Across the nation, universities are expanding their residential housing to accommodate a growing number of first-year students who want to live on campus. Purpose-built student housing has evolved beyond simple dormitories; it now serves as an integral part of the student experience, promoting connection, inclusion, and academic success.

Merriman Anderson Architects (MAA) has helped colleges and universities meet this growing need through innovative on- and off-campus residential projects that blend modern amenities with long-term durability and community-driven design. The firm’s portfolio includes a range of student housing developments for public and private institutions, with recent examples demonstrating how MAA creates environments that reflect each school’s culture while maximizing efficiency and sustainability.

A few examples include: 

• Daniel House at Southern Methodist University (SMU): Completed on a fast-track schedule, the three-story apartment-style building reflects a modern approach while thoughtfully integrating with the campus’s traditional architectural context.

• Northwood University Student Housing: This on-campus residential facility accommodates 300 students and features shared spaces and a community lounge designed to complement the campus’s wooded setting.

• Aspen Heights: Aspen Heights provides distinctive off-campus housing for students across the country, featuring cottage-style residences with two-, three-, four-, and five-bedroom floor plans. Merriman Anderson Architects has designed Aspen Heights communities at Texas A&M University in College Station, Iowa State University in Ames, the University of Tampa in Tampa, and Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

• 21 Rio: Situated just off the University of Texas at Austin campus, this high-rise student housing project offers a balance of comfort and convenience, with five structured parking levels and 16 floors of residential living.

MAA focuses on design solutions that enhance the quality of student life and strengthen a university’s recruitment and retention efforts. The firm’s in-house services of architecture, interior design, master planning, and project management enable cohesive, cost-effective results across all phases of development. The firm is helping universities reimagine residential life through thoughtful design that responds to today’s students’ needs, including flexible study areas, social gathering spaces, and sustainability features that align with institutional goals.

As the holidays settle in and another year comes to a close, a lot of homeowners find themselves daydreaming about what they might finally tackle after the decorations come down. A new kitchen. An updated bathroom. Maybe even a whole-home refresh. And almost inevitably, one practical question rises to the top: Can we actually live here while this is happening?

The answer, like most things with remodeling, is that it depends.

Life During a Kitchen Remodel

The kitchen is where the day begins and ends. It is where coffee is brewed on sleepy mornings, where backpacks are dropped after school, and where friends seem to gather no matter how large the house. When that space goes offline during a remodel, daily routines feel the change immediately.

For many families, staying home through a kitchen renovation is still very doable with a little planning and flexibility. It usually means getting creative with meals, leaning on convenience foods, and setting up a temporary cooking space elsewhere in the house. A spare bedroom or laundry room can quickly turn into a makeshift kitchen with the basics: a microwave, countertop cooktop, or toaster oven. It’s not glamorous, but it keeps everyone fed and sane until the real kitchen is ready again.

Stocking the freezer ahead of time, using small appliances like air fryers or slow cookers, and keeping expectations realistic all help bridge the gap. It is a season of simple meals and a reminder that the disruption is temporary, even if it doesn’t always feel that way day to day.

Navigating a Bathroom Remodel

Bathrooms present a similar challenge. If your home has more than one, living through a renovation is generally manageable. It may mean slightly shifting routines, sharing the remaining bathroom more generously, or getting up a few minutes earlier to beat the morning rush.

When there’s only one bathroom in the house, though, the experience can quickly become stressful. Tile cutting, hammering, and dust are part of the process, and without another usable space, it can be more comfortable to make alternate arrangements for a short time until the work is complete.

When the Whole House Is Under Construction

Whole-home remodels are a different story altogether. With multiple rooms under construction at once, floors pulled up, walls opened, and major systems being updated, a home can start to feel more like a job site than a living space. Temporary power or water interruptions and the constant presence of crews make daily life tough to manage safely or comfortably.

In these cases, choosing to live elsewhere during construction often offers the most peace of mind. It gives the renovation team room to work efficiently and allows homeowners to avoid the noise, dust, and disruptions that come with such a large project.

In the end, living through a remodel is less about what is possible and more about what feels livable for your family and your routines. Every project is different, and every household has its own tolerance for temporary chaos. The key is knowing what to expect, planning ahead, and remembering that the mess leads to the moment everyone looks forward to most: stepping into a finished space that finally feels like home again.

The University of North Texas at Dallas (UNT Dallas) marked a major milestone Dec. 2, celebrating the ribbon cutting of its highly anticipated $100 million STEM facility – a transformational academic center designed to strengthen North Texas’ healthcare and science workforce pipeline.

The 120,220-square-foot building, completed just two years after its September 2023 groundbreaking, will welcome students when the Spring 2026 semester begins Jan. 12. It stands as the most consequential addition to the UNT Dallas campus in university history.

University leaders were joined by elected officials, healthcare partners and community stakeholders, along with UNT Dallas students, for the dedication of the four-story complex. Speakers included UNT Dallas President Dr. Warren von Eschenbach; Dr. Michael Williams, Chancellor of the University of North Texas System; State Senator Royce West; and Isabelle Chung, a senior biology major who will graduate next month.

“Today we celebrate opportunity – for our students, for employers across North Texas and for the communities we serve,” said UNT Dallas President Dr. Warren von Eschenbach. “This state-of-the-art STEM facility allows UNT Dallas to help meet urgent healthcare and workforce needs at a time when the demand for nurses and other practitioners continues to dramatically outpace supply.”

