Workplace Design - 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.

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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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USG’s Otsego Paper Company

by Ryan | Jun 16, 2021 | Design News, Interior Design, Procurement and Purchasing, Workplace Design

Wolverine Building Group invited r.o.i. Design to join them in creating a new space for USG’s Otsego Paper Company. Marianne Martz led the project, making her mark by incorporating on-brand color details in the breakroom tile, paint, and furnishings. This industrial space included a custom epoxy floor to match the company’s brand color. Hexagonal acoustical tiles offered functionality and a textural element to their space.

r.o.i. Design provided furniture in the breakroom and waiting area to fit the overall scheme. We also provided planning for office furniture and facilitated procurement through our connection with West Michigan Office Interiors.

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Pennell CPA Expands to New Office

by Ryan | Jun 15, 2021 | Design News, Interior Design, Lighting Design, Procurement and Purchasing, Workplace Design

Fred Pennell of Pennell CPA reached out to us to inquire about our ability to help them plan and execute a move to a new building. We had worked with their landlord previously, and Pennell’s review of our portfolio led them to select us as the group to manage the design-build process for them. As a team, we looked at two or three building sites and reviewed the feasibility of each. When they discovered a property on Cascade Road offering both adequate room for them and additional space to lease, they had found their new home. 

We engaged Tim Allspach of TJA Architects to review code and structural issues, and we interviewed contractors and engaged Pinnacle Construction for the build-out. 

Pennell CPA was experiencing rapid growth, and they needed space to house a growing workforce and a space that appealed to new hires. More importantly, they could benefit from more meeting rooms and collaboration spaces. In addition to space, they were committing to core values and a brand that they wanted to be reflected in their office. 

The design-build process through COVID had been extended, but we are very pleased with what Pennell describes as a warm, open, and functional space. 

A few details we are proud of include the wood wall in the lobby, the creative carpet patterns, the lighting plan and lighting fixtures, the break room ceiling details, and the furnishings. 

As their motto states, “Everything is Awesome” at Pennell CPA!

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Wellspring Church Reinvents Their Youth and Staff Spaces 

by Ryan | Apr 8, 2021 | Church Design, Design News, Designing for Kids, Interior Design, Lighting Design, Procurement and Purchasing, Workplace Design

Steve Fridsma, our friend at Elevate Studio, introduced us to Dan Bolkema, Executive Director, and Tanya Bolkema of Wellspring Church who was redesigning several spaces within their facility. They were looking for our help with interior finish selections, lighting design, and selections of furnishings for youth ministry areas and staff offices.

They have a strong young adult program, attracting visitors from regional colleges and their community is multi-generational with a large children’s program. This remodel was intended to create needed improvements to support these programs.

Dan’s background in the construction industry led to great insight into the feasibility and he offered the “can-do” spirit for creative details. His and Tanya’s interest and understanding of colors and materials made this a fun project for r.o.i. Design.

This vibrant destination community in Hudsonville Michigan has opened its doors carefully during COVID and the remodel was recently completed. r.o.i. Design was happy to supply a variety of contract furnishings to complete the look.

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New Landmark Office Building for Coach Road Capital and EQI

by Ryan | Apr 8, 2021 | Design News, Interior Design, Lighting Design, Workplace Design

Relationships and innovation create great designs. Dixon Architecture and Coach Road Capital gave us a level of trust that allowed us to push the envelope on the design for this four-suite, state-of-the-art office building. We thank Jim Reyers of Copper Rock Construction for the willingness to listen to design needs and help us execute our customers’ visions.

Building owner Coach Road Capital has a variety of businesses including, but not limited to, US Retail, which manages over 40 locations of Pet Supplies Plus. As Coach Road Capital, they are real estate developers and business investors.

Our work with Coach Road established building standards for all suites, as well as created a design for communal areas. We worked with the first two tenants to customize their space to meet their business and brand needs.

Coach Road Capital

Not only had they outgrown their offices, but they were also looking to create a more collaborative and open environment for their team.
Their new office offers a spacious feel with interesting details. Our favorite features are the ceiling clouds and lighting, the metal siding on the interior of the space, the wood walls in the conference room, and the natural color scheme.

We appreciated the leadership of Val and Aaron Young and Terry Nash who gave us the direction and encouragement to help them make this a wonderful space for their team. They were tireless in their efforts and we appreciate their trust.

EQI

EQI provides tailored design, engineering, procurement, and logistics services for metal castings across diverse end markets at a global scale. The Spring Lake corporate office provides design and project management as they work with their offices in China, Vietnam, and India for the manufacturing and fulfillment of customized products.

Again, this company had outgrown its space but also wanted to change how they work. They needed their team to be more exposed to all department activities and to understand how their work fits into the entire project and business outcomes.

The new space offices a variety of meeting and break out areas which were lacking before. All offices have glass walls to the open areas, connecting everyone visually. A large break room/kitchen is an inviting “other” space that hopes to bring people together for a variety of social and work activities.

We are especially excited about the interior brick wall, the interesting light fixtures, the open staircase the warm color scheme, and the subtle placement of brand-friendly finishes.

President and CEO of EQI, Blake Phillips, was attentive and patient as we designed the space through the time of COVID, and he inspired us as a strong believer in the importance of design.

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