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Architects today are designing an experience. And any brand strategist will tell you about the importance of the intangible elements in an experience. The developers of The Carlyle, a luxury condominium complex in downtown Minneapolis, made a conscious effort to work with teams of designers and architects to define their brand as modern, hip and service-oriented. The end result is a hive of spaces that flow consistently and adapt functionally to heighten tenants' unique experience of place in further defining the brand.
As the architect becomes more equipped with ways to define and design for the human element of experiencing a place, we find increasingly blurred design lines and overlap in all types of spaces. Your corporate office break room may feel more like your kitchen at home and your loft in downtown Minneapolis may feel more like a venue for entertaining. From corporate clients to residential clients, there is a demand to create a new experience of place that’s functional, satisfying and inspirational.
For three and a half years, StudioHive Inc. has been a buzz of activity, finding their niche as experts in bringing a sensibility to the interior environment of commercial spaces. The three partners—Shawn Gaither (AIA), Shari Bjork (ASID) and Janice Linster (CID)—and their firm of 10 meld architecture, interior architecture and interior design into a holistic vision that allows everyone on the team, including the client, to have design input.
Most recently StudioHive, a collaborator with developer Apex Asset Management (now Alatus Partners) and architecture/engineering firm OPUS, was challenged to define interiors elements for the public spaces for The Carlyle. StudioHive brought in New York-based BBGM, experts in hotel and resort design, as subcontractors in the process. Gaither describes it as the perfect marriage of BBGM's overarching research and trend knowledge in the hospitality industry and StudioHive's local knowledge, design expertise and existing relationships. The Carlyle's 255 units allowed for a high degree of customization by each tenant. StudioHive, working with the schematic provided by BBGM, improved upon the foundation of its street level public spaces, including the main lobby, wine room lockers, great room and conference rooms, in addition to the fifth-floor spa and fitness center.
“Through a conscience design effort, we tried to create a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere, and allow service professionals to easily attend to tenants’ requests,” stated Gaither.“ I imagine that it feels a little like you're on vacation every day – just what we were going for.” He noted that the design direction was focused on bringing the level of service to the forefront. “From the doorman to the spa, tenants had to feel pampered.”
Upon entering the building, one immediately decompresses, taking in the clean lines, the abundance of warm-toned wood, the large scaled fireplace and comfortable seating that provides a place to read, watch a game or simply people watch. Gaither is quick to point out, “The overarching story of this project is one of combining a residential and hospitality experience. Your eye is drawn to the concierge desk, located at the front of the main entrance.” He added, “With service orientation as the focal point, the wall, floor and ceiling materials were all chosen to reflect the qualities of a luxury resort.”
It’s no demographic surprise, then, that these tenants are also wine connoisseurs. “The design of the wine room on the first floor of the building was intended not only to function as wine storage, but to be on display through the glass wall shared with the great room and double as a place to host your own wine tasting,” Gaither explained. In addition to this amenity, the design team considered other leisure time activities of their tenants in their design approach. Research indicated these tenants like to entertain. “Guest suites for visitors of the homeowners considered both the comfort level for tenants and their guests alike,” said Gaither.
Whether tenant or guest, a day or two might have to pass before feeling compelled to go outside. “The uniqueness of space lends a variety to experiences in the building,” Gaither commented. The fifth-floor spa’s retreat atmosphere was created through use of dry-stacked stone, glass tiles and wood ceiling immersed in direct lighting. On the same floor, though with quite a different vibe, the fitness center's views of the outdoor pool and deck offer an incentive to work out.
For many new owners, the Carlyle has been a great way to transition into their new lifestyle as empty-nesters. Many Carlyle tenants have left their over-sized suburban homes to find new value in the spaces created by the architects. It’s been a smooth transition for many, forgoing the comforts of the living rooms of their suburban past for their new shared common spaces that set the stage for access to culture and city life.
“If you pay a visit to The Carlyle, you’ll experience how the shared spaces are used,” said Gaither. “It’s really rewarding to see the activity and interaction among the tenants—they value the social aspect of living there.”
StudioHive had the ability to bring all of the elements into focus on The Carlyle project research (through sub-contracting experts), international and national insight (magazines, articles, methodology) and local knowledge and experience. These features used together allowed them insight into what works design-wise as well as from the user's perspective. Gaither also noted that new public buildings like the Walker, Guthrie and the Minneapolis Central Library have been amazing influences on this area's design savvy, paving the way for architects and designers to define modern "hipness" for the Midwest.
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