This lobby renovation begins with a large 3-story, day-lit, open stair case directly accessible off the street with a small elevator lobby behind and utility corridor beyond. The basic structure of the existing design required little modification so the design concentrated efforts on updating the main finishes with modest wood and gray tones creating an enduring background for some larger, more exciting elements.
These elements – intended to be updatable - included opportunities for a cascading light fixture and large 3-story graphic art piece to tie each floor of the stair together. In keeping with Bethesda Row’s progressive urban vibe the design proposed several large wallcovering or graphic choices including a graffiti option. When the graffiti option made the cut we volunteered to find an artist to apply a real street art mural to the brightly lit space.
Framed by a polished concrete floor below and tumbling large scale light sculpture above, the spray-painted mural’s bright colors can be seen from the street through the first floor storefront and across the street through the large 2-story window illuminating the open stair above. The mural greets business patrons at the front door and flows with them as they travel the stair to their various destinations.