Abstract
<jats:p>The residential and public zones are the main components that define the spatial organization of student housing. The public zone is particularly significant; its size and content vary across buildings according to factors such as location, capacity and academic profile. The paper presents a comparative analysis of contemporary student residences built in recent years in Bulgaria and abroad. It derives guiding principles for planning and organizing public areas within their spatial structure. These principles focus on differentiation and integration – separation and combination of functions and activities. The study outlines the advantages and disadvantages of each approach. It also proposes recommendations for student-housing planning and design in response to changing conditions and the evolving needs of student residents.</jats:p>