Case Study
Enhancing Student Living at McMaster University
Introduction
Furnishing university housing, often hundreds of rooms and even multiple buildings, can be challenging. There are a lot of boxes you need to check, you’re often working on a tight timeframe, and you’re definitely working within a strict budget. You’re also asking a lot of the furniture you select. Student housing furniture must withstand heavy use, contribute to a comfortable environment, and, ideally, last more than one or two years. McMaster University faced this exact challenge when the Ontario institution decided it was time to upgrade its furniture, but without overspending. By partnering with the experienced team at Foliot Furniture, McMaster University achieved the perfect balance of durability, aesthetic, and budget-friendliness, thereby transforming its student housing experience.
Key results:
644 bed spaces were successfully furnished with well-made, built-to-last furniture.
Multiple phases of installation were managed to align with ongoing construction schedules.
Zero delays occurred during the entire process; the furniture was delivered and installed on time, despite tight timelines.
Custom solutions were delivered, including specific furniture pieces created to meet the spatial and design needs of McMaster’s newest residential halls.
Challenge
The university and its new buildings had to be operational for the fall 2023 semester and could afford no delays. The furniture needed to be manufactured on time and installed in an active construction site.
The team at Foliot Furniture was able to meet these challenges. Foliot Furniture has been a trusted partner of McMaster University for more than a decade, and with this project, that successful partnership was set to continue.
Overcoming budget constraints with strategic planning
Universities often operate under tight budgets. This makes it difficult to upgrade or purchase new furniture. Foliot Furniture helped McMaster University proactively address this challenge by offering cost-effective, contract-grade pieces without compromising quality.
But our team didn’t stop at just having a comprehensive catalog of potentially suitable pieces.
For eighteen months before delivery, Foliot Furniture worked with the staff at McMaster University to review samples of the items destined for their student housing and make any necessary tweaks to meet their design intent.
(We even worked with the university’s team to make some last-minute tweaks to the order!)
Ensuring durability and functionality in high-traffic environments
University furniture must endure constant use by numerous students.
Foliot Furniture’s contract-grade pieces are designed to meet this need. Items such as heavy-duty desks and robust seating options stand up to daily wear and tear while maintaining their appeal. For example, Foliot’s student housing furnishings made from engineered wood panels bring stain, scratch, heat, light, and impact resistance alongside comfort—leading to many years of utility. This helps universities save significantly on maintenance, upkeep, and replacement costs.
Customizing aesthetics for a welcoming environment
In addition to practical considerations of budget, longevity, and storage, McMaster University wanted its students to feel at home in their accommodations. Foliot provided customized furniture solutions that enhanced the residential feel of student housing, moving away from an institutional look to create a more cozy and inviting atmosphere.
Delivering and installing furniture with precise timing (and creative logistics)
McMaster University’s student housing wasn’t just getting new furniture; this was a completely new building that was in the process of being built, even as it needed to be flawlessly furnished. With the tight timeline and tricky construction site conditions, many furniture suppliers would have turned away from this assignment.
At Foliot, we rolled up our sleeves—and thought outside our normal delivery processes. Under Foliot’s direction, the furniture was installed in multiple phases and in the evenings, often using a hoist to follow the actively occurring construction, floor by floor.
This creativity minimized disruptions, allowed for a smooth transition to the new furniture, and ultimately ensured the project was completed on time.
“Our graduate students love the residential feel of the suites and furniture. We were able to stay away from an institutional look, thanks in large part to the selection of furniture items and finishes.”
Kevin R. Beatty, Director, Housing and Conference Services, McMaster University
Behind Every Successful Project is a Proven Process
See How We WorkSolution
McMaster University is now prepared to evolve alongside its students’ educational needs
Over the many years that McMaster University has been a loyal client of Foliot Furniture, Foliot has adapted its offerings to meet the evolving needs of the institution’s diverse student population. By continuously incorporating feedback and making necessary adjustments, Foliot ensures that its furniture meets the needs of various student groups, from undergraduates to graduate students.
Foliot’s ongoing commitment to sustainability
Sustainability was important to McMaster University—which made this project a perfect fit for Foliot. Our Canadian operations and North American-made furniture reduced the carbon footprint of this initiative due to shorter transportation distances and allowed for greater flexibility in scheduling deliveries.
