RECIPROCITY

Y2 P3 - Student Housing

STAGE 1: Manifesto

This social housing project challenged me to explore student housing, not just as a place to live, but as a framework for addressing the wider global issues affecting students today: overconsumption and waste, social isolation, and financial inaccessibility.

ReciproCity was born from a desire to not only offer accommodation but a new way of living rooted in sharing, mutual support and sustainability. By embedding circular economy principles into the everyday rhythms of student life, through spaces like a Library of Things, shared kitchen, repair hub and green spaces, this projects asks: what if housing could teach us to live differently—together?

STAGE 2: Metabolism Mindset

To embed circular economy principles into the structure itself, I drew inspiration from the 1960s Metabolism movement, which imagined architecture as modular, adaptable, and impermanent—qualities that resonate with today’s focus on sustainability and reuse. My design centres around a fixed 'core' housing circulation, with flexible living unit ‘pods’ that can be rearranged or adapted to changing student needs. I explored how modularity could still offer personal, varied spatial experiences without compromising individuality.

STAGE 3: Shared Living, Shared Values

With reciprocity and shared living at the heart of the concept, I designed a communal roof structure that connects the four student ‘nests’ through a dynamic network of public functions. The ground floor is opened up to support collective living, with shared kitchens and dining areas embedded within each nest. Research into Design for Disassembly informed key construction details, allowing materials to be reused and systems adapted over time. Passive strategies were also integrated throughout to reduce energy demand, aligning the project with circular economy principles and a low-carbon future.

FINAL DESIGN: ReciproCity

ReciproCity is a modular student housing project rooted in adaptability, community, and environmental care. Based on plug-and-play unit types, the pods are stacked around shared cores to create a range of flexible living options. Passive design strategies maximise comfort and efficiency, while rooftop commons and ground-floor social spaces foster connection.

A new Commons Pocket Park and pedestrian bridge extend the project’s reciprocal ethos into the urban fabric, enhancing biodiversity, air quality, and accessibility. Designed for disassembly, ReciproCity is a future-proof, human-scaled response to student living in Sheffield.

Plans 1:200@A2

Section 1:50@A1

The reflecting pool not only enhances natural light by reflecting daylight into surrounding spaces, but also functions as a rainwater reservoir. Collected from the pitched roofs on the rooftop system, this water is reused for toilet flushing—integrating sustainability, resource efficiency and circular economy principles into the heart of the design.

ReciproCity Environmental strategy

Rooted in ReciproCity's ethos of adaptability and efficiency, the environmental strategy of the design balances solar gain, ventilation and thermal zoning. South-facing spaces capture winter sun, with shading for summer cooling. The core enables stack ventilation and thermal zoning places high-use areas in warmer zones. Additionally, windows for the three module types are designed to enhance daylight and sunlight performance across key spaces and adapt to individual comfort.

ReciproCity Rooftop System

The Collective

A shared resource hub where students borrow, lend, and exchange items, embodying reciprocity through collective use and reduced consumption.

The Hearth

A central kitchen for shared meals and gatherings, fostering social connection and the reciprocal act of cooking and sharing.

The Forge

A collaborative making and study space that encourages knowledge-sharing, co-creation, and mutual support.

The Den

A shared wellness and leisure space supporting both individual and group care, reflecting the reciprocal balance between self and community.

ReciproCity Pod Types

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