Meet Rachel Sowieja, founder and CEO of Vida Design. In 2009, with a mission to revolutionize urban multifamily spaces through design solutions, Vida Design, took form. The name “Vida” pays homage to life, aiming to inspire residents with a sense of vitality and comfort. Sowieja shares with MFE the latest design trends and why it’s critical to curate the resident experience.
How can design impact the resident experience?
The design for an interior will always be the first thing a resident experiences, which is why it is critical to thoughtfully curate the experience. From the entry point at the garage or street to the front door of the residence, the design should provide sensory cues that signal to the residents that they are home. The amenities are an extension of the residences and will be experienced in a communal way, but still need to have a common thread that is part of the design DNA of the community.
Tell me about a recent multifamily project you worked on and how design set it apart?
The Bernice, located in Sacramento, California, has a gorgeous interior that tells a unique story. Our muse for this interior was iconic designer Ray Eames, who is native to the area. We worked hard to embrace her story and style in a subtle way that is fun and vibrant. We combined midcentury moments with more classic elements that reference California lore and the easy, sophistication of modernism. I think the interior radiates positivity, and we could all use more of that.
Do you have a signature design feature that you include in every multifamily project?
We work so hard to make every project unique, celebrating the community and brand. We do have a reputation for absolutely adorable bathrooms in our amenities. It’s always the best surprise when you see one at a restaurant or hotel, and we see these spaces as hospitality driven—we are always looking for a moment to add the element of surprise and memory making.
With a limited amount of space, how are designers getting creative with storage inside of units?
With construction costs at a high as well as budgets being at a low, we are not getting a lot of opportunity for extras in the units. What we can do is be extremely thoughtful in space planning units making sure the primary furniture elements are working well then layer in storage in clever ways. In our model units, we work to model these elements with FFE (furniture, fixtures, and equipment) selections by way of wall shelving, storage under coffee tables, in mobile islands, and within closets, bathrooms and laundry closets. It really helps the resident visualize.
What’s the biggest trend you’re seeing this year for multifamily?
We continue to see wellness as a focus, with amenities such as meditation, individual stretching rooms, and spa elements. We see quiet rooms that are soundproof being so important and do not need to be isolated to a co-work zone. In addition, the idea of a speakeasy or small jewel box for entertaining is at the forefront, likely a post-pandemic desire to be together again in more intimate groups for entertaining.
What trend are you happy to see in the rearview mirror?
The idea of demonstration kitchens in amenity areas—they were fun for a while but really dictated the entire program for the space and were complicated in planning for ventilation. We have a lot more flexibility in creating an amenity that caters to a variety of groups and experiences if we don’t have that element center stage.
What advice do you have for developers when they are in their initial planning stages for a new community?
Bring in the interior designers early to help plan the amenity flow and program. We are frequently advising clients to cut back on square footage through efficient planning, do less with more, and analyze the adjacencies with outdoor amenities. If the team can come together early and rally around a vision, program, and budget, the return on investment is exponential.
