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
Architects | May 23, 2023
DEI initiatives at KAI Enterprises, with Michael Kennedy, Jr. and Gyasi Haynes
Michael Kennedy, Jr. and Gyasi Haynes of KAI Enterprises, St. Louis, describe their firm's effort to create a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion—and how their own experiences as black men in the design and construction industry shaped that initiative.
Multifamily Housing | May 23, 2023
One out of three office buildings in largest U.S. cities are suitable for residential conversion
Roughly one in three office buildings in the largest U.S. cities are well suited to be converted to multifamily residential properties, according to a study by global real estate firm Avison Young. Some 6,206 buildings across 10 U.S. cities present viable opportunities for conversion to residential use.
Architects | May 23, 2023
Ware Malcomb hires Francisco Perez-Azua as Director, Interior Architecture & Design, in its Miami office
Ware Malcomb hires Francisco Perez-Azua as Director, Interior Architecture & Design, in its Miami office.
K-12 Schools | May 22, 2023
The revival of single-building K-12 schools
Schools that combine grades PK through 12 are suddenly not so uncommon. Education sector experts explain why.
Architects | May 19, 2023
Snøhetta architects make a bid to unionize the firm's New York studio
Employees at the New York office of architecture firm Snøhetta have filed a petition with the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to unionize the studio. Snøhetta employees’ action marks the third time architects at a private-sector architecture studio in the U.S. took that step.
Healthcare Facilities | May 19, 2023
A new behavioral health facility in California targets net zero energy
Shortly before Mental Health Awareness Month in May, development and construction firm Skanska announced the topping out of California’s first behavioral health facility—and the largest in the nation—to target net zero energy. Located in Redwood City, San Mateo County, Calif., the 77,610-sf Cordilleras Health System Replacement Project is slated for completion in late 2024.
Arenas | May 18, 2023
How can we reimagine live sports experiences?
A Gensler survey finds what sports fans' experiences have been like returning to arenas, and their expectations going forward.
Government Buildings | May 18, 2023
GSA launches first biennial construction award program
Today, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced the new biennial GSA Construction Award program, which is seeking submissions this summer. The program was created to honor outstanding achievements in construction, with a focus on quality and craftsmanship, collaboration and team dynamics, sustainability, innovation, and technology. The first Construction Awards ceremony will take place in 2024.
K-12 Schools | May 17, 2023
Designing K-12 schools for students and safety
While bullying, mental health, and other acts of violence are all too common in schools today, designers have shown that smart and subtle preventive steps can make a big difference. Clark Nexsen’s Becky Brady shares how prevention and taking action at the design level can create safe and engaging learning environments.
Affordable Housing | May 17, 2023
Affordable housing advocates push for community-owned homes over investment properties
Panelists participating in a recent webinar hosted by the Urban Institute discussed various actions that could help alleviate the nation’s affordable housing crisis. Among the possible remedies: inclusionary zoning policies, various reforms to increase local affordable housing stock, and fees on new development to offset the impact on public infrastructure.
