AIA’s annual Honor awards celebrate excellence in local architecture and architectural design by honoring projects completed, individual architects, students, and community leaders for their contributions to the profession. Founded in 1857, AIA is the preeminent professional organization for architects across the country, working to create more valuable, healthy, secure, and sustainable buildings, neighborhoods, and communities through the creation and promotion of ethical standards and code of conduct for all members.

As part of the Kentwood’s 2021 bond, a new culinary arts center addition replaced the high school’s 1970s style kitchen with a state-of-the-art facility. New appliances and technology support innovative curriculum in the new instructional kitchen, which now provides students with on-campus access to technical programs that prepare students for real-world experiences after high school. 

“Our district prides itself on our ability to provide real-world experiences and innovative learning,” said Kevin Polston, Superintendent at Kentwood Public Schools. “The new culinary arts spaces exemplify that mission by giving students meaningful skills and practical knowledge that will positively influence their futures.”

East Kentwood High School currently offers two levels of culinary arts classes: an introductory class for students to learn basic cooking techniques, measurements, nutrition, and safety; and another where students learn more advanced techniques and commercial-level cooking.

“The learning that takes place in our culinary arts facility involves more than just a cooking class. Students are building lifelong skills in time management, teamwork, food safety, and professional service — skills that directly translate into careers and college opportunities,” said Chef Donald Ram, East Kentwood High School Culinary Arts Instructor.

By combining GMB’s strong foundation in education design services with Richard L. Johnson Associates’ deep understanding of the local market, we are building a team that is both nationally connected and locally grounded. This partnership allows us to bring the depth and breadth of national education best practices while remaining closely attuned to the unique needs of individual districts and communities.

“We are excited to welcome Richard L. Johnson Associates’ team and clients to GMB,” said David Bolt, President and CEO of GMB. “This acquisition brings together the strengths of both organizations, enhancing our collective capabilities and allowing us to create an even greater positive impact. By working as one team, we’ll be able to deliver more innovative solutions, support districts in reaching their goals, and ultimately improve the educational experience for students across the Midwest.”

Richard L. Johnson Associates, based in Rockford, Illinois, will continue serving more than 30 school districts in Northwest Illinois.

Scott Johnson, one of Richard L. Johnson Associates’ firm principals, has expressed excitement that clients will benefit from GMB’s additional in-house capabilities and educational design knowledge.

“I am very proud to be a part of this strategic acquisition,” said Johnson. “By combining our expertise in K-12 education, higher education, and broad experience in educational design, we’re building a full-service team that can collaborate across geographies and provide long-term value for our clients.”

The Richard L. Johnson Associates team will become part of GMB’s Team of Teams structure, which encourages autonomy and responsibility over the traditional hierarchical business model. GMB is also a 100% employee-owned company.

“As we grow and expand our educational ecosystem, we are inspired by the transformative work happening in classrooms across the country. We look forward to learning from these new partners and supporting how their clients are addressing today’s educational challenges,” added Bolt.

Creating an Abundance Mindset

An abundance mindset, a philosophy championed by author Dr. Peter Diamandis, is the belief that there are enough resources and opportunities for everyone to thrive. This contrasts with a scarcity mindset, which operates on the notion that resources are limited, leading to competition and fear of lack.

Today, we have access to more information and more resources than any generation before us. So how can we leverage those resources and work together to create a world of abundance? As part of your team, we address the needs of your buildings and brands so you can focus on what matters most: your students.

Educators face the challenge of helping learners to level up. From administration to teachers, they strive to create an environment where students’ needs are met, allowing them to achieve their unique potential. This often means ensuring even their basic physical and psychological needs, like safety and food security, are addressed. We want to align with educators who are helping students achieve more by fulfilling these needs and moving them towards their purpose — that’s how we’re making a meaningful difference in the world.

The Power of Vulnerability and Trust

So how does this all work? Within GMB, we aim to cultivate a culture of vulnerability and trust. This approach leads to better collaboration and innovation as team members feel safe sharing ideas and taking risks. And these values extend to the relationships we have with clients. We build cooperative and trusting partnerships through transparency and open communication, which are essential for successful project outcomes. By working closely with our clients, we ensure that their needs and visions are fully realized.

We strive to see the potential everywhere and in everyone. This approach to our work creates a snowball effect across the learning landscape, illustrating how sharing resources and knowledge can lead to greater creativity, invention, and abundance. As more people access resources and knowledge, they can contribute back to the community, creating a cycle of continuous improvement and innovation.

Our Vision for the Future

We like to think big. Think creatively. Think sustainably. Our vision is to contribute to an equitable and abundant future in education. We believe that by harnessing the power of integrated resources, we can help build educational environments that are inclusive and forward-thinking.

Our commitment to harnessing potential involves continuously seeking new ways to integrate our services and innovate. We aim to stay at the forefront of educational trends and technologies, ensuring that our clients benefit from the best solutions available. This philosophy will continue to drive our growth and innovation, guiding us as we expand our teams and impact throughout the educational ecosystem.

