Specialists realize student campus with prefabricated circular housing

These 18-square-meter studios with modern finishes are spread over three rectangular buildings, each consisting of three floors. The units, completed on Aug. 1, 2020, were prefabricated at Jan Snel's factory and consist of circular materials, which, once disassembled, can be easily used in other projects.

Every year, thousands of students from home and abroad enroll in Maastricht University's various programs and faculties. Consequently, since 2017, the city has been struggling with a significant shortage of student rooms. C3 Living, the Panningen-based firm with a focus on sustainable and self-sufficient living, took on a project in spring 2020 to create a student campus in the south of the city on Salernolaan, near the university and the MECC conference center. "We have also specialized in the production of modular housing units that can be used for any accommodation. All units are made at our factory and then transported to the construction site, further finished and delivered. We thus reduce waste and the number of vehicle movements. Moreover, the buildings are fully circular, as the units and components can be disassembled and used in other projects," says project manager Max Smits. "For example, we worked with the team from C3 Living on this project. We have leased the land of the campus for a period of at least 10 years, after which the use of these student housing units can be reconsidered. The 252 living spaces are distributed in three rectangular buildings, all consisting of three floors. The facade of these properties is clad in metal and plastic materials with a wood look, making them fit perfectly into the environment."

All-in-one solution at a tight pace

The three buildings are divided into individual studios measuring 6 by 3 meters and include a 12-square-meter living and sleeping area as well as a bathroom and kitchenette. They are fully furnished with a bed and desk, so the students feel at home immediately. The construction team also provides all power, water and data lines, ventilation and sewage in advance. At the construction site, the various units are only connected together. The buildings also have a number of common areas where students can wash, study, play games or organize certain activities. These complexes are produced in Jan Snel's own factory under controlled conditions and according to a standardized process. This allows margins of error to be kept to a minimum. "For us this is daily business, but the planning was very tight. The first foundation piles were drilled at the end of April and on August 1 we completed the campus together with C3 Living," Smits said. "Thanks to our fast and smart construction method, we can bring such a large project to completion in no time. We draw clear plans and ensure that all necessary materials are available on time, after which production can start. Good preparation and correct agreements ensure efficient production and timely delivery to the construction site."