Vote for Paul Fikse!

Our Vice President, Paul Fikse, is currently running for Byron Center Public School Board in the upcoming election on May 3, 2011. Paul is involved in the community through his three children currently attending Byron Center schools. You may have seen him at one of many equestrian, swimming, volleyball, baseball and other sporting events that he has been involved with and attended over the years. Fikse has most recently added participation in the Watch Dog Dads program to his contribution to the school district. According to Fikse, "it is undeniable how important the education of our children...

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Architectural Tutorial: Shingle Style

The Shingle style is an architectural style that is uniquely American. Simply defined, it a style in which the entire building is covered in shingles. It developed in the late 1800's out of the Stick and Queen Anne styles because of a revived interest in colonial American architecture from the 17th century. The style is characterized by having a picturesque or rustic look, with irregular roof lines including hipped, gabled, or gambrel, free-flowing floor plans, open porches, and less variety in color and materials.*Over the years, we have become known for our work in traditional residential architecture,...

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Room Guide: Laundry Rooms That Work For You

For many people, laundry day is the most dreaded day of the week. Sorting, washing, stain fighting, folding - it can be an exhausting task. But what if your laundry room could take some of that dread away by simplifying this household chore? Visbeen Associates designs laundry rooms for living - functional, cheerful and organized so that wash day becomes just another day of the week. According to Wayne, here are few key elements of a successful laundry room...1. Systems: Develop a system for the coming and going of your laundry and make sure the storage in your laundry room properly adapts to that...

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Waterfront Design: Challenges & Opportunities

Next week Thursday, April 28, Wayne Visbeen will be leading a free educational seminar hosted by the Grand Valley Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). Wayne will present a pictorial essay on the design challenges and opportunities of waterfront living. Topics will range from site considerations and restrictions to functionality and aesthetics. Whether you're an architect or a waterfront enthusiast, you will find this presentation educational and entertaining.Location: UICA, 41 Sheldon Blvd SE, Grand Rapids, MITime: 6:00p - Cocktail social hour with appetizers ...

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Church Design

Did you know that in addition to the residential and retail projects that we do here at Visbeen Associates, we also design churches? Check out these images from our church portfolio and contact our office today if you have any new construction or remodel design needs for your church!Brookside Christian Reformed Church • Grand Rapids, MIGeorgetown Christian Reformed Church • Hudsonville, MIRemembrance Reformed Church • Grand Rapids, MIWestminster Presbyterian Church • Rock Tavern, NYCentral Park Chapel • Holland, MIWellspring Community Church • Georgetown Township,...

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WZZM 13 and MLive features on "MoDiv" Retail Incubator

Wayne Visbeen was featured in a piece on WZZM 13 and an article on MLive.com regarding the retail incubator called The Shoppes at Monroe and Division, or "MoDiv," that Rockford Construction is looking to open this fall in downtown Grand Rapids. Check out the features here!"Planned incubator seeks to bring more retailers to downtown Grand Rapids"http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2011/04/planned_incubator_seeks_to_bri.h...

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Vendor Spotlight: Diane Hasso, Faux-Real, LLC Decorative Painting

Visbeen Associates has worked on numerous projects with Diane Hasso, of Faux-Real, LLC, a decorative painting business specializing in creative surface design of interior spaces, furnishings, fixtures, and accessories. Since 2001, Faux-Real, LLC has offered a complete range of design and finishing services from wall and ceiling treatments, to cabinet artwork and murals, to fireplace, mantel and stove hood treatments. As the owner and chief designer, Hasso works directly with clients, architects and builders on unique designs that enhance existing architecture and can take a space from ordinary...

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Panache Partners Press Release: Perspectives on Design

As we had previously shared here on our blog, Visbeen Associates was included in the Great Lakes edition of Panache Partners' Perspectives on Design. Panache recently posted a press release promoting this book and here are the kind words they had to say about our firm..."In addition to experiencing captivating residences designed by highly regarded architects like Wayne Visbeen and John Allegretti and built by firms such as Easling Construction Company, readers will savor viewing the fine elements that make these luxury homes so magnificent. "To read Panache's full press release, click here, and...

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Shore Magazine: Master Planners

Visbeen Associates was honored by being included in Shore Magazine's "Master Planners" article from their Architecture Issue. The article featured five "world-class" architects in the Shore region and we were thrilled to be highlighted as one of those five. Read our excerpt he...

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