Project Strategy

The design of the convention center, located along the Illinois River in Peoria, embraced the natural beauty of its surroundings, incorporating the river as a key element. The challenge was to evoke the river's essence subtly, avoiding obvious or cliché design choices. The final aesthetic thoughtfully blended water and earth tones drawn from the river and its environment, creating a calming and familiar atmosphere for local visitors.

An innovative design solution was employed in the tile pattern, which is vital for the end user’s needs. Traditionally, such a pattern would require a multitude of SKUs, but Milliken introduced the “Continuous Random” concept. This approach allows for a single SKU to be ordered, ensuring that every tile fits seamlessly into the overall design, simplifying both installation and maintenance by eliminating the need for excess stock.

The installation process posed a unique challenge due to the ongoing operations of the Civic Center. The project team worked around scheduled events, minimizing disruption to patrons and ensuring the venue remained fully operational throughout the duration of the installation.

In the end, the design, installation, and coordination came together flawlessly, achieving a harmonious balance between functionality and aesthetic appeal.

Unique Installation Challenge Strategy

One of the key hurdles was navigating the project’s design and tile selection. Traditionally, the tile pattern for such a large-scale installation (100,000 SF) would require a multitude of different SKUs, which would complicate both the ordering process and installation. However, Milliken introduced the “Continuous Random” concept, a groundbreaking solution that allowed for a single SKU to be ordered. This innovative design ensured that every tile fit perfectly into the overall pattern, simplifying the installation process and eliminating the need for excess stock.

The real challenge, however, lay in executing this installation while the Civic Center continued its regular schedule of events. The team had to coordinate the installation around an active venue, working around event schedules and minimizing downtime for the end user.

The end-user's flexibility and through our meticulous planning allowed the team to work within the confined windows provided by the Civic Center's event calendar, ensuring the project progressed smoothly and on time.

Moreover, with the “Continuous Random” tile solution, the team was able to install without any unnecessary delays or complications from managing multiple SKUs. This not only ensured efficiency but also resulted in significant savings for the client, who avoided stocking excess materials or dealing with the complexities of managing a variety of SKUs.

In the end, the installation was completed successfully, delivering a beautiful and functional space for the Civic Center. The innovative tile design, coupled with our team's ability to navigate logistical challenges and maintain a smooth installation process, ensured a positive outcome that exceeded the client’s expectations.

Single Source Interior Contractor Award Strategy

The key to securing the job was to convince the end user that we could manage the entire design process in-house, which not only provided significant cost savings for the Civic Center but also gave us the opportunity to showcase our in-house design and custom capabilities. This was an important step in ensuring that our solution would be both comprehensive and tailored to their needs.

The next major hurdle was the bid process and the logistical challenges of coordinating an installation within an active civic center. The solution came through multiple visits and conversations, where I introduced the benefits of using the Sourcewell Co-Op contract. This approach enabled us to bypass the traditional bidding process, as the pricing had already undergone a competitive bid process.

From concept to design, product selection, and installation, our approach not only met but exceeded the expectations of the Civic Center, solidifying this as a landmark achievement in our portfolio