by Ryan | Aug 28, 2018 | Design News
r.o.i. Design has been a registered Woman-Owned Business through the State of Michigan. That designation has brought General Contractors to us, who either are required to gain a percentage of bids from minorities or their company has made it their own requirement to engage minorities.
This year we were introduced to the West Michigan Minority Contractors Association (WMMCA) through Dante Villarreal, Vice President of Business Services of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, and Amy Floyd, Office Manager at Wolverine Building Group and board member of the WMMCA. We presented at their June meeting, introduced ourselves, and hope to meet new friends in minority businesses.
We were so impressed with the group, we decided to join and will continue to attend meetings and learn more about these companies that we might not have known about otherwise.
From the WMMCA Website:
“The West Michigan Minority Contractors Association (WMMCA), a program of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, aims to provide opportunities to cultivate corporate relationships and new business partnerships among members.”
“The WMMCA membership is made up of ethnic minority-owned, women-owned, and general contractors. Annual membership benefits include monthly meetings, bid announcements, networking, and the Wish List/Mileage Program, which is a platform designed to generate prospective business and collectively team with others for contracting opportunities.”
For more about the West Michigan Minority Contractors Association, tap here.
by Ryan | Aug 28, 2018 | Design News
After 16 years of service in the United States Air Force, Dr. Ryan Freeland returned home to Michigan to open a dermatology practice with his sister, Kristen Tungate, as Practice Manager. Kristen leveraged Ryan’s love of the University of Michigan to influence his decision to name the practice Wolverine Dermatology and to use maize and blue as the basis for interior design.
Image ©First Companies
With a diligent review of the real estate market, the team decided to build and own a new facility to guarantee they had room for growth and leasable space. That process brought them to the experienced team at First Companies, who have expertise in new medical development and business start-ups. r.o.i. Design and R2Design were brought on as interior designers and architects.
Image ©First Companies
The 7,500 square foot office was designed not only to reflect Dr. Freeland’s love of U of M but the state of Michigan as well. The Michigan-themed design includes an upscale lake house look complete with crisp white trim and nautical light fixtures. Other items include a stone wall inspired by Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and accents of actual Michigan Petoskey Stones. The site’s landscaping includes the Michigan State Tree, Eastern White Pines, and Michigan’s State Flower, Blossoming Apple Trees.
Image ©First Companies
The architectural design was heavily influenced by bringing natural light through the entire space. This made for some interesting opportunities in ceiling and lighting details, including floating ceiling planes in the lobby and skylights in the staff clinical den.
“Mary Witte, interior designer at r.o.i. Design saw our vision from the very first meeting. She created our space with distinct elegance and many incredible details. Architect Jon Blair of R2 Design was a perfect fit, he brought our dream to life, creating a building with class and functionality.”
– Dr. Ryan Freeland
Image ©First Companies
Some of r.o.i. Design’s favorite elements of the design include the custom light fixtures in the lobby (large scale brass harbor lights), the dark wood siding and half log siding that was stained dark gray (Pine and cedar), the large-scale graphic wallpaper in Kristen’s office, the use of carpet insets and stripes throughout, the stand-up desks in the clinical den, and the colorful upholstery in waiting areas.
Image ©First Companies
Many congratulations to Ryan and Kristen, and job well done First Companies.
by Ryan | Aug 28, 2018 | Design News
When going to the orthodontist doesn’t feel like a medical appointment. Meet Dr. Kathryn Swan.
Swan Orthodontics’ vision for their new space was to create a happy, bright, and professional space that families enjoy coming to. Dr. Kathryn Swan is committed and energized by how their work shapes people’s lives, not just their teeth, and wanted the interior design to reflect that.
Image ©First Companies
r.o.i. Design developed a “crisp” and reflective design that used pops of color and graphics. LED lights were strategically placed in bulkheads and engineered so staff could change the light colors as part of the celebration when patients completed their treatments.
The lobby and reception area is a fun space with lots to look at. A slushy machine was installed in the lobby area and the flavors are changed through the week.
Image ©First Companies
The open clinic was separated by custom dividers that used simple acrylic with an applied decorative film to create patient privacy without full walls.
The brushing area sported fun graphics and blue glass pebble wall tile along with colorful benches and ottomans.
Image ©First Companies
First Companies executed the space with great care and attention to details with a special shout out to Jordon Irish, project manager. Dixon Architecture was the architect of record and worked alongside r.o.i. Design to fulfill the vision. Thanks, Ken and Patty for a smooth design ride.
For more about Swan Orthodontists tap here.
