Meet mophie.

If you have an iPhone or an iPad, you've probably heard of mophie.  They design and manufacture mobile intelligent devices and accessories, like the Juice Pack Plus.  Mophie's current facility in Paw Paw, Michigan is moving to a brand new spot in Western Michigan University's Business Park, and we recently started helping them with the design. Here is some of the preliminary work - we can't wait to see the finished product!



 

 

 

 

 

 



Welcome to Kalamazoo, Hark Orchids!

With the design complete, Hark Orchids' new Kalamazoo facility had its groundbreaking yesterday at the Midlink Business Park in Comstock Township. You can read more about the project here.

 

 

 

Corporation Hall Rehabilitation Progress

This project is starting to take shape more and more every day! Here is a behind the scences look at some of the latest progress photos:

Rooftop Solar Panel:



 

Residential Ceiling Piping:



Have you liked us on Facebook?

...if not, check out our Facebook page and "like us" to get updates on projects and life at TowerPinkster!

 

http://www.facebook.com/TowerPinkster

 

Vote for FSU Kendall

Our FSU/Kendall College Federal Building renovation project is up for an adaptive reuse award, sponsored by Grand Rapids Downtown Alliance. Click on the link below to cast your vote - scroll to the "adaptive reuse" section. Once you vote, you will receive an email confirming your vote. YOU MUST RESPOND TO THE EMAIL TO OFFICIALLY CAST YOUR VOTE!

http://www.downtowngr.org/awards-ballot.php

Sneak Peek of Arcadia Brewing Co.

We're so excited to be part of this project! Arcadia Brewing Company is holding a groundbreaking today for its new 30,000 SF. Here's a sneak peek of some of the building images we've developed:

Main Entry:

View from the Beer Garden:

Overhead view from the east:

Here's a link to a press release issued by Southwest Michigan First:

http://www.southwestmichiganfirst.com/userfiles/file/07112012_SouthwestMichiganFirstPress%20Release_ArcadiaBrewingCompanyReceivesMichiganCommunityRevitalizationProgramGrants_final1.pdf

Read more on mlive:

http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2012/07/arcadia_brewing_co_to_hold_gro.html

Kalamazoo RESA's WoodsEdge Learning Center has officially achieved LEED Gold Certification. WoodsEdge is the first special education facility in the nation to receive Gold Certification in the LEED for Schools category, according to the USGBC website. It is also the 3rd primary through secondary educational facility in the state to achieve this status. Other LEED Gold schools include Kalamazoo Public Schools' Prairie Ridge Elementary and Linden Grove Middle School.  


TowerPinkster is proud to have designed all three of these schools. For more information on WoodsEdge, check out the video below or visit our website here. 

Education and Senate Bill 770

Recently, the Senate Appropriations Committee took testimony of Senate Bills 770, 771, 772 and 870. For those in the K12 industry, like TowerPinkster, these bills are being closely followed as the result can affect funding for Michigan schools.

More than 130 school districts use the current Michigan funding infrastructure, which keeps millages at an affordable level for voters. Additionally, more than 300 districts use the funding to qualify their projects so they can borrow at the state-preferred Bond rate. These districts pay-off the loans, with interest.

Senate Bills 770, 771, 772 and 870 may effectively end state assistance for school infrastructure. For more information about these bills, please see the following links:

• Senate Bill 770 (and Senate Fiscal Agency Analysis)

ACE Mentor Program

Check out a recent article about the ACE Mentor Program, which pairs students with experts in architecture and engineering. TowerPinkster has been a proud supporter of this program for years. Read more here!

Downtown Kalamazoo - A New Perspective

Remember when we created this video fly around of The Exchange project?  Well we have expanded that video to include several other projects ongoing and upcoming in downtown Kalamazoo. We modeled and animated the video for Downtown Kalamazoo, Inc., who presented it to the public at the State of the Downtown address on February 18, 2012.

You can check it out here:

Getting Creative with Snowmelt Systems

Let's face it - Mother Nature can wreak havoc at this time of year (although we've been lucky so far). Slick entrances, icy walkways and parking lots can lead to a lot of worry and wonder - where to put all that snow? A snowmelt system is a practical alternative to chemical means and the benefits can be numerous: reduced labor, automatic control, reduced liability, and no more piles of snow! As a result, many building owners choose to install energy-intensive snowmelt systems which can often be expensive, labor-intensive and not always reliable.

But what if there was a way to implement a system that worked more efficiently and more cost-effectively? Learn more!

Kalamazoo Gazette Redevelopment Plans Are Underway With Phoenix Properties

We are excited to announce that our team has been working with Phoenix Properties on plans to redevelop the former Kalamazoo Gazette building! You can read the full press release on Downtown Kalamazoo's (DKI) website or check out the article that was recently posted. Or, hear Greg Taylor, principal at Phoenix Properties, describe initial ideas and thoughts about the historic building:

So far, TowerPinkster has been involved in evaluating the space to help determine the feasibility of various uses. Here is a look at the building as it stands today, in addition to an aerial view of the site, existing floor plans and historic photos: