Conference 21 Session 1 Aligning Technology & Firm Priorities For Competitive Advantage.

Conference 21 Session 1 Aligning Technology & Firm Priorities For Competitive Advantage AUDIO

Designed by Smith, Hinchman & Grylls, Earhart Manor is an example of the uncommon French Eclectic style of architecture. The house contains tile work of Mary Chase Stratton of Pewabic Pottery. The grounds surrounding the house were designed by the nationally prominent Olmsted Brothers and locally prominent landscape architect E. A. Eichstaedt. The chapel on the grounds (designed by Vincent King), with its brillianty-colored, stained glass clerestory is worth a visit. Listed in the State Register of Historic Places, 1997.

Earhardt Manor & Concordia University Chapel

EeroSaarinen designed this new Contemporary building for the School of Music, using a brick color known as Cranbrook Buff (father Eliel was the architect for many of the buildings on the elite, nationally-recognized Cranbrook educational campus in Bloomfield Hills). The design for this building influenced all subsequent construction on the University’s North Campus. Named for former Music School Dean Earl Moore, the School of Music was the first university school or college to wholly relocate to North Campus.

UM - Earl V. Moore Building

Built in the Italian Villa style, the fire hall was originally designed by William Scott and constructed to accommodate the City’s modernization tohorse-drawn firefighting equipment. Extensive renovation of the first and second floors resulted in the opening of the Hands-on Museum, a children’s science museum, in 1982. Expanded by an addition in 1998, it now greets 200,000 visitors annually. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, 1972.

Fireman's Hall / Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum

This English Gothic Revival church, designed and built by its members, features hammer beams and prominent balconies that sweep down to the front altar on either side. The church bought the adjacent house in 1902 and has since used it for office and activity space, and housing for its sexton. The Gothic Revival house, believed to be the first in Ann Arbor designed by an architect, has carved bargeboards and Gothic features such as quatrefoils, trefoils and steeply sloped roofs. 

First Baptist Church and Silas Douglas House

The Romanesque style of architecture was popularized in the late 19th century by architect H.H. Richardson and became widely emulated throughout the eastern United States. This structure was originally designed as a church by architects Donaldson and Meier. Ann Arbor architectural firm Hobbs + Black renovated the building and now uses it as their offices. The building features a prominent tower facing the intersection of State and Huron Streets. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, 1978.

Offices of Hobbs + Black Architect (formerly the First Unitarian Church)

First United Methodist Church

Forest Hill Cemetery was designed by civil engineer James L. Glen in the Rural Tradition of cemetery design popular in the second half of the 19th century. The 60-plus acres was designated for burials because of its natural drainage capacity and because it was difficult to use for anything else. The stone gate, designed by James Morwich, and the Gatehouse and Sexton’s Residence, designed by Gordon W. Lloyd, are in the Gothic Revival Style compatible with the cemetery’s rural tradition. 

Forest Hill Cemetery

Designed by Spier and Rohns and built by the Michigan Central Railroad, this Romanesque stone building is constructed of granite with arched doors and windows. The building was sold in 1970 to Chuck Muer and converted into the Gandy Dancer restaurant. The stone walls, slate roof, stained glass windows, red oak ceilings, fireplace, and baggage scale are intact from the original construction. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, 1975.

Michigan Central Railroad Depot

These buildings, designed by Albert Kahn and restored by Albert Kahn Associates and Quinn Evans Architects, represent the icon of the University physically and culturally. Hill Auditorium, the University’s performing arts stage, is distinguished by its Arts and Crafts exterior with Classical details and simplified interior with Sullivanesque details. The streamlined Art Deco Burton Tower houses the Charles Baird Carillon, one of the four heaviest in the world. Contributes to the National Register UM Central Campus Historic District, 1978.

UM - Hill Auditorium and Burton Tower

The Greek Revival Style was adopted by early Americans out of admiration for the Greeks in their struggle for independence from the Turks in 1826. The first owner of the house was Henry DeWitt Bennett, University of Michigan secretary. The Kempfs, a prominent musical family, later lived in the house for over 50 years. Designed by Arden Ballard, the house features a characteristic wood-frame temple front with adapted classical Greek detailing. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places,1988.

Kempf House

The farmer’s market is a favorite destination on Saturday mornings. Bounding one side of the market is Kerrytown, a trio of rehabbed masonry buildings now housing shops and restaurants. Bounding the other end is the Market Building, a historic brick structure built in 1856 as a warehouse, and one of two commercial antebellum buildings left in Ann Arbor. With its 1980s addition, it now houses shops, restaurants and office space. Located in the Old Fourth Ward Historic District.

