The Best in Class Awards were established in 2016 in order to recognize, highlight, and promote companies and initiatives at the forefront of student and shared living, working, and learning. In a young and learning industry, we find it important to honour thought leadership and encourage the exchange of bright ideas.
The awards celebrate the organisations, initiatives, and individuals going that extra mile in making student and shared living more efficient, welcoming, and professional. The eight award categories allow all sectors of our community to be formally recognised for their innovations.
In 2019, The Best in Class Awards attracted around 80 entries. This year again, we strongly encourage everyone who is passionate about student and shared living to apply so as to celebrate your achievements together as a community. Note that your highlighted achievement should have taken place and/or completed in the year 2020 unless stated otherwise.
Jury Panel
Samuel Vetrak
Founder & CEO of BONARD
Samuel has over 20 years’ experience advising governments, destinations, investors, developers, and operators. Since 2007, his staff of 50 researchers and analysts operating in four offices around the world have been providing the highest level of secondary and primary in-field data, making BONARD a leading provider of independent and reliable research for alternative residential asset classes. Samuel speaks frequently and at major real estate conferences, sharing the latest insights backed by his long-term industry experience.
Lisette van Doorn
Chief Executive of ULI Europe
Lisette van Doorn is responsible for the development of the Institute’s activities across the region, including its renowned pan-European conferences and over 250 local meetings and events across 14 countries. She is also responsible for the ULI Charitable Trust, which raises money to advance ULI’s mission and philanthropic activities across Europe. Van Doorn joined ULI from LIRE, her own consultancy business, which advises international institutional real estate investors and fund managers on strategy, organisational optimisation, and portfolio structuring.
Clare Gossage
COO & Co-Founder of The PIE
Clare works across the whole business but particularly in brand, marketing, and operations, and heads up The PIE’s events division, including The PIEoneer Awards. She has worked in the international education industry since 2000 and held marketing roles at both private and public sector institutions prior to The PIE. Her positions included Head of International Marketing at the University of the Arts London and Group Marketing Manager at St Giles International. She was also a member of the English UK Enterprises Board for 6 years and has been a mentor with Lead5050.
Categories
What
An award recognising the development and application of the innovative digital technology that contributes to enhancing the quality of the shared living.
Who
Student housing, co-living, and other shared living operators and technology service providers.
Application
To apply for this category, you will need to answer the following questions:
- Which digital tool/initiative have you launched and how has it positively impacted shared living and/or learning?
- How does your tool/initiative support users in increased engagement, interaction, responsiveness, and/or operational excellence?
- Please provide qualitative and/or quantitative evidence on the effectiveness of your tool/initiative.
Winner
Runners-up
What
An award recognising innovative construction and/or sustainability projects to the (re)design, construction, operation, and community engagement of properties and urban spaces.
Who
Student housing and shared living operators, architects, interior designers, suppliers, and higher education institutions.
Application
To apply for this category, you will need to answer the following questions:
- How has innovation and sustainability been incorporated throughout your design, construction, and operation process?
- How have you facilitated both environmental and social sustainability?
- How have you fostered collaboration and contributed to set the new standard in sustainability practices for the future within the industry?
Winner
- BaseCamp – Lyngby
Runners-up
- Student Experience – Amsterdam Minervahaven
- BRO Upkot by Upgrade Estate
What
An award recognising those who have developed initiatives that significantly improve mental wellbeing among shared living residents. We are looking for great examples of programmes and initiatives that improve the awareness of mental health and stimulate better inclusion of peers.
Who
Residence life managers/department of shared living operators and higher education institutions.
Application
To apply for this category, you will need to answer the following questions:
- What is your organisation’s holistic approach to improving and addressing the mental health and wellbeing of students/residents?
- To what extent has the initiative been developed with student/resident input and involved in its implementation?
- Please provide qualitative and/or quantitative evidence of student/resident satisfaction, including testimonial(s) about the initiative
Winner
What
An award recognising the new shared living development paying special attention to creating the ultimate space & place. The winner of this award will be a residence that through its design and care for details, creates the best potential for residents to learn, grow, and gain lifelong memories. Please note the property opening has to be in the year 2020.
Who
Shared living operators, investors, developers, and architects.
Application
To apply for this category, you will need to answer the below questions:
- How does the property, in its design and facilities, provide an outstanding experience for residents?
- How does the design and branding of the property contribute to social engagement amongst residents?
- How does the layout and use of the building and its public space encourage engagement with the local community?
Winner
What
An award recognising thought leadership in attracting, retaining, and fostering global talent. We are looking for the best economic development schemes and/or city marketing programmes that made an impact on attracting talent from abroad and leveraging that into local innovation.
Who
City leadership officials, economic boards, and city branding organisations.
Winner
- Paris, France with their 15-Minute City Concept
What
An award recognising the shared living operator that provides the best quality of living via both operational excellence and customer satisfaction for its residents. This operator will have gone the extra mile, ensuring the best provision of services that go beyond just meeting the needs and desires of the next generation of global talent.
Who
Shared living operators.
Application
To apply for this category, you will need to answer the below questions:
- What are the identified needs and wants of the residents and which initiatives have you adopted to specifically address/fulfill them?
- How does the layout and branding of the property contribute to social engagement amongst residents?
- Please provide evidence of student satisfaction, supported by qualitative or quantitative data.
Winner
What
An award which recognises the campus (both physical and virtual) as a learning platform that fosters a new knowledge ecosystem.
Who
Higher education institutions.
Application
To apply for this category, you will need to answer the below questions:
- How has the institution made the efficient and effective use of spaces to accelerate creativity and engagement?
- What kind of spaces have been integrated, improved, or reutilised for new functions in maximising students’ learning outcomes?
- Please provide evidence of student satisfaction, supported by qualitative or quantitative data.
Winner
- Imperial College London with their HyFlex Classroom
What
An award to recognise the shining stars within our industry. This is for those employees that went the extra mile this year despite the unforeseen obstacles. The employee candidate should be up to the age of 35 and nominated by the employer.
Who
Employees within the shared living industry.
Application
To apply for this category you will need to answer the following questions:
- How is the employee a change-initiator within the company?
- Which ideas/processes has the employee put forward for the improvement of the organisation’s business practices?
- What impact does the employee have on your team, residents, and the overall shared living industry?
Winner
- Tom Starling, Regional Operations Manager, Chapter London, Greystar
Runner-up
- Cem Ilhan, Cross-Media Designer, Spatial Experience