FDG SETS THE NEW STANDARD FOR POST-COVID REDEVELOPMENT IN MULTIFAMILY LIVING
Faulkner Design Group’s Approach to Multifamily Redevelopment
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a surplus of redevelopment opportunities in the multifamily living industry. Developers are flocking to now-dormant commercial buildings and distressed existing communities like never before, drawn by increased ground-up construction costs and the dwindling supply of available land in most desirable markets.
The field of interior architecture and design must be ready to meet these new needs. Faulkner Design Group has spent the last 30 years preparing for a transition such as this.
Camden Harbor View
In 2018 Camden Property Trust sought to give their Harbor View community in Long Beach, California, an in depth overhaul. Camden desired a resident-centered design that adhered to the evolving needs of the modern multifamily community. It needed to not only align, but stand out amongst current market trends shown by competitors in the area. Camden engaged Faulkner Design Group to provide the expert guidance needed to bring to life the new vision for the community.
Innovative Design Process
Faulkner Design Group began the project by having an in-depth conversation with the client to determine their wants and needs for the rehabilitation project. The team then engaged in a comprehensive review of the facilities and the greater community to help determine a plan of action for the design process.
At the onset of the project, Camden Harbor View was an outdated community with dark and dated aesthetic reminiscent of its initial construction in 2003. The FDG design team pulled the 15-year-old floor plans into Revit and got straight to work designing the new and improved environments. The use of BIM software such as Revit let the design team produce digital models of the new spaces quickly and effectively. From those models, photo realistic renderings were created to convey exactly what the results of the project’s renovation would look like. Utilizing renderings such as this, the Camden team knew what their reinvigorated community would look like before ever beginning construction. FDG finds tools such as this as an invaluable asset for the design process.
Beyond addressing the furniture and finishes within the community, Faulkner Design Group sought to create a better, more cohesive flow to the amenity spaces. When fully realized, the new spaces created by FDG’s space planning efforts increased accessibility to the most sought-after amenities while also taking advantage of overlooked areas for opportunity. A 24-hour internet lounge was created from such a space to meet the current market need for work from home office space.
In addition to utilizing such comprehensive renderings, the FDG design team invited the Camden leadership into the office for an in-depth FF&E presentation that utilized a hands-on approach making sure all materials were on display to be seen and felt. With the materials in-hand, key decision makers for Camden could view the renderings of their project while having those actual materials at their fingertips. This helped them fully understand the vision that the design team had been working on. If there was a finish that missed the mark or did not live up to their expectation, it was easily replaced by one of the thousands of products represented in the vast on-site materials library that FDG has within their Dallas office.
The final aspect that led to the community’s overall rehabilitation was getting the existing exterior to match the modernized interior. CEO Adrienne Faulkner and Project Manager Carma Heidecker carefully documented the exterior paint colors for the entire community. They advised on an new paint scheme that was reminiscent of the Long Beach community. The design utilized fresh new colors to accentuate the structure’s architectural elements and provide a cost-efficient solution to updating the exterior of the building without engaging in new construction.
“It is just completely night and day. [Camden] went from confusing, unwelcoming, and dark, to bright, modern, and inviting.”
- Project Manager, Myles Sampey
Trusted design that delivers
Faulkner Design Group sets out exceed the needs of our clients in every step of the design process. In-house research, technology, design, purchasing, and installation makes FDG a forerunner for interior architecture and design with a trusted design that delivers.
If you’re in need of a team that is dedicated to Designing Environments that Transform Life, we’re excited to make your visions become reality. If you have any questions at all, do not hesitate to reach out. Our team is here to provide answers you need.
