CAM Magazine Special Issue 2008: The Best of Michigan Construction

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Welcome to our 13th edition of the Special Issue,“Construction 2008”. Since 1996,

CAM Magazine has been showcasing the most outstanding commercial construc-

tion projects in Michigan. This yearly issue is our way of honoring excellence and

achievement in building, performed and conceptualized by the many talented individuals

who make up this industry.

This year’s Special Issue Awards will be presented on the second day of CAM Expo 2009, which

will be celebrating its 25th anniversary next year. We hope you will come out and join us at

this special event on Thursday, February 5, 2009. The awards ceremony will begin at 11:30 am,

and will be immediately followed by a contractors’ reception for our attendees. There are

many reasons to celebrate, and we hope to see you there!

Until then, please enjoy this edition of the Special Issue,“Construction 2008”.

Amanda Tackett, Editor

Letter from the Editor

4 CAM MAGAZINE SPECIAL ISSUE 2008

Welcome to our 13th edition of the Special Issue,“Construction 2008”. Since 1996,

CAM Magazine has been showcasing the most outstanding commercial construc-

tion projects in Michigan. This yearly issue is our way of honoring excellence and

achievement in building, performed and conceptualized by the many talented individuals

who make up this industry.

This year’s Special Issue Awards will be presented on the second day of CAM Expo 2009, which

will be celebrating its 25th anniversary next year. We hope you will come out and join us at

this special event on Thursday, February 5, 2009. The awards ceremony will begin at 11:30 am,

and will be immediately followed by a contractors’ reception for our attendees. There are

many reasons to celebrate, and we hope to see you there!

Until then, please enjoy this edition of the Special Issue,“Construction 2008”.

Amanda Tackett, Editor

SPECIAL FALL EDITION 2008

10 The Grand River Dream CruiseMotor City Casino Lights Up the Night

24 Terminal VelocityThe North Terminal Redevelopment Project

32 Rx for Change:Metro Health Writes Prescription for

the First LEED Hospital in the Midwest

46 A Mall for AllThe Mall at Partridge Creek

56 High-End Design Inside and OutChase Plastic Services, Inc.

SI 2008 1-23 9/29/08 1:03 PM Page 4

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Jason McLellandJeff ChandlerJim Boland Julie RourkeKen Boland

Teresa CaseyGary J. BeggsKen Kelbert

REPRESENTING

SI 2008 1-23 10/2/08 10:07 AM Page 5

6 CAM MAGAZINE SPECIAL ISSUE 2008 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”

The GatewayOf Opportunity

Education and Training distinguishes usfrom all the rest.

Local 324 OperatingEngineers spend more than

$4 million on training annually to assure you get

the best. Be sure the contractor you hire for your

next project shares our values of

Education and Training.Gateway Project, Detroit, MIGateway Project, Detroit, MI

SPECIAL FALL EDITION 2008

68 A Course in Advanced Business ManagementWalsh College Delivers an Extraordinary Building

On an Ordinary Budget

80 City ChicMGM Grand Builds Entertainment Destination

in the Heart of Detroit

90 Triangulating in BirminghamThe Green Significance of 735 Forest

98 Power ShiftAbu Dhabi National Energy Co., TAQA Tenant Fit-Out

106 Make it Fun and They Will ComeWestview School: Where Kids Want to Be

114 Delivering Power for Our TimesITCTransmission Headquarters

122 The Builders’ ArtOn Exhibit at the New DIA

136 Subcontractors List

146 Advertisers Index

ABOUT THE COVER

Utilizing the latest in sheetfed printing, the

cover was printed with UVcured inks and coatings,

vegetable-based inks, andalso integrating Metal FX

technologies.

SI 2008 1-23 10/2/08 1:58 PM Page 6

LOCAL 324 MISSION STATEMENTTo anticipate for, and capitalize on the ever-changing economic, social, politicaland legal challenges facing our union; to provide an unmatched level of services

to members through a dedicated, loyal team of professionals.

LOCAL 324’S VALUE PROPOSITIONMembers will provide a fair day’s work, bringing unsurpassed Unity, Pride and

Productivity to the job-site while performing safely.

