Summer 2021 Our first project: delivering a home run in Champaign
- Client Core Spaces
- Project HUB Champaign Daniel
- Install 4 weeks
- Units 247
- Bedrooms 536
- Install 4 weeks
- Completed August 2021
Collaborating with Core Spaces, we designed, manufactured, and installed a custom collection of unit furniture for their HUB Champaign Daniel project, which kicked off our ongoing partnership.
“It was the best decision we ever made. We would have been screwed without you guys.”
Joe Martino
Development Manager for HUB Champaign
Contents
Project overview
The design process
Mfg. & logistics
Installation
Replacement program
Project overview
Bedroom @ HUB Champaign
Living room @ HUB Champaign
This state-of-the-art 13-story residence, located one block from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus, accommodates 569 students in studio and one-to-five-bedroom apartments.
Scope
| Qty. | Product | |
|---|---|---|
| Bedroom | 536 | Beds & mattresses |
| 354 | Wardrobes | |
| Living | 231 | Sofas |
| 131 | Poufs | |
| 379 | Coffee tables | |
| 121 | TV stands | |
| Dining | 83 | Kitchen islands |
| 462 | Counter stools | |
| Total | 2,297 | Furniture pieces |
Living room @ HUB Champaign
Timeline
| Step | Duration | |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Design | 4 weeks |
| Materials sourcing | 4 weeks | |
| Phase 2 | Overseas production | 4 weeks |
| Domestic production | JIT | |
| Phase 3 | Overseas shipping | 4 weeks |
| Domestic shipping | JIT | |
| Phase 4 | Install—July 2021 | 4 weeks |
| Result | Student move-in | Aug 2021 |
The design process
An early moodboard for HUB Champaign
Over two to three months, we collaborated with the Core team to design a bespoke collection of unit furniture, their first custom line. This collection served as the template for the evolution of their FF&E program.
Goals
-
Elevated design
- Produce design-forward yet comfortable furniture
- Ensure connection between trend-forward common spaces and tenant units
-
Increased durability
- Create a collection that stands up to the wear and tear of student life
- Design around how students live with their furniture, especially high-traffic pieces
-
Budget-friendly
- Engineer the collection to balance design + durability with student-living budgets
- Modularity: create layout-friendly designs that work across varied floor plans
FF&E assortment for HUB Champaign
The design process was broken into three phases:
-
Concepting
Given this was Core’s inaugural custom collection we devoted quality time to this phase. We went through multiple rounds of mood-boarding followed by concepting for each product. Simultaneously, we spent time on material direction and sourcing. Throughout we worked closely with Studio K, the client’s interior designer for this project.
-
Development
Once the initial designs were complete we worked with the client on color selections, material options, and dimensions for each piece. As they were dealing with inconsistent floor plans and space constraints, we not only designed the collection to be modular but also produced different variants to fit each unit.
-
Sample production
We then produced multiple samples for Core and Studio K to review in person. During this process we were able to value-engineer certain aspects of the products, and work out any kinks. Once samples were approved we moved to full production in early 2021.
Manufacturing & logistics:
a world in crisis
With long-established global and domestic manufacturing relationships we leveraged a hybrid manufacturing approach for this project. This helped offset pandemic-related supply chain risks, while delivering a ROOMY-quality product within budget.
In 2021, we confronted the most difficult global supply chain challenges in half a century. Furniture demand surged while production slowed due to labor and raw material shortages, in addition to a container shortage causing port backups. Nevertheless, we collaborated with our partners to secure materials, production, and container capacity well in advance. Despite delays, we received all overseas products 100% on time.
To streamline the installation process, we centralized our overseas and domestic products in a warehouse near the property. This enabled us to make staged deliveries, avoiding congestion on site due to space constraints. Additionally, it ensured that our install team had precisely what they needed at each stage of the installation.
Install: where it all comes together
-
Install duration
- 4 weeks
- 2 weeks ahead of schedule
-
Team
- 2 leads
- 5 installers
- 5 movers
ROOMY team on a site visit to Champaign
We take the installation process seriously, as it can make or break a project. In preparation for this project, we collaborated closely with the client and GC for months to plan and understand our role in the critical path. The installation occurred over four weeks in the summer of 2021.
To streamline the process, we delivered our products to the property in a pre-planned sequence and stocked various storage areas in the parking garage by product. Our team set up a staging area for assembling smaller products such as coffee tables, desks, and chairs.
Movers delivered the products and any necessary loose parts to the units, while our installers assembled beds, TV stands, and kitchen islands from top to bottom. After the completion of each unit, install leads inspected and ensured client approval. Throughout the process, we broke down packaging to reduce dumpster space and recycled all pallets.
We left the site clean and tidy, and finished the installation two weeks ahead of schedule, ensuring a smooth student move-in day.
Replacement program
Make your investment go further.
Our pieces are engineered for longevity, but things happen ... especially in student living :)
For this reason, we design our furniture with replaceable components. This decreases your TCO (total cost of ownership), and it’s better for the environment. For example, why replace an entire desk when you can replace the desktop?
Our reorders process is easy and transparent.
We also offer replacement logistics services from threshold delivery to full in-unit install and replacement.
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