Kerrytown Market and The Market Buildings

The Collegiate Gothic Law Quadrangle, originally designed by York and Sawyer, features intriguing details, including six sculptured corbels crouching at the main entrance sporting the facial features of prominent past University presidents. The Quadrangle also houses the Legal Research Building and Hutchins Hall. Of particular interest is the day-lit, underground law library addition designed by Gunnar Birkets. The 1990s restoration includes the addition of a state-of-the-art Moot Courtroom. Contributes to the National Register, UM Central Campus Historic District, 1978.

UM - Law School and Quadrangle

UM - Lurie Engineering Center

The 165-foot Modern tower is constructed of poured concrete with brick veneer, exposed architectural concrete, copper roof and cladding, and provides an architectural icon and focal point for North Campus. The tower’s 60-bell carillon, one of the largest and most impressive in the world, was cast by the Royal Eijsbouts Bellfoundry of Asten, The Netherlands. The carillon strikes the traditional Westminster Quarters during the day. The tower was designed by Moore/Anderson with Hobbs + Black.

UM - Lurie Tower

UM - Matthaei Botanical Gardens

The Bowl-style Stadium was built to utilize the natural topography of the site. Three sides of the stadium, as well as the field, are completely below street level. Constructed during the “Golden Decade” of college stadium building and originally designed by the Osborn Engineering Company, Michigan Stadium was officially dedicated during the 1927 Michigan-Ohio State game. Today, with over 111,000 seats, it is the largest collegiate stadium in the nation (at the time of this printing). 

Michigan Stadium

Ann Arbor’s only surviving theater from the silent picture and Vaudeville age, the Michigan Theater was originally designed by Maurice Finkel. Restorations by Quinn Evans Architects and Smith Group have restored the theater to its original splendor. The Lombard Romanesque/Exotic Revival building boasts a 1,700-seat theater, along with a magnificent two-story lobby featuring dual grand staircases. The building exterior features arcade windows with yellow terra cotta arches supported by Moorish columns. Listed in the National Register of Historic Places, 1980.

Michigan Theater

Open to the public, this beautiful 123 - acre picturesque landscape masterpiece features the historic Peony Garden and many species of trees native to Michigan. The site hosts a variety of creative arts performances and events. Recent updates to the garden include moving the historic 1837 Burnham House to the site, as well as the new Gateway Garden, demonstrating innovative storm water control technology. The arboretum was originally designed by landscape architect Ossian Cole Simonds.

Nichols Arboretum

The historic Old Fourth Ward is one of Ann Arbor’s oldest residential neighborhoods, containing some of the city’s most beautiful architecture and historic landmarks. Homes are predominantly of the Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, and Queen Anne styles. The Huron River, public parks, railroad station, many churches, and city and county government offices are all minutes away – as are  the major cultural and performance venues in the city. Part of the Old Fourth Ward Historic District.

Old Fourth Ward Neighborhood

Just west of downtown, this neighborhood was the center of the primarily German community in the 19th century. Architectural styles consist of Greek Revival, American Bungalow, Italianate, Queen Anne, and Gothic Revival. The shady streets possess many of the characteristics now back in vogue as part of the New Urbanism movement - houses are set close to the sidewalk on narrow lots, and nearly every house has a front porch.. National Register Old West Side Historic District, 1972.

Old West Side Neighborhood

This turn-of-thecentury Romanesque church is linked to the immigration of the Irish and German communities to Washtenaw County. Set off by multiple turrets and a bell tower, the Romanesque church design trend was made popular, particularly on the east coast, by architect H.H. Richardson. This church was designed by Spier and Rohns with later restorations and additions by Lincoln Poley & Associates. Listed in the State Register of Historic Places, 1974.

St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church

Since 1837, this 40-acre site has been the center of the University’s Central Campus. It now contains the President’s House, three libraries, the Art Museum and 10 academic buildings with a mix of Classical to Modern architecture. Tradition holds that stepping on the bronze block M, a gift of the Class of 1954 at the center of the Diag, will cause students to fail their first exam at the University. Contributes to the National Register UM Central Campus Historic District, 1978.

UM - The Diag Central Campus

This courtyard has become one of the most popular spaces on the University of Michigan campus. Composed of a series of “waves” made of earth, the Environmental Sculpture reflects the wavelengths studied at the adjacent Aerospace Engineering building located on North Campus. To maintain this living sculpture, special soil and grass mixtures were developed, and a special irrigation system and maintenance plan were designed to ensure its longevity. The art was designed by landscape architect Maya Lin with SmithGroup JJR.

UM - Aerospace Building Landscape Art (the Wave Field)

The firm of George D. Mason and Albert Kahn created this Italian Renaissance archway to continue the diagonal pathway through Central Campus. The “Engin’ Arch” is framed on the campus side by copper-domed cupolas and capped with a red tile roof. When the College of Engineering moved to North Campus, the building was renamed West Hall. This was the first of Kahn’s designs to use reinforced concrete. Contributes to the National Register UM Central Campus Historic District, 1978.

