Author Archives: Amanda Wunzin

  1. No Jacket Required

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     Senior Living dining that fits all appetites.

    Food has always been at the heart of the home, and that doesn’t change as you age. Some of the biggest trends in Senior Living revolve around dining. Focused on creating experiences, communities are imploding the large, stuffy dining rooms and creating a variety of dining destinations. The bistro concept has become the hub, with a fast-casual cafe, a grab-n-go market, and a coffee shop all radiating from it. Sprinkle in a smaller, slightly formal party room and a few outdoor patios, and you have the recipe to attract this new generation of seniors.

     

    The freedom to choose. Designing smaller destinations give residents the choice of time and menu. Today’s well-educated, highly traveled retirees want to continue to have the variety they are used to enjoying. A full-service restaurant atmosphere, with open hours, a changing menu and comfortable booth seating options has become the new standard. The addition of a pub can act as a pre-function space, become the game day destination, or host a tasting event. A coffee shop strategically located near the front lobby not only welcomes visitors but can act as a great outreach to the community. A fast-casual cafe and a grab-n-go market give residents options and the ability to keep their own schedules.

     

    A high-end experience. Brand your dining. The addition of an exhibition kitchen and an executive chef from the restaurant industry will go a long way towards achieving the experience of high-end dining. Interacting with the chef and being able to special order your entree adds value to the meal and instills trust with the residents. Programming can easily be expanded with demonstrations, classes and foodie clubs. A smaller scale, formal dining room – more like a hearth room – with a table for 12, luxurious light fixtures, comfortable lounge chairs, a fireplace and room for the grandchildren, turn family visits into celebrations. A hostess kiosk, call-ahead seating, and servers with iPads further define the event experience.

     

    Variety is the spice of life. Everyone has different tastes. Acknowledging preferences and providing a platform to offer suggestions enrich the person-centered care experience. Gone are the days of bland cafeteria food. Roasted veggies and made-to-order omelets are just a few “tastes of home” that can shift the paradigm. Invite residents to be a part of the process. Traditional foods and family recipes can all be modified to meet dietary needs. These simple gestures can truly keep food at the heart of the home.

  2. K2M wins 8th Best Places to Work in NE Ohio

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    Cleveland, Ohio, Aug. 22, 2019 – K2M Design is proud to be recognized by ERC as one of 99 great Northeast Ohio workplaces for top talent. This is the 8th time that our organization has received the NorthCoast 99 Award.

    NorthCoast 99 is an annual recognition program and event in its 21st year that honors 99 great Northeast Ohio workplaces for top talent. “More than a business award or event, NorthCoast 99 is a yearlong research project ERC established to help employers make a difference in the lives of people working and living in our 22-county region,” noted ERC senior vice president Carrie Morse, who has overseen the program for the last 17 years.

    NorthCoast 99 winners participated in a rigorous application process that asked for detailed information on how their organization addresses top-performer attraction, development, and retention in five distinct areas: organizational strategy, policies, and communication; recruitment, selecting, and onboarding; employee well-being; employee engagement and development; and total rewards.

    “The Northcoast 99 Award is a benchmark for our culture as we continue to grow and evolve. We take serious pride in our team being honored with this award for the 8th year.” Stated Scott Maloney, Owner of K2M Design.

    “We’re thrilled to recognize and celebrate this year’s NorthCoast 99 award winners! With unemployment at a 49-year-low, the benchmarks for attracting, engaging, and retaining employees are higher than ever. Year after year, winning organizations are raising the bar with increasingly progressive and groundbreaking HR practices and benefits that elevate the experience of their employees,” said Kelly Keefe, president of ERC.

    The 2019 NorthCoast 99 Awards program is sponsored by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield; CareerCurve; Cleveland Magazine; ERChealth; Gino’s Awards; Mark Wayner Creative; Meyers, Roman, Friedburg & Lewis; Oswald Companies; Staffing Solutions Enterprises; and Ultimate Software.

     

    About K2M Design
    Empowered individual leadership and creativity embody the strengths of our design teams. We are a dynamic, high-growth Architecture, Engineering, and Interior Design firm with a multi-discipline Facility Assessment division. Our established regional teams are strengthened by the depth of our experience and are united by an ambitious spirit and proven ability to manage projects.

    The People of K2M are our most valuable resource and your Project is their passion. That is the drive behind our design services. Our professionals are invested in nurturing long-term relationships and the ongoing success of your projects. We are living out our mission of Building Relationships Based on Trust and Results. In addition to our two offices in Ohio, K2M has offices and supporting staff in Baltimore, Charlotte, Indianapolis, NW Arkansas and the Florida Keys. www.k2mdesign.com

    About ERC
    Founded in 1920, ERC helps organizations make their workplaces great by providing expert people solutions that include training, consulting, research, and HR support services. ERC also sponsors the ERChealth insurance program in Ohio. Additional information about ERC and its services can be found at www.yourERC.com.

  3. K2M Indianapolis Grand Opening Celebration

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    Surrounded by both long-time business partners and new clients, K2M Design, Inc. celebrated the opening of their newest office in downtown Indianapolis. Located in the Warehouse District on the top floor of the historic Station Place Building, the nearly 6,000 SF open-concept studio space was transformed into a festive celebration of the bright future K2M has in the architectural communities they serve.

    Greeted by a clever display of company fun fact information , guests were immediately engaged in the core values of this friendly, fast-paced, forward-thinking group of Architects, Engineers, and Interior Designers. From the mission statement of Building Relationships, to the oversized 8’ high plasma-cut steel artwork boasting their Core Values, this team is living out their belief in the Power of 2 – K2M is truly taking the best care of their People so they can take the best care of their Projects!

    From start to finish, the event was a tremendous success, as guests arrived early and lingered into the evening to catch up with old friends and meet new faces. Sweet & Savory Catering outdid themselves serving gourmet hors d’oeuvres and a variety of beers and wines throughout the evening. A grand prize drawing for a bottle of Blanton’s The Original Single Barrel Bourbon was won by Roger Cummings, CPSM of Genesis Engineering Group.

    Everyone had a great evening reuniting and discussing plans for the future. K2M Leadership is excited to be a part of such a dynamic, collaborative city and are excited to see what the future holds.

