Great Lakes Visitor Center

Center for Freshwater Research and Education

In a collaborative project between Xibitz and Lord Cultural Resources, a new lobby for the Great Lakes Visitor Center in Sault Saint Marie, Michigan was created. The Center for Freshwater Research and Education lobby features multiple interactive learning experiences that showcase the complex Great Lakes Ecosystem. In this area, you will observe a large, custom, acrylic sturgeon tank containing live fish, multiple static graphics, dimensional text, and a multi-layer interactive spinner made from phenolic images. Several low-level interactive experiences prompt inspiration from the observer to think like fishery managers and to learn more about their impact on our freshwater ecosystem. Other displays include a donor wall and multiple millwork structures that educate and engage visitors to be proactive in maintaining the health of our Great Lakes.

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Gilmore Car Museum

by Raina Kamrat Museum

Hickory Corners, MI

The Gilmore Car Museum, open to the public since July 31, 1966, portrays a timeline of rich automobile history and progression with a diverse collection of time-period vehicles throughout their sprawling campus. Xibitz was brought on for the ride, alongside design partner Good Design Group, to create interactive experiences that illustrate the impact of the assembly line on the manufacturing of modern cars. The interactive exhibit allows users to choose parts from buckets to assemble there own mini version of a car, while racing against the clock that enforces the revolutionary process of the assembly line on automotive production. The newly fashioned cars are then placed on a track to determine which design is the fastest.

The Gilmore Car Museum leaves car enthusiasts and visitors with a sense of pride in the accomplishments of our progressive culture. It inspires hopefulness that future automotive inventions will be even more imaginative than we thought was possible.

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Electrical Engineer

by Raina Kamrat Careers

POSITION SUMMARY

Electrical engineer develops and tests lighting systems, electronic products, and systems for a wide range of projects.

Electrical engineer applies the principles of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism to develop electrical products and systems. They perform risk assessments and ensure compliance with safety standards and electrical engineering codes. They also conduct research to create new applications.

On a daily basis, the electrical engineer will carry out various engineering tasks, such as performing calculations to ensure our systems meet the global safety standards and collaborating with engineering, estimating, account executives and manufacturing to solve emerging issues. You will also be hands-on in the fabrication processes of the displays and elements constructed.

The electrical engineer will work closely with other departments on projects to ensure they are completed successfully from start to finish.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Design and implement lighting and electrical systems
Develop manufacturing processes according to global engineering codes and standards
Manage engineering projects and deliver them on time
Define customer needs and requirements
Ensure that installations and applications are in line with customer needs and safety standards
Collaborate with engineers and technicians to design and apply new system processes
Examine needs on new equipment, calculate costs and help prepare budgets
Monitor maintenance and inspection plans
Follow written instructions in English and read blueprint/drawing specifications
Follow PPE requirements, safety rules, work policies and procedures per verbal or written training/instructions
Ensure a quality product is completed according to specifications at the best possible production rate
Other duties as assigned

REQUIRED EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE

A degree in Electrical Engineering
Proven expertise as an electrical engineer
Hands-on experience
Knowledge of electrical manufacturing processes
Understanding of electrical engineering codes and safety standards
Knowledge of structural design integrity
Prior fabrication or construction experience desired
Must be able to read, write, and speak English effectively

REQUIRED SKILLS

Attention to detail
Mechanical aptitude
Desire to “do things right the first time”
Ability to read and interpret shop drawings and fabricate from digital/stick templates
Ability to read a tape measure and understand dimensions
Ability to or willingness to learn to operate tools listed above and obtain new skills
Problem-solving abilities
Strong organizational and communication skills
Self-starter

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

MS Project, Excel, Word, and Outlook proficiency required
CAD experience, preferably Solid Works or AutoCAD
Documented, excellent communication, and clarity is essential and expected
Strong attention to detail essential
This is a direct and full-time position with salary and benefits
Must have current and continuing right to work in the United States without sponsorship

Xibitz offers an exceptional work environment, competitive compensation, and great benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and 401K. Take ownership of your career today!

Waste Management

by Raina Kamrat Corporate

Houston Headquarters

Houston, TX

It was a pleasure working alongside Perkins&Will to create a new headquarters for Waste Management in Houston, Texas, a facility designed with a blend of originality and ingenuity in mind. This award-winning project involved the fabrication and installation of brand elements across a total of 8 floors. Wood veneer screens were used in the elevator lobbies, along with glass-on graphics that followed the angle of the WM logo. Banquette café seating was designed with graphic wood veneer triangles. The refreshment areas were designed with a recycling emphasis in mind. Here you can find recycled aluminum and rubber tile walls, repurposed, brand-colored bottles, in addition to recycled plastic drink containers.

