Jan. 14, 2026

This piece is sponsored by Interstate Office Products.

The road to SDN Communications’ multibuilding office renovation started with a story much like this one.

“We decided it was time, and a lot of it was triggered by an article we saw on SiouxFalls.Business about a business that updated the office as it was bringing people back to the workplace,” said Jake VanDewater, vice president of engineering, operations and IT.

“It’s hard to come back when you’re around a dated environment, whether it’s furnishings, electronics, paint, etc., so we wanted fresh, new things.”

His first stop was the Interstate Office Products showroom in downtown Sioux Falls, building on a longtime relationship with IOP.

“We had an idea of some things we wanted, but even with that, the designers really tried to push our comfort level into something that would last for years,” he said.

SDN has worked with IOP since the 1990s, “so there’s a long history,” said account manager and interior designer Teena Hogan, who collaborated on the project with interior designer colleague Tori Mandel.

“I’ve worked with them more than a decade, and they were ready to upgrade to the latest and greatest,” she said. “It was time to go to height-adjustable desks, lower the panel height in their workstations and add glass to open up the space.”

Working with architect TSP Inc. and construction manager Journey Group, SDN modernized one of its Sioux Falls buildings in 2024 and part of another in 2025.

The first project, known as Building II, involved an overall refresh of the space, removing some offices and moving others from the exterior of the building to the interior.

“We were looking for more natural light and a better overall environment for employees,” VanDewater said.

“Everything in this building became their new standard going forward,” Hogan said.

The workplace went from a mix of workstations “to now everyone has the same footprint and storage,” Mandel said. “We upgraded everyone to a dual-monitor arm and an integrated markerboard for notetaking.”

Private offices received height-adjustable desks and a storage tower. In addition, new collaboration rooms were integrated into the building.

Feedback has been positive, VanDewater said.

“We’ve seen a lot more requests for the standing desks – some people even have them at home and wanted something similar – and IOP really helped us,” he said.

The project extended the building north 18 feet to gain additional restroom space and a formal break room, he added.

“We essentially went from a kitchenette to a full kitchen, so employees can go sit in the place and have lunch, which is something they couldn’t do before.”

The new layout also allows for a privacy room designed for mothers or anyone needing personal space.

There was even space available to create a unique addition: an esports room, which reflects SDN’s commitment to producing the annual SoDak Circuit esports gaming event.

“We felt there was an opportunity in this renovation to showcase the importance of our industry related to esports,” VanDewater said. “The vision is still open for how it will be used, but I could see a school coming in to be hosted or a way to deepen engagement with employees who’d like to use it during breaks or host family there.”

An 85-inch monitor allows multiple consoles to be connected, and IOP helped SDN select a curved sofa along with higher bench seating and leather gaming chairs.

The space is unique in that area, the IOP team said.

“Steelcase has talked about these for a while, and we haven’t seen them much in South Dakota, so it was fun to see a business actually incorporate an esports area,” Hogan said. “We have some fixed areas for competitive gaming at a desk but also a tiered lounge area with taller seating behind for watching competitions.”

With one building refreshed, SDN this year moved on to Building I, which will be remodeled in phases.

“The goal overall for us has been a furniture refresh for every SDN employee, with the stance that the executives will be last,” VanDewater said.

“We prioritized the larger construction project, and this year started with our network operations center with a remodel to add meeting and collaboration space for that group plus updated lighting and paint and furniture from IOP.”

Because it is an operations center, IOP “did a great job logistically of installing, but also in the planning process as far as the design of furniture and workstations, so they would function for us and our customers. We had to plan in more detail as far as white noise and soundproofing with people on calls.”

Installation “is probably the most impressive part,” he continued. “And even before that, IOP worked with us as far as trying to find a secondary market for some of our products that were coming out. It’s still useable, and we didn’t want to just dispose of it, and they found opportunities for us.”

So far, the renovation has achieved the company’s vision and then some, VanDewater said.

“Our employees largely work four days in the office and can work with their supervisor to determine one day a week they can be remote,” he said.

“The majority do, but we’ve also seen a lot of employees who want to be there. The new space has made people want to make it their own, bring their own things in and encourage them to be back more. It’s an investment, but as we look for deeper engagement, ultimately what we’re creating is a more satisfactory work experience and environment.”

To learn more about how Interstate Office Products can guide your workplace into the future, visit i-o-p.com.