--- title: "Relato Apartments, Bloomington, IN | Banko Design" url: https://bankodesign.com/portfolio/relato-apartments description: "Relato Apartments in Bloomington, IN: student housing interior design by Banko Design. Completed Winter 2023. Scope: Student Housing, Amenity & Shared Spaces." --- # Relato Apartments Bloomington, IN Our conceptual approach revolved around the fusion of timeless retro sports aesthetics with a modern amenity package relevant to a young renter’s needs. We envisioned a bold multifamily project that celebrated the dynamic university culture with subtle nods to Indiana University traditions that also offered a versatile and inviting atmosphere for residents from various walks of life. The success of this project hinged on the thoughtful execution of a memorable space that felt fun without being juvenile. Key amenity spaces feature cheeky neon signage and bright pop art mounted against collegiate red brick. The corridors feature a painted “track” motif. In the lounge, a whiteboard mural full of Indiana University symbols allows renters to unleash their creativity. Beneath the mural, the team manufactured plywood “bleachers” to further drive home the retro sports narrative. One of the featured amenities is the Recording Room, where social media content and podcast recordings can be captured behind the lush velvet curtain. When entering the gym, residents are greeted by old school lockers adorned with local sports memorabilia. To satisfy the renter who may also desire a place to study, the team dreamed up several cozy nooks and inserted a communal table below strategically placed noise reducing baffles. The retro sports theme was carefully curated to evoke nostalgia and capture the essence of university spirit without excluding non-student residents. Completed: Winter 2023 Developers: Scannell Properties Scope: Student Housing, Amenity & Shared Spaces ![Student housing amenity plywood bleachers: stepped seating and a red handrail below the line drawn bicycle mural](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-plywood-bleachers.gSXeCceK_g89Ch.webp) ![Student housing interior detail: pop art print of pink socks and a skateboard, interior design by Banko Design at Relato Apartments, Bloomington, Indiana](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-01.DzFFNvMS_2gx87K.webp) ![Student housing interior detail: framed grid of pop art ice cream cone prints on a bright yellow wall](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-02.Bzyps25Q_Z2fYGHn.webp) ![Student housing interior detail: pink neon reading speak up on white relief panels above a fluted sideboard, a yellow chair](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-03.CKPX4zC__8sNB6.webp) ![Student housing interior detail: mustard swivel chair, rattan media console and record player against speaker print wallpaper](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-04.DzHSESoj_20Tzef.webp) ![Student housing interior detail: record player on a rattan fronted console against wallpaper printed with retro speakers](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-05.DdNlYcqp_Z2f8Wpf.webp) ![Student housing amenity corridor, polished concrete striped yellow, orange and white past black framed glass rooms](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-06.CCuOoxO6_Z1zSK0B.webp) ![Student housing reception through open black steel framed glass doors, a HELLO letter sign on wood shelving by brick](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-07.CHlHKfi1_Z2mSOdN.webp) ![Student housing amenity sunken lounge with a grey built-in sofa and orange chairs on a teal rug under a green dome pendant](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-08.B8ONQVZ8_Z2g0Ypy.webp) ![Student housing amenity study booth with a green channel tufted banquette and chevron panel, seen through glass doors](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-09.C6fqDANh_Z1I3um5.webp) ![Student housing amenity corridor: orange neon reading Our Indiana Home on brick, seen at an angle over the striped floor](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-10.D7mA5qj5_ZlBPAv.webp) ![Student housing interior detail: blue and white mottled upholstery against an orange and red patterned textile](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-11.DzDT1pwy_1ONGge.webp) ![Student housing interior detail: white neon reading Going Up? on red brick above the elevator doors](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-12.CId-AreI_ZuzAdC.webp) ![Student housing amenity study lounge with a long wood table and brass lamps under a pressed tin ceiling, a tiled fireplace](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-13.BwY3hQ16_ZuskcK.webp) ![Student housing amenity office with a walnut desk, teal patterned chairs and a yellow pleated pendant beside tall windows](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-14.DrFiQOTh_ZxgCmo.webp) ![Student housing amenity double-height lounge under an orange timber lattice ceiling, red stair rail and yellow chairs](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-15.4wNyGO8I_1cgiWP.webp) ![Student housing amenity plywood bleachers: stepped seating and a red handrail below the line drawn bicycle mural](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-plywood-bleachers.gSXeCceK_g89Ch.webp) ![Student housing interior detail: grey sofa with an orange pillow beside a rattan console and record player, speaker wallpaper](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-17.D0yPIL_8_Z2ee0FP.webp) ![Student housing interior detail: framed print of stacked vintage TVs beside a teal velvet curtain, yellow chairs