  4. Fast Company: Ohio Reformatory for Women Dormitory

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    The new dormitory facility at the Ohio Reformatory for Women was designed to take a more humane approach to incarceration, reducing recidivism while providing hope for the future.

    The facility offers numerous programs supporting these rehabilitation efforts including; training service dogs, horticulture certification, and greyhound rehabilitation. Each program is designed to give the female inmates opportunities to make reintegration a little easier.

    K2M and HOK were proud to continue their partnership with the design for the 288-bed dormitory within the historic ORW campus. A special piece of the project was the Sensory Garden, designed with participation from inmates living at the facility.

    Read more about this transformational project on Fast Company.

     

     

     

  5. K2M Design Expands Engineering Capabilities with Seasoned Professionals

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    Mark Wutz, Director of Engineering, and Reza Motarjem, Structural Engineering Lead, Join the K2M Team

    Cleveland, OH – September 2019
    The K2M team is excited to announce that Mark Wutz, PE, CEM, LEED AP, CPMP, CDSM, CPM has joined K2M as the Director of Engineering, strengthening the teams engineering capacity and reach. Mark brings over 26 years’ experience in the Assessment, Design and Commissioning of Mechanical Systems, both as a Consulting Engineer and as a Contractor.

    Mark’s vast experience brings expertise to our project teams in the governmental, institutional, commercial, healthcare, and educational markets, for both small and large project sizes around the world. Mark is a strong communicator, engaging and leading project teams through all phases of a project.  As a Certified Energy Manager, Mark incorporates best practices into mechanical systems, along with being a ASHRAE Certified Commissioning Management Professional, expertise that will further enrich K2M’s engineering services.

    “Mark’s breadth of knowledge and technical expertise is invaluable to the K2M team, we are extremely excited to have him leading our engineering team and working in concert with our architecture and interior design teams!” states Kristin Cloonan, K2M Design’s Chief Experience officer.

    In addition to Mark, the team also welcomed Reza Motarjem, PE, SE as Senior Structural Engineer. Reza brings nearly 20 years of experience designing industrial, commercial and institutional projects types. Reza is an expert in specialty engineering techniques, including large scale cold formed metal framing and building envelope systems. Reza will work with Mark and the team to grow the current capacity of K2M Design’s engineering reach within our full-service firm.

    About K2M Design, Inc.
    Empowered individual leadership and creativity embody the strengths of our design teams. We are a dynamic, high-growth Architecture, Engineering, and Interior Design firm with a multi-discipline Facility Assessment division. Our established regional teams are strengthened by the depth of our experience and are united by an ambitious spirit and proven ability to manage projects. The People of K2M are our most valuable resource and your Project is their passion. That is the drive behind our design services. Our professionals are invested in nurturing long-term relationships and the ongoing success of your projects. We are living out our mission of Building Relationships Based on Trust and Results. In addition to our two offices in Ohio, K2M has offices and supporting staff in Baltimore, Charlotte, Indianapolis, NW Arkansas and the Florida Keys.

    For More Information, Contact:
    Stephanie Cieszkowski – K2M Design, Inc.
    scieszkowski@k2mdesign.com
    Ph: 216.588.0739
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  6. Allen County’s New Juvenile Justice Facility Brings New Face to Juvenile Justice

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    K2M Design® and Allen County partner for success

    Fall 2019 – K2M Design was privileged to provide architecture, design and engineering for the recently opened Allen County Juvenile Justice Facility. The relationship with Allen County began years ago when K2M Design was retained to provide a complete facility assessment and planning study to help reshape their juvenile justice facilities. Upon the successful completion of the planning study, the County retained K2M Design to execute their vision for the Juvenile Justice Center.

    The 20,000 square foot, single-story detention center was designed with the purpose to reshape the detention-based focus to a more treatment / therapeutic environment. K2M provided extensive programming and planning sessions with the County stakeholders to ensure the facility was designed to meet the changing needs of the youth in Allen County. During visioning sessions with the County, the team identified, discussed and prioritized the values and goals that impacted the design and led to the overall success of the project. In addition to the institutional purposes and growth objectives, criteria that was evaluated for the benefit of the community included cultural, technological, temporal, aesthetic, symbolic, economic, environmental, and security.

    The detention center celebrated a grand opening on August 28th, with a dedication and open house which was attended by special guests including; local politicians, a State Representative, Allen County Board of Commissioners, law enforcement. The local Honor Guard assisted with a flag raising at this distinctive facility.

    About K2M Design®, Inc.
    Empowered individual leadership and creativity embody the strengths of our design teams. We are a dynamic, high-growth Architecture, Engineering, and Interior Design firm with a multi-discipline Facility Assessment division. Our established regional teams are strengthened by the depth of our experience and are united by an ambitious spirit and proven ability to manage projects. The People of K2M are our most valuable resource and your Project is their passion. That is the drive behind our design services. Our professionals are invested in nurturing long-term relationships and the ongoing success of your projects. We are living out our mission of Building Relationships Based on Trust and Results. www.K2Mdesign.com

    Media Contact:
    Stephanie Cieszkowski – K2M Design, Inc.
    scieszkowski@K2Mdesign.com
    Ph: 216.588.0739
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  7. K2M Design Transforms Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility

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    New Housing Buildings Support Treatment and a Normative Environment

    K2M Design, Inc. continued our successful relationship with the Department of Youth Services (ODYS) with the design of the new housing buildings at the Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility.  K2M has partnered with ODYS since 2008 completing five projects at the facility.

    This $32M project is the largest one completed to date and involved a substantial site improvement and a truly one of a kind design solution. For this significant undertaking, K2M partnered with HOK to redefine housing for Ohio’s incarcerated youth.  The treatment-based facility is an environment that is rehabilitative thru its therapeutic environment (color, light, texture, volume).  The site design with the six buildings fosters a sense of community with their orientation and anchors the end of this site.  The exterior is design is playful, aesthetically satisfying, and non-institutional in appearance.

    The complete scope included the design of six buildings consisting of 12 housing units with 12 sleeping rooms along with corresponding programming spaces for each unit. This design allowed for the opportunity to securely meet the housing needs of youth while also supporting individual and group treatment, unit management, education and job skills training, recreation and volunteer and community services to better prepare residents for productive futures and reduce recidivism amongst the youth.

