Critical Detroit http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/ engaging local architecture en Copyright 2008 Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:40:38 -0500 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://www.rssboard.org/rss-specification Burj Dubai Skyscraper Burj Dubai SkyscraperYou may not like it for various reasons, but you can't help but be impressed with these statistics:

  • Height: 850m - 900m (2550ft - 2700ft)
  • Floors: 160 - 189
  • Cost: $800,000,000
  • Construction: February 2005 - August 2009
  • Architect: SOM
There's even a website devoted to documenting everything about this building as it goes up.  The site includes many facts, figures, construction photos, and even a daily news journal.

For comparisons sake, the Sears Tower, currently the tallest in North America, only has 110 floors and is 1450 feet tall.  The tallest building in Detroit is the 73-story, 727 feet tall Marriott Hotel at the center of the GM Renaissance Center.
]]> http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/08/burj-dubai-skyscraper.html http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/08/burj-dubai-skyscraper.html Not Detroit Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:40:38 -0500 Big House Getting Bigger East PerspectiveIf you somehow missed this, Michigan Stadium is undergoing a major renovation and expansion.  The following description is straight from the U of M project website:

The 400,000-square-foot addition includes two multi-story masonry structures on both the east and west sides of the stadium; the end zones will remain open. The structures, which will stand 10 feet higher than the current scoreboards at their highest point, include 83 suites and 3,000 club seats.

Construction is phased over the next three years and will be completed prior to the 2010 football season.
View image View image View image View image]]> http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/08/big-house-getting-bigger.html http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/08/big-house-getting-bigger.html Construction Tue, 19 Aug 2008 10:33:38 -0500 ALOeTERRA aloeterra_rendering.jpg=ALOeTERRA was a 2007 Solar Decathlon competition entry by a group of LTU students.  The event took place in Washington D.C. from October 12th - 20th, 2007.  Schools from around the world were selected to participate in the competition.

The LTU team had quite a few obstacles to overcome and finished 20th out of 20 teams.  You can read more about their experience and the competition in general at the following sites:

ALOeTERRA [ via LTU ]
Official LTU Team Blog
Solar Decathlon Official Website [ via U.S. Department of Energy ]

It appears that LTU was not selected to participate in the 2009 Solar Decathlon.

ALOeTERRA will be featured in the final presentation of the evening at annual AIA Michigan Design Retreat.
]]> http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/08/aloeterra.html http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/08/aloeterra.html Contests Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:29:14 -0500 AIA Debates Detroit "Design Parallels"? AIA_logo.gifEven though this event happened in April 2008, I hesitate to publish this for a variety of reasons which I'll get to later.

First, a little background about the event.  The AIA Committee on Design was founded to "promote design excellence among members of the AIA, the broader design community, and the public at large, both nationally and internationally."  In keeping with their goals, the committee held a debate in Detroit from April 3rd thru April 6th to debate parallels between architecture and other forms of design including automotive, landscape, furniture, and crafts.

John Gallagher put together a nice little article which amounts to a daily journal of the days events. ]]> http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/08/aia-debates-detroit-design-par.html http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/08/aia-debates-detroit-design-par.html Awareness Publications Wed, 13 Aug 2008 09:22:07 -0500 AIA Michigan Design Retreat [Updated] AIA Michigan Design RetreatHas anybody seen their invitation to the 19th Annual Design Retreat?  I finally got my invitation! The AIA Michigan website site has a calendar entry for the event, but the link points to last year's event.  The only note is in the upper left corner of the page which indicates that the retreat is on September 12th thru 14th.

