One of my favorite things about being an installer is our little or no downtime policy on renovation projects. We create scenarios where our customers business can continue as normal while we are renovating their space. A recent example of this was the transformation of a casino buffet environment. This off hours install started late at night and ended early in the morning so buffet operations continued throughout the project. Each evening at closing time we began by marking the position of and moving all the tables and chairs from the eating area. We then covered the salad bar and buffet with plastic and a specially made wood case which prevented debris and dust from falling on them. Plastic adhesive carpet cover was laid down to minimize wear on the floor. After these protective measures were in place each evening the work began.

The first night we removed the existing sheet metal ceiling grid. One crew in scissor lifts disassembled it while the ground crew immediately hauled it out to the recycle bin so nothing was left to clutter the ground. Once the grid work was out of the way, existing sheet rock and steel stud beams were cut and removed to make way for the new ceiling. The existing wood sheeting on the pillars was removed and disposed of.  Once this was complete, we removed our protective measures, cleaned and vacuumed the floor, and returned the tables and chairs to their original positions, removing all signs of the night’s activities before the buffet reopened.

Nights two, three, and four started the same as the first. After necessary arrangements were made, installation began. Aluminum beams covered in specialty wood grain finishes were mounted with spanning beams placed between, to create the beautiful, warm lodge ceiling.  Fire sprinklers and HVAC vents were lowered and moved to meet the new ceiling line at the planned locations. Our masonry team laid stone up the pillars, bringing another natural element inside the buffet, while keeping the area clean as they went. Each morning as we left the worksite, the buffet opened as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened, but each opening revealed another piece of the puzzle being assembled in time-lapse progress.

Night five was the final push to the finish line. Starting at one end of the space, the final product came together. Final touches like lighting were wired in, wood ceiling panels were laid in between the beams, custom fabricated mica chandeliers were hung, and the stonework was finished. At the end of the night the installation was complete. After only five nights, the buffet was transformed without ever hindering normal buffet business.

This is one just one example of how we create beautiful upgrades and renovations with little or no downtime to the business. I am proud to have worked on this project and am excited to continue to deliver on our commitment of little or no down time to our customers.

Josiah M.

Installation Team Member

As a painter for I-5 Design and Manufacture, I love finding out about new possibilities with our finishes and paint coatings. One thing I’ve been working on this week is optimizing the color formulas for our tinted clear coats. A tinted clear coat basically uses a small amount of multiple colored toners mixed with a large amount of clear paint. We apply our tinted clear finishes over specialty brushed aluminum panels, which is the reason that it’s so important that we create a perfect ratio of  toners to clear. The photo above illustrates this point. The fun in this comes when we are able to mix a broad range of colors from deep amber to ocean turquoise to royal purple, and do spray outs on our sample pieces. Once the optimal formula has been reached for any of these given colors we are able to save the exact formula in our color database, and retrieve the information at any time in the future. What’s great is, our customers get rich, brilliant colors on their projects and I can reference their color data when subsequent projects occur for exact color matches.

Jordan W

Design inspiration is all round. All you have to do is keep your eyes open. Here are two projects that were recently completed for the Route 66 Casino in Albuquerque. These high impact areas are a circular bar/lounge environment and a steakhouse that takes it’s name and inspiration from an old movie from 1958 called Thunder Road. The goal for Route 66 was creating two new venues which were destination draws in their own right and which would increase existing customer loyalty as well. We also worked and made solutions to meet budget goals without compromising the impact of the areas and the owners are very happy with the result.  

For the lounge environment, the overall design inspiration was taken from nature in the swirling pattern of a nautilus shell and accents like multi-layered columns clad with iridescent metal and a beaded curtain with programmable color changing LED lighting, all flows together to create the overall effect. This lounge is designed to be a place to sit down and relax while still being in the center of the action. Within Thunder Road we combined southwest décor and old Route 66 imagery to create a truly unique entertainment experience. The police car above the bar is on a mechanical lift and when a band is performing the car raises up into the ceiling, revealing the stage. Another unique design element is the moonshiner’s car that has crashed through the wall and hangs into the dining area, making patrons wonder if the driver was sampling while on a delivery! All of the elements were designed by I5 and the entire installation was completed with no downtime for the casino.

These are just two examples of venue design and implementation that capture the attention and imagination of customers. The inspiration for these projects were from opposite ends of the concept spectrum, but that’s ok. Design possibilities are limited only by opening your eyes and ears. Enjoy the video and remember, design inspiration is all around.

Why switch from Neon Sign to LED Sign?

We have found that using LED lighting fixtures instead of neon can reduce your costs and actually add more impact to your signage.

• LED signs are brighter than neon signs – they are more noticeable!
• LED signs are more energy efficient – it consumes up to 90% less electricity than neon signs!
• LED signs last up to 100,000 hours of usage
• LED signs are great for indoor use and perfect for window advertisement
• LED signs do not use mercury – it will never leak poisonous gasses
• LED signs are very easy to maintain
• LED signs have more color options available
• LED signs are more affordable than comparable neon signs
• LED signs incorporate movement in their designs. It can flash, change colors, animate in many ways and even have graphics!
  

LED signs are the future and have come to replace the neon sign technology. Make the switch and let LED signs offer you endless possibilities.

Rapidly developing LED technology is making it possible not only to perform the same lighting tasks better, but also creating brand new lighting applications, previously unheard of. In the field of décor and theming, LED lighting systems are being combined with specialty materials such as I-5 Sculpt Metal and I-5 Sculpt Wall to create unique and powerful lighting effects that have not been seen before. The multi-layered, color-changing nature of these custom designed systems make it possible to create just the right feel for a given space – from the calming motion effect needed in a spa setting or upscale hotel lobby to the most vibrant colors and playful dynamics desired in a gaming or entertainment venue.

