Karen Jack Featured in Real Estate NJ: The Changing Role of the Residential Lobby
Forbes-Ergas Karen Jack, principal of Forbes-Ergas Design Associates, shares her perspective on modern lobby design in a Real Estate NJ article by Tammy Craig-Smith, president of The Alban Group, published November 9, 2025.
This post paraphrases selected points from the publication’s sponsored article. The direct quotation below is identified in quotation marks.
Designing for Everyday Needs
The article explores how residential lobbies are adapting to package deliveries, groceries, takeout, and increasingly sophisticated building technology. These demands require thoughtful planning for storage, staff work areas, and circulation while maintaining an attractive entrance.
As Karen explains in the article: “The order is function first, then flow.”
Paraphrasing her comments, successful planning accounts for access, changes in floor level, concierge operations, and equipment before bringing those requirements together visually.
Integrating Technology and Storage
Karen discusses how systems such as BuildingLink and KeyLink influence concierge-desk design. Concealed monitors, integrated workstations, and carefully planned storage can accommodate daily operations without making the lobby feel institutional.
Her contribution emphasizes preserving elegance while responding to changing resident needs—a balance that allows practical improvements to become part of a cohesive interior.
Source: Tammy Craig-Smith, president, The Alban Group. “Amazon, Uber Eats and Whole Foods walk into a lobby: From grandeur to groceries, the lobby has a new job description.” Real Estate NJ, November 9, 2025. Published as sponsored content.