Guided by seven fundamentals, dubbed return on environment, Mary Cook Associates is known for bringing art and science into the spaces the firm designs, driving measurable results for both residents and its collaborators. In the student housing space, rather than focusing on current trends, the firm positions itself as a “design choreographer” by co-crafting experience beyond just interiors.

In this podcast episode, I’m joined by Josh Kassing, Mary Cook Associates’ Senior Vice President, as we delve into the main factors reshaping student housing design. Rather than following a checklist and trying a “one-size-fits-all” approach, Kassing believes that student communities should speak to their residents through flexibility, tailored experiences and design finishes.

At the same time, the whole process should combine a clear-eyed look at research, feedback and operations, so it appeals to the next generation of students who are no longer impressed just by flashy features. Kassing believes that student housing design should be a coordinated system and that aligning its intent with day-to-day use improves outcomes for residents and operators.

The conversation also touches on the need for tailored solutions in the sector, including the firm’s “Built to Spec” collaboration with Morgan Li, launched in April this year. Instead of relying on the “catalogue effect” when designing a space, customized furniture can solve common space problems and add to the students’ experience.

Here’s what we touched on:

• MCA’s growth story and why student housing surged (01:15)
• Student vs multifamily: how are these different? (03:29)
• Wellness and mental health as a holistic matrix, not checklists (07:41)
• Pairing programs with real execution (09:07)
• The “unseen experience”: designing downtime between programmed moments (10:07)
• Student housing design with a Gen Alpha focus in mind (12:27)
• Why “one-size-fits-all” doesn’t work for student housing (15:51)
• Targeting identity through thoughtful design (19:07)
• Built-to-spec furniture with Morgan Li: ending the “catalog effect” (23:00)
• What’s “return on environment” about? (33:52)
• Next wave: ditch precedent, observe real behavior and AI’s “internet” moment (37:44)