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NEOCON 2022 

NEOCON 2022 

by | Jul 27, 2022 | Design News, Interior Design

Scroll down to see photos from our visit. 

Bold Colors, Retro Graphics, and an Array of Textures 

NeoCon 2022 was full of inspiration and powerful discussions and we are happy to say, did not disappoint. The bold colors used throughout each exhibit brought a new level of excitement and an energetic spirit to each showroom display. We are loving the use of color blocking to draw attention which then, adds much-needed energy to these workspaces. 

Textures! As designers, we are always looking for new ideas to weave into our daily design work. This year texture, both visual and tactile, was at the forefront. The warmth and comfort of home are finding a place in the office and it is working! We welcome this shift toward dimensional and rich multi-colored materials. These spaces are feeling energetic and full of life.  

Another trend to stand out this year was the use of fun graphic wallcovering/murals across a multitude of office environments. We are seeing a shift to the use of wall graphics in place of painted accent walls or artwork. The display of soft pastels and graphic forms has captured our attention without being too overwhelming.  

At r.o.i Design, we know that interior trends follow fashion trends so the recent “nod” to ’60s and ’70s fashion and design trends did not go unnoticed. We are reminded that bold colors, compelling graphics, and dimensional textures earned their popularity for so many reasons. We are excited to see how the design world will continue to tweak those core elements and infuse them into our work environments today. 

Click on the thumbnails below to enlarge photos from our visit. 

Wolverine Dermatology Creates State of the Art Break Room 

Wolverine Dermatology Creates State of the Art Break Room 

by | Jul 27, 2022 | Branding, Interior Design, Medical Design, Workplace Design

r.o.i. Design has enjoyed our relationship with Dr. Ryan Freeland over the last five years as he developed his dermatology practice housed in their incredible building at 1673 Gezon Parkway. His commitment to veterans is evident from his reserved parking spaces, his military holiday celebrations, and his team’s military-patterned scrubs.   

We worked on the initial concept with Jon Blair of R2 Design Group and First Companies, then the Phase 2 expansion, and most recently, the Phase 3 expansion that created more clinical, patient, and employee spaces to accommodate their growth. 

While Phase 3 added so many needed spaces and followed the brand and direction that makes Wolverine Dermatology so great, the star of the remodel was the new military-themed café break room. 

This new break room is large, with seating for 50 people, including bar seating for 16, lounge and dining seating for 34, and access to an exterior patio with outdoor seating for 20. This cafe features some amazing details, including oversized copper pendant lights, yellow banquette seating, extensive use of reclaimed wood at the bar, and a soon-to-be-added actual propeller from a vintage military aircraft.   

But most impressive is the display wall that features a flag that Dr. Ryan flew home from his tour in Afghanistan and the oversized custom ribbons that describe the special honors earned by so many.  

We salute Dr. Ryan Freeland and his commitment to honoring those who served in our country’s armed forces. 

    © All Photos Courtesy of First Companies, Inc.

    Greenville Area Community Foundation Moves to New Remodeled Offices 

    Greenville Area Community Foundation Moves to New Remodeled Offices 

    by | Jun 15, 2022 | Design News, Interior Design, Meeting and Conference, Procurement and Purchasing, Workplace Design

    Our friend Dean Clement at West Michigan Office Interiors introduced us to Alison Barberi, President and CEO of the Greenville Area Community Foundation (GACF). They were in the process of swapping offices with Southwestern Oil Co. They needed more space and Southwestern Oil needed less. Southwestern Oil had been at its location for more than 30 years, and most of the space had not been upgraded for decades. The swap was a generous gesture, offering GACF opportunities to expand and upgrade. We were engaged as interior designers supporting the efforts of their contractor, KASCO, and furniture provider, WMOI.  

    We were able to work with the GACF team to upgrade lighting and finishes. We worked with KASCO to make the entry and restrooms A.D.A. compliant. We recognized the mid-century style of the building and its details and worked to make the new design work with the building’s architecture.  

    Preserving the interior doors and trim, which were dark oak, we kept the new finishes light and added accents to the new carpeting and wall finishes. In the restrooms, the plumbing fixtures and lighting were completely updated. GACF brought with them their quality artwork and furnishings.  

    While the construction process revealed some issues, none of them minimized the outcome.  

    We celebrate the work of the GACF and learned a great deal about their impact and efforts in the Greater Greenville Area.  

    Click on the thumbnails below to view larger images.

