by Ryan | Nov 28, 2018 | Design News, Designing for Kids, Designing Public Areas, Interior Design
r.o.i. Design has a heart for the community, education, and kids. Every year we dedicate some of our time to non-profits whose goals match our own vision as we strive to make a difference in the lives of those we touch.
We have been investing in Living Stones Academy since 2016, when our friend Aaron Winkle, Head of School, reached out for support. Aaron’s request was coupled by the endorsement of Marlin Feyen, founding partner of Feyen Zylstra Electric. He showed us their vision to be radically inclusive and absolutely accessible, which struck a chord with us.
Since our involvement, we have provided design and direction for finishes in their new lunch program kitchen and related corridor, their gymnasium, and the teachers’ lounge. In each case, we took into consideration the 70’s style of the architecture that boasted a modern style and blocks of colors.
The largest of those projects was the gym. We created a design that included acoustic panels so it could be more effective as a presentation space, allowing the audience to hear more clearly. Perhaps the most rewarding was the redesign of the teacher’s lounge. Old fixtures were retired and a new friendly space was delivered that the teachers can use as a retreat from their classrooms.
We look forward to Living Stones continued success as they serve their families, of which 56% receive tuition assistance, 52% are minorities, and 15% are English language learners.
For more information about Living Stones Academy, go to livingstonesgr.org.
by Ryan | Oct 30, 2018 | Design News, Interior Design, Workplace Design
Building on the success of the 616 Fab House where r.o.i. Design created an innovation center that met international acceptance, Hutchinson Antivibration Systems engaged us to design the expansion of their engineering, plant operations and purchasing offices at their Grand Rapids location. They trusted that we understood their business goals and criteria.
Hutchinson’s growing success as an OEM provider of parts and solutions for transportation brands meant that they needed to create competitive working environments to attract and maintain talent. The total renovation was around 16,000 square feet. This project converted 6,500 square feet of existing warehouse space to office space.
While historic building conversions are not new to r.o.i. Design, every old building introduces challenges. This conversion included creating a space with a raised platform over an industrial space. What may have seemed like a problem actually created a very desirable working space.
We would like to acknowledge the efforts and partnering by everyone involved at Pinnacle Construction and Kentwood Office Furniture, especially Aaron Byler, Project Manager and Greg DeVries, Account Executive.
For more information about Hutchinson Antivibration Systems, visit hutchinsonna-antivibration-purchasing.com.
by Ryan | Oct 30, 2018 | Design News, Interior Design, Medical Design, Procurement and Purchasing
Dr. Brent Medema’s attention to detail isn’t only focused on his patients’ teeth. He appreciates design, and as an owner of a downtown condo, wanted his new dental office to reflect his urban modern style.
r.o.i. Design was introduced to Medema Endodontics through First Companies. They engaged us to design the interior of this space, which they then built-out and delivered in 2018. From that introduction we found a client who was interested in every aspect of the design, scrutinizing finishes and decisions, resulting in a wonderful product. We’d like to recognize Jordan Irish, First Companies Project Manager who was attentive to design details and customer requests.
The clean look supports the surgical nature of the practice but isn’t so clinical that it ignores patient comforts. Dr. Brent made sure there were wall art and furnishings that appealed to his patients and helped create a welcoming feeling.
Our favorite details of the design include the lobby and reception ceiling and lighting details, the exam room corridor wall, ceiling accent insets, as well as the overall color scheme.
- We provided the lobby furnishings whose style hinted at a mid-century modern feel while using contemporary fabrics and finishes.
- We provided wall art based on Medema’s criteria and managed the professional installation based on project needs and timelines.
Medema Endodontics is an expert practice with a focus on patient care, medical technology and continuous learning and practice improvements. For more about Medema Endodontics, medemaendo.com.
by Ryan | Oct 30, 2018 | Design News, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Retail Design
Doug Wildey has been thinking about expanding Game Room Guys, headquartered in Comstock Park, MI, into other cities for several years. He has been talking to r.o.i. Design about what satellite stores could look like, and how those stores need to be designed to attract their customers. While they have a showroom at their headquarters, most of their sales are generated online. They have been delivering to major metropolitan areas in the midwest, east, and south already which gave them valuable data on where physical stores could benefit their growth.
This year they found a former golf pro-shop in Livonia, near Detroit. This great location already had a lot of “retail friendly” details in place. Their space, while larger than what they required, does allow for an impressive display of merchandise in all their different categories.
Wildey engaged r.o.i. Design to help Game Room Guys create merchandise layouts, select finishes, and create signage. As the store continues to see sales, we will finish up with all the little merchandising touches that will make the retail space an attractive and interesting place to spend time and money. One of the greatest challenges was the flooring, staying within budget while still creating a retail “look”. With the help of our Shaw Flooring Contract Representative, Patrick Coulsen, we were able to deliver both.