beyond](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-recording-room-velvet-curtain.C8NlCZDa_Z276XUr.webp) ![Student housing amenity lounge with a beige sectional, teal pillows and a teal armchair before a line drawn bicycle mural](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-clubroom-bloomington-mural.CDNNys30_Z2ahoaO.webp) ![Student housing amenity lounge with a grey sofa, mustard armchair and burl coffee table before teal curtains and a screen](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-20.Di_XX7Hw_13z3WF.webp) ![Student housing amenity seating nook with blue floral chairs and a lime green sofa on a striped rug, a dome print above](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-21.DEYM9hAT_Z1waxiP.webp) ![Student housing interior detail: brass geometric pendants before a gallery wall of framed art and a neon sign on brick](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-22.BhvSS-Ty_Z2t3kHC.webp) ![Student housing amenity lounge from above: a lime green sofa, blue floral chairs and a tic tac toe table on a striped rug](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-23.BjsTtqMy_1PTdKk.webp) ![Student housing amenity game room past a sofa and green armchair to orange arched booths, a globe chandelier overhead](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-24.B_KEraxU_ZIn6if.webp) ![Student housing interior detail: green tiled fireplace with a linear electric fire between white bookshelves, pleated pendant](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-25.CEAhSOSK_ZUfaek.webp) ![Student housing amenity lounge with a sectional and teal armchair under a globe chandelier, the bicycle mural beyond](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-26.BGByPAi9_ZwVVG6.webp) ![Student housing amenity reception desk with a white top before a wavy multicoloured striped mural, potted plants either side](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-27.DTupFw29_ZLGyWS.webp) ![Student housing amenity lobby with mustard armchairs on a green rug under a pleated pendant, reception desk and wave mural](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-28.BgiPwNRg_DITJC.webp) ![Student housing courtyard lawn with teal Adirondack chairs around a fire pit and a pergola before grey panelled wings](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-29.g-d6dMtk_Z9KT9b.webp) ![Student housing amenity game room with a ping pong table before orange arched booths on a teal wall, sectional in front](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-30.i3szVcla_Z1zBpId.webp) ![Student housing interior detail: two oatmeal armchairs on a swirl rug before white shelving with colour-sorted books](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-31.DE_g5qiH_Z2cbDIX.webp) ![Student housing interior detail: colour-sorted books on white shelving below framed flower, butterfly and rainbow prints](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-32.zAfQObX4_Z6czKY.webp) ![Student housing amenity library lounge with color-sorted books on white shelving by a green tiled fireplace and green sofa](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-library-lounge-fireplace.CjoIEnrZ_1ly9eK.webp) ![Student housing amenity study lounge with a long communal table under a pressed tin ceiling, glass study rooms alongside](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-study-lounge-tin-ceiling.DqMfEWvC_ZVCiyR.webp) ![Student housing amenity entry with a terrazzo floor, orange chairs and a green dome pendant looking to glass doors](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-35.C9RZZUoz_2kYYgb.webp) ![Student housing interior detail: white shelving of blue, red and green books and a toy camper van below three framed prints](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-36.B_XJMaoW_1okB41.webp) ![Student housing corridor with a neon sign reading Our Indiana Home on exposed brick beside striped track lines in the floor](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-indiana-home-neon.DFrM9JK6_o5F41.webp) ![Student housing amenity mail room with rows of black mailboxes running the length of a coral painted corridor](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-mail-room.gkRP4RiY_17fm5G.webp) ![Student housing amenity fitness centre with treadmills and ellipticals on red rubber flooring, windows banded in colour](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-39.Cmg3krq4_Z1QNlKu.webp) ![Student housing amenity weight area with exercise balls and a functional trainer beside colourful lockers and striped walls](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-40.C9MAe5l8_Z9IvqV.webp) ![Student housing amenity leasing office with a navy sofa and yellow chairs on a green rug before a layered wave mural](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-leasing-office.MZWI7BsV_Z1P3hh3.webp) ![Student housing amenity corridor with a wall of bicycle wheels in assorted colours and sizes](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-42.D8HThwwJ_1b1R4N.webp) ![Student housing amenity gym entrance: neon sign reading Baby Got Track glowing on oxblood tile](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-gym-neon-sign.paFmkeju_Z2v5BNg.webp) ![Student housing amenity gym lockers in red, blue and yellow topped with trophies and Indiana sports memorabilia](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-gym-lockers.BS2KKOrh_rjNjG.webp) ![Student housing amenity study lounge with a long wood table and brass lamps under a pressed tin ceiling, prints on teal](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-conference-room.BbImV_YI_Z1NBnUk.webp) ![Student housing amenity cafe with a cognac leather banquette, wood tables and white pendants under a pressed tin