Portfolio - Student Life Architects | Carvell Architects

Your Student Housing Architect

Christopher Carvell, AIA, as Lead Design Principal and Founding Partner in 1995- formed CCA’s Student Life Studio in 2001 specializing in student housing architecture projects across the nation.

Over the years Mr. Carvell has been responsible for programming, master planning, and the design of over 18,000 beds of purpose-built/mixed-use student housing totaling over 4 million square feet on and adjacent to top tier university campuses nationwide.

At Carvell Architects we understand that today’s digital, millennial and Gen ‘Z’ generations attend college with unprecedented expectations.  In many cases this requires 1 bath / bedroom parody, open kitchens in day-light filled suites and apartments in addition, doubles with pod bathrooms and micro singles are reinventing community as the new normal fostering collaboration outside the unit.

Over the last 22 years, Carvell has specialized in the design of student life facilities including: student unions, student recreation centers, satellite dining halls, mixed use residence halls and next generation apartment buildings.

Current Trends:

  • Residential vibrancy supported by program driven destination mixed-use amenities equates to the “total village concept.”   This model was first implemented 10 years ago in an effort to create a student life precinct on campus.  Today, the model continues to break down traditional boundaries (silo’s) by integrating the Living-Learning community paradigm in all campus facilities.  Outcomes include: Collaboration, sharing, interacting and growth holistically toward retention and graduation success.
  • 21st century concepts fostering community, flexibility, sustainability and anytime-anyplace (high band width) access to mobile technology.
  • Great design maximizes the potential for collaboration and informal learning
  • Sustainable Design Practices as an educational tool implemented by the students (“Eco-Reps”)

“The Triple Bottom Line”

Energy efficient practices include passive design strategies that start with optimizing the buildings orientation to the sun in order to control solar loads while maximizing daylighting and natural ventilation. Other sustainable features include high performance building envelopes – coupled with efficient HVAC systems displaying virtual consumption metrics to the building’s occupants as an educational model.  Selective and discerning use of indigenous materials and renewable energy sources (PV, & geothermal) and native landscaping all contribute to a reduction in the buildings carbon footprint with 10 buildings having obtained LEED Gold Certification.

Strong Focus on Research & Communication

At CCA we use models, sketches, and advanced visualization technology, web-based communication as an integral part of our planning process.

The Carvell Architects firm is committed to developing innovative “neighborhood” models for student housing architecture based on the way students really live and learn and the values that each college and university wish to convey.

Mr. Carvell has presented at national and regional conferences on how destination mixed-use facilities are impacting the student housing space.  Mr. Carvell regularly serves as a guest lecturer at schools of architecture and as a juror for industry design award programs.

At Carvell Architects, we understand that the time students spend on their college campus is some of the most formative for their character, development, ideology, and college experience. Our student life architects seek to provide designs that make their college life dreams a reality. With our award-winning 25-year-old architectural designs, you will rest assured your vision will come to fruition.

Browse our firm expertise page to learn more about our service and experience in the architectural world.

If you or someone you know is looking for a student housing architect, contact our architects today by calling 720.689.2333. You will also find more information and ways to contact us through our contact page. We look forward to making your student life facility a success, no matter what kind of design you desire.

Scroll down to see our various projects. We trust you will love the designs of our student life architects.

Student Housing Village – Colorado State University at Pueblo – Pueblo, CO

Christopher Carvell Architects PC

Student Housing Village – Colorado State University at Pueblo – Pueblo, CO Student Housing Village – Colorado State University at Pueblo – Pueblo, CO
Student Housing Village – Colorado State University at Pueblo – Pueblo, CO Student Housing Village – Colorado State University at Pueblo – Pueblo, CO

Elm Street Residence + Dining Hall – Colorado School of Mines – Golden, CO

Christopher Carvell. Principal / Design Director Formerly at Page

Elm Street Residence + Dining Hall – Colorado School of Mines – Golden, CO Elm Street Residence + Dining Hall – Colorado School of Mines – Golden, CO
Elm Street Residence + Dining Hall – Colorado School of Mines – Golden, CO Elm Street Residence + Dining Hall – Colorado School of Mines – Golden, CO

Residence Hall + Commons – Laramie County Community College – Cheyene, Wyoming

Christopher Carvell Architects PC

Residence Hall + Commons – Laramie County Community College – Cheyene, Wyoming Residence Hall + Commons – Laramie County Community College – Cheyene, Wyoming
Residence Hall + Commons – Laramie County Community College – Cheyene, Wyoming Residence Hall + Commons – Laramie County Community College – Cheyene, Wyoming

Village at Alpine Valley + Roaring Fork Dining Hall – University of Colorado at Colorado Springs – CO Springs, CO

Christopher Carvell. Principal / Design Director Formerly at Page

Village at Alpine Valley + Roaring Fork Dining Hall – University of Colorado at Colorado Springs – CO Springs, CO Village at Alpine Valley + Roaring Fork Dining Hall – University of Colorado at Colorado Springs – CO Springs, CO
Village at Alpine Valley + Roaring Fork Dining Hall – University of Colorado at Colorado Springs – CO Springs, CO Village at Alpine Valley + Roaring Fork Dining Hall – University of Colorado at Colorado Springs – CO Springs, CO