A prominent feature of the space is a 16 by 128-foot living green wall that spans the stairwell walls on all eight floors. An aluminum screen, powder-coated with a Waste Management brand aesthetic, encloses the vegetation.

The reception floor contains wood veneer panels set at brand-specific angles, to create a tunnel that helps tell the Waste Management story through an immersive experience. Xibitz was instrumental in creating the Peter Built cab and a screen enclosing an autonomous simulation of a landfill loader. In celebration of the Phoenix Open, the WM logo was showcased out of golf balls. Adjacently, you can find a rug in the shape of a golf green, with pedestals and inset screens to further portray the story of WM’s relationship with the Phoenix Open.

Designer: Perkins&Will / Photography: Peter Molick

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Estimator

by Raina Kamrat Careers

Position Description:

The Estimator develops and projects costs for custom handmade branding and ionic exhibit spaces. This role reviews plans and specifications to determine the appropriate fabrication methodology; including but not limited to millwork, metal fabrication, finishing, graphic production, design, and installation. Working with internal/external team members through the estimating process to create a high-quality proposal and budgets for new and existing customers.

Position Duties:

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Contribute, collaborate, and be willing to learn with our team.
Estimate required labor and material take-offs necessary to fabricate and install permanent installations.
Define and manage supplier pricing documents and quoting as needed by a job.
Develop estimate strategies to ensure an effective estimate process.
Develop high-level budgets based on conceptual design parameters.
Develop final proposals and bids based on architectural and design parameters.
Sequence labor steps to virtually develop a project.
Conceptualize engineering and fabrication methods for the purpose of estimation.
Create contract documents and proposals and scope of work language.
Manage the review and approval process for project estimates.
Cultivate, maintain, and manage vendor relationships.
Create preliminary production and preproduction schedules.
Create and track project change orders.
Manage multiple estimating projects on different timelines.
Manage projects of various levels of complexity and scope.
Provide ongoing support after the project is sold through the design, development, and fabrication phases.
Ability to occasionally travel to attend pre-bid meetings and site visits.

Leadership and Team Requirements

Possess strong organizational and communication skills with attention to detail.
Collaborate with and support design and project management to establish effective project goals and roadmaps.
Collaborate and consult with internal and external team members to formulate estimates and support project success.
As a team-based company, you will need to empathize, engage, collaborate and provide costing expertise on the team.
Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
The ability to minimize financial risk.
Be able to manage workload and meet deadlines for assigned work.
A humbly confident team member whose experiences will expand the team and who is eager to learn new skills and techniques in a custom handmade manufacturing setting.

Job Requirements and Skill Sets:

Education: High School Diploma/GED or higher with a preference for Construction Management and/or Cost estimating equivalent work experience
Experience: 4+ years of estimating experience in general construction cost estimating, custom millwork or museum fabrication on multi-million-dollar projects and smaller.
Required Technical Skills
- Must have basic knowledge of construction and millwork
- Must be computer literate and trained in MS Excel, MS Project, Word, Outlook, and virtual conference programs.
- Must be able to read and interpret blueprints, architectural plans, design documents, and specification documents
- Must be able to read and interpret RFQ and RFP documents and contractual requirements for bid work
- Understanding and experience with DBE subcontractor requirements
- Excellent mathematical skills
- Excellent written and verbal communication
Recommended Skills
- Experience with metal fabrication and welding.
- Experience with LED and low voltage lighting and control systems
- Experience with audiovisual integration
- Experience with AutoCAD or 3D Modeling programs like Solidworks
- Build and construction experience in either the field or a shop setting

Job Type: Full-Time Salary

Benefits:

401(k)
Paid Time off
Health Insurance
HSA with employer funding
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Disability Insurance
Profit-sharing

National Czech & Slovak

by Raina Kamrat Museum

Faces of Freedom

Cedar Rapids, IA

Sitting in a living room during World War Two. Lying on a bunk in a steamship on your way to America or standing in Wenceslaus Square amidst shaking keys at the height of the Velvet Revolution. What did it sound like? What did it feel like? Questions like these are being answered throughout the new 7,261-square-foot museum exhibition project. Rare artifacts; cutting-edge interactive displays; and exhibits on puppets, music, art, and much more celebrate the immigrant spirit in everyone.

