Centennial Village Student Housing

This design-build project involved constructing a 450 single-suite student housing facility on the Olds College campus. The project required Shunda and IBI Group to go beyond the traditional design-build relationship, working closely with various external stakeholders, including Olds College, student groups, and community members, to ensure a tailored design and timely completion.

With minimal direction from the College—just the need for 450 single rooms and a hard deadline of September 1, 2015—Shunda and IBI Group navigated the challenges of balancing design innovation with schedule constraints. The team engaged directly with a student charrette group to understand the modern student’s needs, particularly the specific requirements of Olds College students.

Based on their feedback, design elements such as double beds, four-foot closets, boot rooms, and a dedicated exercise room were incorporated, ensuring that the final design addressed both functional and lifestyle preferences.

The design process took an “inside-out” approach, focusing first on individual room layouts and gradually expanding to common areas, ensuring that the student experience remained at the heart of the design. This collaboration with students and other stakeholders helped create a residence that was not only functional but also aligned with student preferences and campus culture.