Grand Rapids-based Pure Architects has acquired r.o.i. Design to bolster its capacity on the interior design side of projects.
Pure Architects’ acquisition of the full-service interior design and furniture procurement firm also based in Grand Rapids closed at the end of 2024.
“For us, as a mid-sized firm that works regionally, we want to have an ability to control the interior experience of a project,” said Pure Architects founder Zachary Verhulst. “So furniture and accessories are a critical component of that.”
Discussions between the two companies started around August. r.o.i. Design, which has nine employees, was founded in 1993 and will remain as its own company.
“This is an exciting change for r.o.i. Design,” said company founder Mary Witte. “After 31 years of delivering great designs to our beloved community, I have decided to step out of my current role as president and into the role of principal. While this decision was not made lightly, I am eager for the future and confident that we will continue to provide the world-class interior design services our customers have come to expect.”
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As principal, Witte will remain involved in r.o.i.’s operations, sales and design leadership. Deanna Klopcic will take over day-to-day management of the firm as its new managing director, and Heather Harrington Duthler is taking over as director of design at r.o.i.
“Mary and the team at r.o.i. have a longstanding reputation of quality personal service in our community,” Verhulst said. “They deliver design excellence, built on a collaborative approach with their clients. It’s the same high standards we follow here at Pure Architects.”
Combining the two firms also made sense for Pure Architects because Witte is such a staple in the community, Verhulst added.
EHTC and Dickinson Wright PLLC served as Pure Architects’ advisers on the deal.
Pure Architects was founded in 2020 and has offices at 422 Leonard St. NW and in Detroit. It is one of the few Black-owned design firms in West Michigan and has a staff of 30. Verhulst was recognized as Young Architect of the Year in 2024 by the Michigan Chapter of American Institute of Architects.
Verhulst said the r.o.i. Design deal was Pure Architects’ second acquisition after the firm previously acquired Detroit-based Fabrick Design LLC.
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