Multi-Family Projects Interior Design Guide: Amenity Spaces

It’s no secret that multi-family projects and apartment living are the way of the future. In Canada, we’ve seen a 9.7% surge in apartment building developments from 2021 to 2022.

In this article, we examine the value of amenity spaces in multi-family complexes and practical design strategies for them. In multi-family housing structures, amenity spaces are the common areas that are utilized by all occupants. They are crucial in improving residents’ quality of life overall, encouraging social contact, and creating a feeling of community. A well-planned amenity area can improve a building’s reputation, enhance property values, and draw in and keep tenants.

Conceptual Rendering: The Press  |  Seattle, WA  |  Interior Design by JDG

For the past 16 years, Janks Design Group (JDG), an established interior design company based in Vancouver, has provided innovative and distinctive spatial design project solutions to the hospitality, restaurant, retail, medical, and corporate industries.

We hold the view that our designs reflect who we are, and vice versa. We have a group of skilled and innovative designers who work together to invent, listen, and build projects to the highest standards. JDG provides clever spatial planning and interior design services to transform commercial properties catered to the requirements of our clients.

We will give a brief summary of the typical amenity areas present in multi-family developments, including gyms, clubhouses, and rooftop decks. We’ll also go over design factors for amenities including functionality, durability, and beauty, as well as how these factors might affect how residents interact with their surroundings as a whole. Read on to see how to boost the potential and rental income of your apartment building project!

Common Amenity Spaces in Multi-Family Real Estate Investing

 

Amenity spaces are essential in multi-family residential buildings. Different compared to single-family homes, they provide residents with shared spaces to gather, relax, and engage in various activities. In this section, we will provide an overview of common amenity spaces found in multi-family properties and the benefits they offer residents.

Fitness Centres

Fitness centers are popular amenities in multi-family properties as they offer residents a convenient space to exercise and maintain an active lifestyle. A well-designed fitness center can feature various equipment, from cardio machines to weight training, accommodating different fitness levels. The benefits of fitness centers include improved physical health, reduced stress levels, and a sense of community among residents with shared health goals.

 

Clubhouses

Clubhouses are versatile spaces that can serve different purposes, from hosting events to lounging and relaxing. They can also function as coworking spaces for the growing group of individuals who work from home. They often feature comfortable seating, a kitchen area, and entertainment options such as games or TVs. Clubhouses offer residents a space to socialize, connect with neighbours, and build a sense of community.

Rooftop Decks

Rooftop decks provide residents with a unique outdoor space to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air, often with stunning views of the surrounding area. They can feature comfortable seating, barbecue areas, and greenery, creating a relaxing and inviting atmosphere. Rooftop decks offer residents a space to socialize, unwind, and take a break from the busy city below.

Fitness centers, clubhouses, and rooftop decks are popular amenity spaces in multi-family real estate. In tandem, they provide residents with a variety of benefits such as improved physical health, socialization, and a sense of community. Effective design of these amenity spaces is critical to enhancing the overall living experience of residents..

Property Owner Design Considerations For Multi Family Property Amenity Spaces

 

Conceptual Rendering: Multifamily Project   |   Interior Design by JDG

Designing effective amenity spaces requires consideration of several factors that impact the overall resident experience and even real estate investing. Understanding investment property, we illustrate design considerations for amenity spaces such as functionality, durability, and aesthetics, and how design choices can impact the overall resident experience.

Functionality

The functionality of amenity spaces is essential to ensure that they meet multifamily housing residents’ needs and are easy to use. Professional designers should consider the purpose of the amenity space and design it to accommodate a range of activities, and an appropriate number of people based on the number of residents in the multifamily property. For example, a fitness center should feature appropriate flooring, dedicated space, and varied equipment to cater to different fitness levels and activities.

Durability

Compared to single-family homes, amenity spaces in apartment buildings are high-traffic areas that experience significant wear and tear. Therefore, designers must select durable materials that can withstand heavy use and require minimal maintenance in apartment buildings. For example, using easy-to-clean materials such as vinyl flooring and durable upholstery can extend the life of furniture and finishes.

Aesthetics

Aesthetics play a crucial role in amenity spaces, creating a welcoming and inviting atmosphere for residents. Designers should consider the building’s overall design and incorporate complementary colours, textures, and materials. Artwork, lighting, and decorative elements can also enhance the space’s visual appeal and create a cohesive design aesthetic.

Design choices can significantly impact the overall resident experience in amenity spaces. A well-designed amenity space can increase resident satisfaction and retention, while a poorly designed one can lead to frustration and poor tenant retention. For example, overcrowded fitness centers with limited equipment can discourage residents from using the space, while poorly lit clubhouses can create an unwelcoming atmosphere. organic feel.

In summary, functionality, durability, and aesthetics are crucial design considerations for amenity spaces in multi-family projects. Effective design choices can enhance the overall resident experience and create a sense of community within the building.

