[Photos by BUILD LLC]
A good project is thoughtfully designed and well-executed. It meets the requirements of land use and building codes, fulfills the functional needs of owners and tenants, and incorporates sustainable practices that enhance the project’s longevity. A great project, however, goes a step further. It integrates design features that go beyond the basics, often in the form of small, unexpected touches—what we like to call the “Easter Eggs” of a project.
BUILD’s recently designed Fremont View Apartments (FVA) is full of these delightful surprises. In this article, we’ll highlight seven of our favorites.
A Simple, Reproducible Icon
One of the keys to creating a memorable Easter Egg is a well-formulated branding package. For Fremont View Apartments, the talented team at Seattle’s Column designed a clever and simple icon: two intersecting “Fs” that create a practical and distinctive graphic for the building and site.
This icon is not just a graphic; it’s versatile enough to be incorporated into various elements of the project, such as the metalwork on the landscape security doors.
It also appears in the stamped concrete at key locations throughout the site.
The icon can even extend to the siding color schemes of adjacent buildings, creating a cohesive visual identity across the campus.
Found Objects
The Fremont View Apartments campus also features several refurbished “found objects,” which add character and personality to the space. One of our favorites is the Yogi Bear teeter-totter.
These unique finds contribute to the building’s charm and provide design experiences that would be cost-prohibitive to recreate from scratch. This particular found object became so significant that it influenced some of the marketing materials for the project.
Other found objects include a vintage copper artichoke fountain, which was lovingly refurbished and now graces the building’s north entrance.
Reveals
Sometimes, the best Easter Eggs are the ones that simply reveal what’s already there. For instance, some of the structural concrete columns and ceilings were intentionally left exposed in the unit interiors. These moments offer a peek at the building’s skeleton, adding personality, texture, and an authentic sense of the structure’s raw form.
Enhance
For a modest cost, ordinary items can be transformed into something more interesting and useful. Take, for example, the large-diameter LED disk lights throughout the building. With a simple sticker application, these lights serve a functional purpose—indicating each floor level—while also referencing playful themes, such as the design of the eight-ball below.
Conclusion
Little design additions like these Easter Eggs elevate a project from good to great, bringing an element of pleasant surprise and serendipity to those who experience the architecture.
Cheers from Team BUILD!