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37450 Schoolcraft Rd., Suite 110Livonia, MI 48150

734.462.3660www.iuoe324.org

Lee GrahamTraining Director

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Training Fund, Inc.275 East Highland Road

Howell, MI 48843517.546.9610

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The GatewayOf Opportunity

Education and Training distinguishes usfrom all the rest.

Local 324 OperatingEngineers spend more than

$4 million on training annually to assure you get

the best. Be sure the contractor you hire for your

next project shares our values of

Education and Training.Gateway Project, Detroit, MIGateway Project, Detroit, MI

SI 2008 1-23 9/29/08 12:08 PM Page 7


PUBLISHER Kevin N. KoehlerEDITOR Amanda M. Tackett

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR E. Dewey Little

ASSOCIATE EDITORS Mary E. KremposkyDavid R. Miller

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Matthew J. AustermannCOLOR MANAGEMENT/PRINTING Rick Rys

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Marci L. ChristianDIRECTOR OF MARKETING Gregg A. Montowski

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Cathy A. Jones

DIRECTORSOFFICERSChairman Jeffrey W. Cohee,

Frank Rewold & Son, Inc.

Vice Chairman Rick J. Cianek,Fraco Products

Vice Chairman Ted C. McGinley,Gutherie Lumber Co.

Treasurer Robert J. Michielutti Jr.,Michielutti Bros., Inc.

President Kevin N. Koehler

DIRECTORS Stephen J. Auger,Stephen Auger + Associates Architects

Brian J. Brunt,Brunt Associates

James C. Capo,DeMattia Group

Brian D. Kiley,Edgewood Electric, Inc.

R. Andrew Martin,F.H. Martin Constructors

John O'Neil, Sr.,W.J. O'Neil Company

Glenn E. Parvin,C.A.S.S.

Jacqueline LaDuke Walters,LaDuke Roofing & Sheet Metal

CAM Magazine (ISSN08837880) is published monthly by the Construction Association of Michigan, 43636 WoodwardAve., P.O. Box 3204, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302-3204 (248) 972-1000. $24.00 of annual membership dues is allocated toa subscription to CAM Magazine. Additional subscriptions $40.00 annually. Periodical postage paid at Bloomfield Hills, MIand additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER, SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: CAM MAGAZINE, 43636 WOODWARD AVE.,BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI 48302-3204.

For editorial comment or more information: [email protected] reprints or to sell CAM Magazine: 248-972-1000.

Copyright © 2008 Construction Association of Michigan. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited. CAM Magazine is a registered trademark of the Construction Association of Michigan.

Michigan Society of Association Executives

2002, 2004, 2005 & 2007Diamond Award

2003, 2006 Honorable Mention

Gallery of Fine Printing

2002 Bronze Award

MARCOM InternationalCreative Awards

2005 Gold Award

The CommunicatorInternational

Print Media Competition

Overall Association Magazine

Magazine Writing

2006GRAPHIC DESIGN USA

AMERICAN INHOUSEDESIGN AWARD

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Motor City Casino is the ulti-mate hybrid. This entertain-ment hub is part building,part car with its sleek stain-

less steel façade resembling a curved fend-er, its sinuous roofline evoking the hoodand tail fins of a 1960s muscle car. Thebuilding is a classic roadster in more thanappearance. Muscle car and building bothembody style and power. Under the hoodof those stylized tail fins and the glint ofall that chrome are the powerful enginesbuilt in Detroit’s heyday when cars wereas big as a boat and as streamlined as abird in flight. Beneath the almost aerody-namic flow of the buildings’ ribbon-like

rooflines and its restored terra cotta is thereinforced concrete structure of the origi-nal Wagner Baking Company building,the massive roof trusses of two new addi-tions, and the atypical staggered truss sys-tem of the new hotel.

Both aesthetically and structurally, “somedaring things were done in the creation ofthese buildings,” said Brian Deming, PE,senior project manager, Michigan IndustrialGroup (MIG), the Detroit-based construc-tion manager for Detroit EntertainmentLLC’s amazing entertainment venue onGrand River Avenue in Detroit.

