Case study: Northwood University’s Strosacker Learning Commons

blue chairs in a library sitting area with bookshelves behind

Northwood University—located in Midland, Michigan—prides itself in developing free-enterprise leaders who drive global economic and social progress. 

Northwood University called us in for a renovation of its Strosacker Learning Commons—previously a library and now a versatile space for undergrad students. They selected SPACE because we captured their vision of a home-away-from-home sanctuary.

The team sought a variety of functions within this space: group study and independent study, as well as meeting spaces and quiet focus spaces.

We brought in sectionals, open shelving, artwork, lamps, and greenery to achieve that comfortable, homey feeling. The open shelving has an added bonus of being a space divider while also holding students’ backpacks. Beanbags offer relaxed, lived-in seating areas, while ottomans and whiteboards are moveable for flexibility. 

Northwood’s new space features a mix of bar-height tables with standard tables and booths. Frequent power access grants added convenience.

Previously, their alcove areas were dark and lifeless. So we added patterns to the bench seating and accent paint, artwork, and lamps. 

In addition to the new designs, we also relied on our SPACE anew program. We upcycled old study carrels, adding laminate on the end panels to refresh the all wood oak look. These creative techniques saved 1.5 TONS of furniture from going to the landfill!

We always love when clients are willing to get creative about using old items in a new way—saving furniture from the landfill in the process!

The beautiful new Strosacker Learning Commons

Before photos

Our SPACE anew calculator allows you to enter in the number of different furniture assets you currently have and then generates numbers informing you on how much savings you can achieve by up cycling; both dollar savings and savings in pounds of furniture out of the landfill.
Use our SPACE anew Calculator Now

SPACE Inc. named 101 Best and Brightest Companies to work for in the nation

SPACE, Inc. has been named by The National Association for Business Resources as one of The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the nation.

The Best and Brightest Companies to Work For competition identifies and honors organizations that display a commitment to excellence in operations and employee enrichment that lead to increased productivity and financial performance. This competition scores potential winners based on regional data of company performance and a set standard across the nation.  This national program celebrates those companies that are making better business, creating richer lives and building a stronger community as a whole.  The Best and Brightest Program honored 437 national winning organizations from across the country out of 2000 nominations. In addition to honoring all national winners, this year a new subcategory was introduced, The Top 101 National Winning Companies.

SPACE Inc. was recognized as one of the highest 101 scoring companies that demonstrated exceptional innovative human resource practices and set high standards for all businesses. The elite categories include: Compensation, Benefits and Employee Development; Recruitment, Selection and Orientation; Employee Achievement and Recognition; Communication and Shared Vision; Diversity and Inclusion; Work-Life Balance; Community Initiatives; Strategic Company Performance and the Best of the Best Businesses.

SPACE is a commercial interior design firm and office furniture dealership that transforms workplaces into beautiful and productive work environments across Michigan and across the nation, the company stated. Founded in Midland in 1995, SPACE has always put employees’ needs at the forefront of their policies, according to the company. It said with a strong focus on innovation, continuous improvement and community engagement, SPACE positively impacts the lives of the SPACE family and the overall community.

“We are thrilled to be recognized as a 101 Best and Brightest Company to Work For in the Nation” said Kathie Fuce-Hobohm, president and CEO. “We have always been highly committed to our clients, our team and the Midland community. It is the way we do business and the right thing to do. Winning national recognition for these core values is an unexpected honor.”

SPACE anew WOWS with Before and After!

SPACE Inc is a woman-owned small business (WOSB) that specializes in designing, selling and installing office interiors.  The team at SPACE uses their collective talent, passion and capability to create exceptional interior spaces where people are inspired do great things.

In 2010, SPACE designer, Jessie Donahue, developed a new way to reinvent office interiors.  We call it SPACE anew.  SPACE anew is a highly innovative and cost effective process that reinvents your current office interiors by reutilizing and upcycling your existing furniture assets.  SPACE anew is a win for you, your employees, the environment, and your bottom line.

Benefits of the SPACE anew Process

Balance  |  SPACE anew creates the right balance of individual workstations and collaborative areas.

Sustainability   |   SPACE anew reutilizes up to 90% of all existing furniture assets with 0% in the landfill.

Financial   |   SPACE anew is 48—70% less than the cost of new furniture.

