Construction - ROIDESIGN

Remodeling Our Own Office Space

by Ryan | Aug 26, 2021 | Construction, Interior Design, Project Management, Workplace Design

As commercial interior designers, r.o.i. Design has designed and oversaw the remodeling of many offices and workplaces. Very seldom do we take the time, effort, or expense to improve our own work environment. But finally, we decided to make some major changes to our office at 1451 Front Ave. NW.

Our process and planning began a couple of years ago. We had recently hired two new team members, and both were working from makeshift stations. We started to work with West Michigan Office Interiors for some of our clients’ projects and began a conversation about our own office. We designed a new office layout in collaboration with them and began the process of getting the remodel underway.

Then COVID hit… Obviously, that put a pause on the whole project. Despite the shutdowns and work-from-home scenarios, r.o.i. Design remained busy throughout the pandemic and finished 2020 strongly. So, in the summer of 2021, we resumed the remodeling.

In mid-August, we moved all our workstations and offices to a temporary space in the front of our building. Painters were in our space giving the walls and ceilings a fresh coat of paint. Then, the flooring installers laid all new carpeting with assorted colors and patterns for defined work areas. Finally, the furniture installers brought in all new office systems. Our IT team reconnected our computers and servers with minimal downtime.

We’re so excited for a better place to work, collaborate, meet, and serve our clients.

Stay tuned for more photos and updates as everything gets finished and we’re more settled in.

Click on the thumbnails below to enlarge images.

German Auto Service Moves Operations to a New Building

by Ryan | Aug 25, 2021 | Construction, Design News, Interior Design, Retail Design, Workplace Design

German Auto Service was located just down the street from r.o.i. Design for as long as we’ve been on Front Avenue. With the growth their business has seen in recent years, owners Ben and Joe Zeeuw decided it was time to expand. Rather than adding on to the limited space of their existing lot, they decided to build new.

German Auto reached out to Pinnacle Construction, which is also located on Front Avenue, to be the general contractor on this project. Then they contacted r.o.i. Design to design the interiors. Marianne Martz from our office oversaw the design.

The new building is located near the intersection of Alpine Avenue and Ann Street on Avastar Parkway. The team at German Auto wanted to create a space that embraces the muscular architecture of a fully equipped service garage. The intent was not to hide the shop “out back”. From the lobby, customers have a front-row seat to see the service team at work. The customer service area offers a large open floor plan with a large-scale visually striking graphic. Thanks to the design concept, the new facility feels engaging and bright.

r.o.i Design thanks Ben and Joe for choosing our team to work alongside them. Congratulations to Pinnacle Construction on a great-looking building.

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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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The Timing May Be Right to Start New Projects and Save Construction Dollars

by Ryan | Jun 17, 2020 | Construction, Interior Design, Project Management, Workplace Design

Even though we don’t have a crystal ball here at r.o.i. Design, we are predicting an opportunity for building owners and developers to take advantage of the design and construction slow down caused by the pandemic. Many of our contractors tell us they are seeing a soft July and August with a pickup in the fall.

This may a perfect time for that light remodel, that small expansion, that improvement in light and air quality, or that upgrade to furnishings.

Office buildings with empty tenant space may want to upgrade their common areas and improve general first impressions to assist in attracting new customers.

Let us know if we can help you with some speedy design solutions so you can capture some summertime upgrades.

Construction in Progress – All Systems Go!

by Ryan | Jun 17, 2020 | Construction, Design News, Interior Design, Workplace Design

In Michigan, construction projects received the go-ahead start up again on May 6. r.o.i. Design had several jobs that we’re able to resume, most of which are working toward maintaining original deadlines with some schedule challenges. Here’s a summary of some of our construction jobs in progress.

Mars Hill Bible Church

We are partnered with InterActive Studio and Erhardt Construction in Phase 1 remodel of Mars Hill Bible Church’s offices and children’s ministry spaces. Mars Hill sold half of its building to Grandville Public Schools. Though the church isn’t sure when they can assemble for worship, they are optimistic that staff can return to new offices in August 2020. We are grateful for the diligence and flexibility of Erhardt Construction who has had to manage a remote design team and customer while keeping the job site safe and productive.

Pennell CPA

We are partnered with Pinnacle Construction in the office remodel for Pennell CPA. For this project, we opened up much of the enclosed space to create a more flexible workplace for this growing accounting firm. We are managing the design, with the help of TJA Architects. The goal is for the office to be move-in ready at the end of June. Like many companies, Pennell CPA has had many staff working from home, and they look forward to being able to gather in a larger space that will comply with current requirements for social distancing. Kudos to Pinnacle for keeping this project on track, where, at this writing, finishes are being applied and cabinets installed.

Total Fire Protection

We are partnered with First Companies and Dixon Architecture in the design of Total Fire Protection’s new facility. The new construction includes a large manufacturing and distribution warehouse and a two-story corporate and sales office. Total Fire Protection builds fire protection sprinkling systems, hazard specialty services, and system monitoring. They have outgrown their space on Kendrick Drive and are looking forward to a July move-in. In addition to their space, the building has tenant space making the overall build-out a huge footprint. First Companies are reporting that finishes are being installed, decorative lighting is showing up, and the cabinetry is being installed.

Grand River Bank

We are partnered with Dixon Architecture and BDR Construction on a new construction project at 50 Crahen Avenue in Ada, Michigan. Grand River Bank is the first-floor tenant of this building, which is their second location in West Michigan. This office will duplicate most of the services that they offer in their Grandville branch. The goal is for the bank to be operational this fall while being strategic and methodical about how to keep employees and customers safe. The COVID-19 pandemic and consequential social distancing requirements created a need for a little redesign, which is being addressed now and shouldn’t postpone their entry into the marketplace.

Evolution Wealth

The r.o.i. Design team connected with Ryan Bassett from Evolution Wealth through our mutual friend, BluHouse Realtor Duke Gray. Due to the growth of Ryan’s financial consulting business, he was seeking a space that could reflect his brand and values, while accommodating more new customers. Working with the landlord’s team of remodelers, we helped him imagine a new layout and select finishes. The goal is for Evolution Wealth to occupy its new space in July.