CHALLENGE
Alma is located off the California coast, where life is valued by moments that matter. The task was to design a space that enhances time at home by balancing both social connection and personal tranquility. The challenge was to create a residential and mixed-use development that would:

1. Make residents feel their time at home is well spent, creating a sense of belonging.

2. Reflect the community’s deep values around friendship and connection.

3. Redefine luxury as care and attention to detail, rather than superficial appearances.

APPROACH
We started with an in-depth exploration of the community, guided by the belief that great design begins with understanding the people it serves. Our research revealed three key insights:

1. People want connection and comfort: The community values meaningful relationships and moments of peace, needing a space that fosters both social engagement and personal reflection.

2. Luxury is about care, not flash: The locals see luxury as attention to detail and thoughtful design rather than opulence or extravagance.

3. A home should support daily life: The design had to be practical and responsive, integrating seamlessly into the routines and lifestyle of the residents while enhancing their sense of place.

EXPRESSION
With these insights in mind, we crafted Alma’s design to act as a supportive backdrop to daily life,

ensuring that it never felt overpowering but rather enhanced the quiet beauty of the place. The

expression of this vision included:

• Subtle design choices: We kept design in the background, allowing the space to highlight life’s moments instead of dominating them. This meant shifting the security desk away from the lounge, that seating arrangements accommodated one person + their friends, and everything was comfortable so you wanted to stay a while.

• Local inspirations: Art, Materials, and Lighting were translations of the community and their values. For example, fabrics were inspired by beach towels in the sand, paint colors came from shadows cast by local plants on buildings, and the warmth of natural rocks, sand, and paths informed our choice of flooring.

• We elevated home: Our space is a home before anything else, so it needed to show up as one. We made sure you felt the human values first. That means we stayed connected to nature and emphasized the architecture, we used furniture and lighting layouts for a sense of privacy, and we reflected back our community and more importantly them through artwork and local products.

RESULTS
Alma has become a living embodiment of its community, providing a space where both social and tranquil experiences coexist harmoniously. Key outcomes include:

1. A home that feels authentic: Alma’s subtle design choices have resonated with the community, offering a space that feels both welcoming and personal.

2. A backdrop for meaningful moments: By allowing the design to fade into the background, Alma has created a space where residents can focus on their lives and relationships, not just the surroundings.

3. A timeless design: The use of local materials and community-inspired details has ensured that Alma will age gracefully, becoming even more beloved as it weathers the passing of time.

What We Did

Brand & Spatial Audit

Market Research

Positioning

Naming

Visioning & Master Planning

Spatial Experience Design

Team

INT.D