What’s the Buzz in Interior Architecture?

U.S. commercial building construction spending has been on the rise for quite some time. The market shows little sign of slowing in the near future, too, which means more commercial buildings are being designed and re-designed to meet the needs of small and large companies alike. What’s hot in commercial interior architecture design? Take a look at three of the biggest trends:

The Big Picture

Now more than ever before, commercial architectural designs look at the bigger picture. They take into account that they’re interconnected with their surroundings and work to play that up. For example, most designs look at the view from the building, the public message the structure sends out, and even historical significance.  The goal is to create and innovate while ensuring respect for existing landmarks remains in place.

Sustainability

Along with a focus on the big picture comes a closer look at how long that big picture will last and what environmental impact the design might have. Commercial architectural designs still focus on simple aspects of sustainability like energy efficiency, but they’re also look at power generation through wind and solar options, better water conservation, and unique building materials that can help create carbon neutrality and resilience.

Healthy Workplace

Today’s commercial architecture also seeks the opportunity to create a productive workforce through a healthier workplace. Incorporating options like natural lighting, noise control technology, and choices that help people thrive are all typically additions. What’s more, though, is that incorporating today’s wearable tech with the building’s technology is also becoming increasingly possible to help people know how and when to work.

Modern commercial interior architecture is changing fast, and Carroll Seating Company is keeping up with those changes to help design workplaces that do more for your workforce. To learn more about what we can do, contact us today.

3 Reasons Your Venue Needs High Quality Portable Seating

What really makes a venue perfect, from the smallest space to a vast expanse, is the aspect of versatility. By making a space highly adaptable it takes on a much wider range of possibilities. This means that logistics are easier because things can be re arranged and tailored for specific events, making event planning a bit more doable. The easiest way to accomplish this is with high quality portable seating. The following three aspects alone will make you wonder why you’ve ignored the importance of folding chairs for so long.

  1. Like mentioned above, adaptability is one of the main draws of folding chairs. By being easy to arrange and store, a venue has the opportunity to host a large number of people while also allowing for something requiring a lot of room with little obstruction. Furthermore, the layout can be adjusted for many different types of events such as weddings, sporting events, and parties.
  2. Another great perk of having quality padded folding chairs is they will stay nice for longer than other permanent option. Because they can be stored, they will be sheltered if the venue is outdoors. Also, they can be preserved from everyday use if they are not needed for smaller events. This means nice things stay nice.
  3. Being easy to fix and replace is like the cherry on top of the mountain of perks of folding chairs. If something breaks, then it is only one piece that needs to be replaced instead of the entire set. This greatly insulates venues from the effects of heavy usage.

Steel folding chairs and other high quality portable seating provides venues with great opportunity and potential. They also don’t need to be flimsy and uncomfortable, because when you purchase from a passionate company like Carroll Seating Company, you might even forget that these are folding chairs.

Update Your Company Mailroom Now

What happens in your company mailroom from day to day? You likely have at least a few clerical assistants responsible for the sorting and delivering of packages, documents, and more to your entire team, and while you may not think about this job from day to day, it’s absolutely vital to the success of your company. How can you equip these team members with the best possible equipment to help make their jobs easier and ensure productivity? These tips can help.

  • Get Modular: Every mailroom needs a space for incoming and outgoing functions, but the operations from month to month in your mailroom may have to shift to deal with potential busy seasons and more. The last thing you want is built-in millwork that can shift with the room itself. Instead, go with something modular that will help your employees keep pace with real change and maintain their own efficiency.
  • Don’t Forget to Consider Size: As you begin to build out the perfect mailroom design, the last thing you want to overlook is the size of the space. Ordering modular pieces that are always going to be too large is certain to be an issue for your employees. Size things out carefully before you move forward.
  • Enlist Professional Help: This is not a space where you just want to wing it. Instead, contact our design professionals to help make a plan for your mailroom space. We’ve worked with hundreds of companies like yours in the past, and we’ll help you find the perfect layout, taking your mailroom employees’ suggestions into consideration in the process.

Ready to design that perfect mailroom? Contact us today, and we’ll help you make the ideal decisions to ensure increased productivity in your company now

Seating Options Make a Difference

One things is true of every event and venue across the country – the seating makes the difference in many things. Whether the seating influences the ticket price, creates value for the event, enhances the experience or brands your event, it plays a critical role in how your venue is received. In many cases, seating can mean the difference between a great experience or one that a customer will not return to. Take these ideas into consideration and then take a fresh look at your space.

