Chicago-based Mary Cook Associates (MCA), a national, award-winning commercial interior design firm, released new photography of Notion, a mid-rise apartment community located outside of Atlanta in Decatur, Ga. MCA designed more than 8,000 sf of interior and exterior amenity space at Notion, which celebrated its grand opening earlier this spring.
Located at 125 N. Arcadia Ave., Notion is part of the larger Sam’s Crossing Village mixed-use development, which includes 12,000 sf of retail anchored by a Publix grocery store. The community’s 290 upscale apartment residences include studios, one- and two-bedroom units.
Mary Cook Associates-designed interiors with coffee shop atmosphere
The design team at MCA worked closely with developer Toll Brothers Apartment Living and design architect Dwell Design Studio to develop an interior concept for Notion inspired by Decatur’s tree-lined streets, boutique retail and vibrant restaurant and coffee shop scene. Notion features a mix of contemporary furnishings, inviting textures, curated accessories and artwork—including a colorful branded wall made up of repurposed book spines—and three separate coffee bars to accentuate the coffeehouse atmosphere.
“The unique makeup of downtown Decatur presented our design team with an opportunity to create a living environment that mirrors the eclectic energy of the neighborhood while speaking to the sophistication and active lifestyle of today's renters,” said Mary Cook, president and found of Mary Cook Associates. “MCA’s researched design approach is guided by our deep understanding of the psychographics—the values, attitudes, interests, lifestyles and aspirations—of the end-users, allowing our team to execute aesthetically pleasing and high-performing spaces that foster creative expression, productivity and social engagement among residents.”
Notion incorporates high-end design elements that provide optimal functionality in its common areas, such as a hospitality-inspired lobby lounge and mailroom; expansive co-working space featuring communal and private workstations; a well-appointed exhibition kitchen and adjacent library lounge; and a 24-hour gaming lounge offering billiards, a beverage hub with beer and wine on tap, and a variety of seating options.
Additional amenities include a resort-style pool with cabanas; a landscaped courtyard with grills and lawn games; a dog park and “paw-spa;” a self-serve bicycle shop and storage area; and a club-quality fitness center with state-of-the-art machines for cardio and weight training, a fitness-on-demand studio and WellBeats for HIIT.
“It was important to understand what motivates residents and how they can interact with the spaces,” noted Cook. “Our research showed residents value functionality, flexibility and productivity, so we designed the common areas to support a variety of activities, and also transition seamlessly from day to night use. The end result provides multiple opportunities for residents to gather, converse, read, peruse social media, enjoy a beverage and collaborate on professional work.”
According to Cook, the holistic and site-specific interior design approach at Notion contributed to the community outperforming original leasing projections, quickly approaching full capacity following its grand opening. Notion represents the latest partnership between Mary Cook Associates and Toll Brothers Apartment Living and the second Atlanta-area collaboration between the two firms, following the completion of Oleander in Brookhaven in 2019.
About Mary Cook Associates
Established in 1986, Mary Cook Associates (MCA) is a fully integrated interior architecture and design firm nationally known for creating innovative interiors for leading owners and developers of real estate. The firm’s projects include multifamily, model homes, student living, senior living, clubhouses, restaurants, and hospitality environments. MCA’s work emphasizes functionality, showcases possibilities, and delivers a measurable Return on Environment (ROE℠). MCA’s team includes more than two dozen designers and architects that are strategic, imaginative and skilled at designing a wide variety of spaces that respond to demographic, geographic and lifestyle influences of target markets. Smart, functional spaces that establish immediate connections with their users and boost Living Better by Design℠, increase property value, and accelerate sales and occupancy rates are the hallmarks of the results MCA consistently achieves. In its 36th year, the firm continues to expand its national presence with award-winning work across the country.
Related Stories
| Oct 23, 2013
Manhattan's landmark Marble Collegiate Church modernized
Helpern Architects, Structure Tone led the Building Team in a multi-phase project.
| Oct 23, 2013
Gehry, Foster join Battersea Power Station redevelopment
Norman Foster and Frank Gehry have been selected to design a retail section within the £8 billion redevelopment of Battersea Power Station in London.
| Oct 23, 2013
Some lesser-known benefits of metal buildings
While the durability of metal as a construction material is widely recognized, some of its other advantages are less commonly acknowledged and appreciated.
| Oct 23, 2013
Architecture Billings Index hits seven-month high in September
AIA's Architecture Billings Index was 54.3 in September, the highest level since February 2013
| Oct 22, 2013
World's tallest twisting tower added to Dubai skyline [slideshow]
The 75-story residential building, designed by SOM, features a dramatically rising helix shape for a distinctive addition to the city’s skyline.
| Oct 22, 2013
Still a long way to go toward improving worker safety
Last year, there were 775 fatalities among U.S. construction workers: 133 among those in the construction of buildings, 169 in heavy/civil engineering projects, and 456 involving workers in specialty trades. What can construction firms do to prevent fatalities? Building a culture of safety must start at the top.
| Oct 21, 2013
University of Queensland’s net-zero building features biomimicry-based design
University of Queensland’s Global Change Institute (GCI) building in Australia showcases on-site solar energy sources, biomimicry-based design features, and the first structural use of low-carbon concrete in the country.
| Oct 21, 2013
ASHRAE/IES publish 2013 Energy Standard
Major changes to requirements regarding building envelope, lighting, mechanical and the energy cost budget are contained in the newly published energy standard from ASHRAE and IES. ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2013, Energy Standard for Buildings Except Low-Rise Residential Buildings, incorporates 110 addenda, reflecting changes made through the public review process.
| Oct 20, 2013
What you missed at BUILDINGChicago/Greening the Heartland
Not able to attend the inaugural BUILDINGChicago/Greening the Heartland conference and expo this week? Don't worry. The BD+C editorial team has you covered.
| Oct 18, 2013
Meet the winners of BD+C's $5,000 Vision U40 Competition
Fifteen teams competed last week in the first annual Vision U40 Competition at BD+C's Under 40 Leadership Summit in San Francisco. Here are the five winning teams, including the $3,000 grand prize honorees.
