31-07-2026
Photo: João Lima/NOVA FCT
A new student housing project is underway at the Caparica Campus, backed by a private investment of approximately €20 million. The new residence, developed by dstrealestate and KKR Investimentos, will add 280 beds to the School's housing offer, distributed across 254 accommodation units over five floors.
The project stands out for its use of ZETHAUS's industrialized construction methods — a dstgroup company specialized in this construction model — which allows a significant portion of the building to be produced in an industrial setting. This approach promises greater production efficiency, reduced waste, and more predictability in execution, responding more quickly to the urgency of student housing. Construction is set to begin in 2027, with completion expected in 2028.
This new infrastructure joins two other housing projects already announced by NOVA FCT in 2026: the recently reopened Fraústo da Silva Residence, renovated with an investment of €3 million and reopened with 210 beds in June, and the NOVA FCT Student Residence Hall, currently under construction within the campus, which is expected to add more than 200 beds this year. Combining all three projects — and factoring in the second phase of the Fraústo da Silva Residence — the Faculty projects reaching nearly 900 beds available for students, faculty, and researchers.
"The construction of this private residence on the NOVA FCT Campus represents another step forward in attracting young university students, whose impact translates not only into mitigating the challenges associated with access to housing and higher education, but also into the opportunity to nurture talent in the fields of Science, Engineering, and Technology, essential for society's future development. It is a source of pride for NOVA FCT to have this partnership, which will contribute substantially to the Faculty's growth and to its positioning as a leading Higher Education Institution on an international level," says José Júlio Alferes, NOVA FCT's Dean.
The project brings together KKR Investimentos' expertise — which, through its Smart Studios brand, has established itself as one of the leading private developers of student residences in Portugal — with dstgroup's capabilities in real estate development, through dstrealestate, and in industrialized construction, through ZETHAUS.
"This project reflects our vision for real estate development: investing in solutions that address real needs and create value for communities. Choosing ZETHAUS was a natural decision, since industrialized construction allows us to combine quality, efficiency, and sustainability, accelerating the delivery of new housing," highlights Ana José Teixeira, CEO of dstrealestate.
The commitment to private capital follows a broader plan by the School to strengthen its housing offer, in a context where access to housing continues to be identified as one of the main barriers to attracting students — particularly international students — to the Caparica Campus.