ceiling](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-46.DK2QpZLp_Z2eSG5u.webp) ![Student housing amenity double-height lounge with a lime green sofa and floral chairs on a striped rug, stair and mural](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-47.BJCtr7Gr_1T1EVn.webp) ![Student housing interior detail: framed INDIANA typographic print and geometric prints above a lime green sofa](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-48.C-SS7TaG_2c8y1d.webp) ![Student housing amenity game room with orange arched booths and a red Game Over neon behind ping pong and shuffleboard](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-game-room-arches.CuvOEI6U_Z15VfDf.webp) ![Student housing amenity lounge from the basketball cubbies and wall screen across the sectional to the bicycle mural and bar](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-50.sz58R8k2_1XpzBS.webp) ![Student housing interior: backlit round mirror on a curved striped wall mural, microphone prints and a round white table](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-51.DX3Mp-kn_Z1FbeSC.webp) ![Student housing courtyard with turquoise Adirondack chairs around a long gas fire table on the paved terrace](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-courtyard-fire-table.B4VCnIBr_Z1wHYGm.webp) ![Student housing amenity restroom with butterfly wallpaper above white tile, a wood vanity with brass taps and arched mirror](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-54.B7QuYI9Y_OhlnG.webp) ![Student housing amenity restroom with dragonfly wallpaper above white tile, a marble vanity with brass taps, arched mirror](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-55.C8o_Naay_Z1bmxdB.webp) ![Student housing amenity lobby: terrazzo floor and a stair to the mezzanine beside the elevator and a Going Up? neon](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-56.s83MbjRE_mhITE.webp) ![Student housing interior detail: wall screen on teal above wood drawers, flanked by cubbies of basketballs against brick](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-57.EphzeOkU_Z2thM9H.webp) ![Student housing amenity sports lounge with a sectional and pastel ottomans facing a screen in cabinetry full of basketballs](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/relato-apartments-sports-lounge-basketball-wall.Ba8nYAD7_4hyn6.webp) ## More projects like this [See more projects](https://bankodesign.com/portfolio) ![Multifamily amenity double height lounge with a white brick fireplace and rust sofa, interior design by Banko Design at Cove at Covington, Covington, Georgia](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/cove-at-covington-clubhouse-great-room.BpnbrOPK_wFT2G.webp) [Cove at Covington, Covington, GA](https://bankodesign.com/portfolio/cove-at-covington) ![Multifamily amenity clubroom under an oak coffered ceiling and a wood ring chandelier, interior design by Banko Design at South & Twenty, Cartersville, Georgia](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/south-and-twenty-clubroom-coffered-ceiling.CJisE5U6_oGmdp.webp) [South & Twenty, Cartersville, GA](https://bankodesign.com/portfolio/south-and-twenty) ![Multifamily amenity lobby lounge with a tan leather sofa on patterned tile, interior design by Banko Design at Hudson Renaissance, Wilmington, North Carolina](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/hudson-renaissance-lobby-lounge.gNaa1nGw_27LvPw.webp) [Hudson Renaissance, Wilmington, NC](https://bankodesign.com/portfolio/hudson-renaissance) ![Clubroom at Chastain Hill, blue velvet sofas facing a marble fireplace hung with an equestrian painting, between tall casement windows](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/testimonials-chastain-hill-clubroom.wx77xhPO_Z2txivs.webp) Notes from our clients “My first interaction with Banko was when they rescued me on another project… I was introduced to Melissa and she stepped right in. I was so impressed by what she pulled off both in terms of the product, the timeliness, just the resource she was that I started using her for most of our interior design work thereafter.” Katherine Mosley, Partner, Tribridge Residential “They do a great job listening, but also asking the right questions. Pointed questions. They're not afraid to ask those questions and push back when needed… We really appreciate the fact that Banko Design pushes back when needed, and candidly does so. We appreciate that. Feels like more of a partnership.” Ashish Bagley, Manager, Tribridge Residential “If you know Melissa, she's just full of energy, but extremely smart. And I thought that her whole team follows that example. You know, just high energy, but extreme detail in each of their categories. The kids are really going to enjoy \[this renovation\]. It will not only be a great experience for the students, but also the teachers… and this is going to be a special place for them. No one has seen a pre-school like this… with the carpet and the lighting and the glass, there's whole sections just designated for imagination and exploring. All of it put together really makes for a cool experience.” Dana Ridenour, Assistant Head of School, Finance & Operations, Mt. Pisgah [Read all testimonials](https://bankodesign.com/testimonials) ![Studio moodboard wall of fabric, tile and tear-sheet samples, with two designers pinning up material options](https://bankodesign.com/_astro/contact-cta-team-moodboard.CQTbEUL5_1pgQu5.webp) Let's begin! ## Ready To Get Started? Every project starts with a conversation. Share your vision, and let's create something meaningful together. [Contact us](https://bankodesign.com/contact) ## 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.