If you have ever looked into finding permit and zoning information from cities and counties for facade upgrades, signage or anything else exterior design related; you know that it can certainly take some time. However, many counties have made parcel information available online allowing you to obtain much of the parcel data on the county's website. Google Earth can also be a great asset with the "street view" feature on their maps you can pin point your building on the aerial view. These tools, along with detailed shop drawings, sign specifications, and a clear site plan will all help in moving along the process. Our permit technicians at I-5 Design utilize these resources to ensure accurate information and the most efficient time frame.

"As a production worker at I-5 Design, it is inspiring to see the individual elements generated by our designers become a reality within days.  Our design team works closely with our production leaders to ensure that each part of the design is produced with every intricate detail in mind.  Our in-house, state-of-the-art software and machinery makes it possible to manufacture the highest quality products with precision and efficiency.  Every step is manufactured with the end product in mind – production makes sure that the installation process is a systematic performance.   Each individual process is considered a vital role that creates a dynamic and awe-inspiring end result for our clients.  In our daily “brainstorm” meetings we discuss ways for each member of the production team to advance their skills and abilities, as well as turn-key solutions and innovative ways to exceed each customer’s expectations and to surpass original projections."

Special thanks to Sarah K. for this great insight to the I5 Design & Manufacture production teams daily operations!

I-5 Design is taking programmable color changing LED lighting and full color message and video displays to the next level. Using state of the art computer and internet technology we are now able to update lighting and video displays remotely, making it possible to easily upload new light programs, video messages, etc. for special events and holidays. I-5 can provide clients with ongoing upgrades that keep their displays fresh and exciting, drawing more customers and getting the most out of their visual displays!

Special thanks to I5 Design & Manufacture team member George S. for this great update.

“Where should we play tonight?” Every casino wants to be the answer to this question. Now, more than ever customers have choices when it comes to gaming and live entertainment. From playing slots and table games to watching a show or sporting event, consumers no longer have to travel to places like Las Vegas or Atlantic City to experience the thrill of victory or agony of defeat. In many cases, more than one entity operates a gaming venture within the same local territory and naturally, competition drives better experiences for the consumer.  Inevitably, upgrades and expansions must happen to keep the facility environment fresh, exciting and appealing to gamers. Casino management groups have been asking “How can I quickly get the impact of a new facility without shutting my doors?”  Delays on construction projects have led to lost revenues. There is a solution however, for a casino that needs a high-impact update to the look and feel of the facility’s environment without the typical headaches and drawbacks.

I-5 Design and Manufacture has been helping casinos across the country achieve maximum impact from their budgets by designing and implementing facility wide interior and exterior décor solutions that can be rapidly implemented with minimal down time to the casino. This comprehensive service allows casino management teams to get a transformation which takes place while revenue continues to be generated. The design staff at I-5 begins by listening to what the client wants to see and creating a high impact design which thinks ahead to how the design will be implemented on site. The creative process also takes into account what type of gaming atmosphere will create the greatest impact for the particular location in relation to its competion or given its geographic location. The fabrication team then utilizes specialized systems for creating décor, theming and lighting elements that will ensure the actual elements can be fabricated efficiently and a smooth installation occurs. Part of this unique system includes off-site fabrication of all elements in the décor package within the controlled environment of I-5’s automated fabrication facility. As the fabrication progresses, our team updates the client on build status and begins scheduling installation phases. Larger projects may need several phases to complete installation, while more intimate locations can be completed sometimes in days. Once the first phase manufacture is complete, décor components are wrapped, loaded, secured and shipped on site to begin implementation. Installation professionals who have been trained in customer relations arrive on site with the first loads to supervise décor unload and start the installation phase. During this whole process, communication is happening around the clock to ensure that no detail is overlooked and the client is updated on project status. I-5’s team coordinates the best times with casino management for implementation to occur and often work overnight and off hours so customer flow remains intact and revenues can be generated.  Many casino customers and employees have left for the evening and come back the next morning to find entire sections of the remodel complete.

When all phases are complete and the casino looks like new, the install team walks through each area and performs a quality check to ensure everything looks perfect and the maximum effect for each space is achieved. The end result is a beautiful, new casino environment within the existing building without closing the doors.  By focusing on keeping the doors open during the project, revenues continue to be generated and customers continue to play. The overall effect is a high impact upgrade and happy customers who not only play longer, but communicate to their friends about the new, exciting gaming location. 

As banks and their branches continue to be acquired and sold, it has never been more important for a financial institution to have a resource that can design and implement a clear branding message about who they are and how they serve their new and existing customers. So whether it is a new bank location or new acquisition, a unified and highly-distinctive atmosphere at your retail bank locations is critical. In addition to a clear branding design must be an experienced onsite team that understands how to effectively implement the branding changes without disrupting your customers or business.

I-5 Design and Manufacture has been working with financial institutions across the country to both create a branding image and implement all changeover needs. From effective utilization of the brand’s colors within each branch, to consideration given to maximizing signage and branding display impact, we maximize your message throughout the space. Due to the typical tight timeframes involved with a change-over we can provide banners or prints while the new signage and design components are manufactured. If a complete interior is being changed, our installation experts coordinate the best scenario for your branches which often means implementing the plans overnight or weekends to create a scenario where your staff and customers walk in to an entirely new environment the next day. As banks continue to acquire new assets and branches, the need for a single solution to branding changeovers will continue to grow. In troubling times, it’s good to know there is a resource for high-impact, efficient branch re-branding solutions that focuses on your needs to ensure a well thought out and coordinated plan.