Fitness Centres

Fitness centers are a popular amenity space in multifamily housing, providing residents with a convenient and accessible space to exercise. When designing fitness centers, designers must consider equipment selection, layout, and lighting to create a functional and inviting space. modern or traditional.

SpinHouse  |  South Surrey, BC  |  Interior Design by JDG

Equipment selection

Fitness centers should feature a range of equipment to accommodate different fitness levels and activities. Cardiovascular equipment, such as treadmills and ellipticals, are commonly found in fitness centers, but designers should also consider including strength training equipment, such as weight machines and free weights. Equipment should be selected for its durability, ease of use, and safety features.

Design Layout

The layout of a fitness center should be designed to accommodate multiple users and ensure adequate space for movement and exercise. Adequate space should be allocated for stretching, warm-up, and cool-down areas. In addition, the layout should allow for clear lines of sight to ensure safety and promote a sense of community among users.

Lighting

Lighting plays an important role in the functionality and aesthetics of fitness centers. The space should be well-lit to promote safety and allow users to see their surroundings and equipment. Designers can provide some creative solutions for incorporating artificial light in these spaces. In addition, designers should consider incorporating natural light into the space to create a more inviting and energizing atmosphere.

Successful fitness center designs in multi-family projects can enhance the overall resident experience and create a sense of community. For example, the fitness center called The Pearl in Silver Spring, Maryland, features a dedicated yoga and Pilates studio in addition to cardio and strength training equipment.

Design is more than just a business expense. Designing effective fitness centers for an apartment building requires careful consideration of equipment selection, layout, and lighting. Successful designs can enhance the overall experience for tenants and promote a healthy and active lifestyle.

Clubhouses

Clubhouses are common amenity areas in multi-family buildings because they give tenants a gathering place for socializing, working, or unwinding. Similar to important design elements for some commercial spaces or even for restaurants, designing clubhouses requires taking into account seating configurations, storage possibilities, and entertainment options in order to produce a welcoming and practical place.

Conceptual Rendering: Multifamily Project   |   Interior Design by JDG

Clubhouses ought to provide a selection of seating options to meet various group sizes and activities. It is best to pair practical seating, like dining tables and workstations, with comfortable seating, like sofas and armchairs. To take use of natural light and vistas, designers should also think about including outside seating areas, like a patio or balcony.

Conceptual Rendering: Multifamily Project   |   Interior Design by JDG

Storage Options

To keep the area tidy and uncluttered, clubhouses should have plenty of storage space. Residents may be given lockers or cubbies to store their possessions, while shared objects like periodicals or board games may be kept in built-in cabinets and shelving.

Entertainment Alternatives

Clubhouse designers should provide entertainment options to create a warm and inviting ambience. Large-screen televisions, pool tables, board games, and even video gaming consoles are examples of this. To promote socialization and entertainment, designers might think about including kitchenettes or bar sections.

A sense of community can be fostered and the experience for tenants can be improved with effective clubhouse designs in multifamily projects. Remember that thoughtful consideration of seating layouts, storage options, and entertainment alternatives is necessary when creating functional clubhouses.

Rooftop Decks

Rooftop decks are a popular amenity space in multi-family projects, providing residents with stunning views and a unique outdoor experience. Designers must carefully consider furniture selection, lighting, and greenery to create a functional and comfortable space for residents to enjoy.

Tap & Barrel – Bridges  |  Granville Island, BC  |  Interior Design by JDG

Furniture selection

When designing rooftop decks, furniture selection is crucial to creating a comfortable and inviting atmosphere. Durable and weather-resistant furniture is essential to withstand outdoor elements, and comfortable seating options, such as lounge chairs and sofas, should be paired with functional seating, such as dining tables and chairs.

Lighting

Lighting is another important consideration when designing rooftop decks. Proper lighting can enhance the ambiance of the space and create a safe and inviting environment. Lighting options can include string lights, sconces, and even fire pits, which can add warmth and create a cozy atmosphere and encourage residents to use the outdoor space during the evenings as well.

Greenery

Incorporating greenery is an effective way to create a natural and inviting atmosphere on rooftop decks. Designers can use planters, green walls, or even create rooftop gardens to incorporate greenery into the space. This not only adds beauty but can also help with temperature control and noise reduction.

Successful rooftop deck designs in multi-family projects can provide residents with a unique and memorable outdoor experience. For example, the rooftop deck at The Avery in San Francisco features comfortable lounge seating, fire pits, and lush greenery, creating a peaceful oasis in the middle of the city.

Designing effective rooftop decks requires careful consideration of furniture selection, lighting, and greenery. Successful designs can provide residents with a unique outdoor experience and create a sense of relaxation and tranquility.

Conclusion

It’s not a secret that amenity spaces are a critical component of multifamily housing projects compared to single-family property, providing residents with a sense of community, comfort, and convenience.