First, give some thought to the kinds of events that you will need seating for. Sports events have a different level of wear and tear on seating than auditorium events will. Are you looking to repair the seating at an existing venue, or are you trying to create a new space for new events? If you are trying to generate interest in a rarely used hall space, then portable solutions may be your best option. Identify two to three key uses for your space and then determine what seating options you will need.

This is especially important for getting multiple uses out of one space. Seating can often make the difference between being able to have a variety of events in one location or being a “one trick pony.” Gyms are a perfect example. Seating along with other sports solutions for a wide variety of choices can increase usability. By simply investing in some divider curtains, wall padding and scoreboards, your gym or rec center can become a multifunctional space with ease.

Make a statement with specialized interior designs. High paying clients at events expect to be treated differently than typical bleachers, so personalized boxes, where possible, not only bring additional revenue in the way of corporate sponsorships, etc., but create a feeling of exclusivity for your clients. Even if you are looking at high quality portable seats on a lower budget, think about creating “ VIP tables” with upholstery and logos that stand in opposition to basic folding metal chairs.

Is your seating ADA-friendly? Today’s modern venues should be ADA compliant, not only because it is the law, but because it gives the opportunity for a wide variety of audiences to enjoy the venue. Customized seating choices can make events more accessible for everyone – growing your revenue and increasing your goodwill in the process.

Brand your space through your seating choices. Think of the fan section at any major stadium. Branding happens in a variety of ways, and your seating choices can be among the best of them. Whether you go for custom colors, create a branded “fan section” or “elite black label” space, don’t overlook the opportunity to create a customized experience that promotes the brand, the franchise or the venue.

Take another look at your space. Where could seating make the difference?

What You Need to Know About Upholstered Portable Seating

When looking to upgrade your current old metal folding chairs, you may want to consider customized portable seating. Comfortable, flexible, and reliable, portable chairs are perfect for any space.

One of the quickest ways to turn a space into an event venue or meeting area is through the use of portable seating. If you have not considered the ways that portable seating can bring new revenue into existing spaces, then here are a few things you need to know about portable seating.

Adding upholstered seating creates more opportunities for existing space usage. Consider a public building with a large hall. Portable seating means more opportunities to hold awards banquets, to invite speakers for presentations and many other usages of the space. This is especially important if you are trying to build or revive an interest in the space.

Portable seating means options when it comes to the kinds of events you can hold in the space. The very nature of portable seating means you can design the setup as you wish with quite a bit of ease. Tear down will be quick and easy. Chairs in rows or semi-circles are easy to pull off and the designs are only limited by your creativity.

Customized portable seating is also an excellent branding opportunity. Specialized seating, for example, for VIPs and guests can be created with your business logo, team symbol or any other branded features you would like. What an exciting – and portable – way to promote your team!

Far from the old metal folding chairs of yesterday, modern portable seating is comfortable, a marketing opportunity and a great way to generate additional usage of larger spaces. While you can still order efficient folding all-metal chairs, today’s options include every sort of customization, from wider seats, tablet arms, cup holders, wood grain trim and your choice of upholstery.

Why not investigate how upholstered portable seating can change the way you use the spaces you are in?

 

A Better Experience in the Grandstands

Seating is one of the most important aspects when it comes to purchasing a ticket to your favorite event. The last thing you want customers to do is complain about the fact that they paid money for a subpar seating experience. Usually, there are a few reasons that the seating experience is less than stellar – but being prepared for these objections means you can build a better grandstand.

Discomfort is the primary factor in customer complaints. Of course, no one expects a bleacher seat to be the height of comfort. But there are many options that can make the experience more pleasant, such as superior materials and craftsmanship. Additional seating, such as upholstered backs and other comfort features, can make the experience even more pleasant. Your clients will spend a lot of time in this seating – it should be the best it can be.

Sight lines are another key feature. No one wants to pay top dollar for a ticket and not be able to accurately see what is going on or have access to a visual aid like a jumbo-tron. Take the sightline into consideration when you are designing your seating. Even the cheap seats need a reason to come to the venue. No one wants to pay money for a ticket and stare at a column for most of the time!

