Emerson Community Association

DCS Design was approached by the Emerson Community Association to renovate and expand their existing community clubhouse into a modern and flexible amenity space that accommodates the needs of its residents. Emerson Community Association is comprised of 551 single-family homes, 480 townhomes and luxury apartment units.

 

The interior design was reimagined from an outdated, single-story, one-room assembly space to a two-story, multi-room extension of residents’ homes.  The space was transformed from a utilitarian meeting space with nondescript furniture and uncomfortable folding chairs, to warm, welcoming, residential-feeling gathering spaces. With the addition of the second story, the interior space was tripled in size, providing residents with cozy lounge spaces, a catering kitchen, a fitness and yoga room, a business center for remote work or meetings, newly renovated changing rooms for the pool, and a large, second-story multipurpose room overlooking the pool area for resident activities or personal gatherings.

 

The goal of the design was to create a homey environment, while expanding the space to better meet the needs of the community.  The clubhouse emulates an exposed structure with tall, pitched ceilings on the second floor, featuring beautiful exposed natural wood beams. The wood beams are replicated in the first-floor ceiling as well. A new catering pantry on the second floor creates convenient catered events in the large multipurpose room. Additionally, the large pool is utilized as a visual and utilitarian anchor connecting the clubhouse to the surrounding outdoors and promoting expansive exterior views.

 

Bringing natural light into the space was a priority of the new design.  Large glass windows, including a dramatic two-story-high window at the clubhouse entrance, were designed to flood the interior with light as well as give the interior an overall open and airy feeling.

 

How successful is the new space?  It’s booked every weekend.