Home
Design
Commercial Renovation

Commercial Renovation

A private secondary school in a Northwest suburb of Chicago received a donation to renovate their Robotics and Engineering Rooms. The design of these spaces would set the tone for a Whole School Renovation. The goal was to not only modernize but also create storage for thousands of parts and pieces to build models and robots.

Before

The Robotics and Engineering Rooms before.

Renderings

These rooms would be used to boost enrollment and further donations. We toured the school to gain inspiration. Many of the classrooms would remain as they are, outfitted with Oil Based Varnished Red Oak and Soapstone Countertops. Many of the hallways have terrazzo floors. The chapel is gorgeous with Primary Color Stained Glass and Varnished Oak Pews. The school wanted to honor the Nuns whom preside over the school by using the color of their habits; Loyal Blue. We also needed Durability and Sustainability.

Cabinets

We decided to carry the Plain Sawn Red Oak into the classrooms. Because many of the fixtures in the school would be refinished, we landed on Walnut Stained Flat Panel Perimeter Cabinets. The majority of the classrooms are equipped with midcentury modern, clean and durable Flat Panels constructed of Plywood. While the 4’x8’ Sheet of Plywood was introduced in 1928, it was popularized in residential application post-WWII in both furniture and cabinetry. We coupled the Walnut Stain with Black Stained Red Oak to keep these rooms fresh and moving towards the future.

Corner Workstations

We wanted there to be plenty of space for building robots and models so we decided on high mounted Bridge Wall Cabinets with Corner and End Wall Cabinets that create team work stations.

Mobile Islands

We built two massive mobile islands using heavy duty casters which can not only move about the room but also be pushed together to create a large presentation table.

Storage

To house larger parts and finished projects, we added several massive pantries equipped with Rollout Shelves.

Countertops

To transition from soapstone into more durable quartz, we suggested Cambria Rose Bay to compliment, without competing with, the depth and beauty of natural soapstone. We added Waterfall ends to protect the cabinetry at the doorways.

Bronze Hardware

To introduce the yellow of the varnished oak, we chose the tight and modern Top Knobs Europa in Honey Bronze.

The Result

Solid and chic Graber Aluminum Blinds throughout the school deliver modern sophistication. These rooms blew away the students, faculty and donors alike. Mission accomplished!

Fashion Forward, Complex Design. Simplified but not Effortless.

Construction requires precision. It requires dialogue. Please contact us to set up a gentle introduction. We always start with Texting, WhatsApp or Email.