Lighting Design - ROIDESIGN

A New Home for the Midwest Miniatures Museum

by Ryan | Nov 17, 2021 | Design News, Designing Public Areas, Exhibit Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Lighting Design, Project Management

The Midwest Miniatures Museum held its Grand Re-Opening on Nov. 6th, 2021, in Grand Haven, Michigan.

Formerly located at Hickory Corners on the grounds of the Gilmore Car Museum, the Museum had been looking for a new location that was much more accessible and fitting in aesthetic to display their miniatures collections. After an extensive search, they were finally able to acquire the historic Nathaniel and Esther Robbins House in downtown Grand Haven.

r.o.i. Design was referred to the museum by independent museum consultant, Timothy J. Chester, and we were engaged in 2019 by the Museum’s director, Ina Whitney, to assist in the design of the first-floor exhibit. We visited the Hickory Corner location along with Ina and the Museum’s administrator, Hanna Steinman. We selected the items to be displayed and began the process of designing the exhibit.

We designed new display cases and fixtures for the exhibits in a style imitating the interior trim of the home. In addition to supporting the curation of the exhibit, we also managed the execution. We engaged Bluewater Studio to create the exhibit fixtures, and their attention to detail and care for the artifacts made the project a success. We also added new gallery lighting to the historic home and worked with contractors on interior upgrades as needed.

The initial display shows some of the best of their collection from miniature rooms, complete miniature structures, a silver collection, miniature art, textiles, as well as displays of miniature toys, tableware, and so much more.

The museum is now planning for future phases and is engaged in fundraising to add an elevator and create more exhibits on the home’s 2nd and 3rd floors.

If you are in the Grand Haven area, you should plan a visit to the Midwest Miniatures Museum to see this unique collection.

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Pennell CPA Expands to New Office

by Ryan | Jun 15, 2021 | Design News, Interior Design, Lighting Design, Procurement and Purchasing, Workplace Design

Fred Pennell of Pennell CPA reached out to us to inquire about our ability to help them plan and execute a move to a new building. We had worked with their landlord previously, and Pennell’s review of our portfolio led them to select us as the group to manage the design-build process for them. As a team, we looked at two or three building sites and reviewed the feasibility of each. When they discovered a property on Cascade Road offering both adequate room for them and additional space to lease, they had found their new home. 

We engaged Tim Allspach of TJA Architects to review code and structural issues, and we interviewed contractors and engaged Pinnacle Construction for the build-out. 

Pennell CPA was experiencing rapid growth, and they needed space to house a growing workforce and a space that appealed to new hires. More importantly, they could benefit from more meeting rooms and collaboration spaces. In addition to space, they were committing to core values and a brand that they wanted to be reflected in their office. 

The design-build process through COVID had been extended, but we are very pleased with what Pennell describes as a warm, open, and functional space. 

A few details we are proud of include the wood wall in the lobby, the creative carpet patterns, the lighting plan and lighting fixtures, the break room ceiling details, and the furnishings. 

As their motto states, “Everything is Awesome” at Pennell CPA!

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Wellspring Church Reinvents Their Youth and Staff Spaces 

by Ryan | Apr 8, 2021 | Church Design, Design News, Designing for Kids, Interior Design, Lighting Design, Procurement and Purchasing, Workplace Design

Steve Fridsma, our friend at Elevate Studio, introduced us to Dan Bolkema, Executive Director, and Tanya Bolkema of Wellspring Church who was redesigning several spaces within their facility. They were looking for our help with interior finish selections, lighting design, and selections of furnishings for youth ministry areas and staff offices.

They have a strong young adult program, attracting visitors from regional colleges and their community is multi-generational with a large children’s program. This remodel was intended to create needed improvements to support these programs.

Dan’s background in the construction industry led to great insight into the feasibility and he offered the “can-do” spirit for creative details. His and Tanya’s interest and understanding of colors and materials made this a fun project for r.o.i. Design.

This vibrant destination community in Hudsonville Michigan has opened its doors carefully during COVID and the remodel was recently completed. r.o.i. Design was happy to supply a variety of contract furnishings to complete the look.

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New Landmark Office Building for Coach Road Capital and EQI

by Ryan | Apr 8, 2021 | Design News, Interior Design, Lighting Design, Workplace Design

Relationships and innovation create great designs. Dixon Architecture and Coach Road Capital gave us a level of trust that allowed us to push the envelope on the design for this four-suite, state-of-the-art office building. We thank Jim Reyers of Copper Rock Construction for the willingness to listen to design needs and help us execute our customers’ visions.

Building owner Coach Road Capital has a variety of businesses including, but not limited to, US Retail, which manages over 40 locations of Pet Supplies Plus. As Coach Road Capital, they are real estate developers and business investors.