Texas continues to experience one of the largest nursing shortages in the country. According to the Texas Department of State Health Services, the state faces a deficit of more than 48,000 registered nurses in 2025, growing to 50,000 by 2027 and 57,000 by 2032. The unmet demand for RNs will remain a persistent 15-16% gap each year, with hospitals shouldering the greatest need. Additional statewide data shows 64% of Texas hospitals have reduced services due to staffing shortages.

The new STEM facility directly responds to these challenges by expanding UNT Dallas’ capacity to train future healthcare professionals through accelerated pathways to medical and health careers, including nursing, dental, pharmacy, optometry and other fields. These programs are offered in collaboration with UNT Health Fort Worth’s Colleges of Nursing and Pharmacy and the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine. The STEM program will be part of UNT Dallas’ School of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

The cutting-edge building features 18 classrooms; 12 laboratories, including nine teaching labs and three research labs; a dedicated Joint Admission Medical Program (JAMP) office; multiple collaborative spaces, faculty offices and a large event venue. The structure also features extensive natural light, energy-efficient design and outdoor study areas that reflect UNT Dallas’ Tree Campus USA designation. Programs housed in the building at launch include biology, chemistry, mathematics and neuroscience.

High-impact instruction will prepare students for careers in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry and optometry, and a robust STEM Pre-Health Professions Program will guarantee medical-school admission opportunities for eligible students.

Smaller class sizes and direct access to faculty will help students develop personalized academic roadmaps, supported by one-on-one mentorship for pre-health majors – many of whom are first-generation college students seeking clear pathways into stable, in-demand and well-paying careers.

The building was designed by Stantec and HarrisonKornberg Architects, with Vaughn Construction serving as general contractor. Funding for the STEM facility was awarded by the Texas Legislature during the 2021 legislative session.

As the only public, four-year university located in the city of Dallas, UNT Dallas continues to expand access and upward mobility for its more than 3,500 students. The new STEM facility strengthens the university’s role in preparing career-ready professionals for high-demand healthcare and STEM fields, while supporting regional employers and advancing economic development in southern Dallas.

UNT Dallas is located in southern Dallas at 7300 University Hills Blvd., Dallas 75241. For more information, go to untdallas.edu.

About UNT Dallas
The newest member of the UNT System, the University of North Texas at Dallas (UNT Dallas) is the city's only public four-year university. Located in southern Dallas and serving more than 3,500 students, UNT Dallas offers students a world-class, innovative education focused on career readiness and socioeconomic mobility. UNT Dallas is passionately committed to developing, nurturing and empowering the next generation of servant leaders in North Texas. For more information about the University of North Texas at Dallas, visit untdallas.edu.

Garages of America, the pioneer of luxury garage ownership, is expanding with the opening of Carrollton Phase II at 2328 Marsh Lane. The new community adds 67 garage suites and six flex office warehouse spaces adjacent to the sold-out original Carrollton development. 

The expansion represents the continued growth of Garages of America’s unique concept - customizable, deeded garages for collectors, entrepreneurs, and hobbyists to protect and enjoy their prized possessions in style.  

“Phase I sold out faster than we imagined, proving that the demand for ownership-based garage communities in North Texas is stronger than ever,” said Jack Griffin, co-founder of Garages of America. “Phase II not only gives enthusiasts the opportunity to own their space, but it also introduces a new level of lifestyle amenities with the addition of the P1 Motor Club.”

The P1 Motor Club, a division of Texas Collector Car Storage and Club, will debut its first location within the Carrollton Phase II community, offering monthly car storage, detailing, light maintenance, and concierge services, as well as motorsport excursions for members. 

“Our goal is to make car storage and ownership effortless and enjoyable,” said Tim Noe, CEO of P1 Motor Club. “We’re bringing together people who share a passion for cars, travel, and experiences-whether that’s a track day at Eagles Canyon Raceway or a trip to Monterey Car Week or the Monaco Grand Prix.” 

Earlier this year, Garages of America expanded in Frisco with a second phase. The original Frisco location opened in 2020 with 106 units that quickly sold out, leading to the development of Frisco Phase II, which added another 52 garages. Construction is also underway on additional units in the previously sold-out Garages of America Allen community.

In July, the company broke ground on Garages of America Firewheel where they are building 71 luxury garages and 10 flex office warehouse units off President George Bush Highway near E. Brand Road in Garland. 

Garages of America’s Carrollton community now totals more than 136 garage suites and 11 flex spaces, offering premium features such as 24/7 access, gated security, climate-controlled options, and community amenities for gatherings and events. 

“Our owners enjoy more than just a place to store their cars and showcase their collections,” said Griffin. “They enjoy being part of a community of like-minded people while owning a financial asset that has increased in value. Our steady expansion demonstrates the demand for secure, high-end spaces where our owners can comfortably gather, network, and share their passions.”

 Current and upcoming Garages of America developments include:

• Allen, TX (Phase II currently under construction)
• Carrollton, TX (Phase I & II)
• Dallas, TX (Love Field area)
• Frisco, TX (Phase I & II)
• Garland, TX (Firewheel)
• Katy, TX (Houston)
• Lakeway, TX (Austin)
• The Woodlands, TX (Houston)
• Plano, TX
• Roanoke, TX
• Towne Lake, TX (Cypress)

Founded in 2014 by real estate investor Fred Gans and former Le Mans race car driver and developer Jack Griffin, Garages of America pioneered the luxury garage ownership concept with its first community in Plano, Texas. The company has expanded with locations in Dallas, Houston, and Austin. For more information, visit garagesofamerica.com.