The design of these spaces is essential to create an environment that enhances the overall resident experience. Designers must consider functionality, durability, aesthetics, and the specific needs of each amenity space when creating designs that cater to the target market.

 

Conceptual Rendering: Eagleview Heights   |   Gibsons, BC   |   Interior Design by JDG

As a well-established interior design firm, Janks Design Group has a deep understanding of the importance of amenity spaces in multi-family projects. Our experienced and creative team offers world-class design solutions tailored to the needs of our clients. Whether it’s a fitness center, clubhouse, or rooftop deck, we strive to create spaces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing, resulting in a memorable resident experience.

If you’re looking for an interior design firm that can create unique and innovative amenity spaces for your multi-family project, choose Janks Design Group. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and let us help you bring your vision to life.

 

Post Covid: The Food & Beverage Industry

On March 18th, the Government of BC announced their intent to provide vaccines to every resident of BC by the end of this year. With that timeline in mind, it is cautiously safe to say that we are nearing the end of the pandemic or at least control of it. The past fourteen months have been challenging for everyone – especially those in the food and beverage industry. Over the past year, the food and beverage industry has developed innovative strategies and practices that have allowed them to sustain their business. In fact, many of these new practices will continue post-pandemic to ensure a safer environment for restaurant staff and guests and to rebuild our confidence in our dining practices prior to the pandemic.

 

Embracing and Adapting to the “New Normal”

Individuals looking to order food from a restaurant or fast-food establishment are now given multiple options of how they can order and receive their meal. They can customize their meal just as they would during a dine-in experience and can even select a specific time as to when they would like to pick up or have their meal delivered. Although this technology is not new, it has become the go-to method of eating out during this pandemic. Many customers are looking for a contactless dining experience, and the food and beverage industry has successfully adapted to suit this demand. A few restaurants have even implemented walk-up windows that eliminate the need to enter an indoor environment to order. The most popular adaptation born from the pandemic is the parklet patios, which have given many restaurants a fighting chance by allowing outdoor seating. These are just some of the methods that the food and beverage industry has used to survive and embrace the impacts of COVID19. It seems that many of these services and practices will carry on long-term to allow flexibility and comfort for all customers.

 

Honesty & Communication is Key

Many successful food and beverage businesses have created a clear and honest dialog with their guests about their safety and how they are implementing new procedures to improve the cleanliness and contact-free experience within their establishment. Ideally, this information and compassion will also align with the brand guidelines of the business and be carried through all aspects of the business. The tone and voice used to communicate new procedures is a key element of genuine brand authenticity. Businesses are also implementing contact tracing methodologies to help stop the spread of COVID-19. Details like this truly matter to guests, as it reflects the investment being made in pursuit of taking care of their safety and needs. Nurturing this trust develops a deeper emotional connection between a business and their guests, which is very valuable during such a physically distanced time.

 

Flexible Design

The COVID19 pandemic has taught us many valuable lessons, but one of the most significant is the importance of being flexible – in all realms of life. When is comes to the food and beverage industry, a flexible design is essential for following COVID19 protocols. Eateries with adaptable interior layouts have definitely managed better than others during this time. Adaptive elements such as furniture, partitions, signage, queue management, etc. have allowed operators to reconfigure their space accordingly while adhering to health guidelines and protocols. Though health restrictions can change overnight, keeping the space pleasant and organized is key. Clear brand-focused signage can also enhance the overall experience and mitigate the focus from the restrictions.

 

Material Selection

Products that are easy to clean will be thoughtfully considered more than ever. Nonporous materials like porcelain, quartz, granite, Corian, or laminate countertops could become more popular. The importance of clean air has also become a huge element of design consideration. Low-emitting materials will take precedence over off-gas materials, and the efficiency of air supply systems will be increased to keep up with the higher expectations and standards of air quality.

 

Change is the Only Constant…

Sir Norman Foster once quoted, ‘Change is the only constant’, and the pandemic has certainly reaffirmed that. During these unprecedented times, we have learned to consistently adapt to new challenges. While COVID19 has brought an abundance of changes, many of these changes are to improve the experience and confidence for both business owners and customers in the long-term.

Unfortunately, the pandemic has caused a great deal of economic loss to many industries but in particular to this one. Many restaurants and other food and beverage establishments have been forced to close – either temporarily or permanently. However, continued support from our communities, and the development of new ways to connect and support one’s local restaurants and eateries is ultimately the biggest accomplishment. The fact remains that the pandemic has significantly changed our way of living, and although we are not going back to “normal” we are moving forward to a new normal in the best way possible.

 

Featured Photo by: Christine Pienaar Photography

 

 

 

 


 

Sources:

BC Government – Covid19 Immunization Plan

Forbes – What Will Restaurants Look Like After Covid?

