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Wolverine Power Cooperative

Wolverine Power Cooperative

While Michigan has been “rich” with energy for several generations, recently r.o.i. Design has learned more about how communities are powered.

Through the invitation of Richard Skendzel of Architectural Technology in Traverse City, MI we met Wolverine Power Cooperative in Cadillac, MI and were engaged as interior designers for their new 40,000 SF corporate office.  The new facility is being built adjacent to their existing offices on beautiful wooded acreage.

Planning for the housing of this growing team of engineers, planners, project managers and administrators has been the work of Eric Baker, CEO, Dawn Coon, Executive Assistant, and Tim Martin, Manager of Energy Operations.

The facility has been designed to nestle in the landscape, celebrating the Northern Michigan environs. The building sits low in the horizon but the interior spaces feel sky-high.

Some of our favorite features so far are the ceiling clouds, radius walls and specialty lighting. Project completion Winter 2016.

Rendering of Proposed Lobby

Rendering of Proposed Lobby

Floating Bulkhead at Reception

Bulkhead at Reception

Building of Ceiling Cloud in Board room

Building of Ceiling Cloud in Board room

 

Re-purposing 100 Year Old Spaces

Re-purposing 100 Year Old Spaces

Not that long ago, we showed up at the City of Grand Rapids building department offices and we were greeted by “What old building are you working on now?” How did we get that recognition?

Maybe its because we renovated a 110 year furniture manufacturing building for our own offices, or maybe it’s because we were the designers of the first loft style work environment on the West Side of Grand Rapids more than 20 years ago, “The Grand Rapids Furniture Campus”.

But more recently, the recognition may be for our work with JGR Real Estate and another 100 year old manufacturing company.

JGR Real Estate Offices

JGR Real Estate Offices

Julie Grevengoed, Owner and Broker of JGR Real Estate purchased an vacant store front on the corner of Bridge and Seward in the West Side of Grand Rapids. JGR had to renovate the entire interior and improve the exterior façade to meet her business needs as well as the requirements of the City of Grand Rapids. r.o.i. Design created the space plan, lighting plan and worked with Wolverine Building, Mike Kelly, to help turn this once pawn shop into a contemporary and inviting space.

Currently we are working on another “antique” owned by an international company who is converting an old manufacturing space into a meeting and conference area for their North American operations. Their teams will gather here for training and innovative collaboration on designing new products.  Project is scheduled for January 2016 completion.

It is also possible we are known for the design and re-purposing of old spaces because we have been in the business of delivering a return on investment to our design customers for more than 20 years.

100 Year Old Manufacturing Space Before Renovation

100 Year Old Manufacturing Space Before Renovation

Renovation in Process

Renovation in Process

Renovation in Process

Renovation in Process