The Drawing Board is ESG Architecture & Design’s quarterly publicationinstilled with layers and refined with purpose. It connects you to design perspectives and inspiration, featuring insights from our thought leaders, a collection of project visuals, and a glimpse into our process. Within, you’ll find early sketches and conceptual models which are some of the decisive moments that propel design forward.
The Rive Madison (formerly VERVE Madison) was completed in partnership with Subtext Living in 2024. It serves the University of Wisconsin as a campus adjacent market-rate residence for those seeking a modern alternative to oncampus living. Only two blocks from the university, the design captures the essence of college life while offering an elevated and amenitized experience for students. Features include a variety of social and study areas, wellness spaces and pet amenities. Learn more about this project by following the link below.
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Author: Bob Loken, AIA, Principal, Board Member, ESG Architecture & Design
In recent years sociologists have increasingly documented a steady decline in Americans’ social connections, with troubling consequences for both human health and civic engagement. In 2023, the U.S. Surgeon General officially identified social isolation as a public health epidemic. And the Spring 2025 Harvard Youth Poll underscored the urgency: fewer than half of Americans under 30 reported feeling a sense of community.
The statistics are clear, but the causes of social isolation are complex. Technology often takes the blame, yet so too does the physical environment. Sprawling development and car-dependent neighborhoods can limit opportunities for daily interaction, while denser, mixed-use communities tend to encourage them.
As society becomes more isolated, many apartment renters, especially Gen Z, who make up 47% of recent renters, are actively seeking residential buildings that foster a sense of belonging. Gen Z researcher Corey Seemiller notes that this generation sees a connection between their physical environment and mental health. “They leave situations that are toxic for them and engage in ones that meet their mental, emotional and physical needs. They understand that their environment can impact their mood and productivity.” For architects and developers, this creates both a responsibility and an opportunity: by designing places that spark connection and reflect local culture, they not only contribute to social well-being but also create buildings with lasting value.
Developers are very attuned to the importance of amenities in residential and office buildings but in urban settings, the most valuable amenity is often the neighborhood itself. Future residents may already have friends nearby, frequent local shops, or feel invested in the district before moving in. Buildings that amplify the unique flavor of a place are more successful in attracting and retaining tenants.
Every ESG project begins with a research phase that grounds the design in the character of its surroundings. We visit sites at different times of day, dine at local restaurants, and sometimes even purchase items from nearby stores to accessorize amenity spaces. This immersion into place helps ground our designs in their neighborhoods.
Community engagement is often a required step in the entitlement process, but it can also be a powerful source of design insight. Meeting with neighborhood groups reveals what existing residents value most about their community and
gives design teams insight into how a new project can draw upon, and reinforce, those strengths.
Strong public realm design in particular can help win over stakeholders and smooth a project’s path through land use entitlements. Partnering with city agencies such as Public Works and Traffic Departments can transform necessary infrastructure work-like curb and sidewalk reconstruction-into opportunities for safer, more welcoming streetscapes. Expanding pedestrian space, adding bike infrastructure, and introducing greenery not only improve urban life but also strengthen community support for a project.
The Vicinity Apartments at 205 Park Avenue in Minneapolis’ Mill District demonstrates how thoughtful design can both serve residents and strengthen a neighborhood. The project originated with a cityled RFP and incorporated many of the city’s and community’s priorities: interspersed affordable units, a small police substation, and ground-floor commercial spaces.
But the design and development team went further, introducing unique features that helped stitch the building into the neighborhood fabric. A set of two-story, ground-level condominiums with street-facing doors and terraces provide a human-scaled connection to the street. The most beloved feature, however, emerged from a creative reimagining of leftover land: a 2,000-squarefoot public pet exercise area developed on an unused strip of city-owned property across the alley from The Vicinity.
This space, known as 2050 Bark, not only gave residents a unique amenity that could never have fit within the tight urban site, but it also created a shared gathering place for the broader community. With tightly-framed views of historic flour mills, the park has become a cherished neighborhood asset-an outcome that helped win the RFP and continues to deliver lasting value for the owner.
At a time when social isolation threatens both individual health and collective well-being, design has a vital role to play. By embedding opportunities for interaction, investing in the public realm, and reflecting the identity of place, architects and developers can contribute to a physical environment that helps build community.