    The Gignac Lounge at Dooge Veneers 

    The Gignac Lounge at Dooge Veneers 

    by | Jun 15, 2022 | Design News, Interior Design, Meeting and Conference, Procurement and Purchasing

    r.o.i. Design has been honored to be the designer for Dooge Veneers for many years. We have seen the office expand three times, and watch them grow in staff, services, and veneer options. 

    Most recently we worked with them to create a couple of offices from a conference room and convert an office to a soft seating meeting area. That office used to be Hank Gignac’s office. Hank passed away from COVID, one of the first 50 in Kent Count in 2020. Hank was a tremendous leader and a gracious person, and Dooge Veneers wanted to create a room in his honor.  

    In that room is a large coffee table made from a walnut slab, something Hank always wanted, and the original veneer on the wall remains. We furnished the room with comfy chairs around the new coffee table. The room has a great view of all the birds outside the window that gather at the feeders that Hank placed there.  

    We acknowledge and thank Wolverine Building Group for their work remodeling the space. 

    Click on the thumbnails below to view larger images.

    E5 Creates People Driven Technology 

    E5 Creates People Driven Technology 

    by | Jun 15, 2022 | Design News, Interior Design, Lighting Design, Procurement and Purchasing, Workplace Design

    r.o.i. Design learns so much from our customers, and this project, introduced to us by First Companies, was no different. We saw how the Engen family worked together to make decisions and create a landmark new company with the greatest respect for people, both the inventors of the past and the genius of today.  

    They purchased property at 6300 Venture Hills Blvd SW in Byron Center, MI with the plan to house two businesses, E5 Ventures and a new technology company, People Driven Technology.  

    Architect Ken Dixon of Dixon Architecture created the building footprint and façade, and together with r.o.i. Design, we planned the interior spaces.   

    For the offices to feel welcoming, professional, and with a nod to hi-tech, the key features on the inside include:  

    • An uplit perforated metal “wing” over the reception desk.  
    • LED-backlit panels in the reception desk  
    • A variety of flat clouds in the open office at staggered heights with suspended and recessed strip lights.  
    • Metal wall accents in the break room  
    • Graduated steel to gray carpet tiles in the open office.  
    • Glass-fronted offices and conference rooms.  

    Of particular interest is how they named the conference rooms, each one after a respected inventor: Thomas Edison, Hedy Lamar, Nikola Tesla, and Elijah McCoy. Each room has a plaque that tells the story of the inventor and r.o.i. Design assisted in selecting artwork of the inventor and their inventions.  

    The overall thoughtfulness of the design project is an indication of the owners’ values. Again, we learned so much.  

    The Engen Family is a legacy of innovation and technology. Committed to West Michigan, this powerhouse created Netech more than 20 years ago and transitioned that business, selling to Presidio.  

    E5 Ventures LLC was created in 2016 and the Engen family focuses on targeted real estate and business investments. One of those projects ended up being a start-up that had roots in their understanding of customer service and technology. People Driven Technology is an all-encompassing IT solution for Enterprise Network Security, Hybrid Cloud, User Experience, Cybersecurity, and Physical Security.  

    Click on the thumbnails below to view larger images.

    Faux vs Real: How to Bring More of the Outside In

    Faux vs Real: How to Bring More of the Outside In

    by | May 4, 2022 | Interior Design, Procurement and Purchasing

    Plantscapes, Biolific Design, and Green Walls

    These are all terms that have become part of the vernacular.  They refer to the same idea of bringing more of the outdoors inside our businesses. The term Biophilia literally translated means “love of life”. The concept has fueled an industry focusing on connecting the inside to the outside. Natural elements such as plants, water, daylight, natural shapes and forms, and other natural materials all serve to make that connection. Studies have shown that this connection can result in increased well-being, improved cognitive function and focus, and increased use of the space.

    If you’re looking to add some natural elements to your space, we can help!

    Real or faux plants provide a wonderful connection to the natural world. If you’re a purist and want to keep it real, low maintenance varieties like Sansevieria (Snake Plant), ZZ Plant, Pothos, or Spider plants, in containers that reflect the rest of the décor are the way to go.

    Don’t have a green thumb? Consider faux.

    The quality of faux plants has improved dramatically. Offering more versatility, they can be used in creative ways. Another way to increase connection to the outside is through artwork. Pictures of nature and natural elements can also foster a connection to the outdoors.

    Just let us know how we can help!