UM - Denison Archway,West Engineering Building (West Hall)

This branch library on the southwest side of Ann Arbor combines environmental sustainability with an ultra-modern steel design. The building, designed by Luckenbach/Ziegelman Architects of Ann Arbor and opened in 2006, is raised on piers above the site’s extensive wetlands, preserving natural habitats. The building’s design also is intended to facilitate passive solar heating, daylighting, and convection cooling, and makes extensive use of sustainable and recycled materials.

Ann Arbor District Library - Pittsfield Branch

The new Y building replaced a run-down industrial complex at the west edge of downtown Ann Arbor, opening in 2005.  Designed by Smith Group, with landscape design by JJR, the building is raised up above a parking area because the site is in a flood plain.  The site design incorporates naturalistic wetlands to help manage stormwater.

Ann Arbor YMCA

The project, by Lord, Aeck & Sargent, was at the time the largest construction project in Eastern Michigan University history, and added numerous labs, classrooms, and faculty offices.  It involved a significant expansion and renovation of the school’s science building, adding an atrium, planetarium, and numerous environmental features including energy efficient lighting and green roof areas. The new energy-efficient HVAC system is projected to save 49% over a more conventional system.

EMU Mark Jefferson Science Complex

Originally designed by Alfred E. French, and completed in 1890, this Richardsonian Romanesque building sits at the center of Howell, MI.  

Livingston County Courthouse

The University of Michigan Museum of Art is housed in what was originally Alumni Memorial Hall, a classically designed stone building across the street from the UM Student Union.  An addition opened in 2009, designed by Allied Works Architecture of Portland, Oregon, which more than doubled the museum’s space; the project also included renovation of the original building.  The expansion is complementary to the original building in scale and materials, but is very contemporary in design.

UM Art Museum

The new business school building is a city unto itself, with the usual classrooms and offices sharing space with food service, study, and even fitness areas.  The terra cotta rainscreen façade is just one of the advanced technologies incorporated by architect Kohn Pederson Fox, including environmental features like green roofs, recycled and locally manufactured materials, and extensive daylighting. The building was awarded a LEED Silver rating.

UM Ross School of Business

BIG Architecture partner Kai-Uwe Bergmann provides a tour of the award winning Danish maritime museum.  The museum received a 2015 AIA Architecture Award.  

Danish Maritime Museum

We're discussing our profession’s economic outlook as of May 2015 with Kermit Baker, PhD, Honorary AIA and Bob Murray. Kermit Baker is AIA's Chief Economist and Bob Murray is Chief Economist and Vice President of Dodge Data and Analytics.

Construction and Employment Outlook for May 2015

An interview with 2015 AIA Young architect award recipient Ann Sobiech Munson, AIA.  Ann discusses myth busting "living in the studio" in architecture school with Mike Crosbie, Ph.D, FAIA.

Myth Busting "Living in the Studio" in Architecture school

In this podcast, we are honored to speak with Moshe Safdie, FAIA, who has just added—to his many honors—the 2015 AIA Gold Medal. This is the highest honor the Institute can bestow on an individual, and comes in recognition of a significant body of work that has a lasting influence on the theory and practice of architecture. 

A Conversation with Moshe Safdie, FAIA: 2015 Gold Medal Recipient

One of Ehrlich Architect's distinctive characteristics is its humanistic approach to design, referred to as Multicultural Modernism.
With Mike Crosbie today to talk about that design philosophy are the firm’s founding partner Steven Ehrlich, FAIA and lead designer Takashi Yanai, AIA.
Image courtesy of Ed Wonsek. To learn more about AIA 2015 award recipients please visit http://www.aia.org/practicing/awards/2015/


Steven Ehrlich  and Takashi Yanai on Multicultural Modernism

Ehrlich Architects' founding partner Steven Ehrlich, FAIA and lead designer Takashi Yanai, AIA, discuss the evolution of multicultural modernism with host Mike Crosbie, Phd, FAIA. In 2015, Ehrlich Architects received the AIA’s annual Firm Award, recognizing a practice that consistently has produced distinguished architecture for at least 10 years. 
•Rudolph Schindler House on Ellis Avenue in Inglewood, California. Image courtesy of Grant Mudford.
To learn more about AIA award recipients visit. http://www.aia.org/practicing/awards/2015/

Ehrlich Architects: The Evolution of Multicultural Modernism

In this podcast excerpt Helen Lucas talks about the Frisealach, her carbon-neutral home, which was a collaboration with her husband, Malcolm Fraser, who’s also an architect. Helen Lucas Architects, based in Edinburgh, Scotland was established in 2001 by an architect who was born in England, and spent two years of her early career in London, but conducted most of her working life in Scotland. 

Architecture With a Scottish Accent

Overview of the AIA Standards for Continuing Education Programs for AIA CES Providers

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