    As part of the work together, we created a cultural shift in how the staff manage the operations of each unit.  Working hand in hand with the ODYS executives and the facility leadership, we envisioned a design that matched their own operational transformation.  While being staff efficient, the units and support areas are designed for maximum staff supervision, of and interaction with the youth.

    “We are honored that the ODYS trusted our team for this transformational project. It is a privilege to work with the State, sharing insight and expertise to positively impact the youth and the staff who operate the facility. We are committed to craft innovative, rehabilitative facilities that positively shape the future of youth and adult corrections.” Stated Scott Maloney, President of K2M.

  8. K2M Turns 18!

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    K2M Continues to Grow (Up)

    We all remember when we turned 18! It was a milestone birthday marked by new responsibilities, personal growth, and celebrations.

    As K2M Design reaches this 18-year mark, we celebrate the firms continued growth, professional achievements, and the accomplishments that have brought us to this momentous occasion.

    Our Growth:

    • Indianapolis Office – we recently renovated space near the Stadium District. The open-concept studio office features ample natural light and room for growth. The Indy team has already been enjoying the festivities of the new neighborhood!
    • Expanded our Team – We added two new leaders and 12 K2Mrs to bring our total staff to nearly 80 professionals.

    Our Passions: As a core value of K2M, you will continue to find our team engaged in philanthropic events in each of our locations. K2Mrs regularly lead outreach events, provide insight to Boards and Committees and most importantly – Be Good!

    • Recently our team contributed in-kind services to a local church, participated in a beach clean-up, community garden work, contributed to a Habitat for Humanity home, and has several other events in the works.
    • Additionally, K2M has supported numerous organizations and efforts including the ACE Mentorship program, City Dogs, Rainbows Babies and Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, and Habitat for Humanity.

    Our Accolades: No one likes a bragger, but in some cases, you need to toot your horn. This past year the team celebrated our success in several ways:

    • The Cleveland Marriott Downtown renovation project was honored with Hospitality Interior Design of the Year from NAIOP and IIDA iDesign award for Best in Hospitality Interior Design.
    • For the 8th time we were awarded Top 99 places to work in Northeast Ohio.
    • We continue to gain momentum, making the Rising Giants – Interior Design firms from Interior Design Magazine for the 4th time.
    • From the Cleveland 2030 District, USGBC Ohio Green Building Challenge, we were awarded Greatest Energy Reduction 2017 to 2018!

    Our Technology: K2M continued our aggressive push to provide robust systems and state-of-the-art workplaces by converting to Cloud Technology, which helps our teams assist clients from any of our locations!

    Our Reach: K2Mrs continued our mission of Building Relationships Based on Trust and Results by engaging in industry relevant conferences and training sessions that took us across the US. We engaged with new partners and brought back valuable insight from these shows, and we hope to see you at the future events!

    Thanks for letting us brag a little! We all know that growing up can be tough – but K2Mrs continue to challenge boundaries, grow our cherished network of partners, and solidify our professional practice to ensure our next milestone will be as monumental!

  10. Making Fitness a Priority Pays Off

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    Seniors are more fitness minded than ever before. As Westminster Village West Lafayette planned for their future, they made fitness and wellness a primary objective. In this section of our series we will look at how one Indiana Life Plan community identified a priority in the lives of their future residents and it paid off in a big way.

    Fitness facility powerful element

    “Historically, when the Board at Westminster Village West Lafayette plans a big project, they like to include a piece that will generate some revenue,” the Executive Director says. The hybrid home project was no exception, and the component that was designed to create revenue also created marketing value and strengthened connections with the surrounding community.

    The Board wanted to attract fitness-minded residents. They envisioned something more elaborate and user-friendly than the room with a couple pieces of dust-covered fitness equipment you’ll find at most senior communities. “The goal was to not only serve the younger residents who would want the facility, but also reach out to serve local seniors who weren’t age- and income-qualified to live here,” the Director notes.

    During the design phase, K2M Design took the Leadership Team on a tour of fitness facilities. Along the way, they brainstormed, and the result was the Live Well Fitness & Rehab Center. “It’s a hub where we can offer services to people who don’t live here, or who may need us for a short-term stay in our health center, but may not necessarily move here,” explains the facility Director. “We wanted to incorporate the seven dimensions of wellness, so we also included social spaces.”

    The Fitness Center is a large facility divided into several spaces, including two exercise areas, a pool area, craft rooms, private therapy studios, and a large room with a floating wood floor that’s essentially a dance studio. “A local dance club asked us if they could come in and use the space,” says Leadership. “They pay us a small fee that allows us to have someone on the staff come in and open it up for them. We have residents who enjoy watching the club, and some who have even joined in.” The room is also used for aerobics, Zumba, yoga, and other activities.

    Accessing university resources

    Leadership look for additional ways of interacting with the community and turned to their adjacent neighbor, Purdue University. The Fitness Center is managed by a Health and Wellness Director who earned a Kinesiology degree at Purdue, and it draws upon resources from the nearby campus. For example, graduate students are able to perform internships, giving them a convenient place to advance their education while delivering services such as personal training and therapy to residents.

    Westminster Village had been outgrowing the therapy space in its health center because of demand for outpatient services. Now the health center space is completely devoted to residents, while outpatient services have moved to the new facility.

    The exercise rooms and equipment are designed for the unique needs of older adults. “Seniors don’t necessarily want to exercise next to a 20-year-old,” states the facility’s Director. “They prefer to be with their friends, and with people who are more their age and speed. The equipment was selected and set up for older adults. For example, the treadmills are lower to the ground, start at zero, and have handrails that go all the way to the back.” Personal trainers ensure that residents use the equipment correctly and effectively. One side of the room has weight equipment, while the other is geared to aerobic exercise.

    Boxing-based therapy

    Visitors will also notice boxing equipment, but it doesn’t mean Westminster Village fields a full card of Friday night bouts. “The local Parkinson’s support group told us about a program called Rock Steady Boxing that uses boxing bags and that has been proven to slow the progression of symptoms,” Leadership explains. “Their members were driving to Indianapolis to participate. We looked into it and have become the first certified site in the area.”

