Designing Public Areas

Creating Renderings for Exterior Building Improvements

by Rayanne Rzepka | Oct 26, 2022 | Designing Public Areas, Graphic Design

Alpine Slopes_2020_Building1_Exterior Concept_02-01

For the most part, r.o.i. Design is known as a commercial interior design firm, but we also do exterior design as well. Many of the projects that we work on require design and consulting on the materials and colors for a building’s exterior. For some projects, that is all we do.

For instance, a longtime customer, DTN Management in Grand Rapids, owns several multi-family residential complexes throughout the state. One of the local properties, Alpine Slopes Apartments, needed improvements to the buildings’ exteriors to update the look and provide less maintenance.

We worked with their team to provide options for new siding and paint options. We created renderings from photos we took to show how the new finishes would look when installed. This proved to be a valuable tool for DTN. Replacing the siding on all the buildings of a large complex was a major undertaking, so making sure it would look right was important.

The new siding has gone up on most of the buildings, including the clubhouse and pool building. It looks great and is a real improvement. We are happy to have been able to help DTN and look forward to more collaborations like this in the future.

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Darley Village Revisited

by Ryan | Mar 30, 2022 | Designing Public Areas, Interior Design, Procurement and Purchasing

Last June (2021), we introduced you to our project at Darley Village. We recently went back to take some updated photos after the rest of the furniture, decor, and accessories had been installed.

In addition to selecting finishes for the floors and walls of this project, a large part of r.o.i. Design’s role was to provide the procurement of furniture, wall decor, and accessories for the building’s public areas. These new photos showcase the variety of furnishings that we provided.

Below is the rest of the article posted in June 2021:

Returning customer Denis Johnson, of Johnson Newhof  & Associates, reached out to r.o.i. Design for support with the final phase of design of their multifamily project, Darley Village, a full-service senior living community in Muskegon, adjacent to Chestnut Hills Retirement Community. 

Denis was looking for a fresh eye on finishes and assistance procuring common area furnishings. 

The call came in March 2020, at the beginning of the COVID pandemic, so we carefully engaged to review finishes and furniture. We ended up with a neutral palette that is warm and respectful of being close to Lake Michigan. We spiced it up with flooring options that create more of a high-end hospitality look without the cost.

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A New Home for the Midwest Miniatures Museum

by Ryan | Nov 17, 2021 | Design News, Designing Public Areas, Exhibit Design, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Lighting Design, Project Management

The Midwest Miniatures Museum held its Grand Re-Opening on Nov. 6th, 2021, in Grand Haven, Michigan.

Formerly located at Hickory Corners on the grounds of the Gilmore Car Museum, the Museum had been looking for a new location that was much more accessible and fitting in aesthetic to display their miniatures collections. After an extensive search, they were finally able to acquire the historic Nathaniel and Esther Robbins House in downtown Grand Haven.

r.o.i. Design was referred to the museum by independent museum consultant, Timothy J. Chester, and we were engaged in 2019 by the Museum’s director, Ina Whitney, to assist in the design of the first-floor exhibit. We visited the Hickory Corner location along with Ina and the Museum’s administrator, Hanna Steinman. We selected the items to be displayed and began the process of designing the exhibit.

We designed new display cases and fixtures for the exhibits in a style imitating the interior trim of the home. In addition to supporting the curation of the exhibit, we also managed the execution. We engaged Bluewater Studio to create the exhibit fixtures, and their attention to detail and care for the artifacts made the project a success. We also added new gallery lighting to the historic home and worked with contractors on interior upgrades as needed.

The initial display shows some of the best of their collection from miniature rooms, complete miniature structures, a silver collection, miniature art, textiles, as well as displays of miniature toys, tableware, and so much more.

The museum is now planning for future phases and is engaged in fundraising to add an elevator and create more exhibits on the home’s 2nd and 3rd floors.

If you are in the Grand Haven area, you should plan a visit to the Midwest Miniatures Museum to see this unique collection.

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Monroe Community Church Starts a New Chapter

by Ryan | Sep 22, 2021 | Church Design, Design News, Designing for Kids, Designing Public Areas, Interior Design

When architect and church leader Steve Fridsma of Elevate Studio asked r.o.i. Design to collaborate on the interior design of their new church space, we knew from the start it was going to look more like an art gallery than a church.

The project converted a former manufacturing warehouse space into a place of worship, learning, and love. Engaging a variety of people, Monroe Community Church had planning and design committees composed of church members, Elevate Studio, GDK Construction, and r.o.i. Design for the interiors.

The entrance of the building opens into the Gallery, which is the largest space of the facility. It holds a prayer shelter, a café, lounge seating, and a play area just outside of the kid’s ministry rooms. It has maple plywood walls, open ceilings, concrete floors, and lots of light walls and windows.

The Worship Space is open to the Gallery but in contrast to that room, is focused on a darker wall with theatrical lighting used during services and presentations. It has a calming presence.

Kids areas use more color and the committee agreed to use graphic stripes in subtle ways to create interest and indicate different age groups.

The project’s budget was challenging and while compromises were made, the outcome was not compromised.

Monroe Community Church has a tradition of loving art and the urban community they serve. Their ministry is celebrated in part by their engagement with the city of Grand Rapids as being a venue for ArtPrize. In the fall of 2021, they opened their new facility, welcomed members and guests to their new space the same week that ArtPrize opened. The church, filled with art, met its design and community goals.

Hundreds of people will visit Monroe Community Church and get a glimpse of how they Love God, Love People, Love the City, and Love Art.

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Offering Contract Furniture Solutions 

by Ryan | Aug 25, 2021 | Designing Public Areas, Hospitality Design, Interior Design, Medical Design, Procurement and Purchasing, Restaurant Design, Uncategorized

r.o.i. Design makes most of its revenue from selling time through managed agreements. Did you know we also sell custom furnishings for waiting areas, lobbies, breakrooms, and more? We do this competitively by utilizing a group of manufacturers who offer us wholesale pricing.

Most of our vendors allow us to create custom furniture for our clients. They offer standard frames and styles, and we select the fabrics and finishes to suit your space.

We are pleased to work with several American and Michigan-based manufacturers.

The furnishings we offer include: 

Upholstered Seating 
Occasional Tables 
Break Room and Meeting Room Seating & Tables
Med Team Desk – Customizable Teaming Workstation with Power & Data
Solar Shade Window Coverings 
Custom Wall Art
Signage and Wayfinding
Lamps, Rugs, and Accessories

Click on the thumbnails below to enlarge images.

Forest Glen Apartments

by Ryan | Jul 14, 2021 | Design News, Designing Public Areas, Hospitality Design, Interior Design, Procurement and Purchasing

This four-year project in Chantilly, Virginia was a partnership with Hooker DeJong Architects and Engineers and Eagle Point Companies. Forest Glen was completed in the spring of 2021. Six years ago, we had designed this property as a remodel, but a fire destroyed the original building, and the project needed to be rebuilt.

Keeping with much of the original concept, r.o.i. Design was able to enhance many aspects of the communal areas to include more wood, stone, and some decorative acrylic panels. Wallcovering in the corridor, while helping with maintenance, also helps create a more resort-like feel. In general, the new building offers many amenities to tenants that the original building could not.

Eagle Point engaged us to also provide public area furnishings. We selected furniture, customized finishes, purchased the products, and then managed delivery and installation. We also provided custom artwork that was reflective of the area. Located close to Washington D.C. and many historical sites in Virginia, we used images of historic buildings, national landmarks, and regional nature to help give Forest Glen its sense of place.

Thank you to Jason Barnes of Eagle Point for the opportunity to help rebuild Forest Glen.