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Design Construction Concepts completes Prairie-style oasis for color and design expert

Designers speak a common language of color and space, proportion and balance. When they collaborate and share their unique expertise toward a collective vision, it all comes together into a beautiful, functional design with lasting value.

That was evident throughout our collaboration with Kirsten Gordon, owner of Bloom Magic Weddings, an award-winning floral design shop that is sought after for its stunning creations and personalized approach.

Kirsten chose Design Construction Concepts to help renovate her home’s primary bathroom suite to better reflect the Prairie-style architecture of the house, which was designed by a student of Frank Lloyd Wright. Rather than gutting the room to merely replace outdated fixtures, Kirsten was looking for a return to form, incorporating the classic Prairie-style principles of open, horizontal space, natural light and purposeful ornamentation.

It was equally important, however, that the new bathroom not become a time capsule of early 20th century American design. It had to reflect Kirsten’s personal style and include the modern conveniences homeowners have come to expect, while also retaining value for decades to come.

As Kirsten is an expert in color and creating sensory experiences, we followed her lead to conceptualize a room that would be beautiful, functional, durable and of lasting quality.

Just as she does with her floral designs, Kirsten created a color palette that would support an atmosphere that is both luxe and natural. Her inspiration included an oil painting of a sunset, a recurring motif in her worldwide travels, from which she extrapolated hues that would create the desired energy and ambiance.

From this master plan, we collaborated on different materials, from lighting to tiles, faucets to overall finishes, to bring the project to life. The vanity and mosaic tile feature wall were selected as the focal point of the room, creating a collage of color and character offset by brushed bronze accents on the medicine cabinets, towel bars, vanity accents and faucets.

Design Construction Concepts reimagined the room’s floor plan to create a more open and functional space, while also providing new storage options. A full-steam shower, freestanding soaking tub and heated floors round out the room, creating a cohesive, relaxing environment that is as functional as it is beautiful.

We not only helped Kirsten bring her vision to life, we did it with the finest, most durable materials, on time and within budget, creating what is now one of the finest rooms in the house.

Our Response to COVID-19

(Updated January 25, 2021)

As we continue our work as an essential industry, we are taking unprecedented precautions to slow the spread of COVID-19, and to support our workers and trade partners who continue to arrive on our job sites and work every day. Our job sites are all continuing to move forward, and work is being conducted with care, with an eye to social distancing on the job site as much as possible, as well as increased sanitation, signage and protective equipment. If you have any questions about our response, please contact us at info@mosaicconstruction.net.

(Updated March 16, 2020)

To our valued clients, friends and family,

We care deeply about the health, safety and business success of everyone in our community, and about the quality and timely delivery of our projects under management. We want to personally provide you updates on the actions we are taking as we strive to deliver the best possible service given the current COVID-19 pandemic and related economic factors.

As this highly dynamic situation evolves, we will continue to monitor and adapt our approach as new information becomes available and will post that information here on this page.

While many of our team members are working remotely to answer any questions you may have, our Project Managers, at this writing, are continuing to work on-site and in our office overseeing current projects.

Please take a moment to review our policy below. Updates will appear above this note as they occur; we invite you to bookmark this page for new updates.

We’re all in this together; thank you for being an important part of our community.

Ira Singer, Mike Frazin & Andy Poticha
Principals
Mosaic Construction
Design Construction Concepts

Coronavirus Workplace Policy (as of 3/16/2020, subject to change)

As our Company continues to monitor the local, national and worldwide incidence of the coronavirus and the illness it causes, COVID-19, We continue to plan construction activities and if the situation changes it will be addressed on an ongoing basis. Trade Partners are asked to review the following workplace policies and guidance while they continue to work on projects and provide necessary services. It is likely this information will change as the situation evolves and more becomes known. Questions may be directed to the Safety Board, Safety@mosaicconstruction.net.

Mosaic’s priorities in setting these workplace policies are to:

  • Maintain a safe and healthy workplace, including minimizing the transmission of contagious disease;
  • Encourage an ethos of fairness, open communications and concern for the wellbeing of all trades people.
  • Being extra vigilant and careful not to infect the jobsites, if possible.
  • Providing timely communication to keep everyone informed of the latest developments of policy changes.
  • Mosaic’s policy and procedures remain intact and all project operations and construction will be sustained until we hear otherwise from our clients or the government.