Typically, current year honor award winners are asked to present at the retreat.  If you've forgotten who received awards this year take a look at our recap.  Two days of presentations are followed by a guest lecturer talking about Michigan relevant architecture on Saturday evening.  Anybody have information about this years presenter?  A list of presenters was also included with the invitation.  Read on to learn which projects will be presented this year.
]]> http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/08/aia-michigan-design-retreat.html http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/08/aia-michigan-design-retreat.html Awareness Events Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:05:22 -0500 Preservation Wayne Seeking New Leadership very small write-up (it's about halfway down the page) in their August 4th edition announcing that Francis Grunow is resigning as Executive Director to pursue other interests.  A search is currently underway for her successor, but no definite timeframes have been set.
]]> http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/08/preservation-wayne-seeking-new.html http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/08/preservation-wayne-seeking-new.html Awareness Mon, 11 Aug 2008 17:33:41 -0500 Two Things That Should NOT be Combined Gas Station
It looks simple enough.

A nice little gas station: actually a kind of gas station museum with several old pumps and various vintage signage on display.  The architecture itself is very practical and straight-forward.

Unfortunately, someone thought this would be a good idea to make this station an addition to quaint Victorian house.  I didn't get a chance to go inside.  I couldn't bring myself to it, so I'm left wondering if the original porch existing inside this station or if it was salvaged to create the side entrance.

Click the image to see more.View image View image
]]> http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/08/two-things-that-should-not-be.html http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/08/two-things-that-should-not-be.html Do Not Attempt Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:08:31 -0500 Highland Jewel Highland Methodist Episcopal ChurchA quick side trip revealed this jewel hidden in Highland Township.  It is the Highland United Methodist Church and is currently being used as a historical library for the county.

The building is Victorian Gothic with elaborate scroll work above the window heads, gables, and the tower.  The detail of the tower, which includes even more scroll work, decorative shingles, a belfry, and a metal weather vane, is impressive.

The building is listed in both the State and National Register (According to the State record, but I could not locate it in the National database) of Historic Places.

Some notes from the historical marker:  Built in 1886.  Purchased in 1980 by the township which restored the building and rededicated it in 1982.

Next time you're in Highland Township take the time to stop and admire the craftsmanship that went into the tower.View image View image]]> http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/08/highland-jewel.html http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/08/highland-jewel.html Suburbs Wed, 06 Aug 2008 11:40:47 -0500 Critical Detroit Update About page at the bottom of every page.

There are some things that I did not cover and will be updating that page shortly.

  1. How do I participate?  You can submit story ideas, join the team, or just comment on stories.  There's alot of information to cover and I can only do so much.  If you feel inclined to share a story, by all means, send us a note.  There are links at the top and left side of every page.  I get the emails instantly (thanks to my iPhone) and usually respond real quick.  If you're looking to provide content long-term, consider joining the team.  I know this sounds official, but it really just means I just shake your hand and you add articles just like I do.  (Best of all it's free!)  I'd love to get more people involved in writing about Detroit architecture.  If you just want to say something about a story, click the "Comment" link found on each article and speak your mind.
  2. Can I write about the suburbs even though this site is called Critical Detroit?  Absolutely!  There are great examples of architecture all over Metro Detroit.  I may even include articles about different parts of the state if I see something you all might like to know about.
  3. Where are the old stories?  Ok, I had to make a choice about which past articles were relevant and most of them didn't make the cut.  Many of you have been looking for the photos of the Book Cadillac building while in the early stages of construction.  I will get those back on the site now that I seem to have a quick, easy way to incorporate multiple photos.
]]> http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/08/critical-detroit-update.html http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/08/critical-detroit-update.html Critical Detroit News Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:29:29 -0500 Yes, it really is Art Deco... Fisher BuildingI went on the GM Architectural Heritage Tour (offered by Preservation Wayne) this past weekend and realized that I've forgotten a bit of the history that I worked so hard to learn in school.

The tour, only offered twice a year, explored the New Center and Milwaukee Junction areas just north of Midtown.  The tour started and ended at the Fisher Building, including a stop at the Cadillac Building, and walks around other buildings figuring prominently in Detroit's automotive beginnings.

