Holland Outpost Building

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Overview

Project Name: Holland Outpost Building

Location: Holland, MI

Materials Used: Triple Pane IG (exterior backer: clear tempered glass with 6mm oval satin antique lead; center panel: narrow reeded glass; interior backer: satin etch tempered glass)

Project Type: Commercial

Build Partner: Pella Windows and Doors of Western Michigan

Architect: Michael Rodriguez, AIA – Restore Consulting, LLC

The Outpost building in downtown Holland, Michigan, is a two-story historic structure undergoing a carefully considered renovation to preserve its architectural integrity while enhancing its aesthetic appeal. A key component of the restoration was the replacement of transom windows—10 custom units designed to span the area between the first and second floors of the storefront.

The project required not only historically sensitive design but also practical functionality. Pella Windows factory color-matched trim to blend seamlessly with the renovation, and communication with ODL Custom Solutions began in April 2024. The fully glazed units were delivered to the jobsite by February 2025.

Challenge

The main challenge: deliver a historically appropriate window solution that maintained the building’s aesthetic character while staying within the owner’s budget.

Additionally, the architect needed a custom glass solution that provided visual obscurity—concealing utility elements like pipes and wires—while also serving as a design feature. Reproducing the appearance of traditional camed glass without the cost and complexity of real lead caming required both creativity and precision.

Solution

ODL Custom Solutions collaborated closely with Pella Windows and Doors of Western Michigan and Restore Consulting to engineer a custom IG unit that met all project requirements.

Following a series of mock-ups, the team landed on a unique combination of:

Satin Etch Glass
Narrow Reeded Glass
Lead Tape

This trio delivered the rich, layered look of antique camed glass—at a fraction of the cost.

To streamline installation and ensure precision, ODL Custom took the extra step of glazing the units directly into Pella-supplied sashes, adhering to Pella’s glazing SOPs. This allowed Pella to deliver fully assembled window units ready for immediate installation on-site.

Execution

Each unit was carefully crafted to meet both functional and aesthetic demands. The glazed units achieved the architect’s vision of a subtly obscured, period-appropriate transom while maintaining durability and ease of installation. The combination of decorative glass textures and overlays recreated the charm of vintage storefront windows while providing necessary coverage.

Results

The end result was a seamless integration of modern fabrication with historic charm. The Outpost now features transom windows that honor its architectural roots, preserve privacy, and meet modern standards for performance and ease of installation.