Our work with Coach Road established building standards for all suites, as well as created a design for communal areas. We worked with the first two tenants to customize their space to meet their business and brand needs.

Coach Road Capital

Not only had they outgrown their offices, but they were also looking to create a more collaborative and open environment for their team.
Their new office offers a spacious feel with interesting details. Our favorite features are the ceiling clouds and lighting, the metal siding on the interior of the space, the wood walls in the conference room, and the natural color scheme.

We appreciated the leadership of Val and Aaron Young and Terry Nash who gave us the direction and encouragement to help them make this a wonderful space for their team. They were tireless in their efforts and we appreciate their trust.

EQI

EQI provides tailored design, engineering, procurement, and logistics services for metal castings across diverse end markets at a global scale. The Spring Lake corporate office provides design and project management as they work with their offices in China, Vietnam, and India for the manufacturing and fulfillment of customized products.

Again, this company had outgrown its space but also wanted to change how they work. They needed their team to be more exposed to all department activities and to understand how their work fits into the entire project and business outcomes.

The new space offices a variety of meeting and break out areas which were lacking before. All offices have glass walls to the open areas, connecting everyone visually. A large break room/kitchen is an inviting “other” space that hopes to bring people together for a variety of social and work activities.

We are especially excited about the interior brick wall, the interesting light fixtures, the open staircase the warm color scheme, and the subtle placement of brand-friendly finishes.

President and CEO of EQI, Blake Phillips, was attentive and patient as we designed the space through the time of COVID, and he inspired us as a strong believer in the importance of design.

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Wolverine Building Group Updates Their Conference Room

by Ryan | Dec 9, 2020 | Construction, Design News, Interior Design, Lighting Design, Meeting and Conference, Workplace Design

r.o.i. Design has a 25-year relationship with Wolverine Building Group, and we are grateful for the work they give us in the industrial and retail builds.

When Aaron Jonker and Curt Mulder purchased the company and became the new presidents and co-owners of Wolverine, they looked to redesign their office spaces. While Wolverine does have designers on staff, they wanted outside help with their first-floor main conference room which is highly visible and used frequently.

Our design included updating the lighting and finishes. The back accent wall of the room is clad in large monolithic ceramic tiles with a metallic finish. The carpet tiles create a unique gradient pattern along the length of the room. Wolverine replaced their old conference table with a new custom table using an ash burl top and a base of reclaimed steel girders designed by Robert Mulder. r.o.i. Design also provided custom glass white boards.

The room was transformed and will stand the test of time for the next generation of leadership at Wolverine Building Group.

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Mars Hill Bible Church Reduces Its Footprint and Remodels Its Space

by Ryan | Dec 9, 2020 | Church Design, Construction, Design News, Interior Design, Lighting Design, Workplace Design

Mars Hill and r.o.i. Design have a 15-year relationship and we have worked on a variety of remodels as their building needs have changed.

In 2019, Mars Hill sold half of their building’s footprint to Grandville Public Schools, who were looking for space for their Early Education and After School Programs.

r.o.i. Design engaged Dwayne Masselink and Matt Shoffner of InterActive Studio, who have also previously worked with Mars Hill, to partner on the design and architecture of the remodel. r.o.i. Design led the design team and supported Mars Hill in the process. Mars Hill interviewed four contractors and decided on Erhardt Construction to complete the remodel.

Because of the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mars Hill project morphed many times. Budgets also impacted the phasing and scope of the work. Essentially, the scope of the project had to be divided into two phases.

The Phase 1 remodel included remodeling a mezzanine space for the church’s new offices, reconfiguring the middle school classrooms for preschool, reconfiguring preschool spaces for babies (nursery), and creating a complete separation from the Grandville Public School side of the building.

The old offices were separated by a mall corridor and the updated design has all staff in the same space for the first time in many years. While there was not enough room to give everyone private offices, they agreed to all have cubicle offices with private hotel offices being available for project-based needs and studies.

The mezzanine office remodel included new windows and views to the outside. They also created a large outdoor deck right off the lounge and break room area. The office includes a fireplace, several meeting spaces, a kitchen breakroom, and new restrooms.

Details that we really appreciate in the new mezzanine office include the reuse of the cedar siding reclaimed from the first floor demolition, the fireplace, the lighting plan and light fixtures, the curved wall and benches outside of the reception area, and the thoughtful furnishings provided by West Michigan Office Interiors.

Phase 1 also included adapting the buidling’s exterior to create a more appealing entrance for office staff and visitors. Phase 2 will include remodeling the elementary and preschool classrooms and the hallway areas.

A huge shout-out to Ken Sanders at Mars Hill for his care and patience during the project and to Erhardt Construction for their flexibility.

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