Rayanne Rzepka - ROIDESIGN

Open Offices Bring Acoustic Issues

by Rayanne Rzepka | Apr 24, 2024 | Design News, Interior Design

With the onset of the open office and shared spaces comes great efficiency and improved collaboration, but also brings acoustic issues.

Acoustics are the science of sound control, addressing the reflection of noise between and around spaces. Very rudimentary sound waves act like a ping pong ball in a space, rebounding off hard surfaces. Ideal reverberation time, referred to as T60, signifies the time it takes for sound to fade by 60dB (decibels) within an enclosed space. The faster the fade, the better it is. r.o.i. Design approaches the issues of acoustics in most jobs where we consider absorbing, blocking, covering or diffusing sound.

Absorb

The absorption coefficient of materials controls how much sound reverberates when they hit those materials—a higher coefficient means they absorb more sound. Therefore, absorptive objects reduce ambient noise. A favorite solution is one that also adds design are decorative baffles made from felt, wood, or fabric.

Block

The amount of sound blocked by a wall or other obstacle is called sound transmission loss—or attenuation. For example, screens, panels, and doors also help block sound from traveling between spaces. r.o.i. Design often adds partitions and window coverings to block sound.

Cover

If you can’t absorb or block sound, you might have to cover it. Carpets and acoustical ceilings, as well as efficient HVAC systems, can conceal sound and lower background noise levels. A popular solution is sound masking technology, much like a sound system that is designed to create a consistent pitch to cover other sounds.

Diffuse

In some environments, proper acoustics involve scattering sound uniformly throughout the space, in other words, diffusion. Too much absorption makes it difficult to transmit noise properly— for example, people may need to hear others talking over a long distance.  Back to the ping pong ball, imagine it trying to bound off a textured wood wall; the bound is diffused.

While r.o.i. Design is not acousticians, we are very capable of specifying products that absorb, cover, block, and diffuse. For projects that we added acoustic solutions, click on the links below:

Mailoux Dentistry

Cedar Animal Hospital

Notions Marketing

Funky Buddah

Lifestream Church

The Role of LED Lighting in Interior Design

by Rayanne Rzepka | Mar 27, 2024 | Design News, Interior Design, Lighting Design

With the introduction of LED* lighting over ten years ago, the world of lighting and lighting design has exploded. Now, more than 80% of all lighting is LED. This is mostly because of their high efficiency and low power consumption as compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. LED doesn’t just allow for creative light fixtures but also expands the possibilities in lighting solutions and environmental control.

One outcome is the ability to control the light’s color, imitating a variety of experiences. That color temperature is measured by Kelvins. Low numbers are warmer, and high numbers are cooler. To make something feel “homey” we use lower numbers. When we need a clinical effect, we use higher numbers. Have you ever heard someone say, “It feels like a hospital in here!”. That is likely because the space has a high Kelvin measurement when it needs to be lower. Interior designers can match the environment to the Kelvin for the most comfortable experience.

Another aspect of LED lighting is size and flexibility. Since the lumens come from a chip, that small chip can be put into a variety of housings, making it easier to find lighting for every situation; whether it’s architectural, theatrical, or practical (see photos of examples).

At r.o.i. Design, we work with lighting engineers to assist in specifying fixtures along with their colors and lumens. We used to use a measurement called foot-candles to describe the amount of light in a room. Now the industry uses lumens, specifically lux, which is one lumen per square meter. Not only is the color of light important, but its brightness is critical in creating comfort for the user.

Interior design is highly affected by light. All finishes look very different depending on the color of the light. We can be leaders in interior design by providing expertise in lighting design.

(*) LED stands for light emitting diode. LED lighting products produce light up to 90% more efficiently than incandescent light bulbs. How do they work? An electrical current passes through a microchip, which illuminates the tiny light sources we call LED, and the result is visible light.

Below are some examples of interesting LED lighting we have used on recent jobs. Click on the thumbnails to enlarge.

Third Coast Oral Surgery Improves Customer Experience

by Rayanne Rzepka | Mar 27, 2024 | Interior Design, Medical Design

A returning customer, Third Coast Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, called us to help plan for an improved checkout experience for their patients. This meant planning and designing a small addition and reconfiguration of some rooms. Dr. Niquette, owner of Third Coast, has a very contemporary taste and r.o.i. Design tried to create a unique look with metal panel fronts and colorful metal posts. The check-in desk has some perforated metal and we wanted there to be a connection in materials.

The checkout desk is the place where transactions happen and appointments are made, so there needed to be more privacy than what they could offer at the reception check-in desk.

First Companies Inc., who built the building, managed this remodel and the outcome is spectacular.

Animal Emergency Hospital, Part Two

by Rayanne Rzepka | Mar 27, 2024 | Interior Design, Medical Design, Procurement and Purchasing

We were honored to be the interior designers for the first new Animal Emergency Hospital in Byron Center in 2022. They had an older location on Plainfield in Grand Rapids, but the space looked tired and couldn’t compare with the new facility. The plan was to build a new hospital next door to the Plainfield location, and that dream came true when they moved into the new facility in February, 2024. r.o.i. Design worked with First Companies and Dr. Marilyn Brink, as we did the first time for the Byron Center location.

The plan for the Plainfield location was a flipped-flopped and mirrored version of the Byron Center location’s plan, due to site conditions, but it includes all these aspects that we so enjoy:

Large-scale black-and-white photos of dogs, cats, iguanas, birds, guinea pigs, and so much more.
Soaring tall ceiling in the lobby softened by “clouds” of acoustical materials and strip lighting.
Shiplap wood walls.
Metal-faced reception desk.
Half-walls in the waiting room with silhouettes of animals.

We hope that none of our animal friends will make an emergency stop at either location, so we are sharing some photos that give you a sense of the interior. And if you do have to stop, you will be in great hands in a great space

Click on the thumbnails below to view larger images.

For more of our medical projects click here.

Blueprint Dentistry Makes Its Mark in Holland, Michigan

by Rayanne Rzepka | Feb 28, 2024 | Interior Design, Lighting Design, Medical Design

The well-named Blueprint Dentistry is a rebrand from Dr. Kevin Kross’s previous Michigan Street Dentistry. Michigan Street was their old location. He wanted his new dental office to reflect his technical and sophisticated approach to complete and premier dental care. His new logo includes architectural lines and symbols that clearly state the focus on precision dentistry.

r.o.i. Design met Dr. Kross early in the process and was engaged in shopping for real estate and recommending contractors. This gave our team time to get to know Dr. Kross and his vision.

While he doesn’t partner with his wife, Brittany Mailloux DDS, they agreed to purchase a building and locate both practices in the same building, which allowed them to create a state-of-the-art lab that they both share.

Blueprint Dentistry’s design elements reflect its brand. The lighting in the lobby is recessed linear LED that runs through the ceiling and continuously down the wall. The exam room corridor has a recessed cavity in the ceiling with unique box light fixtures that fit into the recess and create a special effect.

The overall color scheme throughout is mostly black and white, which sparkles with accents of glass and specialty lighting. The reception desk is backlit with a frosted acrylic face with the logo and name etched into the material. In addition, the glass sliding doors with chrome barn door hardware in the exam rooms elevate a patient’s typical dental experience.

The desk in Dr. Kross’s office is made from white concrete with flecks of silver and gold randomly embedded in the top. The private office is also set up to accommodate a second doctor.

The lower-level break room also has a concrete table, which is 12 feet long, surrounded by Eames-inspired chairs.

The journey from Michigan Street to 16th Street brought Blueprint Dentistry further towards its goals than just the distance between the two locations.