Elevate Studio Architecture Design began in 2006 as studio jv|a, an architectural design and consulting firm in Grand Rapids, MI. After 18 years of professional growth and achievement with a regional firm, and with a vision for a highly personal, hands-on approach to collaborative work and client participation, Jim VanderMolen founded the firm to specialize in the planning and design of spaces for spiritual and social community. Services include architectural and interior design and documentation, as well as consulting for pre-design programming and facility...

Philosophy of Design

We believe that every person has a right to a healthy, safe and sustainable environment and that the quality of one’s surroundings directly influences quality of life. We do not believe that quality necessarily means higher cost; rather, we believe that quality reflects value – the wise and appropriate investment of scarce resources toward a higher purpose.

We believe in stewardship. For many projects, the cost of construction often represents sacrificial giving on the part of the owner. We take our role as keepers of your funds very...

We believe that projects best embody the spirit and vision of the client when the design process is creative, interactive and fun. We employ several techniques to ensure broad participation from the staff and users in a context of teamwork and camaraderie. We will work with you to determine which of these activities best suit the programming process to discover and understand your mission, vision, and values. What results is buzz and momentum in the constituency, unity around core values and strategies, equipped ambassadors for the project, and fuel for the design team and...

Programming

Master Planning

Feasibility Studies

Architectural Design

Interior Design

Consulting

Liturgical Furnishings and Art

Here's what others are saying about us:

"Steve's assignment for Church of the Servant was to craft a major addition to a distinctively styled building designed by an internationally known architect. His design creatively integrated with the original concept. For a community as aesthetically alert as this one, that is a very important factor. It's as functional as it is visually striking. And he brought the project in on time and on budget. Altogether worthy of the awards he has won." -

David Diephouse, Council President, Church of the Servant CRC, Kentwood,...

Over the past few decades, Christians have become increasingly aware of the impact modern life has on both the environment and the economy through resource usage, operating costs and pollution. This awareness has led to the concept of Creation Care, a principle of stewardship based on God’s command for humans to be caretakers of the earth (Genesis 2:15). As architects, we embrace our role as participants in this calling to inform our clients of the options available, guide them to an appropriate decision and apply principles of sustainable design wherever appropriate. We – along with our...

October 2019 - Elevate Studio was awarded the Unbuilt Project Award by AIA Grand Rapids for the American Mission Hospital Chapel located in A’ali, Bahrain, and owned by the Reformed Church in America (Consulting Architect: Aref Sadeq Design Consultants).

October 2018 - Elevate Studio was awarded the Small Commercial Project Award by AIA Grand Rapids for the Behavior Analyst of West Michigan building in Walker, MI.

September 2017 - Elevate Studio's Steve...