    A pair of art studios, including one equipped with a kiln, provides a variety of activities for residents and people from the community. The local YWCA used the facility to make and fire clay bowls for a fund-raiser. “We’ve been fortunate to have an art therapy intern,” the Director says. “We’ve also had music therapists, and access to these professionals allows us to offer a more well-rounded therapy program than other communities.”

    Building the facility also provided an opportunity to develop a dedicated entrance and lobby area for the assisted living wing, housed in an adjacent 1980s building, and to create an outdoor garden area designed specifically for residents with limited mobility.

    K2M in Senior Living
    As a leading provider of Architecture, Engineering, and Interior Design services for the Senior Living market, our team’s expertise and experience is unrivaled in its breadth and depth. Completing over 200 healthcare/senior living facilities, the team understands the business of senior housing and long-term care facility design.

    With a full house of multi-discipline professionals, the continuity of service we offer our clients directly results in successful project administration, design coordination and construction oversight.

    The personal investment our project managers make in your projects and with the teams they lead is reflected in their open-door approach. We take pride in knowing our leaders have become trusted advisors to so many of our clients.

    View our portfolio of Senior Living projects.

  11. College of the Florida Keys: Upper Keys Center

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    The College of the Florida Keys has initiated their new campus expansion, at “the entrance” to the Keys in Key Largo, Florida. The new 42,000 GSF ground-up facility will include various college programs including Allied Health and Nursing, Apprenticeships, and Business Administration, utilizing the latest state of the art simulation teaching labs and equipment.

    K2M has partnered with CSA Group and is pleased to be part of the design team establishing an anchor for the college, designed for the community.

    Islanders designing and delivering a solution for islanders!

     

     

     

  12. DoubleTree Jamestown: A Diamond in the Pearl City

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    Persistence Allows the New DoubleTree Jamestown to Shine

    Spring 2019 – The new, full-service DoubleTree by Hilton, Jamestown shines with the brilliance of a diamond for travelers visiting the Pearl City. Located just steps away from the historic district, the $21.6M renovation pulled inspiration from times gone by when Jamestown, NY was one of the few stops on the railway connection between New York City and Chicago. K2M Design utilized the full strength of its firm, providing Architecture, Engineering, and Interior Design services for renovating the entire property.

    The Hamister Group, a hotel developer based in Buffalo, NY, purchased the former Ramada Inn and immediately closed the property for a total “shut and gut”. Working with local businesses and contractors, Hamister committed nearly four years to delivering a much-needed full-service hotel to the city of Jamestown. The team celebrated with a grand opening in March 2019.

    A two-story, horizontally planked, wood screen backdrops a glass-paneled staircase, welcoming guests to the hotel. The peek-a-boo wall offers glimpses of activity and visually connects the main floor bar to the second floor restaurant. The connectivity zone featuring geometric wallcovering, high backed sofas and rustic warmth, flows into the upscale sports bar area creating a dynamic hub and a hot spot for locals and hotel guests alike. Within the Pearl City Hops Bar and Restaurant, industrial merges with refined, where charred wood tables are paired with richly textured upholstery and mixed metal detailing. An abundance of natural light highlights the spaces by day and adds the soft glow of the city by night.

    Throughout the hotel, polished historical glamour is paired with energetic décor characterized by lineal repetition, deep tones, and streaks of color. As guests journey through the hotel, the second floor pre-function area welcomes them with deep garnet leather seating and smokey blue-grey carpet. This custom renovation continues to glimmer with clean lines and dramatic carpeting in the 4,100 SF ballroom and meeting space. A new fitness center, indoor pool, and outdoor patio add to the amenities offered by the hotel. The 147 guestrooms are highlighted by playful, repetitive elements, and saturated hues. The DoubleTree in Jamestown will not disappoint, as it honors the city’s past while offering guests 21st century luxury.

    About K2M Design®, Inc.
    Empowerment, creativity, and individual leadership embody the strengths of K2M’s design teams. K2M Design is a dynamic, high-growth Architecture, Engineering, and Interior Design firm with a multi-discipline Facility Assessment division. Established regional teams are strengthened by depth of experience and united by an ambitious spirit and proven ability to manage projects. The People are K2M’s are most valuable resource and Projects are their passion. K2M’s professionals are invested in nurturing long-term relationships and the ongoing success of projects, living out their mission of Building Relationships Based on Trust and Results. www.K2Mdesign.com

    Media Contact:
    Stephanie Cieszkowski – K2M Design, Inc.
    scieszkowski@K2Mdesign.com
    Ph: 216.588.0739
    # # #

  13. K2M Awarded NASA IDIQ for Third Consecutive Term

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    K2M Design was recently awarded another IDIQ contract with NASA. The team has been privileged to partner with NASA at the Glenn Research Center in Cleveland and Plum Brook Station, in Sandusky, Ohio.

    The contract provides NASA design services to rehabilitate, repair, construct, modify, or demolish research and institutional facilities within both Centers. Over the past decade, K2M has completed nearly 70 projects for the Agency under the IDIQ and we are looking forward to another productive 5 years.

    In addition to design services, the K2M Facility team as provided Deferred Maintenance Assessments, Post Occupancy Evaluations, as well as Specialty Operations and Maintenance studies for NASA Headquarters globally.

  14. Staying Ahead of Tomorrow’s Seniors

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    Your Life Plan community may have 97 percent occupancy and a strong balance sheet, but if you aren’t preparing for the expectations of up-and-coming seniors, your future is anything but assured.

    One Indiana Life Plan Community decided that the best way to stay viable was to stay a step ahead of tomorrow’s residents. They took an aggressive, practical approach to identify and plan for future expectations, and their success exceeded their most optimistic goals.

    In this 4-part series of articles, we’ll examine how they prepared, and how your community can use the same strategies to become the most desirable and competitive destination in your market.

    Focus group, hybrid homes fuel demand

    When the Executive Director began to raise questions about the future of Westminster Village, she didn’t dismiss it as mere brainstorming. The Leadership Team of the West Lafayette, Indiana Life Plan community appreciated the Board’s foresight and willingness to invest in the future. While most communities stop and take a deep breath after a major modernization, the Board immediately begins to ask what should be done next.

