Purpose Built

Student Accommodation

Consultancy > Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA)

Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA)

Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) is housing specifically built for university students by private developers, which can make university life for disabled young people accessible and comfortable. The student halls of today, they are designed to meet the demands of modern students.

Direct Access specialises in developing accessible PBSA working with Architects and design teams to create accessible self-contained studio flats with private kitchens and shared living space, or modern halls of residence with ensuite bedrooms, shared kitchen, dining, and living facilities.

PBSA accounts for over 34% of total UK student bed spaces – and the UK is home to four of the top ten cities in Europe for student accommodation including London, Sheffield, Coventry, and Swansea.

Accessible shared areas of student accommodation buildings benefit not just disabled residents, it makes it easier for disabled students to visit friends in other parts of the site. Essential interaction for study and working on joint coursework. Accessible communal areas must include TV, laundry facilities, commons rooms, study rooms, and increasingly cinemas and gyms amongst other facilities such as prayer rooms and game rooms.

Where PBSA schemes aim to reduce the reliance on cars, accessible parking must be included for disabled students who may not be able to use public transport.

Direct Access has worked on a variety of PBSA projects including the 330-bed Piano Factory on Stour Road, Hackney Wick. We support BREEM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) to benchmark buildings for accessibility, which are increasingly important for the majority of PBSA developments.