Don’t overlook the need to make your clients feel special. Higher paying customers expect to receive an experience that is more valuable than a bleacher seat. Seating is one of the ways an upscale customer judges an event. Whether this means covered seating, box seating or other options, find a way to create an elite clientele who can take advantage of preferential seating in order to generate investment for years to come.

With a few key factors in mind, you can build a better grandstand that leads to an outstanding customer experience!

Benefits of a Meeting Room Upgrade

Meetings are an essential part of any business, and every good business owner knows that providing a the right kind of gathering space can maximize these sessions. If your meeting space hasn’t undergone an update in awhile, it might be time for a change. Here are some of the benefits you can expect to see if when you upgrade your meeting room furniture:

  • Increased comfort – First and foremost, updated furniture can drastically increase the comfort level for you and your employees. Over time, furniture can become loose, wobbly, and worn, which can lead to discomfort when it’s being used. New furniture designs also take ergonomics into consideration, something that older designs failed to include.
  • Improved communication – Believe it or not, new furniture can also improve the communication around your meeting table or tables. With updated furniture, you can choose which designs best suit your needs, whether it’s one large conference table, or several smaller tables for smaller groups to gather at. Choosing the design and configuration that accommodates your needs can greatly improve communication during your meetings.
  • Inspiring designs boost creativity and productivity – Old, outdated furniture can be a drain on creativity. This can also negatively impact productivity. With a meeting room furniture overhaul, you can introduce fresh new designs that will help revitalize and re-energize your group, allowing them to channel their creative juices and boost their productivity.
  • Can be customized to accommodate new technology – There are lots of new audio and video technologies being added to meeting rooms. Of course, older furniture was not designed to accommodate these upgrades because they likely didn’t exist when that furniture was made! Now, however, you can design furniture pieces with your meeting room’s technology in mind, which will maximize both space and efficiency.

Design + Function

Casework Contractor in IllinoisJust how important is design in your upcoming project? It means absolutely everything to the success of the project, and it’s one of the biggest reasons people contact Carroll Seating Company again and again to ensure they get the right design. Wondering how we can help? Take a look.

Visual Appeal – it’s what drives every designer, and we strive to reach it with every single project we handle. We want your space to look nothing short of amazing. Whether it’s a school library, an arena, or something as extensive as a lab remodel, we can help you ensure your day to day world looks phenomenal to potential employees, students, and customers. We know just how much it matters that people love the space they’re in, and our designs always work to incorporate that wow factor so you can impress anyone who walks through the door.

Functionality – As important as aesthetically pleasing spaces are, they aren’t going to do much for you if they’re not very functional, so along with your concerns about making certain the space you want is visually pleasing, we’ll also work to make sure that you have what you need at your fingertips. From highly functional casework to better layouts, we can help you plan the perfect space to help you increase your efficiency.

Budget Friendly – You want a great space, but your budget probably isn’t unlimited, and at Carroll Seating Company, we appreciate that. We’ll work with your numbers to help find the perfect solutions that still meet your overall financial restrictions.

Don’t just think about design. Make it the central focus of your project. Give us a call today so we can pair you with a project manager who will oversee every aspect of design and make certain you get the perfect space to meet your needs.

The Best Seating Options for Auditoriums

Thinking of redesigning your auditorium? Working to create the  perfect atmosphere in a brand new auditorium? Your seating options matter more than any other design choice you’ll make. How can you ensure you get the best? It starts with the decision to pick up the phone and call Carroll Seating Company.

What’s Going to Work In Your Space?

What works well in your space may not be what works for everyone else. We don’t handle cookie-cutter installations. We design a plan based wholly around your needs. Take a look at a few options you may want to consider.

  • Fixed Seating: The perfect choice for many auditorium settings, our fixed seating choices mean a sophisticated layout that is flexible enough to fill your space. You can choose from wood and veneer laminate finishes, as well as fully upholstered comfort options that redefine the right combination of beauty and value. Choose from additional options like power and data connectivity, custom mounting, and more to ensure your auditorium is exactly what you imagined.
  • Telescopic Platform Seating: Most spaces these days are no longer designed to serve one function. Instead, even an auditorium is often a room where multiple purposes must be met, and telescopic platform seating is one of the best ways to do just that. They remain fixed to the wall when not in use so you get the floor area you want, but they easily pull out when you need them to help meet your expectations. Available with wireless control, they’re rigorously tested so you get the safe, comfortable seating surface you want.
  • Portable Seating: Looking for durable, stylish comfort without the added commitment? Our portable seating options fit the bill. With the freedom to arrange your auditorium in a number of different configurations, these are built to last, no matter what your traffic numbers look like.

