of the Workation and Staycation.

The Workation, we believe, indicates a trend that is worthy of reflection in how it could impact the future of student accommodation, coliving and Build to Rent. It effectively describes people who move their home office to a place of their choice for the medium to long term. Inevitably it will involve some travel, exploration or simply relaxation whilst working in a different location and can include taking family members along. It is an extension of discussions we have been having with industry experts in The Property Marketing Lounge and conversations we are having with our clients.

This is significant because it places work at the centre of travel and hospitality and therefore requires different services, features, and facilities to the traditional holiday. People want to pick up everything that makes their ‘normal’ lives convenient and efficient and do it somewhere different. 

So for student accommodation, coliving and build to rent, flexible contracts would encourage people to travel between destinations and work or study remotely for less than a traditional six month or 43-week contract. The way they book would need to be quick and seamless, for short stays of maybe six weeks – the lengthy processes or credit checks and guarantors could conceivably be replaced with a system akin to a holiday booking. When they arrive, guests would need to start their new way of living immediately without having to buy bed linen, towels, kettles, pots and pans etc. They won’t be carrying these around as part of their nomadic lifestyle, and operators shouldn’t encourage waste, so they need to offer fully equipped apartments. Needless to say, WiFi needs to be quick and easy to install upon arrival so these ‘workationers’ can simply unpack and start working. There should be a connection with the wider community and the location of the building. Part of the appeal to this type of lifestyle is the prospect of adventure and variety so, city-centre accommodation becomes an iconic and memorable part of the stay – not just a room devoid of personality. Another essential element is the human connection – imagine buildings can become creative hubs where people meet others from around the world. Peers, colleagues, entrepreneurs are nurtured in a collaborative environment – maybe even joining forces and moving to their next ‘Workaction’ destination together.

Whilst planning and policy red-tape make purpose build student accommodation restricted to full-time students, for now, we believe looking to the future is the way to ensure buildings sustain the changing needs and wants of future generations. Ease, flexibility and creative environments are surely the key aspects all customers look for, and these will become even more prolific in the coming years. It is time to get ahead of the curve.

If you would like to bounce some ideas around and get different perspectives, please get in touch.