Reinvention of Indoor & Outdoor Amenity Spaces

Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh

A sleek, modern take on the industrial aesthetic of journeyman coopers.

Repositioning a community is always a balance of mixing old with new. With a small, underutilized lobby, drab community spaces, and an outdoor space that wasn’t living up to its potential, this multifamily property needed a new vision to help it compete in the Seattle market. A new brand identity, a strong design aesthetic, and refreshed amenity spaces elevate this property into an attractive community for the client’s target tenant.

This community presented us with the unique challenge of blending three separate schemes from three previous remodels into one cohesive palette and theme. In response, we developed three totally new schemes that unify the spaces without erasing their individuality.

Uniting the spaces is the concept of the cooper, the profession from which the community gets its name. Curves, arches, blackened steel, wood slats, and handmade wood joinery throughout offer a sleek, modern take on the traditional wooden barrels, casks, and vats made by journeymen coopers.

Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh – Multifamily Remodel & Refresh – Board & Vellum
The Social Hall

Composed of a series of zones designed for gathering in groups or enjoying life as a wallflower, the social hall is where it all happens. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

The Social Hall

Composed of a series of zones designed for gathering in groups or enjoying life as a wallflower, the social hall is where it all happens. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh – Multifamily Remodel & Refresh – Board & Vellum
Communal Table

Whether it’s sharing a meal or gathering for a group project or a board game, there’s plenty of room. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Communal Table

Whether it’s sharing a meal or gathering for a group project or a board game, there’s plenty of room. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh – Multifamily Remodel & Refresh – Board & Vellum
Shared Kitchen

With an extra deep counter at the island, there’s plenty of space to prep, eat, and display your charcuterie board feats — all at once. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Shared Kitchen

With an extra deep counter at the island, there’s plenty of space to prep, eat, and display your charcuterie board feats — all at once. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh – Multifamily Remodel & Refresh – Board & Vellum
Great Room

All the components of a “great room” in a single-family residence — living room, dining room, kitchen — are represented in the shared social hall. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Great Room

All the components of a “great room” in a single-family residence — living room, dining room, kitchen — are represented in the shared social hall. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Relocating the original leasing office to an otherwise unused area of the building allowed us to create more substantial community spaces with the added benefits of making the leasing office more accessible and the tenant amenities more secure.

The clubhouse, which benefited from this move, now offers multiple welcoming spaces for residents and their guests to enjoy. A comfortable seating area and a television sit adjacent to a family-style dining table, and the updated community kitchen around the corner feels connected to the rest of the space while shielding the lounge areas from any food prep bustle.

Trimmed in black with the space’s signature wood slatting within, the clubhouse’s barrel-like cutouts welcome guests into cozy nooks. A direct nod to the cooper, the booths are at once whimsical, yet wholly on brand.

Here, and elsewhere throughout the project, the industrial elements of wood and metal are enlivened by a mixed palette of fresh greens and blues accented by juicy burnt orange and golden-brown hues.

Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh – Multifamily Remodel & Refresh – Board & Vellum
TV Lounge

Comfy seating centers around a coffee table in a zone fit for settling in for some binge watching. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

TV Lounge

Comfy seating centers around a coffee table in a zone fit for settling in for some binge watching. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh – Multifamily Remodel & Refresh – Board & Vellum
Statement Booths

Eye-catching keyhole booths are a visual reference to the barrels and casks of the project’s namesake, coopers. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Statement Booths

Eye-catching keyhole booths are a visual reference to the barrels and casks of the project’s namesake, coopers. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh – Multifamily Remodel & Refresh – Board & Vellum
Iconic (and Cozy!) Seating

Perfect for a just the right amount of privacy, the barrel nooks have ceilings lined with the signature wood slats seen throughout the space. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Iconic (and Cozy!) Seating

Perfect for a just the right amount of privacy, the barrel nooks have ceilings lined with the signature wood slats seen throughout the space. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh – Multifamily Remodel & Refresh – Board & Vellum
Meeting Space