The project team’s daring approach isevident throughout the complex.

Structurally, Giffels-NORR, Detroit/Toronto, as architect-of-record, marriedthe new casino addition to the old WagnerBuilding by employing an uncommonapplication of carbon fiber-reinforcedpolymer strips. Aesthetically, the brickand ornate terra cotta of the gracious oldbuilding, circa 1915, fuses with the gleamof contemporary metal and the glow ofLED lights at night. The entire campus –new hotel, renovated casino and expan-sion, valet building, and restaurant andtheater complex – is a stylized composi-tion in brick and stainless steel, bringingto life the detailing of a classic car and thehistorical details of a vintage building.

BY MARY E. KREMPOSKY, ASSOCIATE EDITOR

MOTOR CITY CASINO LIGHTS UP THE NIGHT

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CAM MAGAZINE SPECIAL ISSUE 2008 11Visit us at www.cam-online.com

DRAG RACING AT MOTOR CITY Construction of this approximately

800,000-square-foot entertainment com-plex was split into four different “pitcrews” or design and construction teams,each tasked with the job of creating onephase of the four-phase project under theguidance of a core management team.

Phase I is the 400-suite, 17-story hotel,housing a spa, fitness center, an ultralounge named Amnesia, and a four-dia-mond restaurant called Iridescence.Phase II is the renovation of the temporarycasino housed in the old Wagner Building– once home to the Wonder Bread factory– since 1999, and the construction of atwo-story casino expansion producing atotal of 100,000 square feet of gamingspace. Phase III almost triples the size ofthe existing Continental Building for atotal of 208,000 square feet of buffet, ball-room, restaurant, and convention space,as well as a 1,200-seat theater. Phase IV isa four-story, 60,000-square-foot valetbuilding linking an existing parking deckto the casino proper and housing retailshops and restrooms.

Expansion of this gaming hub alsoentailed construction of a new 933-carparking deck behind the hotel, as well as anew network of pedestrian bridges link-ing all the structures within this mini-city.The enclosed bridges keep Michigan’sfickle weather at bay and solve two otherconcerns. “We added bridges to connectall four buildings at the second-floorlevel,” said Frank Panici, principal ofToronto-based NORR Limited and projectmanager for Giffels-NORR. “We had tomake these second-floor connections toensure efficient circulation, and also tomake sure underage patrons, who are notallowed into the casino proper, can bypassthe casino and attend theater events orenter other parts of the complex.”

MIG began providing scheduling, esti-mating, feasibility studies and other pre-construction services in June 2005, saidDeming. Like a dragster with a powerfulengine, MIG broke ground on the hotelfoundations in November 2005, followedby foundations for the casino expansiononly a few weeks later, and delivery of thecasino expansion in July 2007. “TheContinental Building was two months fur-ther out in terms of construction and foun-dations,” said Panici. “At one point, wehad all four projects underway at thesame time.” This roughly $275 millionproject averaged about $12 million dollarsworth of construction activity per month,and employed approximately 700 con-

struction workers at its peak, according toinformation supplied by Giffels-NORR.

Design was essentially concurrent withconstruction. Detroit Entertainment LLCenlisted the services of Chip Foose, therenowned muscle car designer and host ofthe popular television series,“Overhaulin,” to work with the projectteam beginning in February 2006. WhileFoose worked on bringing the magic of“tail fins and chrome” back to the MotorCity, MIG and Giffels-NORR worked onthe structure and shell of the casino addi-tion and hotel.

The creation of this new city landmarkwas an intense, collaborative effort.“Ultimately, the project used an integrateddesign approach,” said Panici. “ChipFoose, Genesis Associates, the project’sinterior design firm based in Santa Ana,California, and ourselves all worked as acollaborative team on the design. We hadseparate contracts, but we all fed off ofeach other’s ideas with everyone provid-ing input on interior and exterior design.We then amalgamated all the conceptsinto a cohesive design. We also collabo-

rated very closely with MIG, because thedesign was evolving as constructionmoved forward.”