Ready to get started? Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you create an auditorium that will stand out from the crowd.

In many environments, the folding chair is nothing short of required equipment. The ideal method of portable, store-able seating, the humble folding chair is perfect for arenas, schools, and offices no matter what the occasion. The simple reality, though, is that it’s not very comfortable. Instead, it’s exactly the opposite – hard, cold, and very, very uncomfortable for anything more than a five minute session. Is there a happy medium? A seating choice that can give your facility the flexibility of a folding chair with a bit more comfort? Absolutely – the upholstered folding chair.

Upholstered folding chairs offer you the same excellent options traditional folding chairs do. They’re incredibly light and portable, and they’re very easy to store. The added bonus with this eating choice, though, is that both the seat and the backrest are padded, offering a level of comfort hard, cold, metal folding chairs just can’t. They come with various cushioning options to help reduce the fatigue and restlessness that so often accompanies the long periods of sitting in standard folding chairs.

Fortunately, though, they’re just as tough and long lasting as any other choice on the market. What’s more, though, is that you can add a number of different options. Consider vinyl or fabric upholstery. You may also want to emboss the chair backs or even add options to help connect the chairs when you’re working to create a perfect layout for a larger grou p. No matter what you want to do with these chairs, we help make it possible.

Available in a number of different colors and styles, upholstered folding chairs are the ideal solution for your facility. Whether you cater to students, large groups who need to fill an arena, or something completely different, our upholstered folding chairs can help you find the best of both worlds. Contact us today to learn more.

Drew Gough, Sales

Drew Gough,  Sales email our team
Drew graduated from Vermont Technical College in 2017 with an Associates degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology. With brief experience in small Architectural and Civil firms in the Portland Maine area, Drew later settled in Hussey Seating Company for the past 5 years. Drew joined the CSC sales team in November of 2024 covering the state of Iowa as his sales territory. Drew has a strong technical background and is very passionate about the products he sells. He believes that a thorough understanding of the products combined with open communication with all parties is the key to success in this industry. Outside of work, Drew enjoys fitness related activities, being outdoors, attending concerts, and spending time with his wife, Emily.

Levi Curtis, Project Manager

Levi Curtis,  Project Manager & Estimator email our team
In my free time I enjoy hunting, fishing, and working on our farm with my sons.  My wife and I enjoy traveling and the chaos of the boy’s youth sports.

Tammy Winship, Accountant

Tammy Winship,  Accountant email our team
Bio Coming Soon!

Kelli Brandon, Project Manager

Kelli Brandon,  Project Manager & Estimator email our team
When not at the office I enjoy painting, baking, and spending quality time with my three grandkids.  .

Mandy Kohlbrecher, Project Manager

Mandy Kohlbrecher,  Project Manager email our team

Mandy Kohlbrecher is a Senior Project Manager and Senior Estimator for Carroll Seating. She is from Trenton, IL and attended Art Institute (Chicago) and Rankin Technical College.

When she joined Carroll Seating in 2013, she brought 10 years of design experience in interiors and architecture to the team.

Eddie Scheer, Sales

Eddie Scheer,  Sales email our team

Eddie Scheer is Carroll Seating’s Regional Director for Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois.

He was born and raised in St. Louis, MO, a die-hard KU Jayhawks fan and graduate of the KU School of Architecture and Design. He has been with Carroll Seating over 11 years and prior to that time,  he served clients for 23 years as an architect.

Dustin Hecht, Project Manager

Dustin Hecht ,  Project Manager email our team
Dustin is a life-long woodworker with a passion for crafting. When he's not in the workshop, he might be found tinkering with cars or hitting the links for a round of golf. Dustin is a family man, happily married to Courtney, and together they have two daughters.

Mike Yager, Sales

Mike Yager,  Sales email our team
Bio Coming Soon!

Doug Mead, General Manager KC and STL

Doug Mead,  General Manager KC and STL email our team
Bio Coming Soon!

