Since 1949, Van Dyken Mechanical has served greater Grand Rapids and beyond as an industrial and commercial mechanical contractor. Over the years, the company evolved, as the market did, into three separate entities: Van Dyken Mechanical, Grand Valley Automation and Mechanical Testing Services.
After 25 years of steady growth, Van Dyken Mechanical realized its space was no longer conducive to collaboration between its three organizations. It needed to be much more efficient and effective for the three teams.
To unify the three companies and update its Grandville office to reflect the polished services they provide to clients, Van Dyken Mechanical recently underwent a large renovation project alongside Mathison | Mathison Architects (MMA). Essentially, the entire building was gutted and reorganized, while maintaining the existing, 70-year-old footprint.
Van Dyken Mechanical’s main goal throughout the renovation project was to increase employee retention by boosting its team-oriented culture. One solution was to add natural light into as many spaces as possible, improving employee satisfaction and productivity. New exterior windows are complemented with clerestory glass on the interior to allow glimpses of natural light into even the most central offices.
The exterior entryway now features a bold focal point to create a stronger visual presence. This feature is complemented with strong horizontal lines, large windows and industrial finishes. The interior also mirrors this design, featuring a modern, warm and industrial aesthetic complete with guest seating, a coffee bar and space to work while waiting. New materials — such as warm woods, glass and blackened steel finishes — were incorporated into a strong, recognizable entryway.
A second solution to Van Dyken Mechanical’s goal of increasing employee retention was to create a more open, collaborative office rather than the highly segmented and closed-off design the building previously held. To increase collaboration and communication, MMA delivered open workstations, community tables, technology-driven meeting rooms and lounge spaces. A large break room at the center of the building features an oversized island that fosters impromptu conversations and brainstorming between staff. Now, employees hold discussions at these common areas rather than around a crowded cubicle.
MMA also designed intuitive office layouts with clear paths of travel for each department. Now, project managers are centrally focused, so they can interact with everyone, and executives are more accessible in the center of the space versus the edges.
All of these thoughtful design changes have created an enhanced client experience that Van Dyken Mechanical is proud to display. Now, the company can offer the space to its clients and partners, holding more meetings and events in-house. Employee satisfaction and retention are at an all-time high thanks to the power of design.
The building’s grand re-opening just so happened to fall on the same day as Van Dyken’s 70th-anniversary party.
To learn more and see more project images visit: https://mathisonarchitects.com/work/vandyken-mechanical/
