A health technology company located in the Third Ward of downtown Milwaukee, WI, Red Arrow, needed sophisticated solutions to adapt two floors at the heart of their workplace into multi-tasking, co-working spaces. Interior designer Matthew Kerr brought on Ascend Design for the project in which moveable magnetic, dry-erase panels were conceived and fabricated to roll freely with the use of custom engineered hardware and cool flashing LED skateboard wheels and trucks.  In addition, stylish red Fitzfelt panels were designed to serve as tech-savvy brand statement pieces while offering acoustic properties for sound management and meeting privacy.  

Lesaffre Conference Room Reboot

Formerly Red Star Yeast, Lesaffre’s global headquarters in Milwaukee, WI hosts international and local visitors and clients. Ascend Design was brought in for environmental branding design to help tell the story of its proud history. The main conference room was completely renovated and outfitted with printed wall coverings in which, swallow icons from the Lesaffre logo became “pixels'“ of images featuring the production of its main product, yeast. The room also received a rafter-style cloud ceiling treatment with alternating maple and edge-lit acrylic and drop pendant lighting engineered exactly for the space, along with custom shelving.  Everything from the color palate to technology requirements were brought into the concepts. Securely installed high above the office bull pen, a seven foot reinterpretation of the iconic Red Star Yeast sign was designed and engineered using neon and aluminum channel construction. Lobby signage and other special touches like blue and red acrylic features on maple shelving helped tie the workspaces together.

Timeless Avalon Theater Makeover

“We want to provide an alternative experience, where people can say, ‘oh, yeah, it definitely is different than going to a multiplex,” said Avalon Atmospheric Theater & Lounge owner Lee Barczak. In this vein, Ascend Design helped bring back the original grandeur of this 1929 Mediterranean Revival style theater in Bay View, WI by first designing the logo and then reimagining and engineering the starlit ceiling, custom bar/lounge, and concession stands to suit its Moorish Revival heritage. Perhaps, the most prominent piece is the ornate marquee illuminated in rich gold and bronze. “We brought back a marquee that is reminiscent of what marquees looked like in the glory days.”

Located on the square adjacent to our State Capitol in Madison, WI, Grace Episcopal Church sought to modernize and stylize its signage throughout the congregational campus. Struck by the beautiful quatrefoil in the church nave, Ascend Design incorporated the symbol as the centerpiece of its interior and exterior ADA compliant wayfinding signage.

Safe & Sound called upon us to create “stand-out” awards for top leaders. Complementing the theme of their event, building community one block at a time, the interactive, fully customized designs engaged the recipient in a unique way and became works of art as much as awards. Thank you gifts were designed to carry out the theme in an equally special treatment for recipients to display with pride.