    How do you predict what future residents would prefer? For WV-WL, the solution was simple: ask them. With the help of the K2M Design Team, they arranged a series of eight focus groups, inviting nearly three dozen local residents to each. The participants were income-qualified and averaged 10 years younger than the community’s typical resident. Many were recently retired academics from nearby Purdue University.

    Groups refine initial concepts

    This time, the discussion centered on more independent living units, based upon the community’s master plan. “We had several strategic vision planning meetings, and had talked about coming generations,” the Director recalls. “We wanted to know what those future seniors are going to want, because what we build will have to sustain several generations of residents. We felt comfortable with our list of ideas, but we hadn’t talked with the people who would be moving in. We wanted to make sure that whatever we did would be marketable.”

    K2M Design facilitated the focus groups, asking the participants about what they desired in their next living spaces. “We needed to find out what would make people willing to leave their homes for some type of independent living setting,” the lead architect says. “At that point, we didn’t know if we would be looking at cottages, paired homes, or apartments.”

    “We gave K2M our research, our thoughts, and a list of what we wanted, and they brought back a plan of what the building might look like,” the Director explains. “We presented that plan to the first group and heard that we were on the right track. With their feedback, we made some changes.”

    Parking dilemma fosters innovation

    The K2M Design Team developed what they called “hybrid homes” — multi-unit buildings that were similar to high-end condo developments, with interior parking and floor plans of 1,600-2,200 square feet.

    The characteristics of the site and the need to support a below-grade parking structure severely limited the number of possible parking spaces. Then the architects hit on a solution: two three-story, nine-unit buildings connected by an enclosed, ground-level parking structure. Residents would drive in, park, and walk a few steps to a common lobby with an elevator.

    The focus groups liked the first-story units because of the ground level access and adjacent parking. They appreciated the penthouse-like spaciousness of the third-story units, thanks to their vaulted ceilings. But what about those second-story units sandwiched in the middle? The team hit upon a brilliant solution – create a common private patio space atop the parking structure. That gave second-floor residents a place they could walk out on. And, by limiting each building to nine units, each unit could be designed to create windows facing in two or three directions, a far cry from typical apartments.

    “The initial plan called for 48 units, perhaps in one building,” recalls the lead architect. “By building three of the 18-unit hybrid homes, we were able to get 54 units out of the design.” Each hybrid home unit includes one indoor parking space. Additional covered parking spaces are available in adjacent lots for multi-vehicle households.

    K2M in Senior Living
    As a leading provider of Architecture, Engineering, and Interior Design services for the Senior Living market, our team’s expertise and experience is unrivaled in its breadth and depth. Completing over 200 healthcare/senior living facilities, the team understands the business of senior housing and long-term care facility design.

    With a full house of multi-discipline professionals, the continuity of service we offer our clients directly results in successful project administration, design coordination and construction oversight.

    The personal investment our project managers make in your projects and with the teams they lead is reflected in their open-door approach. We take pride in knowing our leaders have become trusted advisors to so many of our clients.

    View our portfolio of Senior Living projects.

  15. Product Runway 2019: Most Wearable

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    K2M Design’s Interior Design team won “Most Wearable” at IIDA’s Cleveland Akron 2019 Product Runway! The runway fashion show features of one-of-a-kind couture original garments utilizing a manufacturer’s product as the ‘fabric’ of their hand-crafted garment. This year’s event took place at the newly renovated Agora Theatre and Ballroom.

    Partnering with Knoll Textile/Knoll Furniture and the design was a tribute to Florence Knoll who passed earlier this year. We created a modern twist on a classic black pant/white blouse combo. Florence was known for her practicality, so the K2M team created an oversized, structured vest that was reversible (from day to night). The fringe skirt and tassel bag was inspired by Florence’s sheepdog, Cartree who was Knoll’s honorary mascot. The outfit was constructed out of upholstery, drapery, and furniture bands from the Risom Chair.

     

     

     

     

     

  16. DoubleTree Jamestown: From Vacant to Vibrant

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    Previously a Ramada Inn, this shut and gut project was reimagined as a new DoubleTree Hotel in Jamestown, NY. Just steps from the historic district, the inspiration for the property was influenced by it’s local history as one of the few stops on the railway connection between New York City and Chicago.

    Thanks to the determination of owners, The Hamister Group, the DoubleTree in Jamestown is now a diamond in the Pearl City, as you can see from the before and after pictures.

     

  17. Cleveland Marriott Downtown wins Hospitality Interior Design of the Year

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    K2M is proud to be awarded the “Interior Design of the Year – Hospitality” award for the Cleveland Marriott Downtown renovation from NAIOP – Northern Ohio Chapter!

    This is our second award for the Cleveland Marriott Project, having previously won IIDA’s Best in Hospitality.

    Congratulations also goes to owners The Millennia Companies and our construction partner The Albert M. Higley Co. – thanks for being great partners!

     

    Read more about the renovation and design of the Marriott Downtown Cleveland on our blog.

     

     

  18. Health Care Changes are Transforming Senior Living

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    Westminster Village North, Inc., in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a thriving senior living community that took a hard look at how they could remain viable in a changing marketplace. K2M Design, formerly InterDesign, partnered with Westminster Village North to take a bold step towards their future; and this is their story.

    Two historic moments have had particularly far-reaching effects on today’s senior living industry.

    The first took place on July 30, 1965, as President Lyndon B. Johnson signed House Resolution 6675 in Harry Truman’s hometown of Independence, Missouri. HR 6675 enacted Medicare, and Johnson issued the first card to the former president. The second occurred 45 years later, on January 1, 2011, when the first Baby Boomers celebrated their 65th birthdays — a sign that the lifestyles of the nation’s single biggest generation were about to change.

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    Both Medicare and vast numbers of prospective new residents are in the minds of organizations that operate senior housing facilities. For not-for-profit Life Plan communities, both create challenges. Although Medicare payments to communities are limited, the program’s effects on the health care industry affect communities. Plus, the presence of so many seniors is spurring massive investments by aggressive for-profit competitors.

    Westminster Village North, located in the northeast corner of Indianapolis, has provided senior housing since 1971. The Life Plan Community’s board and management have maintained high occupancy levels by making strategic changes.

