Stencil’s form and materiality was conceived as a response to its rich context. The corner of 24th Avenue and E Union Street is bustling, so Stencil’s cubic form and steel cladding form a strong presence anchoring the corner and presenting a strong face to the urban context to the north and west. The rusted steel evokes a sense of warmth, age, and industry—and a little bit of funk, emphasizing the history and character of the Central District by not appearing too new, cold, or out of place. These strong public facades project slightly past their two ends, protective of the soft grey “interior” at the residential frontages to the south and east. Decks hovering off the back of the building lend a residential scale and texture and create a gentler interface with neighbors. A counterpoint to the facades above, the transparent retail base reinforces the public realm with activation and opportunities for community interaction.