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Common areas · High-tech, Building 1
Design project for residential common areas, 206 m²
Common areas · 206 m² · Completed
About the project
Futuristic façade lines, advanced engineering, touch interfaces and fingerprint entry meant the complex read as one of the most technologically advanced new developments in the city, even while still under construction. We were asked to design the interiors of the common areas in its first building, and the direction was clear from the outset.
Client request
The first building of the complex is positioned for established, family-oriented residents. The task was to create a restrained, respectable ambience for 206 m² of common areas: the entrance area, waiting area, reception, lift halls and a typical floor.
Challenge
We needed to merge the high-tech aesthetic set by the building's architecture with the warmth of natural timber, a material that did not initially belong in a technological concept. At the same time we had to give compact functional areas a sense of lightness and space.
Concept
We drew inspiration from the work of futurist designers, anchoring the design in high-tech aesthetics. The core trio of concrete, metal and glass was complemented by specially finished timber panels and carefully considered lighting: the timber did not merely fit the context but became an expressive feature of the interior. Restrained minimalism, layered lighting and a large living wall in the main hall balanced the technology with natural warmth.
Result
The common areas were given a restrained, respectable high-tech character built on a trio of materials: concrete, metal and glass, warmed by natural timber. Specially finished timber panels with contour lighting became an expressive feature, and a large living wall in the main hall balanced the technology with living greenery. A mirror covering the whole end wall of the lift hall visually widens the space, while clear wayfinding and careful ergonomics make the building genuinely easy to use.
Trust metrics
206 m²
Floor area
6 months
Design period
Floor plan of the project “Design project for residential common areas, 206 m²”
- 01Vestibule
- 02Reception
- 03Reception
- 04Pram and bicycle store
- 05Staircase
- 06Lift hall
- 07Corridor
- 08Vestibule
- 09Washroom / dog wash
Zones of the project “Design project for residential common areas, 206 m²”
Zone
Entrance area
This first building is aimed mainly at established families, which called for a restrained, respectable setting. We took our cue from futurist designers and the high-tech style. The three lead materials for the finishes were settled at once: concrete, metal and glass. But we also wanted to bring in the warmth of natural timber.
Zone
Waiting area
The waiting area is handled simply: a deep navy sofa adds a rich accent against the concrete, timber and glass. Set beside the living wall and the contour-lit timber panels, it has a calm, almost lounge-like feel. Residents can wait for the lift or meet guests here without stepping outside the high-tech aesthetic of the building.
Zone
Living wall
A substantial living wall in the main hall helps counterbalance the dominance of high technology. This green oasis visually enlivens the space, offering a hint of summer warmth even in the depths of winter.
Zone
Reception
Timber initially sat poorly with the technological concept of the complex. The answer lay in a special finish for the panels and careful work with lighting. As a result, the timber not only fits naturally into the wider context but has become an expressive feature of the interiors.
To give the interiors a sense of lightness and space, we used several proven devices. In the lift hall, for instance, we installed a large mirror that covers the end wall entirely and visually enlarges the floor area.
Zone
Lift hall and typical floor
For residents' convenience, a room has been designed for storage of bicycles, scooters and prams. Of course, this is not unique: it is a standard feature in contemporary residential buildings.
We opted for sensible minimalism and concentrated on the ergonomics of the common areas: clear wayfinding and many small details that make the functional rooms much easier to use. We also took care to create that elusive sense of comfort without which no truly well-made home is complete.
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the project
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the project
What does the common areas design project for Building 1 include?
The project covers 206 m² of high-tech common areas: the entrance area, waiting area, reception, living wall, and the lift hall with a typical floor. The developer receives a design album with floor plans, wall elevations, a materials specification and a furniture selection: a single set for builders and contractors.
Why was high-tech chosen for the lobby rather than a classical design?
The complex is positioned as a technology-forward project, and high-tech, with its metal, glass and clean geometry, makes that clear from the moment of entry. The reception and waiting area read as a single composition, while the living wall softens the severity of the materials; without it the lobby would feel cold.
How does lobby design affect apartment sales in a residential complex like this?
The entrance area is the first thing a buyer sees at a viewing, and it sets expectations about the calibre of the building before they reach an apartment. When the lobby and lift hall look cohesive and well made, doubts about the quality of the development as a whole fall away.
Which materials were selected for the common areas given high foot traffic?
Flooring, reception finishes and the lift hall wall panels were chosen with a wide margin of durability: residents, couriers and guests pass through every day. The materials had to keep the waiting zone and corridors looking right after several years of use.
What is the cost of common areas design for a complex of this scale?
We calculate the cost after the brief. It depends on the floor area, the number of zones and the scope of work (the design project alone, or design supervision and procurement as well). ARTEVRIKA prepares a cost estimate for the specific building rather than applying an average per-square-metre rate.
Are the lift hall and typical floor designed separately from the lobby?
No, everything is developed within a single project, so the design language does not fragment between hall and corridor. Shared materials, lighting and colour palette keep the floors and lobby coherent: residents should not sense a change of designer at each level.