    Shelley Rauch, MBA, HFA, Westminster Village North’s Executive Director since 1997, has overseen many of those changes. “When I started, the campus had a great reputation for the services they provided,” Rauch recalls. “But the age of the physical plant was starting to show. Reputation and quality outcomes were good things in the market, but that wasn’t going to be enough as people started to talk about what other generations were going to be looking for.”

    Medicare’s influences
    Although Medicare doesn’t specifically pay for senior housing, the program’s practices have a significant effect upon design considerations and finances — and can even create marketing opportunities.

    According to the American Health Care Association, more than three of every four residents of skilled nursing care facilities depend upon either Medicare or Medicaid for at least part of their care — and MedPAC told Congress in 2013 that skilled nursing facilities have average operating margins of just 1.9 percent.

    Medicare’s Part A coverage limits skilled nursing payments to just 100 days of care per episode, following a minimum three-day hospital stay. Add to that pressure from Medicare to reduce hospital readmissions — U.S. News reports that roughly 20 percent of Medicare patients are readmitted within 30 days of discharge — and you’ll understand why many hospitals are seeking high-quality skilled care partners. Life Plan Communities are often an obvious choice (provided they have sufficient quality ratings).

    Challenge … or opportunity?
    Those partnerships may also provide a source of future residents. Westminster Village North has seen an uptick of residents who became familiar with the community during a post-hospital stay in either its long-term care area or rehabilitation wing. “If those short stays are good experiences, people leave with positive impressions,” says K2M Design’s® architect Jerry Cripps. “When they’re ready to consider a move to a senior community, it’s one of the first places they’ll consider.”

    Just as important, if a community fails to establish those relationships with hospitals or doesn’t approach short stays as chances to sample its advantages, it’s likely to lose business to a competitor who seizes that opportunity.

  19. K2M Design Receives Multiple Award Schedule through the GSA

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    K2M is Approved for Federal Agency Partnerships

    February 2019 – K2M Design® Inc. has received a Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract on the GSA Schedule. GSA establishes long-term, government-wide contracts with commercial firms offering more than 10 million commercial supplies and services that federal agencies order directly from GSA Schedule contractors, or through the GSA Advantage!® online shopping and ordering system. Under the potential 20-year agreement, federal government agencies now have direct access to K2M Design’s extensive facility management and assessment services including, facility condition, deferred maintenance, accessibility, post occupancy, single system, and roofing assessments.

    The award of the MAS is the result of a complex process in which K2M Design presented its capabilities, performance history, and customer satisfaction results, among other criteria, supporting the growth of business at the federal level. With the award in place, K2M Design, as a Small Business Enterprise, can now better compete directly for federal business.

    The designation serves as a testament to K2M Design’s thorough and comprehensive understanding of facilities and their intertwined network of systems. Our 360-degree process approach allows our project managers to tailor fit the needs of each service agreement and real-time problem solving solutions, delivering a road map for more effective utilization and sustainment of aging facilities.

    “We look beyond the design of facilities and truly have a passion and focus to help organizations think smarter about their physical assets,” Scott Maloney, President, K2M Design. “Having attained the GSA Schedule allows us to market our unique offerings to a wider group of constituents and offer the same top-notch assessment services.”

    About K2M Design, Inc.
    Recognized for our unique 360 degree solution process, the K2M Facility team assesses more than one hundred million square feet annually. Our service-based solutions guide property owners, facility managers and real estate professionals in making sensible short and long-term capital planning decisions. We process concrete information for prudent decision-making opportunities.

    With an extensive network of in-house resources the K2M Facility Team is able to offer Facility Condition, Deferred Maintenance, Accessibility, Post Occupancy, and System Assessments for all sizes and types of facilities. These services are the foundation for reinforcing strong business plans. To learn more about K2M’s assessment services, visit www.k2mfacility.com.

    Contact:
    Stephanie Cieszkowski, K2M Design
    E: scieszkowski@k2mdesign.com
    D: 216.588.0739

  20. Using Millwork to Revitalize Tired Lobby

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    The new Greatroom for the Marriott Hotel at Key Tower transformed the dated lobby and created a greater sense of arrival and a better flow for guests. Architectural features were designed to enrich the space using custom millwork to created walnut wood canopies above the bar area and around seating nooks. The warm wood color palette is highlighted with use of textiles, natural stone, and metal materials.

    On the outside ends of the seating nooks, decorative patterns were revealed for a custom detail. Routed out from the walnut wood a champagne metal tone is used to tie in complementing metals in space. The warm wood continues on the floor in the seating nooks with walnut wood plank flooring installed to visually connect the nook to the space.

    Recessed LED lighting was carefully coordinated with the wood canopies to accent the vertical and horizontal intersections. All the lighting is independently dimmable to adjust based on time of day and seat arrangements. Due to the large surface of the canopy at the bar, walnut wood panels were laid with linear lighting to compose intriguing views for guests. The thoughtful seating and table arrangements were combined with conveniently located technology, allowing guests to have dynamic areas to work, dine, and gather while staying connected.

    Although large in scale, the space was designed to feel welcoming for groups of any size, utilizing mixed materials of metal and wood, along with custom furnishings, artwork, and decorative light fixtures. Inspired by the sophisticated industrial elite of years past, the new space captures a sense of pride in craftsmanship and quality with its use of custom and innovative combinations of classic materials and fine details.

    Thank you to our millwork vendors: Benchmark, Reserve, and Royal.

  21. ACA Winter Conference 2019

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    Scott Moore, AIA, K2M Design’s Correctional Practice Group Leader, recently attended the 2019 American Correctional Association (ACA) Winter Conference in New Orleans, LA. Upon his return, he was excited to share the latest news and insight from the corrections industry.

    The conference incorporated various correctional business segments such as, public and private owners, national and regional contractors, detention equipment contractors, security integrators, and correctional manufacturers, along with industry design architects and engineers.

    ACA 2019 Winter Conference: A Message from Scott:

    As with every ACA Conference, it was great to catch up with our clients, colleagues, and friends to learn about new projects and innovations in the corrections field.

