ViVO Apartments is a new residential building located in Cambridge’s Kendall Square, at the center of the region’s biotech and life sciences corridor. Surrounded by research labs, technology firms, and academic institutions, the area is defined by innovation and experimentation, yet offers few residential environments that reflect the culture of those who work there.

The challenge was to create a brand that translated the intensity and intelligence of Kendall Square into a livable identity. Developed for a predominantly young professional audience working in biotech, technology, and research-driven fields, the brand needed to feel contemporary and informed without becoming technical or exclusive. It had to connect science to daily life.

The name ViVO became the foundation for this idea. Drawn from scientific and laboratory language, ViVO suggests life, energy, and experimentation, concepts familiar to the surrounding research community but equally resonant in a residential context. The name bridges professional identity and personal experience, positioning the building as a place where work, curiosity, and lifestyle intersect.

The visual identity builds on this connection. Forms, color, and geometry reference scientific tools and processes without becoming literal, creating a system that feels intelligent and precise while remaining approachable. The balance between structure and expression reflects both the rigor of Kendall Square and the human experience of living within it.

Working with illustrator Jody Hewgill, we developed artwork that reflects the pace, diversity, and international character of the neighborhood. Together, language and image position ViVO as a connected, social community shaped by the energy of its surroundings.