"We worked extensively with stakeholders to ensure that The Vicinity is more than just a building or asset. It’s a part of the community.”
Dan Collison, Senior Director of Business Development and Public Affairs, Sherman Associates
ARTICLE SOURCES:
Office of the US Surgeon General (2023). Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The US Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community Flint, Jessica (2025, May 1). What Do Gen Z Renters Want? Amenities, Aesthetics and Their Own Mini Universe. The Wall Street Journal Volpe, John Della (Spring, 2025) Harvard Youth Poll
The 3/4 block development included a 22-story concrete apartment tower (O2), a six story wood-over-podium low rise apartment building (Ladder 260), accessory underground parking and a new two-story Minneapolis Fire Station #1. Each corner of the site was anchored by one of the three new buildings, each with its own distinct identity. The result is a block that is heterogeneous in character, as if it was developed over time.
The project included replacement of the obsolete Fire Station #1 which needed to remain operational until its replacement was complete. This phased construction played a key role in the site design of the block. The new fire station was located at the opposite end of the site from its predecessor and included construction of a two-story permanent sheet pile foundation wall that allowed the rest of the site to be excavated and constructed without disturbing the operations of the busiest fire station in Minneapolis. Brick and timber from the old fire station was salvaged and utilized in the new buildings.
O2 project.
The team designed pedestrian and vehicular circulation to balance efficiency, safety, comfort and vitality. The single auto entrance was located mid-block on Portland Ave to minimize conflict with busy urban intersections. The fire station apparatus bays were located on the opposite side of the site to allow vehicles to be deployed more quickly to the west where the majority of emergency calls originate. Shared access allows the department's new ladder truck to pull through the site and enter its bay from the rear, a rare luxury in an urban fire station. Prominent building entrances activate all four block faces. A small plaza and grove of trees at the corner of Portland and Washington welcomes pedestrians to O2 and will eventually host outdoor seating for a future restaurant.
Every year, millions of students take their first steps away from home and into independence. Whether they’re first year or fourth year students, they’re left with only a fleeting summer ahead, and families are faced with a decision that carries far more weight than it may first appear - where their student will live. This home away from home is more than just a bed and a desk; it is the first environment in which students begin to define themselves outside of the familiar. For some, it is a freshman-year dormitory, for others, an off-campus apartment, but in every case, it is an introduction to a new community that will help shape who they become. The transition is both exhilarating and daunting, a blend of anticipation, exploration, and uncertainty.
Today’s student housing reflects this complexity. It is multi-layered, lifestyle-driven, and centered on creating experiences that ease this pivotal moment of change. “When done well, architecture and interior design are at the heart of the success of student living,” says Neil Reardon, Partner and Architect at ESG. “The right design can transform a building into a place where students thrive and parents feel at ease. It’s not just about occupancy, its about creating trust and lasting reputation.”
That sense of trust is born out of comfort, and comfort itself is built from countless details. Architects look beyond the boundaries of the site and it’s proximity to campus. They consider the journey: which streets are walked, what businesses are passed, which corners offer security, how the entrances are approached, and where students will naturally gather. “It’s about more than a building-it’s about how it fits into a larger story,” Neil adds. “The experiential aspects, the things that make you feel a sense of pleasantness and belonging, are as important as the walls and windows themselves.”
Those walls and windows, however, matter greatly. The age-old idea of “eyes on the street” still holds true: the more transparency between inside and out, the more activity at the base of a building, the safer and more vibrant the community becomes. Thoughtful entries, landscaping, lighting, and the tactile quality of materials work in harmony to balance scale and create a welcoming foundation. Above the street level, massing is carefully managed to maintain a sense of human scale. In student housing especially, where activity is constant and energy is high, these layers create a sense of place that feels both unique and alive.
Inside, the interiors must respond to a wide spectrum of personalities and backgrounds. Students come from small towns, dense suburbs, bustling cities, and countries across the world, each carrying a different sense of what “home” feels like. Interior design has the responsibility of honoring that diversity while creating a universal sense of belonging. As Melissa Metzler, Principal and Interior Design Director at ESG, explains, “We’ve seen consistent patterns in student behavior that all point to the same desire - the desire to belong. Some students seek out instant community, others approach it slowly. Our job is to create spaces that allow both paths to exist.”