University Lofts at Denver University – University and Evans LLC – Denver, CO

Christopher Carvell Architects PC

University Lofts at Denver University – University and Evans LLC – Denver, CO University Lofts at Denver University – University and Evans LLC – Denver, CO
University Lofts at Denver University – University and Evans LLC – Denver, CO University Lofts at Denver University – University and Evans LLC – Denver, CO

Arlington Park Apartments + Commons – University of Northern Colorado – Greeley, CO

Christopher Carvell Architects PC

Arlington Park Apartments + Commons – University of Northern Colorado – Greeley, CO Arlington Park Apartments + Commons – University of Northern Colorado – Greeley, CO
Arlington Park Apartments + Commons – University of Northern Colorado – Greeley, CO Arlington Park Apartments + Commons – University of Northern Colorado – Greeley, CO

2400 Nueces Residences/ Mixed Use Campus Housing + International Offices, University of Texas at Austin

Christopher Carvell AIA, Co- Design Principal/Design Director, formerly w/Page

2400 Nueces Residences/ Mixed Use Campus Housing + International Offices, University of Texas at Austin 2400 Nueces Residences/ Mixed Use Campus Housing + International Offices, University of Texas at Austin
2400 Nueces Residences/ Mixed Use Campus Housing + International Offices, University of Texas at Austin 2400 Nueces Residences/ Mixed Use Campus Housing + International Offices, University of Texas at Austin

Shocker Hall + Dining + Honors College – Wichita State University – Wichita, Kansas

Christopher Carvell. Principal / Design Director Formerly at Page

Shocker Hall + Dining + Honors College – Wichita State University – Wichita, Kansas Shocker Hall + Dining + Honors College – Wichita State University – Wichita, Kansas
Shocker Hall + Dining + Honors College – Wichita State University – Wichita, Kansas Shocker Hall + Dining + Honors College – Wichita State University – Wichita, Kansas

UNC West Campus Housing Design Competition Submission ( Un-Built ) – Greeley, CO

Christopher Carvell Architects PC

UNC West Campus Housing Design Competition Submission ( Un-Built ) – Greeley, CO UNC West Campus Housing Design Competition Submission ( Un-Built ) – Greeley, CO
UNC West Campus Housing Design Competition Submission ( Un-Built ) – Greeley, CO UNC West Campus Housing Design Competition Submission ( Un-Built ) – Greeley, CO

Shavano Residence Hall Master Plan Update & Program Plan, Western State Colorado University – Gunnison, CO

Christopher Carvell Architects PC

Shavano Residence Hall Master Plan Update & Program Plan, Western State Colorado University – Gunnison, CO Shavano Residence Hall Master Plan Update & Program Plan, Western State Colorado University – Gunnison, CO
Shavano Residence Hall Master Plan Update & Program Plan, Western State Colorado University – Gunnison, CO Shavano Residence Hall Master Plan Update & Program Plan, Western State Colorado University – Gunnison, CO

Cougar Place Sophomore + Upper Class housing – University of Houston – Houston, Texas

Christopher Carvell. Principal / Design Director Formerly at Page

Cougar Place Sophomore + Upper Class housing – University of Houston – Houston, Texas Cougar Place Sophomore + Upper Class housing – University of Houston – Houston, Texas
Cougar Place Sophomore + Upper Class housing – University of Houston – Houston, Texas Cougar Place Sophomore + Upper Class housing – University of Houston – Houston, Texas

Campus Village TOD Development site finalist competition proposal, University of Colorado at Denver

Campus Village TOD Development site finalist competition proposal, University of Colorado at Denver Campus Village TOD Development site finalist competition proposal, University of Colorado at Denver
Campus Village TOD Development site finalist competition proposal, University of Colorado at Denver Campus Village TOD Development site finalist competition proposal, University of Colorado at Denver

Barbara Marshall Residence Hall | Sherman Family Student Union | Wylie Dining Center, Kansas City Art Institute

Helix + Carvell Architects

Barbara Marshall Residence Hall | Sherman Family Student Union | Wylie Dining Center, Kansas City Art Institute Barbara Marshall Residence Hall | Sherman Family Student Union | Wylie Dining Center, Kansas City Art Institute
Barbara Marshall Residence Hall | Sherman Family Student Union | Wylie Dining Center, Kansas City Art Institute Barbara Marshall Residence Hall | Sherman Family Student Union | Wylie Dining Center, Kansas City Art Institute

Residences at the Innovation Campus, Competition Proposal, Wichita State University

Residences at the Innovation Campus, Competition Proposal, Wichita State University Residences at the Innovation Campus, Competition Proposal, Wichita State University
Residences at the Innovation Campus, Competition Proposal, Wichita State University Residences at the Innovation Campus, Competition Proposal, Wichita State University