Student Housing Inspired by Lake Life Vibes
Clemson Lofts, designed by Avenir Creative, combines nostalgic lake life themes with modern functionality, creating a student living experience that fosters connection.
Nestled in the heart of Clemson, South Carolina, Clemson Lofts offers students a living experience that blends nostalgia with modernity. Designed by Avenir Creative, a Chicago based firm known for its boutique hotel and student housing projects, in collaboration with their client Core Spaces, the space draws inspiration from the local landscape, particularly the serene lake life and rustic charm of nearby sleepaway camps.
At first glance, the Lofts evoke memories of summers spent by the water — boats docked along the shore, campfires crackling, and the endless fun of camp days. Yet, while the design nods to a more carefree era, it’s also a highly functional and flexible environment meant to foster connection among students.
The Lake Life Vibe at Clemson Lofts
Avenir Creative is all about bringing the local spirit into their projects, and Clemson Lofts is no exception. The area is renowned for its beautiful lakes, where students can engage in activities like boating and fishing. This natural backdrop heavily influenced the design choices, echoing the charm of lake houses and sleepaway camps.
“We pulled ideas from places like Camp Wandawega, which has this super rustic, cozy, nostalgic feel,” said Brooke Kalvaitis from Avenir Creative.
The design is a playful, modern twist on the traditional lake house aesthetic. You can see that vibe come to life through the materials, patterns and textures used in the design — think wood finishes, earthy tones, and classic plaids. And this nostalgic-meets-modern approach extends throughout the entire space.
Strapping it All Together
In the community spaces, the design carries forward the rustic, relaxed atmosphere, ensuring each space encourages interaction while providing areas of retreat for focus. Sigsbee Chairs, found in both the reception area and clubrooms, are a great example of this. With their unique strap detailing on the back, these chairs bring a bit of "lumberjack chic" to the space, complementing the overall camp-inspired aesthetic.
In study rooms, the fully upholstered Brooke Barstool, with rich, leather tones, provide a cozy seating option, creating a space where students can sink into their work. In the clubrooms, the Brooke Barstool appears again, this time with a different silhouette — a playful twist, featuring a classic red plaid upholstery, a nod to camp uniforms and cozy cabins. This continuity in seating ties the entire loft together, adding a sense of familiarity and warmth throughout.
In study rooms, the fully upholstered Brooke Barstool, with rich, leather tones, provide a cozy seating option, creating a space where students can sink into their work. In the clubrooms, the Brooke Barstool appears again, this time with a different silhouette — a playful twist, featuring a classic red plaid upholstery, a nod to camp uniforms and cozy cabins. This continuity in seating ties the entire loft together, adding a sense of familiarity and warmth throughout.
“These projects tend to have tight timelines, and knowing we could get customized furniture within four to six weeks really worked in our favor,” Brooke said. “That kind of reliability is something we’ve come to count on.”
Learn more about Grand Rapids Chair lead times.
Customizing for Students — And Their Wild Side
The design of Clemson Lofts emphasizes flexibility, allowing students to adapt the space to their needs. Whether they’re studying late at night or hosting a game night, the layout encourages interaction and creativity.
But student housing comes with its own set of challenges. Students can often be hard on spaces, so the furniture needed to be durable. They wanted pieces that could stand up to the wear and tear of student life, placing a significant focus on ensuring that the furniture met commercial-grade standards.
Brooke put it, “We knew we needed something that could stand up to a lot of use, and Grand Rapids Chair’s products were perfect for that. They’re built to last, which was essential for this project.”
The final touches are what really made Clemson Lofts feel complete. Avenir Creative worked with local art consultant Johalla Projects to fill the space with Clemson-inspired artwork. Tapestries, framed art ᅳ you name it, they added it. Once the artwork was up, the whole space came together. Brooke said, “It really finished off the look.”
In the end, Clemson Lofts became a fun, functional, and durable spot that reflects the easy-going lake life of the area. Thanks to Avenir Creative's thoughtful design and Grand Rapids Chair's furniture, it's a space students love ᅳ and one that can handle whatever they throw at it!
