A hotel-like welcome on Lake Merritt

The short answer

Lakehouse Residences is a high-rise apartment building by Lake Merritt in Oakland, with interior design and interior architecture by The Scale Collective for developer Strada Investment Group and architect Pyatok. Its lobby, lounges and sky lounge pair mid-century modernism with terrazzo, jewel tones and a nest-shaped reception desk.

Mid-century lobby with a round ceiling cove and terrazzo floor — Lakehouse Residences, Oakland by The Scale Collective

Location: Lake Merritt, Oakland
Type: High-rise multifamily
Scope: Interior design and interior architecture
Status: Concept · renderings shown
Architect: Pyatok
Developer: Strada Investment Group

The story

A nod to the city's first bird sanctuary

Lake Merritt was home to the first wildlife refuge in North America, and that story became our narrative. Birds and nests appear throughout the building, most clearly in a reception desk shaped like a nest.

The interiors blend mid-century modernism with a soft, timeless feel and both European and California influences: terrazzo floors that echo the mid-century, deep jewel-tone furnishings, bespoke pieces and art chosen to stay elevated for years.

The hotel-like welcome of the lobby carries through the co-working lounge, game room, clubhouse kitchen, an outdoor lounge facing the lake and a sky lounge with panoramic views.

The project

Inside Lakehouse Residences

Luxury high-rise residential lobby with mid-century inspired terrazzo flooring — Lakehouse Oakland by The Scale Collective

Contemporary communal lounge with bird sanctuary-inspired nest reception desk — Lakehouse Residences Oakland by The Scale Collective

Outdoor residents lounge with Lake Merritt views and mid-century modern furnishings — Lakehouse Oakland by The Scale Collective

Hotel-inspired co-working lounge with jewel-tone furnishings — Lakehouse Oakland interior design by The Scale Collective

Residential amenity space with Lake Merritt views and mid-century modern furnishings — Lakehouse Oakland by The Scale Collective

Game room with elevated hospitality feel and curated design objects — Lakehouse Oakland interior by The Scale Collective

Sky lounge with five-star hotel ambiance and panoramic views — Lakehouse Residences Oakland by The Scale Collective interior design

Clubhouse kitchen and amenity space, featuring bespoke furnishings, by The Scale Collective

“Rather than sticking to one visual style, our work is a response to the site, the client's narrative and the story being built about the house. Each project has its own visual language.”

Sara Alexander · Founder & creative director, Master of Architecture

Materials

Terrazzo flooring
Jewel-tone upholstery
Mid-century modern furniture
Bespoke furnishings
Curated art and objects

Credits

Interior design and interior architecture: The Scale Collective, led by Sara Alexander
Architect: Pyatok
Developer: Strada Investment Group
Renderings: The Scale Collective

Questions

Good to know

What did The Scale Collective design at Lakehouse Residences?

The Scale Collective led the interior design and interior architecture of the building's shared spaces: the main lobby and reception, communal and co-working lounges, game room, clubhouse kitchen, outdoor residents' lounge and sky lounge.

Why is the reception desk shaped like a nest?

Lake Merritt was the site of North America's first wildlife refuge, so The Scale Collective built the building's narrative around birds, with a reception desk shaped like a nest as its centerpiece.

Do you design multifamily buildings in Oakland?

Yes. The Scale Collective has designed shared spaces for multifamily buildings in Oakland and Berkeley, working with architects such as Pyatok and with developers from early design through installation.

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