Designing for these different rhythms means layering intimate and communal experiences. A study nook designed for one might still be placed adjacent to a lively lounge, giving students the option of being near others without being fully immersed. Subtle gestures, like warm materials, approachable furnishings, or artwork that evokes a sense of memory, help tether students to something familiar. “When families look for potential housing, they’re looking for something that resonates and feels familiar, a place that feels like home right away-something they can picture themselves in, that’s both familiar and inspiring for what comes next,” says Melissa. Curated furnishings, tactile finishes, layered lighting, or thoughtfully integrating biophilia are examples of design strategies that can work to communicate comfort and memory. Each is an intentional design move that helps students feel anchored and at home.
But comfort is only part of the story. With independence comes aspiration, and the living spaces students inhabit must reflect that. Gone are the days of bold, youthful patterns at every turn. Today’s students are searching for spaces that feel grounded
and elevated, interiors that gesture toward the lives they are preparing to lead. Collaboration spaces increasingly mimic professional environments. Technology-enabled furniture supports contemporary lifestyles. Wellness areas encourage healthy routines that may become lifelong habits. "We’re not just designing student housing,” Melissa explains. "We’re creating the spaces where independence starts, and they should feel as elevated and enduring as the lives these students are stepping into."
The vibrancy of urban life further shapes these experiences. Student housing often introduces young adults to walkable communities, active lifestyles, and sustainable patterns of living that can influence future choices. A residence near a lively street or connected to campus traditions can set the stage for memories that extend far beyond graduation. Imagine the anticipation of game day, when the crowd surges through the neighborhood, when cheers echo and high fives flow freely-this sense of collective pride seeps into the very walls of the buildings, making them a part of the larger story of the student experience.
When all of these elements are in balance - safety, social connection, emotional comfort, and aspirational design - students are given the foundation to thrive. Families find reassurance, communities benefit from vibrant and safe streets, and developers build lasting value. More importantly, students step into independence with spaces that nurture not only who they are, but who they are becoming. In the end, the true role of architecture and interior design in student living is exactly this: bringing comfort, aspirations, and a sense of familiarity to one of life’s most important new beginnings.
Tiered landscaping offers places for students to sit and gather, creating a transition from public to private that feels approachable. Retail at the front activates the street, offering approachability for residents, visitors, and the community while adding eyes on the street.
The interior design is eclectic, familiar, and timeless, reflecting the history of the city. Furnishings and materiality recall pieces you’d find at home, creating comfort across a variety of student experiences. At its center, the coffee bar is a familiar touch-point for students and doubles as a social hub and leasing space, blending community and operations seamlessly.
Designed for a wide array of university students, the interior design fosters a sense of belonging by offering a variety of settings from activated community spaces to more secluded nooks. These amenities encourage connection while allowing students to engage at their own pace.
Behind every good building design, there’s a team of professionals that show up in their own authentic way.
Robyn Freedlund
ASSOCIATE
SENIOR INTERIOR DESIGNER
Brian Bunker
ASSOC. AIA, MN ACCESSIBILITY SPECIALIST, ASSOCIATE, PROJECT DESIGNER
Every quarter, we'll highlight two ESG Architecture & Design professionals here, but that shouldn't stop you from hopping onto our website to learn more about our talented team - at any time you'd like.
Robyn: Inspiration sneaks up on me most when I travel. Walking through historic buildings makes me think about how design has evolved, while nature always offers up fresh ideas to bring back to my work.
Brian: The world around me! I love going into buildings and looking around at everything and figuring out how they did something interesting.
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Robyn: My design crush is a picture rail. It’s classic, clever, and gives me an excuse to constantly rearrange artwork without leaving a trail of nail holes behind.
Brian: Most of the older corvettes! Not the newer ones trying to be Ferraris and Lambos. Their sleek lines and curves display power yet elegance.
What is something you do in your free time that brings you joy?
Robyn: Gatsby, Copper, and Edgar [pets] are my ultimate happiness squad. Between long walks, cuddles, and their antics, they’re the perfect reminder to slow down and enjoy life’s little joys.
Brian: Playing with my kids brings me the most joy. They are fun loving and can find happiness in most things. I'm allowed to be a big goof when I'm with them. I also love visiting the family cabin and practicing photography, fishing, or having a drink out on the dock.
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