Most Important Actions to Take Now

  1. Create Contingency plans to continue jobsite activities by preparing for increased absenteeism by cross training employees to handle other functions, identifying alternative suppliers, and prioritizing activities onsite to keep moving forward to accomplish critical path items.
  2. Provide Mosaic Construction notice of any supplier or man-power issue that will affect the delivery or installation schedules.
  3. All trade partners are urged to take basic preventive measures to avoid exposure to or infection by the virus causing COVID-19.
    1. Simple measures can help lower your risk of becoming infected. We all have a responsibility to prevent the spread of flu, cold, and other illnesses. Dense social and public spaces can present an increased risk of contracting and spreading illnesses, and prevention is centered on good hygiene:
    2. Avoid hand to hand contact with others. NO handshakes.
    3. Provide ALL onsite personnel with alcohol-based hand cleaners (cover all surfaces and rub until dry).
    4. Cough/sneeze into a tissue. Dispose of used tissues immediately into a trash can. If you don’t have a tissue, cough/sneeze into the crook of your elbow, not your hands.
    5. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth, which accelerates the spread of infections.
    6. Avoid close contact with others who are sick.
    7. If you are sick, avoid contact with others, including parties, meetings, and events.
    8. Do not share glasses, eating utensils, water bottles, cigarettes/vapes/JUULs, lipstick/makeup, etc.
  4. Mosaic affiliates who have recently been in an area of high concern for COVID-19, which is being defined as a CDC Level 3 area, should Inform the Mosaic Safety Board and self-isolate until you receive formal advice from medical professionals.
  5. Prepare to shut down, if necessary, while maintaining jobsite safety and mitigating damage caused by a shut down.

Jobsite Policies

  • Well Employees: Tradesmen who are well are expected at work as usual, even if they have been in contact with or caring for someone who is ill with an ordinary respiratory illness (in which case, typical preventive measures are recommended for them as caregivers). Well employees are expected at work unless they have been:
    • caring for someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19, in which case they are required to self-isolate;
    • in a CDC Level 3 area of concern;
      • Note: If any of these situations apply to you, please confidentially self-report to the Safety Board at Safety@mosaicconstruction.net. The employee should be instructed to refrain from attending work as recommended by medical professionals or the public health board.
  • Sick Employees: Team members who have symptoms of respiratory illness must stay home and not come to work until they are free of fever, and any other symptoms for at least 24 hours, without the use of fever-reducing or other symptom-altering medicines (e.g., cough suppressants). A fever is defined as a temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius taken by an oral thermometer. Those with concerns or questions about their illness or seeking advice about whether to come to work are invited to email the Safety Board at Safety@mosaicconstruction.net.

JoAnn Sandoval Joins Mosaic Construction as Director of Accounting

Welcome to our newest team member, JoAnn Sandoval! JoAnn Sandoval, our new Director of Accounting, brings her extensive business knowledge and skills in accounting management to the Mosaic team. Most recently, she worked for a non-profit organization, where she oversaw the financial accounts of thousands of families as well as hundreds of community service groups while making sure that she built and maintained strong relationships with the staff and the community. JoAnn enjoys cooking, gardening, and watching the Cubs, Bears, and Blackhawks, but above all else, she loves spending time with her family. Welcome, JoAnn!

Design Construction Concepts Commences Construction on New Brightmont Academy Location in Northfield, IL

NORTHBROOK, IL (AUGUST 4, 2020) – Design Construction Concepts, a full-service design-build renovation firm, is pleased to announce the start of construction on a new educational location for Brightmont Academy at 1799 Willow Road in Northfield, IL, just west of the Edens Expressway. The fully accredited private school’s Northfield campus is being designed by OKW Architects to provide a positive learning environment with individual spaces for safe, one-to-one customized instruction.

“We’re very excited to be able to rejuvenate a challenging site and revitalize the gateway to Northfield,” said Andy Poticha, Principal at Design Construction Concepts. “This building is an ideal place where parents can walk to downtown Northfield, grab a coffee next door, or run errands while their kids receive individualized instruction inside.”

Located in a former showroom, adjacent to the Starbucks at the north-east corner of Willow Road and Central Avenue, the 3,500-square-foot renovation will retain many of the existing eclectic ceiling features and wall treatments. The renovation will convert the space to meet the needs of Brightmont’s unique one-to-one educational model.

“It’s been a pleasure partnering with Design Construction Concepts on this renovation of eclectic space,” observed Andrew Koglin, President at OKW Architects. “Their solutions-oriented approach was a good cultural fit for this unique educational model.  Andy Poticha and his team have been good partners for us and Brightmont as we developed design solutions that married the school’s needs with the unusual existing space within their budget.”

Brightmont Academy’s fully accredited, unique one student to one teacher educational approach has helped thousands of students in grades 6-12 succeed academically. Brightmont serves students who thrive on individual instruction, whether they are gifted or have learning challenges. They empower students to actively engage in their studies at their own pace and offer a range of programs from full-time school with open enrollment, to individual coursestutoring, and skill-building programs.

Design Construction Concepts (DCC) offers highly-customized, curated commercial and residential design-build services and is a brand affiliated with Mosaic Construction. Led by Andy Poticha, Ira Singer and Mike Frazin, DCC delivers uncompromising customer service as they realize client visions in locations across the United States. For more information, visit dcc-inc.net and mosaicconstruction.net.

Design Construction Concepts Completes Summer Camp Improvement Project New pool house and pavilion await 2020 Apachi Day Camp campers

 

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NORTHBROOK, IL  – Design Construction Concepts, a full-service design-build renovation firm, is pleased to announce the completion of a series of construction and renovation updates at JCC Chicago’s  ‘Z’ Frank Apachi Day Camp in Northbrook, IL. Designed to be welcoming and accommodating, the 14,000-square-foot renovations to the pool house and outdoor pavilion are ready and waiting to greet a new season of campers this summer.