    As a committee member, I attended the ACA Facility Planning and Design Committee Meeting with fellow correctional design professionals and engaged in interesting discussions on Designing for Evolving Corrections. We continue to see the corrections industry’s commitment toward improving mental healthcare for inmates with an ongoing focus in facility design and services provided for care.

    The corrections market continues to expand, and the corrections manufacturers and Detention Equipment Contractors (DEC) continue to shrink; it is more important than ever to keep and further build relationships with our industry partners. Thanks to all our DEC’s and manufacturers who continue to bid and supply our corrections projects!

    I also had the honor to see our client, Kevin Orme, from the Indiana DOC receive the Program Innovation Award for the Insight Garden Program developed at the Pendleton Juvenile Correctional Facility. Congratulations to Kevin on the well-deserved recognition!

    About Scott Moore

    With over 25 years of focused correctional experience, including large jail, prison, and detention facilities, Scott’s correctional expertise spans the entire globe. With a focus in Indiana, Scott has provided design and planning services to many counties and the state throughout his career. Mr. Moore has led teams that provided design and planning services at adult and juvenile facilities, where mental health has been a focus. He has completed over $1B in construction value for correctional clients throughout his career, proof of the strength of his industry relationships built over the years.

  22. K2M wins Best in Hospitality iDesign Award

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    K2M is proud to be recognized by the IIDA Ohio Kentucky Chapter for “Best in Hospitality” for the interior renovation of Key Center in downtown Cleveland.

    K2M Design’s team of Architects and Interior Designers partnered with new owners, The Millennia Companies, to reinvent the Key Center into a shining star and destination for business and leisure guests alike. The 76,000 SF of public spaces within the hotel encompasses 4-stories and were previously home to two restaurants, the Marriott hotel lobby, and two ballrooms, all featuring dark woodwork, outdated furniture and upholstery. Read more about how K2M Transformed this Iconic Hotel.

    IIDA OH KY’s first annual iDesign awards recognized projects for their unique program and needs, as well as aesthetic, contextual, social, and sustainable characteristics.

  23. Creating Gathering Spaces for Today’s Seniors

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    Westminster Village North, Inc., in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a thriving senior living community that took a hard look at how they could remain viable in a changing marketplace. K2M Design, formerly InterDesign, partnered with Westminster Village North to take a bold step towards their future; and this is their story.

    In towns and cities, people gather in a variety of places, whether that’s the morning coffee klatch at the local McDonald’s, the ladies who lunch every Thursday at noon, or the Liar’s Club that trades tales on a particular park bench. Residents of Life Plan communities may be less inclined (or less able) to travel to spots off the property, so designers would be wise to create gathering spaces.

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    An excellent example is The Bistro at Westminster Village North. Centrally located and modeled after a coffeehouse, the welcoming space serves up beverages and light meal items. It has become a popular meeting place for friends and informal clubs, as well as a convenient break spot for staff members. Indoor and outdoor tables facilitate conversation and provide a sense of “getting away” that’s just a short walk for residents.

    Another well-though-out space is an area the K2M Design team refers to as the Loggia. “It was actually a connection point to provide a more direct route between the rehabilitation wing and the therapy room,” Cripps explains. “Before we built that connection, rehab patients would have to walk down a corridor in the long-term care area. We also wanted to create multiple areas where family members could visit without having to sit in the resident’s room. We designed the Loggia as an octagonal space with windows all around, so it receives a lot of natural light. It becomes a wide spot in the corridor that provides great spaces for conversation.”

    Making consistent impressions

    A hallmark of successful Life Plan communities like Westminster Village North is an image and attitude that is consistent through the entire community. From the moment a visitor arrives at the front office through wherever he or she goes within the community, every impression and experience reiterates the mission. The art and décor in all the buildings carries a nature theme, reflecting the residents and staff’s pride in the community’s wooded creekside setting. That brand is echoed in marketing materials and on Westminster’s website.

    Today’s prospective resident approaches a community with expectations that weren’t common when she started at Westminster, Rauch notes. “They want to see contemporary appliances, updated countertops, choices in flooring, concierge services, onsite banking, a 24-hour receptionist, and excellent dining. They want a community that’s willing to work with their personal preferences and that is safe and secure. If they have to stay in the health center or the rehab wing, they want more than a pedestal sink in the bathroom. They want a cabinet where they can put their toiletries, just like they do at home.”

    The rehab wing includes many of the amenities used in the independent and assisted living sections, allowing it to serve as passive marketing. “Not everyone comes into a community as an independent living resident,” says Rauch. “Sometimes they arrive in long-term care or assisted living because of a catastrophic health change, and once they recover, they move to the next step in the continuum.” Or someone who has a short-term stay in the rehab wing may eventually decide to become a permanent resident.

    Rauch sees the consistent image as a key benefit of using the master planning process to enhance community. “It makes you think not only about what you want to do today, but how that is going to impact your campus in the future,” she says. “We have great grounds, but like anyone else, we have a limited amount of land. Through the master plan, we were able to see how we could best utilize that land to maintain our warm and inviting campus. It gave us a great road map to determine exactly how it will all fit together in the end.”

    About K2M Design & InterDesign

    K2M Design®, Inc. continues our strategic growth with the acquisition of The InterDesign Group, located in Indianapolis, Indiana. K2M Design officially acquired InterDesign on May 1, 2017, integrating a talented team of Architects, Interior Designers, Project Managers, and Construction Administrators.

    Having completed over 200 projects in the Senior Living and Healthcare markets, the team brings a depth of talent to K2M. Stronger together, we will continue to be leaders in the market, designing for the next generation of seniors.

  24. K2M Design Transforms Iconic Downtown Cleveland Hotel

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    The New Key Marriott Evokes the Pride and Tradition of the City with Creative Design

    Fall 2018 – As a central building in the downtown landscape, the Key Center in downtown Cleveland was in dire need of a renovation to successfully compete with the expanding hospitality and event space in the City. K2M Design’s team of Architects and Interior Designers partnered with new owners, The Millennia Companies, to reinvent the Key Center into a shining star and destination for business and leisure guests alike. The 76,000 SF of public spaces within the hotel encompasses 4-stories and were previously home to two restaurants, the Marriott hotel lobby, and two ballrooms, all featuring dark woodwork, outdated furniture and upholstery.

