Grupo Casais and IKEA present new University Residence in Beja
The visit coincided with the week when the results of the first phase of higher education admissions were announced, at a time when the building is practically complete and ready to welcome 503 students.
On 29 August, the Casais Group and IKEA visited the Beja University Residence, which belongs to the Beja Polytechnic Institute, offering an opportunity to see first-hand the results of the collaboration between the two companies, which began in 2023 with the presentation of the Tiny House at the Nova Arcada Shopping Centre in Braga. The informal visit allowed them to follow the progress of the work, which is now almost complete.
José Mário Fernandes, Director of the Casais Group, and Leandro Teixeira, CFO of IKEA Portugal, were present. The choice of this date coincided with the week of the announcement of the results of the first phase of access to higher education, reinforcing the relevance of the project in offering quality public accommodation to students and supporting the academic experience in the city.
The residence represents an investment of €17 million and will have the capacity to accommodate 503 students. The building includes 327 accommodation units, divided between single rooms, double rooms and studios. Of particular note are the 15 rooms adapted for people with disabilities, reinforcing the commitment to inclusion and accessibility as a distinguishing feature. In addition to the accommodation units, the project also includes common areas for socialising, studying, kitchens and dining areas, laundry facilities, a gym and technical areas, promoting integration and well-being.
According to António Carlos Rodrigues, CEO of the Casais Group, “This project demonstrates how it is possible to combine quality, innovation and sustainability, creating an environment conducive to students. We are very pleased to see the Beja Residence almost completed and are convinced of the positive impact it will have on the academic community.”
“At IKEA, we believe that all students deserve spaces where they feel truly at home. For many, a room in a residence is their first home away from home, and our goal is to make it a comfortable, functional and accessible environment. This project in Beja, in partnership with the Casais Group and the Polytechnic Institute, demonstrates how we can help address the shortage of student accommodation, contributing to the well-being of young people,” says Leandro Teixeira, CFO IKEA Portugal.
The project is based on the CREE Buildings system, which combines wood and concrete in a hybrid model that is more sustainable than traditional methods. This is the second student residence developed by Grupo Casais using industrialised construction, following the project in Valença, with the Confiança University Residence in Braga also currently under construction. Both projects in Beja and Braga include IKEA furniture. This approach speeds up construction, reduces costs and optimises the performance of buildings throughout their life cycle, reflecting the Casais Group’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and green transition in the sector.
IKEA, driven by its vision of creating a better everyday life for the many people, plays a key role in this project by contributing its expertise in democratic design and affordable solutions. Its contribution goes beyond the supply of furniture, focusing on creating functional, sustainable and welcoming environments that promote well-being, integration and a positive impact on the student community, with a total product value of over €500,000. By equipping rooms and common areas with well-designed and affordable solutions, IKEA is helping to respond to the urgent challenge of decent housing for students, allowing them to feel at home and have the ideal conditions to study, rest and live.