Compass Insurance Agency’s growth since its founding in 2009 required a move from its 5,000 square-foot space to a 15,000 square foot space on the city’s West Side.  The insurance agency looked for a space that would help them attract and retain the best talent and continue its pattern of growth.  The selected space was renovated into a beautiful, open-concept office space which included clean, fresh furnishings, ease of power accessibility and an added edge utilizing Trendway Volo glass walls.  Kentwood’s designers proposed a palette featuring neutral wood grains, navy fabrics, and metallic finishes, along with a pop of color drawn from the orange found in their company logo.  A group effort from Kentwood’s design, project management, and installation teams captured the energy of the new space and stayed on schedule for their move-in date.

Photos courtesy of Katie Lovley

Headquartered in Germany, ETO Magnetic Corp. came to the Grand Rapids area in 2005.  Prior to moving to their new location, they leased two buildings near the airport.  As their local operations continued to grow, they evaluated their space needs and decided that a move was the best option to achieve their vision for the future.  They selected First Companies to construct a new building that allowed for future expansion.  In terms of design; open space, clean lines, and a simple interior reflect the building and design standards set at the company’s headquarters in Germany.  Every area is well-planned to create an efficient workflow and great environment for ETO Magnetic Corp. employees.

Photos courtesy of First Companies

Borgman Ford had several private offices they needed to furnish.  Many of the offices were tight in scale, and HON 10500 gave Kentwood the ability to specify their desks so that they still had room for their guests in the space.  The Kentwood Office designer created consistency with finishes and types of chairs in this space by using the Ignition series which provides both task and guest seating options. The designer selected Motivate chairs and stools for the waiting area which meet requirements for comfort and durability.

A local staffing agency was looking to expand their corporate space due to continued, steady growth. The client settled on an existing building with hopes of converting it into a modern, collaborative office space.  They realized that a beautiful, well-designed workspace could be one tool in changing the area’s perception of their industry.  When it came to furnishings, they were looking for a partner who understood their vision and could turn that vision into a reality.  Kentwood Office Furniture was able to provide 3D renderings and design boards that brought that vision to life.  After discussing the project, the client felt confident that Kentwood Office was capable of delivering a modern, collaborative workspace that matched their corporate culture.  The completed space has an industrial loft feel, with a lot of open seating near the large windows overlooking the Grand River, a multi-purpose room that can be used as a large conference room space or a gathering space, complete with a couch, television and café-style seating. There are also open-style interview pods and a video training room.  Sound masking by Lencore was installed to protect comfort, privacy and safety in day-to-day workplace interactions.

Express Employment Professionals was moving their Grand Rapids office to a new location. A longtime customer, they turned to Kentwood to create an innovative workplace that combined collaborative, training and private office areas. Kentwood suggested blending existing furniture with new pieces to create the desired function and form on budget. Kentwood Office Furniture, along with designer Mary Dixon, worked to create an open office environment which allows for team interaction and enables Express Employment to work together to match people to the perfect job. The new space also includes a dedicated training center, conference room, private offices and a welcoming lobby space.