--- title: "Study This: Banko Design Aces Student Housing Development, Relato Apartments | Banko Design" url: https://bankodesign.com/blog/study-this-banko-design-aces-student-housing-development-relato-apartments description: "A bold, colorful off-campus multifamily housing development inspired by the traditions and culture of a big-time university." --- # Study This: Banko Design Aces Student Housing Development, Relato Apartments ![Student housing amenity lobby at Relato Apartments with black-framed windows, terrazzo, a chartreuse chair and a wavy pastel stair wall](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-lobby-stair.C0VBO9HU_1hsGre.webp) A BOLD, COLORFUL OFF-CAMPUS MULTIFAMILY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT INSPIRED BY THE TRADITIONS AND CULTURE OF A BIG-TIME UNIVERSITY. Just outside the campus of Indiana University Bloomington, the student-geared Relato Apartments development is one for the books. Our challenge with this space was not one uncommon for college town apartment complexes: **create a space that resonated with the buzz of student life, but didn’t alienate prospective non-student renters.** With Relato Apartments, our client was relatively new to the multifamily development sector, and needed a partner with the right expertise to create broad appeal and score wins in an uber competitive real estate market. **We passed the test with flying, fun, and unforgettable colors.** ![Student housing amenity lobby with a hand-drawn Bloomington mural, a yellow slatted ceiling and a sectional on an orange rug](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-lobby-bloomington-mural.CrpQAHbw_1sdJMN.webp) ## SPORTS AT THE CENTER Inspired by IU’s rich tradition of athletics and school spirit, **our concept fused a timeless retro sports aesthetic with the modern amenities young renters crave**. Outfitted with subtle nods to Indiana University, the design elements tastefully reflected campus culture without dipping too deep into Hoosierdom. Careful curation was everything. This kept the door open for potential non-students, **welcoming them with vibrant and versatile living and community spaces**. The nostalgic sports narrative was strengthened by cheeky neon signage and pop art mounted against collegiate red brick. Corridors were consistent with a ‘track’ motif, creating a fun flow of movement. In the lounge, a custom whiteboard mural full of IU symbols and graphics gave renters a canvas for creativity. Beneath the mural, our team manufactured plywood ‘bleachers’ to round out the retro athletics aesthetic. ![Student housing amenity fitness room with a neon Baby Got Track sign on red tile and spin bikes by a striped wall](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-fitness-baby-got-track-neon.DsDGm3CS_10Were.webp) **The concept was unmistakably bold** yet perfect for renters in this exciting stage of life, catering to both students and young professionals alike. Throughout regular meetings with our clients, we ensured their vision remained central to the project, stayed on top of student housing market trends, and provided the direction to implement strategies to maximize the development’s appeal and marketability. ![Student housing amenity study lounge with colour-sorted bookcases, butterfly prints, a green tile fireplace and a sage sofa](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-study-lounge-green-tile-fireplace.C-5gyWmf_c3b5g.webp) ## AGE APPROPRIATE Success hinged on creating a memorable living space that felt fun but not juvenile. Evoking nostalgia gave Relato a sense of refinement. The varsity-inspired accents and elevated lounge areas juxtaposed with playful light fixtures and an arcade nook featuring Pacman solidified this vision. The color choices and bold, contemporary art created a poppy polish within the amenity spaces and leasing offices. The off-campus housing development was **replete with modern amenities that simply meant more to this demographic**. This included a Recording Room, where residents could create social media content, record a podcast, or take a virtual class or meeting behind a lush velvet curtain (fun _and_ functional). Even the state-of-the-art gym stayed consistent with the retro sports vibe, its entryway lined with old school lockers adorned with local sports memorabilia. Knowing study space (or remote working space) would be prime real estate for prospective residents, **our team dreamed up a number of cozy nooks with strategically placed noise-reducing baffles**. Chic but dependable communal tables in each nook provided the sturdiness to study and the space to spread. The