Unfortunately, Preservation Wayne wasn't granted permission to tour the 14th floor (old GM executive offices) of the Cadillac Building.  For me personally, this was one of the main reasons for joining the tour.  If the next tour (September 13th) is given permission, I'll be back. (Ellen?)
]]> http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/08/yes-it-really-is-art-deco.html http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/08/yes-it-really-is-art-deco.html Awareness Mon, 04 Aug 2008 07:38:45 -0500 MOCAD : considering Architecture The Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit (MOCAD) hosted an architecture related exhibit from May10th thru July 28th that seems to have "flown under the radar."  In fact, the only reference I could find besides the MOCAD site was an even smaller article at Model D.  Once again I'm dismayed that the local press does little to promote local architecture.  If I'm wrong, please let me know by leaving a comment.

In case you're interested, here's a brief excerpt from the MOCAD website:

In conjunction with MOCAD's considering Detroit show, considering Architecture: Sustainable Designs from Detroit will also be on view. This show will include the designs, architecture and products of several local area architecture firms and highlight their projects that include "green" or sustainable design practices.

Did anyone make it to this?  I'd love some feedback on the projects included in the exhibit.]]> http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/08/mocad-considering-architecture.html http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/08/mocad-considering-architecture.html Awareness Events Green Sun, 03 Aug 2008 18:22:58 -0500 Detroit's Sacred Spaces Photography Contest I miss Kennedy Square...The DIA, in conjunction with the exhibition Kenro Izu: Sacred Places, is organizing an online photo contest to capture images of sacred Detroit. While you can view all the submissions by visiting Flickr, only select photo submissions will be reviewed and published in a blog. 

The deadline for submitting photos is September 3, 2008.  The DIA has complete contest details.

Many of the images submitted so far are architecture related and quite moving.  I'll be keeping an eye on this Flickr group with interest.  Photo taken by Casino Jones.]]> http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/07/detroits-sacred-spaces-contest.html http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/07/detroits-sacred-spaces-contest.html Contests Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:36:40 -0500 Paradise Valley Paradise Valley - Master PlanDetroit's Downtown Development Authority is moving forward with redevelopment plans of the area also known as Harmonie Park.

Largely an urban revitalization project, the group hopes to create an entertainment and cultural district in the neighborhood surrounding a small park and open space.  Initially, sidewalks, curbs, and lighting will be replaced in anticipation of future building renovation and development.

The plan is quite extensive and promises to restore what was once a culturally rich part of Detroit.  An article in Crain's actually includes some plans and a rendering of the proposed district.

Detroit DDA OKs Funds for Paradise Valley Project [ via Crain's Detroit ]

If you're unfamiliar with the history of this area, check out this great article from the Detroit News Archives:

Paradise Valley and Black Bottom [ via Detroit News ]
]]> http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/07/paradise-valley.html http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/07/paradise-valley.html New Projects Urban Fri, 25 Jul 2008 12:34:54 -0500 Container Housing Container HousingThe last couple months, the local newspapers have highlighted some green architecture initiatives.  We previously reported a couple of firsts for Michigan in LEED certified projects.  This one is more focused on reuse and recycling of existing shipping containers.

Keep your eyes on the southeast corner of Rosa Parks and Warren as this project starts to take shape this Fall with expected completion sometime next summer.

Model D has quite an extensive article about the architects involved and the interest from the educational and cultural communities.
]]> http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/07/container-housing.html http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/07/container-housing.html Awareness Green Sun, 20 Jul 2008 12:19:42 -0500 Pinnacle Race Course Pinnacle Race CourseYou may remember in late 2007 when the proposed project in Romulus to bring back horse racing in metro Detroit was canceled, but do you remember that a couple months later the founder of Republic Bancorp announced his own plans?

It's already a year later and the new track will hold it's first race this Friday at 2:30 p.m.  Pinnacle will open with a temporary grandstand for 1,000 and a pavilion. Plans call for a 4,000-seat permanent grandstand and a clubhouse with nine restaurants by 2010.  Continue reading for a glimpse of the site plan showing the extent of the entertainment/retail center.

]]> http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/07/pinnacle-race-course.html http://www.criticaldetroit.org/blog/2008/07/pinnacle-race-course.html New Projects Thu, 17 Jul 2008 12:15:11 -0500