New lobby for Plaza Hutchison: an extravagant mood board welcomes young university students to their residence
New lobby for Plaza Hutchison: an extravagant mood board welcomes young university students to their residence

New lobby for Plaza Hutchison: an extravagant mood board welcomes young university students to their residence

Plaza Hutchison is a 10-story residential building in Montreal's Milton Park area. The design brief consisted of renovating the common spaces that serve all 100 rental units. The entire ground floor was completely renovated, including the main lobby, communal gymnasium, and laundry room

Because Plaza Hutchison's location is very close to a university, the apartments within it are mostly studios which are rented to students. Ivy Studio's design for the transformation of the common areas builds on this evidence and evolves the function of the lobby. Rather than just an open waiting area, it becomes an extension of the residents' living quarters. A long suspended upholstered seat follows the glass facade, with a variety of tables attached to its seat, inviting students to sit, read, and study, alone or in groups

New lobby for Plaza Hutchison: an extravagant mood board welcomes young university students to their residence

Aimed at a younger audience, the color and material palette chosen by the architects produces a more whimsical design than typically found in a lobby of a standard apartment building. Inspired by the building's quirky, one-of-a-kind concrete canopy, the interior of the Plaza Hutchison lobby looks more like what one would find in Miami or LA. The navy velvet, striped linen, burgundy steel, and faded green wood serve only as a complement to the big star of the show: "three shades of pink." Moldings decorate the colorful walls, follow their curves and disguise the doors, creating a playful atmosphere

New lobby for Plaza Hutchison: an extravagant mood board welcomes young university students to their residence

The main elevator blocks are covered with smoked mirrors from floor to ceiling, perfect for a last-minute selfie while waiting for the elevator. Several custom-designed light fixtures are installed on the walls and around the central column. Finally, attached to the glossy column, the black-and-white striped desk takes center stage with its built-in planter

New lobby for Plaza Hutchison: an extravagant mood board welcomes young university students to their residence

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