Project Results  |   The completed project will look new and professionally designed.

Ease of Doing Business   |   Simplified procurement, turnkey process, and complete follow through makes your job easy.

Bluescape Facilitates Infinite Collaborative Workspaces in a Digital World

Bluescape

Haworth

DESIGNED BY JEFF REUSCHEL

Bluescape is an infinite, collaborative workspace designed to accelerate decision-making by enabling anyone to create, communicate, visualize, organize, and strategize virtually anything, anywhere, anytime.

Collaborate Without Bounds

Bluescape is an infinite, collaborative workspace designed to accelerate decision-making by enabling anyone to create, communicate, visualize, organize, and strategize virtually anything, anywhere, anytime. Through this new technology platform, decision-makers and product development teams are able to improve global communication and problem-solving with teams and executives around the world.

Education with Bluescape

Technology is changing the way we interact and learn. Recently, Grand Valley State University put Bluescape to work in the educational environment. See how the Bluescape technology enhanced the classroom experience – both in person and virtually.  – haworth.com

Look your project in the eye.

Create notecards to capture, organize and share inspiration with your team.

Handwrite and sketch your ideas directly on screen in real time.

Drop pins to navigate your workspace and manage project details.

Stop at nothing.

Import media, documents, designs and third-party files into your workspace for everyone to access.

Share your screen with team members for fluid collaboration and presentations.

Use audio/video conferencing to connect your global teams in one workspace.

Work like clockwork.

Show and tell the evolution of your thinking during presentations.

Monitor the entire, detailed timeline of your project at any moment.

Flatten the learning curve for new users with all project information in one workspace.

–bluescape.com/product/

 

https://youtu.be/gEAe_yCj_0A

 

Momentum Textiles Offers PVC Free Sustainable Wallcovering

Momentum Textiles Offers PVC Free Sustainable Wallcovering – Momentum Textiles

The Wallcovering Collection designed by Patty Madden is Momentum Textiles’ first PVC free sustainable wallcovering. This foundational collection transcends markets with products suitable for everyday use. Working perfectly well in corporate, hospitality, higher education, healthcare and retail environments, the Wallcovering Collection has a robust sustainable story as well as exceptional performance. It cleans easily and hangs beautifully without the environmental issues of a vinyl wallcovering.

4 patterns, 56 colors

For a complete list of patterns and colors click HERE

 

 

 

About Patty Madden via pattymadden.com

I LOVE designing and developing products.
When I get a new concept for a series of designs and I start exploring the possibilities I seem to fall “through the looking glass” where time and space fade into the background and the only thing is the pursuit of perfection.
I am equally involved in the technical aspects of creating new products as I am of the designs themselves. I have pioneered engraving and production methods in order to achieve the results I am after.
The ultimate goal is to create products that excite the imagination of interior designers and to give them new tools to fulfill their own visions.

Enclose Sliding Cubicle Walls By Haworth

Ready. Set. Change.

Enclose walls let you pull any space together in minutes flat. The unitized, factory-built panels arrive pre-assembled and ready to tilt into place – no assembly, complex scheduling of trade workers, lengthy downtime, or hidden costs required.

Once the walls are in place, any panel or door can be removed and replaced without disrupting the entire system, making them nimble enough to adapt to whatever the future may bring. Even power and data are reconfigurable, so you can update your walls as often as you update technology. Thanks to the reusable nature of Enclose, it minimizes what ends up in the landfill, too.

Effortless connections.

The standard four-inch frame of Enclose meshes perfectly with base building architecture, enhancing connections to create a refined atmosphere.  A range of heights and widths lets you tailor beautifully precise solutions for any ceiling height or building dimension. It’s also offered with a kit of parts to meet all building conditions, including bulkheads and HVAC systems, so you can create a seamless finish from floor to ceiling and column to column.

 

Can-do construction.

Enclose empowers walls to do much more than simply divide space. Hang shelves, accessories, or furniture – even from other manufacturers. Incorporate writing or magnetic surfaces into any part of the wall. Integrate quick-connect technology into each panel. Reinforce your brand throughout your environment. Improve acoustical privacy with an impressive sound transmission class (STC) rating of up to 45. And enjoy complete creative freedom to combine multiple materials – all for much less than you’d spend to achieve the same effects with conventional drywall.

For complete collection click HERE!