The Robert Apartment Lobby The Robert Apartment Building in Portland, OR

The trick with new construction is you have to bring in elements that feel more timeless and interesting than just a freshly painted wall. Brick walls, floor-to ceiling tilework, a stack of firewood, and a carefully thought-out lighting plan makes people want to be part of it, much like a hotel lobby does when you’re traveling out of town.

Our clients at The Robert wanted their new building residents to actually use the lobby—to hang out with a friend, work on a laptop, enjoy morning coffee by a warm fire, grab a book from the library and read for as long as they want. The lobby is an extension of their new home and it’s meant to be enjoyed.

Photos by Kaitlin M Green.