A bit of Modern

Complete remodel and addition proposal for a mid century ranch home in EGR.

28 Lafayette: Historic Renovation

I'm pleased to have recently completed the plans for the renovation of the historic home at 28 Lafayette in Heritage Hill.  As a historic property, the renovations must fall in line with secretary of interior standards for historic buildings, and the local Grand Rapids Historic Preservation Commission guidelines.  It will be a real pleasure to see this beautiful old home renovated. 

Here is a 1937 assessors photo.  Check out the original porch!

New Residential Designs on the drafting board...

Maxam Architecture is pleased to be working with amazing local developer Mosaic Properties of Celadon fame on some new designs. Here are some of the preliminary renderings:  Stay Tuned!

 

Under Construction: Public Restaurant, Zeeland

Under Construction: O'Grady Orthodontics

Zeeland Community Image Award

Congratulations to Smedley Dental on winning a Zeeland Community Image Award for the renovation of their building.  It was a great project for Smedley Dental, but also for Zeeland!

 

 Photo Credit: Green Frog Photo

Under Construction: Greenville Family Dental

Construction has begun on the renovation and addition to Greenville Family Dental's new building.  The building originally was a bank branch. The canopy is being removed to make way for a new addition in it's place.

This makes one heck of a before picture!  I'm looking foward to seeing it come together!

Under Construction: OMT Veyhl

Congratulations to OMT Veyhl and Lakewood Inc. on the start of construction on the OMT Veyhl manufacturing facility expansion.  At 60,000 sf of expansion space it's Maxam Architecture's largest project yet!  OMT is located in Holland, Michigan and manufactures components for the contract furniture industry.

Tonic Salon

Tonic Salon was launched earlier this by stylist and entrepreneur Daniel Dauser.  Congratulations to Daniel on creating an amazing, stylish environment for Tonic Salon.  Photo Credits: Green Frog Photo

Saving Mid-Mod GR

153 Lafayette Ave, Heritage Hill Historic District, Grand Rapids, MI

153 Lafayette Avenue was built in the early 1960's as the business men and women of Grand Rapids walked around dressed like characters from Mad Men. Depending on who you ask, the building is either an abomination, or a Mid-Century Modern diamond in the rough. It has certainly seen better days. It's suffering from leaks, broken glass, mold, and a recent fire in the lower level.  However, at a recent meeting of the Grand Rapids Historic Preservation Commission, we voted that the building was contributing to the Heritage Hill Historic District, based on the criteria that it "Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction, or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values...."

Its still not a sure thing that this building will be saved, but its unique retro charm just might be it's salvation. The definitively modern setback from the street creates a courtyard behind it's decorative concrete block walls.  It could use some cleanup and pruning, but restored it would make a great space that anyone would be lucky to have outside their office. The groovy glass mosaic tile pattern with orange accents on the facade is a theme carried through into many of the Saint Mary's buildings in the area. The lobby of the former nurses lodge building (now replaced by the new Neuroscience building) also featured a similar mosaic tile pattern.  The semi-translucent glass panels filter the incoming sunlight, acting as sunshades that limit the solar heat gain in a way that any modern green building would be proud to sport.

Saint Mary's is looming large around the building, and the Preservation Commission's demolition criteria states if "The resource [building] is a deterrent to a major improvement program that will be substantial benefit to the community,"  then it still could be torn down to make way for new development.  The building is at that age where it is most at risk. It's old enough to be in bad condition and out of style, but not quite yet old enough to be seen as historic by most of the public.  What sort of development 'of substantial benefit to the community' that might allow this building to demolished remains to be seen, but if if the Lafayette Avenue Medical Building can be restored and survive the decade, Heritage Hill will have a mid-modern gem. 

Translucent Glass Panels filter incoming light  Staircase in the courtyard.

Mosaic tile detail.

Option 1 Credit Union

Congratulations to Option 1 Credit Union on the opening of their new branch at 6750 Kalamazoo, at the corner of 68th Street and Kalamazoo. Maxam Architecture provided the design of the new branch build-out, which was constructed and managed by First Companies. The branch location features 5 teller stations, loan office, staff spaces, and a 24-hour lobby ATM. I'm looking forward to their Grand Opening this week.

 

Construction Code Board of Appeals

Mi-Biz Maxam-izes

The Latest Maxam Architecture press, courtesy of MiBiz. 

http://www.mibiz.com/news/design-build/17212-maxam-izing-the-profile-of-local-architectural-design-entrepreneur-sees-west-michigan-embracing-good-building-design.html

Historic Preservation Commission

I'm honored to have been selected to serve on the City of Grand Rapids Historic Preservation Commission.

I'm looking forward to seeing all the interesting projects that come before the commission. meet the people behind them, and help shape a better Grand Rapids.

Grand River Endodontics

Welcome to the nicest office you hope you'll never have to visit! However, if a stray hockey puck or too much Halloween candy has the root canal fates conspiring against you, have no fear.  Dr. Sarah Lennan's Grand River Endodontics office is now open, with all the expertise to set you right as rain.  Her new office suite at 4211 Parkway Place in Grandville features 4 operatory rooms to handle patients and referalls from all around the West Michigan area in a welcoming and soothing environment.

Congratulations to Dr. Sarah Lennan and First Companies on a great project!

Project Partners: First Companies, Henry Schien Dental, 

 

Smedley Dental

Combine an entrepreneurial young dentist with two historic buildings in downtown Zeeland. Add a pinch of retail frontage and a hefty helping of dental office goodness.  Combine the two upstairs apartments and stir into one great new condo unit.  The result is great new mixed use project for Smedley Dental. 

The Smedley Dental building represents the sort of downtown redevelopment sought by the City of Zeeland.  It brings professional services, retail and residential together in a model project for Zeeland's newly formed Shopping Area Redevelopment Board which is guiding the renewal of Downtown Zeeland.

Congratulations to Dr. Meredith on her new practice and on giving new life to two historic buildings and helping to create a vibrant downtown Zeeland.

Thanks to all the Project Partners!  Smedley Dental,  First Companies, City of Zeeland, Think Design, Benco Dental