Kudos to Game Room Guys for their methodical process, their commitment, and investment into the project. They opened their doors in the summer of 2018 and are experiencing continual sales growth and increased traffic.
As a teen, Doug Wildey plunked coin after coin into the Captain Fantastic and Eight Ball pinball machines at his favorite arcade.
Decades later, Wildey turned his love of arcade games into a growing retail business, Game Room Guys, where he sells pinball machines, pool tables, foosball games, golf simulators, dartboards, poker tables, air hockey — even jukeboxes, record turntables, vending machines, and Jack Daniels memorabilia.
What started as a business out of his garage in 2001 has grown into a 26,000-square-foot national headquarters in Comstock Park, near Grand Rapids, with customers across the nation.
And now, Wildey has entered the metro Detroit market with a new store in Livonia, southeast of Eight Mile and Newburgh roads.
Wildey described Game Room Guys as “one of the largest pinball dealers in the world.” He said the majority of customers are homeowners who want to create or add a game room atmosphere to part of their home.
But he also supplies corporate break rooms, college dormitories, bars, youth centers and, of course, arcades.
Wildey said two of his three sons are involved in the business, which has 26 employees. He said his company is the go-to place for people who need to find replacement parts for pinball machines and other products dating back to the 1940s and 1950s.
by Ryan | Oct 30, 2018 | Design News, Interior Design, Procurement and Purchasing, Workplace Design
Architectural Concepts has been a friend of r.o.i. Design since 2000. We have collaborated on many projects with conceptual planning and interior design, while they delivered the architecture and managed the construction. Hutchinson Antivibration Systems is one example of our shared projects, where we designed their innovation center, the 616 Fab House.
While that relationship is a long lasting one, their original office interior was not. Like many 20-year-old interiors, it was tired and presented a dated color scheme. Ken Watkins, principle and owner, decided his team deserved to work in the kind of space they create for others.
We were engaged for interior design. Our process was transparent because we have worked comfortably with them for a while. We felt like we could take some risks. We brought in two to three possible schemes, some hand sketches, and photos. The staff at Architectural Concepts (Jackie, Dave, Matt, and Ken) sorted through what they liked, and we discussed how finishes could be applied.
Like all good collaborations, the end product was a mixture of finishes from all three schemes. Even though the office is relatively small, four carpets were used (3 as accents), and six paint colors were selected.
It was with great satisfaction that r.o.i. Design was hired to assist them to update their space with selections for new flooring, new paint, and new details. We provided new window coverings, new furniture, and overall support for their continued success.
- r.o.i. Design is a distributor of SWF Contract Solar Shades. Updating to solar shades for this office was a huge improvement. Not only are they visually calming, but within a few moments, the temperature in the office was more comfortable.
- We also provided the new open office furniture which included custom-built “L-shaped” desks that are easily adjusted from seated to standing height. These huge surfaces provided more than enough room for staff to lay out large-scale drawings while working.
The most noticeable change to the office was the wall that surrounds the new meeting room. Exposed metal studs were incorporated into the design as a finished element as a celebration of architecture as well as Ken’s honest and “exposed” style.
Ken, while a passionate architect for their commercial and industrial client, is also earnestly involved with a second business alongside his wife, Shelly. They run a non-profit called Genesis Waters which is dedicated to bringing clean water to communities around the world. They travel quarterly to locations to work with teams to create clean water systems and related infrastructure. Photos of the people they serve are featured in the office, which is beautiful décor but also an inspirational reminder of the meaning of “work”.
Many congratulations to Ken and his team for their great work and big hearts.
For more information about Architectural Concepts contact Ken at archconcepts@sbcglobal.net or for Genesis Waters Shelly’s email address is shelly@genesiswaters.org.
by Ryan | Sep 26, 2018 | Branding, Design News
We are always looking for new ways to get involved with the community and make a positive difference in West Michigan. Local First had been on our radar for a couple of years. We felt now was a good time to learn more about them and get signed up.
Local First is a nonprofit organization founded in 2003 by a group of seven business owners dedicated to promoting local businesses in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Today, Local First represents more than 800 businesses throughout West Michigan and is the largest organization supporting and advocating for locally owned businesses in the Midwest.
Today, Local First represents more than 800 businesses throughout West Michigan…
Membership in Local First comes with many benefits. First, it is a great networking platform to meet, interact, and conduct business with other companies in the local community. We love the idea of encouraging the creation of a sustainable local economy through community education and relationship building. Local First provides numerous marketing outlets as well, whether through social media, their online directory, or the Local First “Guide to Local Living”
r.o.i. Design is proud to be a part of the local West Michigan business community. We look forward to learning more about Local First and the opportunities it can bring to r.o.i. Design and the community at large.
To learn more about Local First, go to localfirst.com.
