Projects

Overview

The project included the full renovation of a single family home. It encompassed exterior upgrades, including a new roof, windows, and siding, as well as an interior redesign with an open-plan kitchen, living spaces, and fully renovated kitchen and bathrooms. Exterior work included a new deck, landscaping, privacy fence and landscape wall. It also included a complete systems overhaul, replacing oil baseboard heating with an energy-efficient heat pump system, alongside updated electrical and plumbing systems.

Overview

The project required transforming an unfinished basement into a fully functional accessory dwelling unit (ADU) designed as an open studio apartment. The unit features a bathroom, kitchenette, living room, and bedroom, thoughtfully arranged to optimize space and natural light. Challenges, including ensuring sufficient ceiling height and proper egress, while addressing moisture concerns with moisture-resistant materials and insulation. The project enhanced the property’s value and livability and allowed an underutilized space to be turned into a practical, high-quality living space.

Overview

Maaksel provided pro-bono design input to help the church transform an underutilized, vacant space into a vibrant dual-purpose area that serves as both a commercial and a worship space. During the week, the space operates as a coffee shop and meeting area, fostering social interaction and fellowship through its welcoming, accessible design. The layout encourages community engagement with flexible seating arrangements. On Sundays, the space transitions into a dedicated worship space. To address acoustic challenges, the design incorporates sound-absorbing materials and strategic spatial planning to balance the lively ambiance of a coffee shop with the nature of worship services. Adjustable acoustic elements, such as movable partitions and curtains, allow the space to adapt to its varying uses, ensuring optimal sound quality for both social interactions and worship activities. This project not only revitalized the space but also strengthens the church’s mission of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a diverse community.

Overview

Maaksel provided pro-bono design services to a church plant to revitalize an aging building the congregation purchased. The project involved renovations to childcare and nursery spaces, a meeting room, and the renovation of a basement fellowship hall, as well as transforming a storage closet into an accessible bathroom. Maaksel assisted with space planning, schematic design and selection of durable finishes to craft functional and welcoming environments. The updated childcare and nursery areas provide a nurturing space for children, while the new bathroom ensures inclusivity and comfort for members with disabilities. These revitalized spaces allowed the church to meet the needs of its growing congregation and support its mission of Glorifying God, Making Disciples, and Planting Churches.

Overview

Maaksel collaborated with a startup to perform a feasibility study, programming, and schematic design for transforming a 7,000 square foot vacant basement into a music school serving both children and adults. The envisioned facility was designed to feature a variety of spaces, including teacher rooms, practice rooms, ensemble rooms, a recording studio, a library, offices, administrative support areas with a kitchenette, and instrument lockers. During the programming phase, Maaksel identified the specific spatial and functional requirements for the school, while the schematic design phase developed initial layouts to optimize the basement’s potential. The feasibility study evaluated several critical factors including and financial feasibility. Despite these efforts, the project was halted as the startup could not secure adequate funding to move forward.