The Alexan Apartments, San Diego

At The Alexan Apartments in San Diego, ARTO's handcrafted Compass 6x6 concrete tile in Natural Gray wraps the walls of the entry court, elevator lobby and resident seating areas. Each square carries a carved star in low relief, and when the tiles are set side by side the points meet to form a continuous starburst pattern across the wall. The soft gray-beige color stays calm in flat light, while sunlight and pendant lamps bring out deep shadows in the grooves. Paired with warm wood slats, potted succulents, a living plant wall and simple bistro furniture, the dimensional tile gives these shared spaces texture and a sense of craft.