by Ryan | Sep 26, 2018 | Branding, Design News, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Workplace Design
r.o.i. Design has been supporting Ryan Ogle and BluHouse with interior design for many years, and we were part of the team for their recent expansion. Along with interior design, we provided graphic design and product procurement to assist in getting their space operational in time for the busy 2018 real estate season.
We worked with architect Tim Allspach, builder Kevin Cook, and BluHouse’s own team of builders, Mariani Construction, to complete the project. The complete remodel included almost 4,000 square feet of office space.
The office includes a combination of private offices and open office space supported by tiny private areas for team members to use for calls and focused work. The reception wall makes use of reclaimed wood, which was locally sourced from Grand Rapids Pallets. Throughout the space are accents of “BluHouse Blue” and the inclusion of some of Ryan’s key “finds and treasures”. A dynamic team photo wall makes a bold statement at one end of the space.
Ryan Ogle started BluHouse in 2007. He has grown the company to include an active team of realtors, property managers and remodelers, and marketing consultants through a variety of privately held and related businesses.
Their first offices on Wealthy Street in Eastown became cramped and impractical, so over a few years, business segments were relocated to other facilities. BluHouse Properties, the real estate business, moved to East Paris in 2016 but expanded their presence there in 2018.
For more about BluHouse Properties, Rent Blu, and 7thRow Creative go to thinkbluhouse.com, rentblu.com, and think7th.com.
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.
by Ryan | Jul 12, 2018 | Design News
The Baum family has made Hastings Fiberglass a success for more than 50 years. That success is based on their innovation, customer care and their commitment to their community. But their ability to grow was limited based on their physical plant, so in 2016 they started to plan for a new headquarters and a state-of-the-art plant.
Wolverine Building Groups’ Brandon Hartel called r.o.i. Design to help with the interior design of this 100,000 SF, 8M project. He said that they needed “the r.o.i. Design touch”. Working with Wolverine and Hastings Fiberglass’ President Dave Baum and Earlene Baum, we worked through the decisions for the finishes of their offices as well as the plant.
Some of our favorite results include the open staircase from the lobby to the second-floor offices, the break room/lunch room and the colors in the manufacturing space. Baum admitted he thought we were “a little nutty” putting all those colors in the plant, but he is so glad we did.
Congratulations to the Baum Family, Hastings Fiberglass and Wolverine Building Group for a job well done!
Excerpts From The Hastings Banner, 5/24/2018
Hastings Fiberglass begins Celebration with Ribbon Cutting
Hastings Mayor Dave Tossava spoke on behalf of the city, saying the achievement of Hastings Fiberglass is something for which the community should be proud. He thanked the Baum family for keeping their promise to stay committed to the community and keeping their world headquarters in Hastings.
“I knew Earl McMillan and Earl McMillan Jr. and I know they would be very proud of what stands here today,” Tossava of the founders.
Travis Alden, president of the Barry County Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Alliance, congratulated the company for its growth and accomplishments.
“I want to thank the Baum family for their investment and commitment and for the tremendous opportunities to come from this project. We at the chamber will do whatever we can to make sure this company will continue to thrive,” said Alden.
Employees Joe Hendricks and Dennis James both agreed the larger workspace has helped things to run much smoother, and the flow of work has increased dramatically.
“I also feel a great sense of pride when I drive up to this building, and to point it out, and telling people this is where I work,” said Hendricks.
Dave Baum said moving the company the past two months was a difficult process. Computers and many other equipment needed to be updated or replaced, and during the move, he said, he wanted to make certain the operation continued.
“I am just amazed,” said Earlene Baum. “The building is so beautiful. My dad would not have believed what he started would have turned into this.”
Hastings Fiberglass has always maintained a close relationship with the community, and the community has always been supportive. The relationship is symbiotic and, fortunately for both bodies, the bond will continue far into the future.”
To learn more about Hastings Fiberglass go to hfgp.com