nooks made for studious sanctuaries and confines for coffee and conversation. Either way, a darn good place to pull an all-nighter. ## RELATO AND RELEVANT Relato Apartments is a testament to carrying out **a vision that sparks with an audience**. In this case, Relato’s relevancy to IU students and young renters stems from its retro-inspired look and modern amenities. This certainly bold design – something we never shy away from – has everything they’re looking for while being enticing to look at (and live in). That’s no happy accident. Our smarts and savvy went into every accessory and amenity, from the neon to the nooks. And now, renters have a place they’re proud to call their Hoosier home. And, we’re excited to announce that this project recently won the prestigious 2024 Design Excellence Award, Bronze, from the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), Georgia Chapter, in the Contract Multifamily category. Whether building student apartments or exploring modern multifamily housing designs, **the Banko Design team can help bring your development dreams to life.** Looking to develop the next multifamily masterpiece? Reach out to us at [business\_development@bankodesign.com](mailto:business_development@bankodesign.com), and let’s get started! _The Banko Buzz by Banko Design, An Unmatched Studio: Commercial Interior Design from Start to Finishes. Marietta, Georgia-based with projects nationwide._ Categories - [Multifamily Interior Design](https://bankodesign.com/blog/category/Multifamily+Interior+Design) - [Student Housing Interior Design](https://bankodesign.com/blog/category/Student+Housing+Interior+Design) Tags - [Student Housing Interior Design](https://bankodesign.com/blog/tag/Student+Housing+Interior+Design) - [Multifamily Interior Design](https://bankodesign.com/blog/tag/Multifamily+Interior+Design) - [Commercial Interior Design Studio](https://bankodesign.com/blog/tag/Commercial+Interior+Design+Studio) - [Commercial Real Estate](https://bankodesign.com/blog/tag/Commercial+Real+Estate) - [2024 Interior Design Trends](https://bankodesign.com/blog/tag/2024+Interior+Design+Trends) - [Indiana Interior Design](https://bankodesign.com/blog/tag/Indiana+Interior+Design) [Back to the journal](https://bankodesign.com/blog) ## More from the Journal [See moreposts in the Journal](https://bankodesign.com/blog) ![Two-storey clubroom with dark wood panelling, tall windows, four black leather wing chairs around a tufted ottoman and a fireplace](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/clubroom-leather-wing-chairs.DEX41Cdr_ZB9Ea.webp) ## [“Resi-mercial Design”: How Banko Design Makes Commercial Spaces Feel Like Home](https://bankodesign.com/blog/resimercial-design-how-banko-design-makes-commercial-spaces-feel-like-home) [Read more about “Resi-mercial Design”: How Banko Design Makes Commercial Spaces Feel Like Home](https://bankodesign.com/blog/resimercial-design-how-banko-design-makes-commercial-spaces-feel-like-home) ![Multifamily amenity fireside seating with emerald velvet armchairs around a rattan-wrapped table, a cognac leather sofa and stone fireplace](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/green-velvet-chairs-rattan-table.L9PN_8-Z_Z2gTdlI.webp) ## [What Your Multifamily Development Should Look Like](https://bankodesign.com/blog/what-your-multifamily-development-should-look-like) [Read more about What Your Multifamily Development Should Look Like](https://bankodesign.com/blog/what-your-multifamily-development-should-look-like) ![Country club lounge below a dark wood staircase, with olive armchairs, charcoal sofas, plaid ottomans and an orchid on the coffee table](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/country-club-lounge-staircase.j9pKGiHn_2grMkw.webp) ## [Does Your Country Club Look Like The Rest? Time For An Interior Design Refresh With Banko Design](https://bankodesign.com/blog/does-your-country-club-look-like-all-the-rest) [Read more about Does Your Country Club Look Like The Rest? Time For An Interior Design Refresh With Banko Design](https://bankodesign.com/blog/does-your-country-club-look-like-all-the-rest) ## About Banko Design Banko Design is a boutique commercial interior design studio in Marietta, Georgia, specializing in senior living, private club and multifamily communities. Founded in 2014 by Melissa Banko, it designs projects nationwide, from concept programming through FF&E procurement and installation. Address: 470 N Sessions St NW, Suite 102, Marietta, GA 30060, United States. Phone: (678) 202-4812. Email: info@bankodesign.com. Website: https://bankodesign.com/. Contact: https://bankodesign.com/contact.