     K2M Wins iDesign “Best in Hospitality” Award for Key Center Renovation >

    The team transformed the dated lobby and created a greater sense of arrival and a better flow for guests which was inspired by the sophisticated industrial elite of Cleveland’s past. The new space captures a sense of pride in craftsmanship and quality with its use of custom and innovative combinations of classic materials and fine details.

    The renovated hotel now features an M Club, an upscale space for Marriott Rewards members, which is outfitted with custom fixtures and furnishings that allow guests to unwind and connect in a private and welcoming space.

    The first floor restaurant has been transformed into a 150 seat fine Italian dining experience, the Il Venetian. Clean lines bring chic, modern structure complimenting the elegant custom chandeliers, accompanying wall sconces, and the prominent glass front wine cellar in the high-end dining environment.

    As guests move through the main level, they encounter various new tenant spaces such as The Public Square Pantry and the stylish Italian inspired Armando’s Barbershop, with traditional barber chairs, and masculine yet refined space. Guest amenities continue on the 3rd floor, where guests enjoy state of the art fitness equipment and a full-service day spa at the 25,000SF Vedas Fitness and Spa .

    Event spaces received state of the art upgrades and offer flexibility to accommodate groups from 5 – 1,500. The second floor has over 17,000SF of pre-function, meeting rooms, and event spaces. The Grand Ballroom for the Marriott Hotel features modern geometric fixtures and timeless tones with deep burgundy as an accent color. The 4th floor, which was home to the former iconic Key Club has been reimagined as the St. Clair Ballroom and can accommodate up to 300 guests. The design reflects the culturally rich local history, with luxurious fabrics, and finishes throughout the pre-function and ballroom in a sophisticated navy and gold palette.

  25. Creating a Real Sense of Community

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    Westminster Village North, Inc., in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a thriving senior living community that took a hard look at how they could remain viable in a changing marketplace. K2M Design, formerly InterDesign, partnered with Westminster Village North to take a bold step towards their future; and this is their story.

    Communities may be organic by nature, but that doesn’t mean they develop automatically. You can’t simply take a heterogeneous group of people, place them in a complex of buildings, and watch a happy community emerge. It could happen, but it’s unlikely.

    The most successful and sustainable Life Plan communities (the term Leading Age advocates for continuing care retirement communities) become that way through thoughtful planning. They have a clear mission, strong leadership, and are willing to reach out for the expertise they need. As non-profit senior living communities face more and stronger competition, particularly from the for-profit sector, establishing a strong sense of community can provide a powerful advantage that will keep vacancy rates low.

    Westminster Village North in Indianapolis is a shining example of a Life Plan community that has evolved from what was typical retirement housing just a generation ago. Originally constructed as a tuberculosis sanitarium, Westminster Village North has expanded its offerings to stay ahead of the changing marketplace while enhancing a strong sense of community since its 1971 opening.

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    Staying up-to-date
    Cities and towns evolve over time, but many senior communities appear to be stuck at some point in the past. Often, that point was the most recent remodeling project. The amenities, the décor, the furniture — everything becomes a snapshot of what was popular at that time.

    Shelley Rauch, MBA, HFA has been Westminster Village North’s executive director for nearly two decades. Recognizing that the only way a community can stay competitive is to evolve with the times, she was a strong advocate of the master planning process. Early in her tenure, she worked with the community’s board of directors to assess the health of the community’s infrastructure, and then to develop a plan that would update that infrastructure while enhancing Westminster Village North’s standing in the marketplace.

    “I’ve always been a believer that good competition makes everybody better,” Rauch explains. “In the Indianapolis market, we’ve been able to study what other people have done and learn from the best practices.

    Curb appeal is key
    Impressions of a community are formed long before a prospect sets foot in the Welcome Center. Websites and marketing materials play a role, but the strongest impressions happens when people drive through the front entrance and around the community. Realtors talk about the importance of curb appeal when selling a home, and it’s just as important when promoting a Life Plan community.

    When K2M Design developed Westminster Village North’s first master plan in 2000, enhancing curb appeal was a primary objective. “Residents love the mature trees that surround the community because they enhance both privacy and connections to nature,” explains Jerry Cripps, an architect for the firm who has overseen most of the improvements. “Unfortunately, the foliage was so dense that people couldn’t see the community from the road.” The master plan called for the development of a three-story independent living building as the community’s centerpiece. The front of the building and its impressive portico faced the road, and the team recommended clearing a corridor along the entry drive. “Now, when drivers go by, that building is the first thing they see.”

    Reflecting surrounding neighborhoods
    When the sanitarium was built in 1917, its area was sparsely populated agricultural land. In the late 1960s, farm fields began to give way to suburban development.

    During the 1940s, Indianapolis built a dam about three miles north of the property to provide a reliable water supply. The project created the Geist Reservoir, and the land around the banks began to be developed during the 1970s and 1980s. The prime lakefront sites drew luxury-home developers, and the area now known as Geist earned a reputation as one of the city’s most affluent districts. Land prices climbed, and local farmers sold out to developers.

    Most of the housing around Westminster Village North is occupied by middle- and upper-middle-class families, and the community reflects that image. The northern edge of the community is made up of single-family ranch homes that provide a smooth transition to the two- and three-story buildings. When K2M Design remodeled the nursing care facility, it provided a separate entry with a portico that completed the architectural style of the homes. “We thought a lot about the neighborhood feel as we designed the most recent additions,” recalls Cripps. “Because they were so close to the road, we refrained from building multiple stories. We thought that would change the whole impression of coming down the drive through the community.”

    Not only does the community blend visually with surrounding neighborhoods — the level and style of finishes and amenities in the independent and assisted-living units are consistent with what local homeowners expect. That congruity also contributes to the strong sense of community.

    About K2M Design & InterDesign

    K2M Design®, Inc. continues our strategic growth with the acquisition of The InterDesign Group, located in Indianapolis, Indiana. K2M Design officially acquired InterDesign on May 1, 2017, integrating a talented team of Architects, Interior Designers, Project Managers, and Construction Administrators.

    Having completed over 200 projects in the Senior Living and Healthcare markets, the team brings a depth of talent to K2M. Stronger together, we will continue to be leaders in the market, designing for the next generation of seniors.