Forward-thinking multifamily owners and developers are recognizing how the strategic design of communities can create positive psychological impacts and mitigate negative effects on the well-being of residents, staff, and guests. This is more important than ever, as the unprecedented pandemic has expanded physical and mental health concerns.
In particular, it has prompted many stakeholders to rethink shared amenities and common areas. Special consideration must be given to ensure these spaces not only limit the spread of illness, but foster a comfortable experience and encourage healthy social interactions.
At Cuningham, we’ve observed the benefits of well-designed interconnected and nature-influenced common spaces for several years. In light of COVID-19, architects and designers are continuing to enhance and adapt their strategies to help multifamily stakeholders realize the full potential of their communities.
Below, we explore emerging amenity space and common area design trends that will ensure communities are not only places people like to live, but where they thrive.
Interconnected and Adaptable Spaces Foster Engagement and Community
Studies continue to demonstrate the benefits of environments that are enriched—those that feature stimuli in a way that is patterned, not chaotic. An ideal space will be fluid, engaging, and designed with intention.
For multifamily communities, this translates to providing residents safety, security, and the ability to focus on life happening within the walls, rather than the walls themselves, which ultimately enhances overall well-being.
One way that developers are addressing overall resident well-being is through incorporating a flexible, interconnected flow of community spaces.
Drawing from the concept of enriched spaces, common areas that feature engaging touch points and an intentional flow can reduce stress and other negative impacts, and actively encourage and foster a sense of community and socialization. This is critical without a pandemic, and all the more as people are still impacted by the negative effects of pandemic-related isolation.
For example, we recently completed a luxury multifamily community, Rafter, in Northeast Minneapolis. An entire floor comprises several interconnected amenity zones, including a clubroom and a makers room, with an open format and visibility through glass walls.
A primary driver behind the decision to blend the amenity zones at Rafter was to provide an interactive space that allowed for varying levels of enclosure and engagement. Drawing inspiration from social spaces like casinos, it was designed in a way that encourages people to converge in high-energy zones, while other areas offer a respite.
With spaces like these, residents can make the experience their own, while also feeling a sense of belonging and an identification with the community.
Another benefit of these spaces is that they can be intentionally adapted to accommodate different group sizes and activities, allowing for a cost-efficient way to incorporate more amenities and experiences into less square footage.
In turn, this increases appeal to potential and current residents.
A Breath of Fresh Air
Over the past several years, we’ve observed the rise of supportive natural integration through ideas of biophilic design and daylighting. These design strategies can reduce stress through creating an enriched, multisensory environment and support occupants’ natural circadian rhythms.
A fluid relationship between the indoors and outdoors will become even more essential going forward, reflecting how people will feel most comfortable in the foreseeable future due to the pandemic.
Residents will be drawn to common areas that provide more fresh air in order to safely congregate. To optimize space, interior common areas can be intentionally designed to connect to the outdoors with large openings, like overhead doors or foldable door systems.
For instance, at Rafter, the clubroom has a large glass movable wall that opens up to a rooftop sundeck, with dedicated areas for dining and gaming, as well as an outdoor theater.
These spaces also should be designed to be easily adaptable to various weather conditions. In most regions, it will also be highly important to have adequate filtration and ventilation systems in place throughout common areas for safe congregation year-round.
Create Synergy with Surroundings
For some communities, the way that common areas are arranged, or how indoor and outdoor spaces interact, can tie strongly to a multifamily property’s identity and brand, further contributing to a sense of belonging to a community.
For instance, we are underway on the design of a transit-oriented project called Parallel in Wheatridge, Colorado. Located between the Rocky Mountains and Denver, the design of the community strives to engage the urban/nature and indoor/outdoor connection including an adjacent rail stop in a broader context.
The community will encourage a social and active lifestyle, with gathering spaces leading directly into miles of trails right outside the front door. It features a street-side amenity court and multiple roof decks, which have sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains and the Denver skyline.
That said, not all locations are created equal, and there are several other ways to create a symbiotic relationship with the surrounding neighborhood with common area designs and amenity experiences.
As an example, Rafter has also utilized ground-floor space as an art gallery showcasing local talent—solidifying a deep connection to the neighborhood while providing a place for residents to enjoy without having to venture out, which has been a lifeline while it has been unsafe to do so.
Creating a sense of security and community through these strategic spaces contributes to overall resident well-being and, ultimately, retention.
A Lasting Impact
From the start, the design of a multifamily community should consider more than just its look and functionality. Well-designed, enriched common areas have the potential to drive overall satisfaction, while making lasting impacts on residents’ well-being. This will be more important than ever in the coming years, as we all navigate the aftermath of the pandemic.
By incorporating spaces that are flexible, encourage safe socialization and engagement, and emphasize a connection to nature, multifamily stakeholders will offer residents homes and communities they will want to experience for the long term.