“We are proud to partner with JCC Chicago on its Apachi Day Camp renovation and contribute to creating a positive, accessible and inclusionary camp experience for all,” said Andy Poticha, Principal at Design Construction Concepts. “We truly value our long-standing relationship with JCC Chicago and the Jewish United Fund (JUF), and are especially excited for this project as it is located in our own backyard.”

The renovated 9,500-square-foot pool house features new shower rooms, new bathrooms and new outdoor lockers with an eight-foot-high shade tree canopy and playful tile, all built in compliance with ADA standards with specific focus on the needs of campers with disabilities.

The newest improvements at ‘Z’ Frank Apachi Day Camp complement the expansive 4,500-square-foot outdoor pavilion completed last fall by Design Construction Concepts. The all-season, wooden focal point was designed for all camp events, including Shabbat celebrations.

“‘Z’ Frank Apachi Day Camp has been a summer home for campers for generations,” said Addie Goodman, President & CEO, JCC Chicago. “Working in partnership with Design Construction Concepts and our generous funders has allowed us to bring today’s vision for ‘Z’ Frank Apachi to reality. We can’t wait to see our campers enjoy these beautiful campus improvements when camp opens on July 6th.”

These projects were generously funded by community support and a grant provided by Foundation for Jewish Camp’s Yashar Initiative, funded by The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation. The Yashar Initiative grants enable Jewish day and overnight camps to make important capital improvements to increase accessibility for campers and staff with disabilities.

JCC Chicago is a non-profit organization inspired by Jewish values, bridging traditions and generations to create a more vibrant, connected community. JCC Chicago is a partner with the Jewish United Fund in serving the community.

Design Construction Concepts (DCC) offers highly-customized, curated commercial and residential design-build services and is a brand affiliated with Mosaic Construction. Led by Andy Poticha, Ira Singer and Mike Frazin, DCC delivers uncompromising customer service as they realize client visions in locations across the United States. For more information, visit dcc-inc.net and mosaicconstruction.net.

Updates on our latest commercial builds

Our field teams have been very busy as they continue to make progress on several commercial renovations. Watching these projects come together has been an enjoyable experience; these behind-the-scenes pictures illustrate the complexity of the work that goes into making amazing spaces happen. We are looking forward to seeing these projects move towards completion throughout the summer.

Mosaic Construction Announces Launch of New Medical Office Project for TCA Health on Chicago’s South Side

CHICAGO, IL – Mosaic Construction, LLC, a full-service design-build commercial and multifamily renovation firm, is pleased to announce the start of construction on a new medical office renovation project for TCA Health, a medical clinic serving an at-risk community on Chicago’s far south side at 1029 East 130th Street.

The 2,700-square-foot, grant-funded project will update and transform the patient reception area, waiting rooms, private offices, counsel rooms, and connecting corridors in the East Wing to match an earlier renovation of the building. Demolition and renovation of the East Wing started in May 2020 and will feature new lighting, flooring, paint, acoustic ceiling tiles, stainless steel corner guards, and other finishes complementing the facility.

“We are proud to partner with TCA Health on their East Wing renovation and contribute to a bright, happy and positive environment for both patients and staff as they provide much-needed integrated primary care and behavioral health services to the Chicago south side community,” said Ira Singer, Principal at Mosaic Construction.

“This new project represents the continued expansion of our work in the healthcare sector including medical office renovation services, interior construction of assisted living and independent living facilities, ambulatory care centers and similar spaces,” continued Singer. “It’s also a great opportunity for us to work with new trade partners and to reinforce our partnership with Manske Dieckmann Thompson, an architecture firm that has been involved with the original building renovation since the beginning.”

“We appreciate the service excellence, ongoing communication, and neat professional workspace that the Mosaic Construction team has been maintaining thus far,” said Samantha Oliver Mitchell, Chief Operating Officer at TCA Health, Inc. As an essential service during this unique time of operating during COVID-19, Mosaic Construction has instituted unprecedented protocols to support workers and trade partners on all of their job sites, including providing personal protective equipment, using increased sanitation and signage, staggering trade partners’ presence onsite, and scheduling multiple shifts to promote social distancing.

Mosaic Construction offers commercial, multifamily and residential design-build services and is a brand affiliated with Design Construction Concepts. Led by Andy Poticha, Ira Singer and Mike Frazin, Mosaic’s teams deliver uncompromising customer service as they realize client visions in locations across the United States. For more information, visit mosaicconstruction.net and dcc-inc.net.

Increasing multifamily renovation ROI in a time of COVID-19 By Ira Singer, RE Journals

Our Principal Ira Singer shares his insights on how multifamily investors can achieve the greatest ROI on their properties through value-add renovations while ensuring that workers are practice COVID-19 protocol. With a recession looming, Ira discusses how choosing building improvement projects carefully is more important than ever before. For multifamily owners and investors, it’s essential not to over-improve a building; updates that reflect the asset class of the property are most advisable and should be designed to drive occupancy and increase rents.

Read more of Ira’s thoughts on RE Journals.