pocket doors in student accommodation
The traditional image of student accommodation is of a large Victorian property converted into separate lets. A landlord would maximise their income potential by dividing each room into a bedroom and an individual tenancy as a house of multiple occupation (HMO), often leading to there being no communal rooms such as a living room. The alternative has always been campus-based halls of residence where students live on site in single room bedsits. These types of student accommodation do still exist, but more common are purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA); modern complexes with small, one-bedroom apartments which enjoy communal facilities such as dining rooms, kitchens, gyms, cinema rooms and laundry facilities.
PBSAs are often built in popular student suburbs or in city centre locations, and can be multi-storey tower blocks fitted with relatively hi-spec facilities. Although this is a long way from the traditional accommodation students had to endure twenty or thirty years ago, there is a common thread that links them, the need to design a small space where every available inch is utilised and the result is a safe, comfortable and usable space that complies with building regulations. When architects, developers and landlords are faced with this challenge, the pocket door is a great solution for meeting the needs of space-efficient student accommodation.
The benefits of the pocket door for student accommodation
A traditional hinged door opens into a room or out into a corridor, and is therefore a physical barrier and an obstacle which creates dead space. A pocket door is a smart and practical alternative, because it opens into a wall cavity and literally disappears from view. This creates around ten square feet of space, compared to the opening arc of a hinged door, and unlocks a number of possibilities for maximising space in small properties such as student accommodation.
By installing pocket doors in PBSAs, it is possible to:
A living room can accommodate more furniture such as a desk and chair to work at, and a bedroom feels larger and more comfortable. There may also be room for some cooking facilities. A compact space can feel more comfortable and may also better comply with space regulations.
Installing a pocket door can allow the accommodation to feature an en-suite bathroom or a separate bedroom or toilet. A hinged door would become an obstruction for sinks, toilets or a bed in this situation, so a pocket door allows you to do more with a compact space. It is common for PBSAs to essentially be an open plan bedsit, but being able to separate a bedroom or bathroom enhances the specification of the property.
Designing PBSAs using pocket doors allows more freedom and flexibility in terms of room layout and how space can be used. In some spaces it may be possible to include areas of storage or a built-in wardrobe space. Again, this makes the space more appealing and can be a way to make certain accommodation a higher grade and hence to appeal to a higher-spec market.
With student accommodation you are appealing to a young and up-and-coming demographic, and therefore the design needs to be clean, fresh and unfussy. Contemporary style is for chic, flawless design with unfussy detail and the pocket door fits that image. Because the pocket door disappears into the wall, this fits the smart, innovative design spec and provides a premium feel to the accommodation. Minimal visual interruption is the key in a small space and pocket doors fit this brief perfectly.
In a small space it is essential that the occupant can move freely and easily between rooms and between spaces. The pocket door is not visible when open and hence is not an obstruction. This gives a small space a more open plan feel, but also enables some flexibility to close off spaces for a more intimate feel as and when needed. The lack of physical obstruction is also important if an occupant has accessibility needs and has limited mobility. In this situation it is much easier to move between rooms without the obstacle of a hinged door.
Install pocket doors in your student accommodation
Modern pocket door systems are durable and low maintenance and therefore represent a cost-effective investment for student accommodation. The robust and clever design of pocket doors means they can be used in high traffic areas and are a smart investment for developers and architects designing student accommodation. They present an efficient use of space and allow the developer to maximise the income opportunities from the development in a competitive market, knowing also that they are providing safe, practical and appealing accommodation that complies with building regulations. So check out our range of pocket door systems for your modern and well-designed student accommodation.