Jordon Lanning, Repair & Service

Jordon Lanning,  Repair & Service email our team
Bio Coming Soon!

John Underwood

John Underwood,  Warehouse Manager email our team
Bio Coming Soon!

Jacob

Jacob Allen,  Rproject Manager & Estimator  email our team
Bio Coming Soon!

Connie Gillam,  Repair & Service

Connie Gillam,  Repair & Service  email our team
When out and about I enjoy spending time with my husband Michael and our 5 grandkids.

Brock Christopher,  Sales

Brock Christopher,  Sales email our team
On the weekends and during the evenings, a majority of my time is spent playing soccer with my 7-year-old Kade or working on various projects with my 12-year-old Kael.  During the fall you can find me doing anything related to the KC Chiefs or Mizzou Tigers.

Stephanie Vogl,  R&S Admin

Stephanie Vogl,  RS Admin email our team
Bio Coming Soon!

Suzi Johnson,  Project Accountant

Suzi Johnson,  PM Coordinator email our team
I have spent most of my life in Illinois. I enjoy traveling and taking photos. I need coffee to function. My life revolves around my fur child, Norman.

Dineen O’Keeffe,  Project Accountant

Kevin Morkin,  Insurance / Warehouse email our team
Bio Coming Soon!

Dineen O’Keeffe,  Project Accountant

Dineen O’Keeffe,  Project Accountant  email our team
I enjoy spending time with my family. 

Sarah Maynes,  Project Manager/ Estimator

Sarah Maynes,  Project Manager/ Estimator  email our team
When I am not at work I enjoy baking.

PJ Carroll

Ludwig Hoeft,  Project Manager / Estimator email our team
Bio Coming Soon!

PJ Carroll

Sam Shapiro,  Project Manager  email our team

Sam is a safety trained supervisor of construction whose experience ranges from factory to field.

He enjoys hiking, road trips, and rock concerts.

Mike Gillam

Mike Gillam     email our team
GM of Athletics & Director Repair& Service
My life outside of the office consists of trips to remote locations and spending time with my family and five grandkids.  I love the Lord and doing His work.

PJ Carroll

Patrick J. Carroll,  President  email our team
Pat has been a dedicated member of the Carroll Seating Team since he joined full-time in 1977, after earning his bachelor’s in business from the University of Kansas. He initially gained hands-on experience as an installer during high school and college. In 1998, he was promoted to President, bringing extensive knowledge of both fixed and movable products to the role and focusing on promoting the features of CSC’s vendors for mutual success.  Outside of work, Pat cherishes time with his family, which includes the love of his life Suzy, their three children and four grandchildren. He enjoys golf, fishing, yard work, home projects, and entertaining, always striving to make the most of each day. 

Alexander Klopp

Alexander Klopp  Sales   email our team
When I am not in the office I enjoy my life in the western suburbs as a Husband of 30 years, father of 2 adult children and an active member in our local Presbyterian church. Passions include family adventures with one-of-a-kind experiences.

Tim Haggerty,  Sales  email our team

“When I am not working, I like to enjoy time with my family living an active life style that includes, live music, sporting events, golfing, fishing, and skiing.” 

 

Evan Carroll, Owner/Project Management email our team

Evan Patrick Carroll, following an internship from 2003- 2005, joined as full-time sales in 2008.

Tom Madura,  Controller  email our team

Outside of the office, I love spending time with my wife, 3 kids and our dog!  My hobbies include playing golf and practicing guitar which I keep working at. 

Meredith Pollard (Carroll),  General Manager  email our team

Meredith graduated from the University of Kansas in 2010 with a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Minor in Business. 

After pursuing a brief retail career, she joined CSC as a full-time employee in March of 2011. Originally hired in sales, Meredith found her fit in the company was better off in Management. She was promoted to the General Manager of the Chicago office in 2018. As General Manager, she believes that a motivated workforce is the foundation of success, and actively promotes collaboration, open communication, and skill development among all employees and believes that a successful business is built on strong relationships—both with clients and team members.

When not at the office, Meredith enjoys her life in Roscoe Village, downtown, with her husband Mike and son Cameron. 

PJ Carroll

Patrick J. Carroll
President

Patrick Carroll, Jr. assumed the positions as President, in 1998.

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