Designed for the Changing World of Multifamily Housing

As we were completing the design and beginning construction on our 3200 Bluff Street multifamily project, the world changed before our very eyes. As a result, our design changed with it.

We designed an apartment home that reflected the changes in both the workplace and the home brought about by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. People were spending more time at home and wanted it to function for their changing lifestyle. They were using their kitchens more, demanding more multi-functional spaces, and using their decks and outdoor spaces more than ever. They wanted their living spaces to contain healthy air and ample natural light.

Our response was an “all electric” building containing professional-grade induction ranges, integrated kitchen islands, and built-in seating/working spaces, as well as upgraded lighting, designed for more daytime use of these often-ignored spaces. The outdoor deck spaces included rich materials and the privacy provided by frosted glass enclosures. On the other hand, the colors of all the materials were brightened up - from paint to flooring - in recognition of the fact that our residents were spending more than just their evening hours in their space.

We learned that sustainability mattered more to our residents than most people imagine. They cared about air quality and high-end all electric appliances. They cared about utility bills, and found value in knowing and sharing that they lived in an “all-electric” high-performance building that is host to a solar photovoltaic system, producing renewable energy. And finally, we learned that residents really do appreciate a well-designed lobby with artwork, courtyards that they can use, and hallways with multi-layered lighting. Clearly, now than ever before, thoughtful and environmentally-conscious design matters.