We are excited to announce that the MRCC Union Hall and Apprentice Training Center is now complete and Interior Final Photography is here!

Byce & Associates, Inc. provided Architectural, Interior Design, and Civil, Structural, Mechanical, and Electrical Engineering Services for the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters (MRCC) Union Hall and Apprentice Training Center in Wayland, Michigan. The project team also included Schweitzer Construction, as the Construction Manager.

The Union Hall Wing is an approximately 80′ x 130′ x 15′ conventionally steel framed building clad with architectural composite metal panels. Exterior wall infill and interior walls are light gage metal framing, and the interior incorporates standard corporate office level finishes.

The Training Center Wing is a 148′ x 270′ x 40′ conventionally steel framed building with insulated metal panel façade and membrane roof over insulation and steel deck. It also features a 4,200 square foot welding lab, 30′ wide bridge crane (12 ton), and a 12,000 square foot mezzanine with classrooms beneath.

The Entry Gallery is a timber framed, glass clad structure approximately 25′ in height and feature polished concrete floors in the corridors, and specialty lighting. The large meeting hall has a folding partition wall with a high NRC rating, and is equipped for multi-media presentations and business fair events.

Check out the Interior Final Photography of the facility below!

Byce & Associates, Inc. is excited to be providing Architectural and Engineering Services including Structural, Mechanical, Electrical and Interior Design for the New Corporate Headquarters Facility for Viking Group, Inc. in Caledonia, Michigan.

The intent of this new 2-story, 173,500 square foot building is to provide an iconic yet cost effective facility for research and design, training, manufacturing, and production processes. The space will include space for Human Resources, Marketing, and Finance departments, meeting rooms, collaboration areas, production areas, conference rooms, and significant room for additional growth. Another important aspect to this building is an expanded, state-of-the-art, Research and Development Center, complete with operable ceiling systems, Foam Room, dedicated testing areas, and a customized tool room for prototyping of ideas and concepts. A high-tech training facility is also featured to support the organizations goal of becoming the recognized leader in fire protection training.

A key feature of the facility, setting the tone of the corporate culture and brand is the employee cafe. This dynamic double height space brings in natural daylight through a curtainwall system, while also connecting the two levels together, enhancing the open and collaborative culture.

We are proud to be working with First Companies of Grand Rapids, Michigan, the Construction Manager on the project, from conceptual design on to completion.

To keep up with the progress of this project be sure to follow us on social media or click here!

Brenna Cooper joins Byce & Associates, Inc. as a Marketing Coordinator. Brenna attended Western Michigan University where she obtained a Bachelor of Business degree in Advertising and Promotion with a double minor in Psychology and General Business.

Jacob Killman joins Byce & Associates, Inc. as an Electrical Engineer. Jacob, who is a recent graduate, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and Psychology with a double minor in Mathematics and Physics from Western Michigan University.

Stanley Skopek, RA joins Byce & Associates, Inc. as a Senior Architect / Project Manager. Stan holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Lawrence Technological University. He has over 30 years of experience working on all aspects of the architectural profession and has an array of experience such as educational, industrial, historical and governmental projects.

Vincent Rigg, AIA, LEED AP joins Byce & Associates, Inc. as a Senior Architect / Project Manager. Vincent holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Andrews University. He has over 25 years of experience in multiple disciplines, programs, and scale including healthcare, residential, and governmental projects.

Gabe Allen joins Byce & Associates, Inc. as an Electrical Intern. Gabe is attending Western Michigan University and Lee Honors College to obtain a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and Applied Mathematics. Gabe plans to graduate in 2019.

Nadine Rios-Rivas, Assoc. AIA, NOMA joins Byce & Associates, Inc. as an Architectural Associate. She holds a Master of Architecture Degree from Andrews University School of Architecture. Her experience includes working on high schools, sports complexes, and assisting a Design Architect on the renovation of a 18th century church in Ann Arbor.

Chris Cole Fairful joins Byce & Associates, Inc. as an Archive Coordinator. Chris graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree. While archiving historical drawings and documents, she enjoys observing the work of architects and engineers over the past fifty-five years at Byce & Associates, Inc.

Janie Shipman joins Byce & Associates, Inc. as an Administrative Project Coordinator. She is currently attending Western Michigan University to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Public Health Services. She plans to graduate in May of 2019.

Hady Makhmalbaf, Ph.D., P.E. joins Byce & Associates, Inc. as a Senior Mechanical Engineer. He has 9 years of Mechanical Engineering experience. After attending Western Michigan University to receive his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering he was a Teacher/Graduate Assistant for the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He taught an applied HVAC course and conducted several fluids mechanic / heat transfer research projects.

Angela Tibaudo joins Byce & Associates, Inc. as an Administrative Project Coordinator. She is currently attending Western Michigan University to obtain a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Human Resources Management. Angela plans to graduate in the spring of 2018.

Rick Eshlaman, PE joins Byce & Associates, Inc. as a Senior Civil Engineer. He has over 27 years of experience being part of and overseeing civil engineering projects from conception to completion. Rick is responsible for all aspects of civil engineering including design, drawings, details and specifications for construction, reports, cost estimates and construction administration. His project experience includes educational, government, commercial, and residential projects.

