Accommodation design causes Covid-19 concern amongst students

A typical student kitchen
(Shutterstock)

UNIVERSITY students have fears that their accommodation could be better designed to minimise the risk of Covid-19 transmission, new research has found.

The survey of 1,034 UK students by Manor Interiors revealed that 78% of scholars felt that their student living situation could be improved to minimise the spread of the virus.

Space and ventilation were the biggest areas of concern for the respondents, with many reporting that windows often can’t be fully opened and there being a lack of space in general within their accommodation.

A dearth of sanitisation in communal areas was also a common worry, with the lack of automatic doors being highlighted and also the volume of staff and students coming and going from student digs.

CEO of Manor Interiors, Farhan Malik, commented, “It’s encouraging to see that despite being least at risk health-wise, the younger generation is considering the threat posed by Covid-19 when heading to university and the vital role they play in minimising its spread.

“Covid-19 is unlikely to disappear any time soon and it’s important that we adapt across the board to deal with it. The design of student accommodation is no different and whether it’s the delivery of new units or the redesign of older buildings, there’s plenty that can be done to minimise the risks posed by Covid-19.

“Space is always tight where student accommodation is concerned and health and safety requirements prevent greater levels of ventilation through fully open windows in large blocks.

“However, the interiors design of these blocks can go a long way in maximising space with bespoke furniture that’s made to measure a particular area. By doing so, universities can make an immediate, cost-effective change to existing accommodation to better their offering and reduce concern among students, who already have a lot to think about having started their higher education journey.”