As part of a larger effort to restore the historic façade of the Outpost building in downtown Holland, Michigan, ODL, Inc., a local business headquartered less than ten minutes from the site, contributed a unique window solution through its division, ODL Custom Solutions.
Project details
While the full renovation of the building includes several improvements to the structure and exterior, ODL Custom Solutions' role focused on designing and fabricating 10 custom transom window units that now span the area between the first and second floors of the storefront. The project was a collaborative effort with Pella Windows and Doors of Western Michigan and Restore Consulting, LLC, showcasing the impact of local partnerships in preserving the city's architectural character.
"Being a part of this project—just minutes from our corporate office and Michigan manufacturing facility—was special for our team," says Dave Converse, Supervisor, ODL Custom Solutions. "It's rewarding to build value into our community and support another local business with a solution that's both beautiful and functional."
The challenge was to obscure mechanical elements between floors while maintaining a traditional, decorative storefront appearance. ODL worked with Restore Consulting to explore several design mock-ups, ultimately landing on a cost-effective combination of satin etch and narrow reeded glass, enhanced with stick-on lead tape. The result mimics the look of vintage camed glass, but with modern efficiency and a more accessible price point.
To streamline installation, ODL pre-glazed each insulated glass unit into sashes provided by Pella, following Pella's glazing protocols. This delivered a fully assembled, ready-to-install product that met both design and scheduling needs.
The refreshed façade of the Outpost building is now an example of what can be achieved when local companies work together to honor the past while building for the future.