Small tables tucked out of the bustle of the main social hall offer space for a quieter meeting. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Meeting Space

Small tables tucked out of the bustle of the main social hall offer space for a quieter meeting. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh – Multifamily Remodel & Refresh – Board & Vellum
Flooded with Natural Light

The courtyard side of the social hall features plenty of glass, not only creating a strong visual connection between indoors and out, but ensuring plenty of natural light reaches deep into the space. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Flooded with Natural Light

The courtyard side of the social hall features plenty of glass, not only creating a strong visual connection between indoors and out, but ensuring plenty of natural light reaches deep into the space. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Through a new glass folding wall in the clubhouse, an underutilized outdoor pool was filled in favor of an expansive courtyard, doubling the clubhouse’s impact. Discrete zones break up the spacious outdoor space into areas for lounging, dining, and barbecuing. Assorted seating options, hardscape, turf, plantings, and an accessible deck provide options for any gathering or quiet afternoon. And ample overhead bistro lights take visitors to the space from day to night with ease.

Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh – Multifamily Remodel & Refresh – Board & Vellum
Folding Glass Wall

When desired, the folding glass wall of the Social Hall can open fully to the courtyard. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Folding Glass Wall

When desired, the folding glass wall of the Social Hall can open fully to the courtyard. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh – Multifamily Remodel & Refresh – Board & Vellum
Glowing Attraction

The Social Hall glows with light through the expansive glazing of the peaked windows and accordion wall. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Glowing Attraction

The Social Hall glows with light through the expansive glazing of the peaked windows and accordion wall. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh – Multifamily Remodel & Refresh – Board & Vellum
Living Rooms, Inside or Out

The party can flow from indoors to out, with space for cooking, eating, and lounging in the courtyard. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Living Rooms, Inside or Out

The party can flow from indoors to out, with space for cooking, eating, and lounging in the courtyard. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh – Multifamily Remodel & Refresh – Board & Vellum
Central Courtyard

Once the site of an underutilized outdoor pool, the courtyard is now a lively central gathering space. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Central Courtyard

Once the site of an underutilized outdoor pool, the courtyard is now a lively central gathering space. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh – Multifamily Remodel & Refresh – Board & Vellum
The Commons

Grills and a tap for a keg ensure the outdoor cooking space stays lively. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

The Commons

Grills and a tap for a keg ensure the outdoor cooking space stays lively. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh – Multifamily Remodel & Refresh – Board & Vellum
At the Edge of the Party

Groupings of Adirondack chairs add flexible seating options away from the brightly-lit courtyard. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

At the Edge of the Party

Groupings of Adirondack chairs add flexible seating options away from the brightly-lit courtyard. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh – Multifamily Remodel & Refresh – Board & Vellum
Let the Green Grow In

As the new plantings grow in and the young trees grow tall, the courtyard will be lush with greenery, with plenty of shade in the summer. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Let the Green Grow In

As the new plantings grow in and the young trees grow tall, the courtyard will be lush with greenery, with plenty of shade in the summer. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh – Multifamily Remodel & Refresh – Board & Vellum
Sheltered Space

Surrounded by the apartment complex’s buildings, the courtyard enjoys a feeling of privacy and community ownership. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Sheltered Space

Surrounded by the apartment complex’s buildings, the courtyard enjoys a feeling of privacy and community ownership. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh – Multifamily Remodel & Refresh – Board & Vellum
Something for Everyone

With so many different spots to gather, alone or with family or friends, there’s a spot for everyone. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Something for Everyone

With so many different spots to gather, alone or with family or friends, there’s a spot for everyone. Cooper Apartments Amenity Refresh | Photo by Cory Holland.

Notes & Credits
Interior Design & Landscape Architecture by Board & Vellum.
Lighting Design Consultation by Luminous NW.
Photography by Cory Holland.

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