The space encourages visitors to reflect on their own experiences with freedom through the lens of the story of the Czech and Slovak people—from old‐world tribes to the formation of the modern‐day Czech and Slovak Republics, to the immigration stories of those who left their native land for opportunities in America.

Return to our Museum Portfolio

by Raina Kamrat About

Our Philosophy

We think like our clients.
We are doers supporting dreamers.
We figure it out.
We are driven to exceed expectations.
We create trusted partnerships.
Xibitz is a team sport.

From the beginning, 1988 to be exact, we’ve been on a clear mission to create world-class exhibits and environments. Throughout the years we have grown to be leaders in custom fabrication, allowing us to walk with giants.

We couldn’t have gotten this far without the right leadership, relationships, and experts in our 80,000-square-foot facility in Grand Rapids, MI. Today we have a team of over 50 creative and skilled artisans offering a great depth of talent. Our team has extensive knowledge and understanding of diverse fabrication techniques, materials, and the importance of planning and project management.

Appreciating that our relationships are at the heart of what we do, we pride ourselves in working faithfully with our clients to produce complex and unique corporate, museum, athletic, healthcare, and higher education environments.

AK Rikks

by Raina Kamrat Nostaboard

Xibitz is proud to showcase the Nostaboard, a custom split flap display, at AK Rikks in Grand Rapids, MI.

Grand Rapids, MI

AK Rikk’s is a contemporary fashion destination with an unrivaled shopping experience that specializes in luxury men’s and women’s fashion from around the world. From over a hundred designer brands that include Valentino, Brunello Cucinelli, The Row, AK Rikk’s has one of the most exclusive curated collections within the Midwest that demonstrates the quality and connection with their customers AK Rikk’s pride themselves in serving.

This year, the retailer wanted to showcase their most popular collections and upcoming events in a new way. With the intention, to captivate customers, they partnered with us to debut the Nostaboard in their front window display.

AK Rikk’s Nostaboard showcases an analog version of their store events and most popular brands like Nanuska, Stone Island, and Tom Ford that encouraged customers to shop the products displayed. Additionally, the display promoted customers to participate in trunk shows and sale events that season. The display gave AK Rikk’s the capability of highlighting those top shoppable brands and events in a more compelling way.

Split flap display is a digital electromechanical display device that presents changeable alphanumeric text, and occasionally fixed graphics. Often used as a public transport timetable in airports or railway stations, as such they are often called Nostaobard from Xibitz. Split-flap displays were once commonly used in consumer digital clocks known as flip clocks.

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Chicago Cubs Nostaboard

by Raina Kamrat Athletics, Nostaboard

Chicago, Illinois

During the 2016 regular season, the Chicago Cubs pursued a suitable experience in their new office tower next to Wrigley Field. As the oldest team in professional baseball, the Cubs felt they had a great story to tell within their new space. Coincidently, sports architecture and design firm Populous presented their final designs to the Cubs the same week as the World Series and “HOLY COW, CUBS WIN!!” So back to the drawing board to develop a much more amazing story to celebrate—and a much more condensed time frame to create it in.

Populous, the Cubs, and Xibitz quickly brought the concept designs to life through high-quality fabrication and installation. Xibitz built everything from the World Series Trophy display to a 3,475-piece split-flap rotating image display that energizes the entry. We are proud to have been a part of this always-believed-in Chicago celebration!

As a part of this project, Xibitz’ Engineering department developed and installed a one-of-a-kind Nostaboard to greet visitors into the space. The Nostaboard showcases 10 images featuring Wrigley Field and the history of the Chicago Cub’s franchise.

"The display provided by Xibitz serves as a warm welcome to all front office staff, players, business partners, and fans who enter the Cubs' headquarters. The ability to rotate images allows viewers to get a glimpse of the many important moments in Cubs history."

Pat Manaher

Chicago Cubs

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Cincinnati Children’s Research Foundation

by Raina Kamrat Healthcare

Research Tower

Cincinnati, OH

Tracing its roots to 1884, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center has been dedicated to improving the health and well-being of children throughout the world. The Medical Center’s newest research tower, known as the “S Building,” features 415,000 square feet of modern basic and clinical research lab space, specifically designed to promote collaboration across disciplines and encourage interaction among basic, translational and clinical investigators.

To showcase the center’s legacy of innovation and latest breakthroughs, its leaders called on a collaborative effort between Kolar Design, Perspectives 360, and Xibitz. The team identified and executed the project’s goals through dynamic sculptures, rich colors, and several hundred feet of plasma monitors that help communicate the center’s vision, engage dialogue and celebrate discovery, while inspiring those who work to improve children’s lives now and for generations to come.