Who we are?

Jeff and Robin Janson founded Urban Evolutions in the 1990s while restoring their 130-year-old farmhouse after a fire. Since then, they’ve procured materials and designed reclaimed wood products for respected brands, offices, and residences across the world.  With their leadership, Urban Evolutions has built a nationwide network of collaborative reuse partners and remains an industry leader in reclaimed wood product innovation.

The Difference We Make 

As a product manufacturer, we are atypical in that our expertise often starts with engaging the actual material source. The reclaimed wood materials we choose are quality, story-driven, and traceable.  We design and oversee the manufacturing, finishing and delivery of wood materials and products to the job site.  Being a steward of materials from reclamation to finished product ensures that you receive responsibly sourced wood that matches the aesthetic, performance, timeline, and warranty standards of modern commercial and residential spaces. 

Our team team team

Robin Janson - President & Creative Director (Co-Owner)

Robin Janson

President & Creative Director (Co-Owner)

Jeff Janson - Vice-President & Director of Procurement (Co-Owner)

Jeff Janson

Vice-President & Director of Procurement (Co-Owner)

Joseph Amann - Director of Sales

Joseph Amann

Director of Sales

Lynn Raether- Director of Key Accounts

Lynn Raether

Director of Key Accounts

Matt Rasmussen- Product Design Coordinator & Project Manager

Matt Rasmussen

Product Design Coordinator & Project Manager

Scott Boncher - Product Development Coodinator & Vendor Relations

Scott Boncher

Product Development Coordinator & Vendor Relations

Emma Kiel- Material & Sustainabilty Coordinator

Emma Kiel

Material & Sustainability Coordinator

Destin Gehrke- Residential Sales

Destin Gehrke

Residential Sales

Alex Michalski - Sales & Production Account Coordinator

Alex Michalski

Sales & Production Account Coordinator

Todd Schabel - Woodshop Lead & Yard Coordinator

Todd Schabel

Woodshop Lead & Yard Coordinator

Brian DeJager - Woodshop Lead & Safety Coodinator

Brian Dejager

Woodshop Lead & Safety Coordinator

Gabe Luke - Material & Wood Processing Specialist

Gabe Luke

Material & Wood Processing Specialist

Jorge Martinez - Material & Wood Processing Team

Jorge Martinez

Material & Wood Processing Team

Jim Dix - Director of Finance & Operations

Jim Dix

Director of Finance & Operations

Ginny Schiferl- Accounting Administrator

Ginny Schiferl

Accounting Administrator

Chris Putman - Showroom Manager

Chris Putman

Showroom Manager

Robin Janson - President & Creative Director (Co-Owner)

Robin Janson

President & Creative Director (Co-Owner)

Jeff Janson - Vice-President & Director of Procurement (Co-Owner)

Jeff Janson

Vice-President & Director of Procurement (Co-Owner)

Joseph Amann - Director of Sales

Joseph Amann

Director of Sales

Lynn Raether- Director of Key Accounts

Lynn Raether

Director of Key Accounts

Matt Rasmussen- Product Design Coordinator & Project Manager

Matt Rasmussen

Product Design Coordinator & Project Manager

Scott Boncher - Product Development Coodinator & Vendor Relations

Scott Boncher

Product Development Coordinator & Vendor Relations

Emma Kiel- Material & Sustainabilty Coordinator

Emma Kiel

Material & Sustainability Coordinator

Destin Gehrke- Residential Sales

Destin Gehrke

Residential Sales

Alex Michalski - Sales & Production Account Coordinator

Alex Michalski

Sales & Production Account Coordinator

Todd Schabel - Woodshop Lead & Yard Coordinator

Todd Schabel

Woodshop Lead & Yard Coordinator

Brian DeJager - Woodshop Lead & Safety Coodinator

Brian Dejager

Woodshop Lead & Safety Coordinator

Gabe Luke - Material & Wood Processing Specialist

Gabe Luke

Material & Wood Processing Specialist

Jorge Martinez - Material & Wood Processing Team

Jorge Martinez

Material & Wood Processing Team

Jim Dix - Director of Finance & Operations

Jim Dix

Director of Finance & Operations

Ginny Schiferl- Accounting Administrator

Ginny Schiferl

Accounting Administrator

Chris Putman - Showroom Manager

Chris Putman

Showroom Manager

Your material design design design Partner

SustainableSourcing

Our Founding Principle 

Reclaiming and repurposing the materials at hand is a solution that harkens back to the way humans have designed and constructed buildings throughout history.  Our designs are rooted in giving new life to these quality reclaimed materials. 

InnovateDesign

Our Future Focus

We move forward by honoring where we began, reclaiming and using the materials at hand and demonstrating what is possible in a building industry that is increasingly aware of its material limits.  We are part of a movement that is laser-focused on providing materials and products for the built environment that meet the challenge of the 21st century. 

ScalableSolutions

Our Client Partners 

As we have approached thirty years in business, we are proud to have collaborated with some of the most innovative architects, designers, project owners and brands in the nation. The common thread in our work together has been material-driven spaces that marry quality construction, sustainability and forward-thinking design.

SustainableSourcing

Our Founding Principle 

Reclaiming and repurposing the materials at hand is a solution that harkens back to the way humans have designed and constructed buildings throughout history.  Our designs are rooted in giving new life to these quality reclaimed materials. 

InnovateDesign

Our Future Focus

We move forward by honoring where we began, reclaiming and using the materials at hand and demonstrating what is possible in a building industry that is increasingly aware of its material limits.  We are part of a movement that is laser-focused on providing materials and products for the built environment that meet the challenge of the 21st century. 

ScalableSolutions

Our Client Partners 

As we have approached thirty years in business, we are proud to have collaborated with some of the most innovative architects, designers, project owners and brands in the nation. The common thread in our work together has been material-driven spaces that marry quality construction, sustainability and forward-thinking design.

UrbanEvolutionsWhite

OFFICE

2401 W. COLLEGE AVE.
APPLETON, WI 54914
920.380.4149
MON-THUR 7AM – 4:30PM
FRI 7AM – 11AM

RETAIL

2405 W. COLLEGE AVE.
APPLETON, WI 54914
920.257.5900
MON-SAT 10AM – 5PM
SUN 11AM – 4PM