The architectural team at Abonmarche worked closely with SMC to define the school’s primary goals for the new space. In addition to serving as a home-base for all athletic programs, 1st Source Bank Fieldhouse will host students and community members for a wide range of events such as commencement ceremonies, concerts, and the like.
“This entire project has been a catalyst for recruitment, bringing back athletics to SMC while also enhancing the student life experience for all students working toward completing their education,” said Arvin Delacruz, Architect, AIA, NCARB, at Abonmarche. “We focused on creating a well-rounded experience for the student athletes – but we also wanted this space to be something all Roadrunners and the community at large can be proud of.
“SMC has a legacy of bringing high value amenities to the collegiate options young people have across Michigan – and this new addition will continue that tradition.”
New gymnasium features include a state-of-the-art technology suite of digital screens and scoreboards, a total renovation of the court floor, and retractable bleachers. The new facility will support the launch of all-new basketball, volleyball, and wrestling programs at SMC.
Support spaces include:
New locker rooms for the home team and updated lockers for visiting team
Training area with therapy and cold bathing tub
Team laundry facility and equipment storage
Suite of Athletic Director, coaches and administrative offices
Second level officials room
Second level lounge suite
Additional upgrades include new flooring, lighting and paint, new guest restrooms, and elevator access.
Even within a tight timeline driven by the school’s need to start hosting activities in advance of the Fall 2022 athletic season, the building was kept operational as design and construction were being completed.
“This project featured a high level of complexity within a pressed timeline, and the design team and owner were focused on being mindful of the need for this building to maintain operations while construction was underway,” Delacruz noted. “When athletes began arriving on campus ahead of the school year, they were able jump right into training.”
On The Boards | Spectrum Health Cardiothoracic Surgery & Structural Heart
Spectrum Health Cardiothoracic Surgery & Structural Heart – exam room rendering
In Grand Rapids, Michigan, a new project by our architectural team is taking form. Slated to go live mid-March 2022, Spectrum Health Cardiothoracic Surgery & Structural Heart wing will serve heart patients of all kinds across a 12,000 square foot medical office building. Abonmarche provided architectural and interior design services, and partnered with Comprehensive Engineering for the project’s building systems engineering.
The clinic comprises the main suite for the Spectrum Health Cardiovascular Medicine Team, with offices, clinical exam and procedure rooms, X-ray facilities, and supporting spaces. In addition to ample workstation space, the plan also features a staff lounge and a training room for educational and demonstration needs. A variety of additional spaces and registration area complete the plan for this specialized discipline.
“We’re excited to see this new project for Spectrum Health come to fruition,” noted Arvin Delacruz, Senior Architect & Senior Project Manager at Abonmarche. “Our team has collaborated extensively with the world-class surgeons at Spectrum to create an environment to provide state-of-the-art medical care.
Project Highlights
Enhanced patient experience
Collaborative open plan workstations
Multi-practice collaboration
Wayfinding
Patient-sensitive materials
Exam room pods
On The Boards | RETA Pregnancy Clinic & Family Resource Center
RETA Pregnancy Clinic and Family Resource Center
With three months of construction to go, the new home for the RETA pregnancy clinic and family resource center, designed by our architectural team, will soon open its doors in downtown Elkhart, Indiana!
When RETA outgrew their facilities in a repurposed Victorian house, Abonmarche, in partnership with DJ Construction, designed a new two-story, 12,500 square foot headquarters to incorporate a restored historic post office building dating back to 1868. While the team had to work through many technical challenges inherent in meeting new construction requirements within a 100-year-old landmark structure, the project site also presented key design opportunities.
Creating an atrium-like space between the old and new construction allowed opportunities for vertical circulation, a central waiting area, and a store for clients. The program includes administrative, clinical, counseling, and social spaces, as well as various technical spaces, including a large bay for a mobile support vehicle. The design also addresses the streetscape environment in downtown Elkhart, provides parking, and accommodates privacy while establishing an attractive presence in the community.
Abonmarche services on this project include: civil engineering, architecture, structural engineering, surveying, interior design, and landscape architecture.
Highlights: Streetscape & site design Architectural building design New construction & renovation Large vehicle bay Atrium space Clinical, Counseling & Admin spaces
UltraCamp: Revolutionizing Camp Management from Their Niles, Michigan Headquarters
UltraCamp, a Michigan-based tech company specializing in camp management software, has been transforming the way summer camps operate across the United States. By helping over 800 camps nationwide, UltraCamp’s software streamlines operations, so camp staff can focus on what matters most—creating memorable experiences for campers
UltraCamp’s Origin and Vision
Founded by individuals passionate about active lifestyles and summer camps, UltraCamp blends technology and tradition to improve camp management. The company’s mission is clear: to empower camp directors and staff by simplifying processes like attendance tracking, automated billing, and staff management, allowing them more time to focus on the camp experience.
“We help camps do more with less work, so directors can focus on what is really important: CAMP.” — UltraCamp
The New UltraCamp Headquarters in Niles, Michigan
When UltraCamp decided to expand, they chose Abonmarche to design their new headquarters in downtown Niles, Michigan. After outgrowing a historical post office building, they sought a fresh space that would reflect their active culture and promote collaboration.
The result: a space that not only meets their business needs but also supports their active, energetic mindset. Arvin Delacruz, Architect at Abonmarche, explains: “Our job as designers is to translate our client’s culture into the physical environment.”
Designing with Purpose: A Layered Workplace Strategy
UltraCamp’s new office spans 19,401 square feet, with 87% dedicated to collaborative spaces and lifestyle amenities, and just 13% for traditional office workstations. This balanced design encourages collaboration while prioritizing individual workspaces.
The office layout encourages movement and interaction. The absence of private offices means that the entire office is a shared workspace, fostering a dynamic environment where employees are encouraged to use every part of the building.
“This space is not just an office; it’s a living, breathing environment that supports the entire team.”
Active Lifestyle Aesthetics
The new UltraCamp office embraces playful, vibrant design that reflects the company’s culture. From a rock climbing wall to a foam ball pit, the space offers fun, engaging features for both staff and visitors. A suspended gerbil tube, once meant for underground storage, was reimagined as a playful element that adds a unique touch to the space.
Colorful accents—like bold oranges and blues—create a lively atmosphere, while natural elements, such as recycled wood barn doors, introduce warmth and reflect the company’s active lifestyle ethos.
A Welcoming Space for Collaboration
The office layout includes multiple collaborative areas designed for cross-functional work and socializing. A spacious harvest table, a fully equipped kitchen, and a central living room space make it easy for staff to gather, eat, and bond over meals.
“Food and fellowship are integral to our culture, and this space reflects that.” — UltraCamp
Thinking Outside the Box
Abonmarche’s design team went beyond expectations to create a space that’s both functional and inspiring. The design team embraced the challenge of elevating mundane materials and integrating them into a high-tech yet comfortable environment.
“We let the space speak to us and focused on designing spaces that UltraCamp would truly use.”
The result? A space that inspires creativity and innovation while supporting the physical and emotional needs of the UltraCamp team.
A Catalyst for Community Growth
Since moving into their new headquarters in June 2017, UltraCamp has become a hub for innovation in downtown Niles. The office serves as a community center, hosting events and fostering connections within the local business scene. UltraCamp’s bold move has inspired others, proving that transformative design can thrive even in small communities.
“If UltraCamp can do something like this in Niles, then I can too.” — Local Business Owner
