Lighthouse Insurance Headquarters in Downtown Grand Rapids

 

Via Design was hired by Lighthouse Group to design an open office layout for their headquarters’ new location in downtown Grand Rapids. The space became the beacon of the statewide insurance company, tying in Lighthouse symbolism, and creating a fresh, modern workspace.

Lighthouse Group headquarters in downtown Grand Rapids was designed by Via Design, Via Design is an architecture and interior design firm in Grand Rapids MI,
 
 

Interior designer, Emily Vanderlaan and architectural designer, Nathan Funk led the overhaul of the 30,000 sq. ft. space. Substantial changes to the two floors were necessary in order to achieve the new office culture Lighthouse desired.

The two separate levels of the building were unified by cutting an opening in the floor to create a new "feature" staircase, which would act as the visual connector. This new circulation path enabled the two floors to feel like one office, atmospherically joining them. Several of the existing interior walls on each floor were removed, and several walls were replaced with glass partitions and glass sliding doors, allowing the entire office to enjoy the natural light and views of downtown Grand Rapids.

A wooden staircase built in the center of two floors inside Lighthouse Group’s headquarters in downtown Grand Rapids MI designed by Via Design, Via Design is an architecture and interior design firm in Grand Rapids MI,
A red white and blue acoustical wall in a n open meeting space inside Lighthouse Group’s downtown Grand Rapids headquarters designed by. Via Design, Via Design is an architecture and interior design firm in Grand Rapids MI,
A white bar height workstation with six white computer chairs around it inside Lighthouse Group’s headquarters designed by Via Design, Via Design is an architecture and interior design firm in Grand Rapids MI,

“We know the building well,” says Nathan. Located on the 3rd and 4th floors of the Beene Garter building, the space is connected to Via Design’s office and home to another renovation project that Via completed, the Beene Garter offices. “We knew we could highlight the beauty of the existing building features and provide Lighthouse a modern design that achieved their operational and cultural needs.”

A thorough programming exercise with the Lighthouse staff helped the Via team uncover the company's needs early in the design process so that creative solutions could be presented prior to demolition and initial design studies.

Lighthouse Group headquarters is a modern industrial workspace designed by Via Design, Via Design is an architecture and interior design firm in downtown Grand Rapids MI,
A small sitting area with two light blue arm chairs and two round coffee tables inside Lighthouse Group’s modern industrial office designed by Via Design, Via Design is an architecture and interior design firm in Grand Rapids MI,
A curved grey and blue sofa is collaborative seating area inside Lighthouse Group’s modern industrial office designed by Via Design, Via Design is an architecture and interior design firm in Grand Rapids MI,

For many of Via’s commercial projects, the modern workspace involves utilizing technology to create a space that fosters creativity and collaboration. Emily presented the latest office furniture and product innovations by hosting the Lighthouse group at the NeoCon 2018 show. The team needed to coordinate workstations for each of the approximately 110 relocated employees. Via partnered with Marx Moda (now Trellis) for the workstations, ancillary furniture, and also with CLEO, for the cabinetry furniture.

A bright and open break room with bar top tables and blue and white bar stools inside Lighthouse Group’s headquarters designed by Via Design, Via Design is an architecture and interior design firm in Grand Rapids MI,
A blue wall with light wood shelving and two grey high-backed sitting chairs inside Lighthouse Group’s modern industrial office designed by Via Design, Via Design is an architecture and interior design firm in Grand Rapids MI,
A black board with the words “Let’s Connect'“ inside the kitchen of Lighthouse Group’s modern industrial office space designed by Via Design, Via Design is an architecture and interior design firm in Grand Rapids MI,

“They wanted a space where departments would cross paths, instead of being closed off from one another,” explains Emily. Touchdown spaces and privacy enclaves were installed, but open workstations occupy the majority of the space.

“Since moving into the space they’ve already had success with branches of their office collaborating in new ways,” continues Emily. “Their new home has created space for expected, and unexpected collaboration.”

 

Thank you to our project team:

Contractor: Wolverine Building Group

Workstation and ancillary furniture: Trellis (formerly Marx Moda)

Cabinetry furniture: CLEO

Architecture, Interior Design, and Custom Millwork: Via Design

 
 
LifestyleDavid Daniele