Described as “where lake meets life,” Vela Apartments sits prominently on Lake Street in Kirkland, Washington. With such a prime waterfront location, the development team, including developer Continental Properties, architect Encore Architects, builder Compass Construction, and interior designer Sechrist Design Associates, was tasked with building up and over existing architecture to offer 141 new residential units above.
The integration of old and new resulted in irregularly shaped spaces on the amenity levels and throughout the building. Triangular corners, asymmetrical layouts, and necessary expansion joints presented a unique opportunity to design smaller, individual amenity spaces.
“Our challenge centered around space planning the amenity areas within a below-grade, irregularly shaped sunken courtyard. Larger amenity spaces were impractical due to expansion joints and floor plate constraints,” says Sechrist Design Associates. “We adopted a tailored approach, designing individualized spaces for work and play.”
As a result, the amenity areas are divided into distinct zones: work from home, communal gathering, and wellness. The elevator lobby, which showcases custom wall panels with wood screens, serves as the central delineation between these spaces, guiding residents to their desired destination.
In the work-from-home area, the design concept includes an abstract wood bird cage seating area along with woven hanging chairs. The team carved out small open study nooks that can be used for a coffee meetup or a place for private focused work. A small conference room provides residents with a remote workplace for virtual meetings as well.
In addition to fostering professional productivity, wellness is predominant in the amenity package. The fitness center provides a comprehensive range of machines, filtered water stations, and floor-to-ceiling mirrors, augmented by smart TVs. The fitness center overlooks and connects with the serene Zen garden, enhancing the workout experience.
Adjacent to the fitness center is a tranquil yoga room with a wood ceiling and acoustical wood floor, featuring custom casework for yoga mats and balancing blocks. Two interactive mirrors integrated with the full-sized mirror wall offer personalized workout sessions.
Each amenity space features its own unique design element, yet the cohesive use of color, textures, and patterns ensures a unified aesthetic throughout aimed to capture a relaxed lakeside atmosphere with a touch of refinement.
Lastly, Vela takes advantage of its waterfront site with the inclusion of a rooftop terrace with a fireplace that offers panoramic views of Lake Washington.