GMB has been a prominent fixture in downtown Holland since 1968, when the firm was originally founded. GMB has occupied the space on 8^th street for more than 20 years and has undergone several renovations as the firm’s progressed and grown. GMB embraces a flexible workplace as part of this evolution, and this latest transformation offers a unique space for GMB’s employees to connect their work in education design and planning to the new ways of navigating work and learning.

“As GMB continues to expand our services and our team, it was essential that our spaces reflect the exciting changes happening within our organization,” said David Bolt, CEO and President of GMB. “Our newly renovated Learning Hub blends more than 50 years of history with a contemporary environment that embraces the future of work. We look forward to welcoming our teams and clients into a dynamic environment that fosters creativity, flexibility, and collaboration.”

The Learning Hub includes diverse workspaces ranging from a workshop supporting experimentation through making, group learning and meeting spaces, and focused work areas to support a broad set of needs. Robust technology throughout the hub blends in-person and virtual connections, extending team collaboration beyond geographic locations. Individuals can use an app to sign into the Learning Hub on days they will be physically present and can reserve a space for the kind of work best fits their day-to-day schedule, whether that’s a desk with monitors, a small meeting room, or a less structured workshop space. GMB’s Learning Hub spaces are also available to reserve for clients, students, and community education opportunities.

GMB has worked on many education projects in the Holland area with partners at Hope College, Holland Christian Schools, Grand Rapids Community College’s Lakeshore Campus, West Ottawa Public Schools, Holland Public Schools and more. Other notable projects in Holland that GMB has designed include Lakeshore Advantage’s new Next Center, renovations to the Holland Civic Center, Window on the Waterfront Parks new skating rink, and the Sally Smoly Nature Playscape.

Since 2013, SEC has brought high-level security assessments to workplaces and schools across the United States. A team of former Secret Service agents, Homeland Security agents, Green Berets, Navy SEALS, and law enforcement officers came together to provide realistic recommendations and customized security services. SEC provides unrivaled expertise to ensure a successful project from beginning to end. Learn more at www.secprotects.com.

About Up&Up

Up&Up is a purpose-driven marketing agency that specializes in branding, enrollment marketing, web experiences, and digital marketing for those in the higher education space. Through close collaboration and strategy, we help our clients push their brands further to connect, engage, and resonate with their audiences in a meaningful way that drives enrollment and results. We uplift our clients, helping them stand apart and above. Learn more at www.upandup.agency.

CPTED training teaches participants that proper design and effective use of the built and social environment achieves a more productive use of space and a reduction of crime. The course covers topics that include site plan review, report writing, establishment and/or elimination of barriers, planning and zoning, and behavioral management.

“School security, and public safety in general, is a topic on the minds of every parent and community member. We were happy to host this timely training for our education clients and local law enforcement,” said Ron Boezwinkle, GMB Client Lead. Boezwinkle is also a member of an advisory board for Secure Education Consultants (SEC). “We learned valuable, real-world strategies that can be implemented in education environments and communities right away.”

This course also included a CPTED field assessment at local school districts to review existing site safety and security in the greater Grand Rapids community. CPTED training reinforces the importance placed on safety and security throughout local facilities and the community.

“As someone who regularly conducts security assessments, this training has helped provide a new way of observing and opened my eyes to other ways of addressing areas of concern,” said Shane Davis, Senior Lead Consultant at Secure Education Consultants. “CPTED training provided a number of new ideas to consider when making recommendations to our clients after conducting a security assessment as well as advising clients on new building or renovations projects.”

The in-person course was held at GMB’s Grand Rapids Learning Hub, which officially opened its doors in October 2022. GMB’s goal for Learning Hubs is to create an experiential and welcoming place for both clients and employees that encourages the exchange of knowledge and learning together. The Learning Hub, located at 555 4^th Street, is available to reserve for GMB clients, student groups, and other community education opportunities.

Additional information about CPTED can also be found at the following link: CPTED Professional Designation (CPD) Credential 

“The opening of our second Learning Hub in Royal Oak is an exciting next step for our organization and the education clients we work with in the community,” said Rob Den Besten, Chief Operations Officer at GMB. “We have the opportunity to collaborate with and learn from our team members, students and educators in this space, which is what we are really passionate about.”

A number of GMB’s clients are located within the greater Detroit area, including Ferndale Public Schools, Woodhaven-Brownstown School District, Clarkston Public Schools, and more, that can benefit from Learning Hub spaces, which are available to reserve for GMB clients, students, and community education opportunities.

GMB’s team gathered from across the nation in Detroit in January at a pop-up Learning Hub for the company’s annual GMB University, a two-day conference focused on team building and group learning. In line with the company’s focus for 2023 of “Great Teams Build,” GMB is looking to attract new ideal teammates to join GMB as the organization expands.

“GMB doesn’t operate within a hierarchical structure that is typical within our industry,” said Rose Wagner who works on GMB’s workforce growth team. “Instead, we operate like a network of teams that come together around specific goals. We are excited to welcome our team members into this redesigned, flexible workspace and for the opportunity to expand our team as we continue to grow in the region.”

GMB has worked in Southeast Michigan for more than 20 years and opened its first location in Royal Oak in 2018. GMB is 100% employee-owned by its trained educational planners, designers, and engineers.

GMB’s third physical Learning Hub, located in Holland, Michigan, is set to begin remodeling in the summer of 2023.