McKinsey & Company – How Restaurants Can Thrive in the Next Normal

Bergmeyer – Trending 

FSR Magazine – What the Restaurant of the Future Will Look Like After COVID19

I+S – Hospitality Spaces in the Covid Era Ehandbook

 

Reflecting Back on 2019 – Interior Design

Ah…. 2019! What a wonderful year for Janks Design Group and our incredible clients. We began innovative interior design projects, worked on the development of current projects, and celebrated as our completed projects came to life! We had the honour of providing design services for Hospitality, Restaurant, Retail, Medical, and Corporate projects. As we dive into 2020, we reflect on some of our commercial design highlights.

Field & Social

18 East 5th Avenue, Mount Pleasant, Vancouver

This commercial design project was Janks Design Group’s 3rd time working with the incredible Field & Social team on a new Vancouver location. After the successful outcome of the Dunsmuir Street and Royal Centre locations, the JDG team once again used their experienced knowledge to create an interior space that combined functionality and natural beauty.  The new Mount Pleasant interior design provides a new twist on the existing concepts, and serves as the perfect neutral backdrop to the deliciousness offered. This retail design introduced more natural textures to increase the raw aesthetic within the space. We worked with Field & Social and our incredible friends at Harmony Pacific Inc. to bring this alluring space to life. This new Mount Pleasant location celebrated their opening on Monday, December 16th 2019.

Photos by Christine Pienaar

Dandy’s Artisan Ice-Cream

4570 Albert Street, Regina Saskatchewan

This artisan ice-cream shop wanted the interior design of their first location to reflect the passion behind their process, their dedication to local ingredients, and their overall sense of pride that stems from each batch of ice-cream. The Janks Design team was able to clearly communicate our interior design vision to the Saskatchewan client all the way from Vancouver, BC. With the Dandy’s process, product, and pride as our main source of inspiration, JDG designed a bright and inviting space that showcased the delicious ice-cream and overall brand of Dandy’s. Unique interior design elements were integrated through lighting, materials, and layout. To compliment the chilly ice-cream, warmth was introduced through wood seating and a feature fireplace amongst the retail and seating area. The black accents are an elegant contrast to the neutral colour palette, and create a sense of depth and visual interest throughout the retail space. Overall, the interior design of this new commercial space successfully portrayed the goals of the company, and provides a functional environment for both customers and employees.

Photos by Andrew Fyfe

CQ Express

9855 Austin Road, Lougheed Town Centre, Burnaby

This family-friendly space is located within Burnaby’s Lougheed Mall, in the developing hub of Lougheed Town Center. This new Dim Sum restaurant concept was inspired by the fun, fresh, fast, and healthy dishes that have been cultivated by the master chefs at CQ Express. With quick service being a priority for this commercial design project, the JDG team put our problem-solving skills to work, and created a layout that was extremely functional and productive for both staff and customers. The interior design followed in these footsteps, and provided a captivating and vibrant space for guests to enjoy the tastes, aromas, and sense of connection. By integrating branded colours, large custom graphics, and strategic lighting solutions into the restaurant design, the experience of this new quick-service restaurant exceeds expectations. This location is opening in January of 2020, so go check them out!

Conceptual Renderings by JDG

123 Dentist – North Vancouver Dentistry & Implant Centre

144 East 13th Street, North Vancouver

Located in the heart of North Vancouver, this newly constructed dentistry and implant centre is one of JDG’s most recent dental design projects. As you enter the doors, you are greeted with a custom reception desk that effortlessly combines warm wood tones and bright, durable quartz. The impactful wall beyond the desk is finished with an organic porcelain tile. The concept continues into the waiting area, where a modern pendant enlightens the seating area, and provides an essence of street appeal through the large window storefront. Various creative interior design elements were implemented into the rest of the design, such as the variety of planters, a massive geometric wood slat wall, and unique art pieces throughout the dental space. The high ceilings combined with natural light and the custom design create a refreshing environment that makes this dental space feel comfortable instead of institutional. A big shoutout to Lions Head Construction for working with us to bring this space to life!

Vancouver Soup Company

292 East 1st Avenue, Vancouver

This local Vancouver company desired a retail space that showcased their food for comfort product, and provided their guests with a comfortable environment to enjoy their delicious soups, stews, chilis, and entrees. The JDG team worked with the Vancouver Soup Company to bring this vision to life. We developed an interior design concept that was carried throughout the entire project, and reflects the company brand and visual directive. The charming storefront was an expansion on the existing production and warehouse area. As a result of technical, detailed, and creative interior design, Janks Design Group was able to successfully create a space that allowed customers to experience a meaningful face-to-face interaction with the company itself. This commercial design project gave JDG a wonderful opportunity to support local companies led by outstanding people. If you get the chance to try one of their delicious fresh products, don’t pass it up! They are exceptional!

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