Topaz Student Apartments has been honored with a Golden Nugget Award of Merit for Best Student or Faculty Housing Project that celebrates excellence in design, planning, and development of residential spaces. This award reflects the vision, collaboration, and creativity poured into every square foot of this beautiful off-campus student housing development.
A Vision Brought to Life
Pierce Education Properties brought together ID Studios and AVRP Studios to create a new standard for student living—just steps from San Diego State University (SDSU). The result? A seven-story ground-up project that redefines the student housing experience. From the moment you enter the two-story, glass-lined lobby, you’re greeted by bold, angular blue graphics and globe lights that mimic a starry night sky an amazing first impression that sets the tone for what’s to come.
As we shared in our recent blog post, “Student Housing in 2025: What’s In and What’s Out”, today’s students are looking for more than just a place to sleep. They want inspiring spaces that encourage connection, flexibility, and focus. Topaz Student Apartments delivers on all of these trends and more.
Designing for the Future of Student Living
Throughout the common areas, you’ll find an energetic, modern design aesthetic paired with an open floor plan and thoughtfully arranged furniture groupings. This intentional layout supports a range of needs—from quiet study to group collaboration to socializing—giving residents the power to shape their environment to match their lifestyle.
These features are perfectly aligned with what’s “in” for 2025: flexible, multi-functional spaces, visually dynamic design elements, and communal areas that foster well-being and belonging. The award is not just a nod to aesthetics—it’s recognition of a student-centered philosophy that prioritizes experience and adaptability.
Honoring Collaboration and Innovation
We’re proud to have partnered with Pierce Education Properties and AVRP Studios on this forward-thinking project. Topaz Student Apartments embodies the evolving priorities of student housing and stands as a model for what’s possible when design is driven by insight, innovation, and purpose.
Congratulations to the entire project team for this well-deserved honor!
A huge thank you to everyone who contributed to this success!
Builder: Cannon Constructors
Developer: Pierce Education Properties
Architect/Designer: KTGY (Architect of Record) & AVRP Studios
Landscape Design: McCullough Landscape
Civil Engineer: Fuscoe Engineering
Interior Design: ID Studios (that’s us!)
Photographer: Connor Newton