Ron Cook joins Byce & Associates, Inc. as a Senior Electrical Designer. He has over 45 years of experience including 24 years of experience in the construction field. While working in the construction field, Ron served as an electrical estimator and electrical project manager. His project experience includes industrial, health care, institutional, educational, and commercial projects.

Trevor Richardson, EIT joins Byce & Associates, Inc. as a Mechanical Engineer. A recent graduate, Trevor holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering with a Minor in Mathematics from Western Michigan University. He is also an active member of the National Guard. Trevor will make a great addition to our Mechanical Engineering team.

Tim Baker joins Byce & Associates, Inc. as a Project Manager. Tim has over 28 years of experience in engineering and architectural practices, construction technology, building materials, and equipment necessary to carry out responsibilities pertaining to client interface and project architectural design. He has experience working on commercial, military, municipal, and residential projects.

Matthew Norko was recently promoted to Marketing Manager of Byce & Associates, Inc. Matthew has over 10 years’ experience and has served as Marketing Coordinator for Byce & Associates, Inc. for over 7 years. He is responsible for the overall tasks and needs of the marketing department. He oversees all marketing, advertising, communications, and brand management for Byce & Associates, Inc.

Jason Quarry was recently promoted to BIM Manager. Jason has been working for Byce & Associates, Inc. for over 4 years and has over 20 years of experience working in the preparation of engineering and architectural drawings. Jason manages all aspects of Building Information Modeling (BIM) for the office. Duties include implementation, instruction, support and management of all BIM software’s including Revit and Navisworks, creating a unified standard for the creation of construction documents.

New Women’s Health Center

Byce & Associates provided Architectural, Interior Design and Engineering services for the construction of InterCare Community Health Network’s new 9,155 square foot Women’s Health Center. The new facility creates a campus complex expanding InterCare’s existing Benton Harbor Primary Care Clinic. Pre-natal Health Care will be relocated from the Primary Care Clinic, allowing the expansion in Pre-natal and Primary Care services to the under-served community.

The new Women’s Health Clinic promotes InterCare’s Patient Centered Medical Home model of care in the Exam Suite and Certified Centering Program, which moves prenatal care from the exam room to a comfortable group setting. The exam suite includes six Exam Rooms, one Non-Stress Testing Room, one Dental Hygiene Room, one Triage Exam Room, two Care Management Rooms, Laboratory, and Sterilization Room. The Centering Room is complimented with restroom, wet bar, and direct access from the gallery style waiting area.

Clerestory glazing, exposed timber framing, and acoustical wood ceilings in the entry and exam suite soften the experience for patient and provider by creating less “sterile” environments, and the gallery style waiting area promotes communication and community between soon to be moms.

The facility is constructed using 8″ Structural Insulation Panel roof and wall framing which provided a compressed winter construction schedule and enhanced energy efficiency.

Byce & Associates, Inc. provided Architectural, Interior Design, and Engineering Services for the Restrooms and Lower Lobby Historic Renovations at the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, located in Downtown Kalamazoo. The project started with an assessment of the building to determine improvements to be made. From the suggested improvements in the assessment, The Civic Theatre chose to renovate the lower lobby, two existing restrooms and add two new restrooms, which would help to ease congestion during the various shows that take place at the theatre. The restrooms renovations and additions included new historically appropriate fixtures, new wallpaper and tile flooring. The existing restrooms were updated to enhance the experience, while new restrooms were added to be ADA complaint. The lower lobby renovations included new wallpaper, re-upholstered furniture, and new carpeting in the elevator lobby and on the main staircase all the way up to the second floor atrium.

Cole Nissan Used Car Sales & Service Building Addition

The addition to the Cole Nissan Used Car Sales and Service Building has been completed! Byce & Associates, Inc. provided Architectural and Engineering services for the 2,840 square foot addition which is located on the east side toward the north end of the existing building. A storefront exterior wall system was used to provide ample day light for the new offices, and spandrel panels were used to hide new mechanical systems that were placed above the ceiling. Also included was the re-design of the executive offices, located in the upper level, which provided additional space for executives and a new, larger conference room. The interior finishes, colors, fixtures and furniture systems were to match with the adjacent existing materials to provide a recognizable, consistently branded customer entry experience. The construction was completed in June of 2017.

St. Augustine Cathedral School Front Office Renovations

Byce & Associates is honored to have assisted St. Augustine Cathedral School by donating our time and talent to design the remodel and renovations to the Front Offices of St. Augustine Cathedral School.

The remodel and renovations to the Front Office include expanding and updating the office and reception area to accommodate the myriad of functional requirements in the office area and to provide a new, barrier-free Restroom. The newly renovated offices provide a very functional space while aesthetically giving respectful attention back to the school’s history with a classic School House look, including new retro period furniture and fixtures.

Working collaboratively with school leadership and administration staff we developed a welcoming, vibrant space for all in the St. Augustine family. Thanks to the donors, appreciation to the volunteers and hats off to the contractors and vendors that all helped to make this great little project a big success.