STORY-HIGH STEEL AND HAUTE CUISINEMIG put its engines into high gear,

installing the hotel foundations as the firstmilestone in a three-year journey. Thehotel rests on 36 drilled piers, each meas-uring 6.5 feet in diameter and reaching135 feet through Detroit’s soft clay tobedrock. The core foundations wereplaced in two, 4-foot-thick mass concretepours that now blanket the top of thedrilled piers. The concrete shear walls ofthe monolithic elevator and stair towerswere built almost to their full heightbefore MIG began “lacing together” thefour towers - two each on the east andwest ends - with 46 staggered trusses, saidDeming.

“It was a coordination issue,” addedDeming. “Rather than coordinating thetwo different concrete and steel trades, itwas faster to let the concrete trade finishand then let the structural steel crew workon its own.”

Shifting colors bathe an array of clear acrylic tubes, transforming the casino interior into amagical playground of light. The hollow tubes have solid sandblasted end caps at the bottomand interconnected LED lights on a “light string” at the top of each tube.

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Giffels-NORR developed the staggeredtruss system to meet the tight schedule.“We had to come up with a structural sys-tem that could be erected quickly and thatwas familiar to the trades in the localarea,” said Panici. Information suppliedby Giffels-NORR explains the staggeredtruss system, an approach not commonlyemployed in Michigan: “Story-high truss-es span between exterior column lines andadjacent trusses are vertically staggeredsuch that the floor slabs span from the topchord of one truss to the bottom chord ofthe adjacent truss. The staggered steeltrusses support 10-inch-thick precast, pre-stressed hollowcore slabs for the residen-tial floors.”

Deming draws a mental picture of thestaggered grid, “If you hypotheticallynumbered the steel columns, trusseswould span columns one and two on thefourth floor, and columns two and threeon the fifth floor.” Overall, the trussesform a checkerboard pattern of truss andclear space. Continuing this example, oneportion of a hollow core plank would reston top of the fourth-floor truss and theother portion would rest on the bottom of

the fifth-floor truss. The whole point of this system of stag-

gered trusses and hollow-core planks isswift erection and versatile designoptions, for the system provides column-free interior space for the hotel interior.“For the hotel, the staggered steel trusseswere spaced at 30-foot on center on alter-nate floors. The design resulted in col-umn-free space of approximately 75 feetby 60 feet on any one given floor,” accord-ing to Giffels-NORR. “…Traditional com-posite steel beams and girders supportingcast-in-place concrete slabs on metal deckcompose” the non-residential areas of thehotel. Whaley Steel Corporation, Mio, wasthe steel and precast erector.

NASA COMES TO THE MOTOR CITYIridescence, one of Motor City’s premier

restaurants, is one of the hotel’s “non-res-idential areas.” Iridescence shimmers atthe very top level of the hotel tower. Withwell over a hundred clear small globessuspended from a 40-foot ceiling, eating atIridescence is like dining inside of a bottleof champagne. At night, the city glitterslike a jeweled carpet below the restau-

rant’s expansive windows, and the moonglows just beyond the bold sweep of thehotel’s curved stainless steel parapet.

Modeled after the details of a 1949Mercury, the sleek curvature of this stain-less steel ribbon has become the trademarkof this new entertainment venue. “Wewere seven stories in the air in terms ofhotel construction when Chip Foose cameup with the concept that the hotel roofshould look like the fender of a classic carwith its sloping, curvilinear metal fins,”recalled Panici. “As a result of this con-cept, Foose, Genesis and Giffels-NORRdesigned this undulating, out-of-phaseroof structure (meaning the steel lines onopposite sides of the building are not par-allel, one being lower than the other).”

This rare sculptural roofline is a mar-riage of imagination and technology. This304-foot-long ribbon of steel was designedand constructed using BIM technology.Specifically, the project team used CATIA,a computer-modeling software first usedby NASA and adapted by the automotiveindustry. “The only way we could get thisroof designed and meet the schedule andbudget was by using BIM and CATIA

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adapted to the building industry,” saidPanici.

In July 2006, the project team trans-formed a sketch from Chip Foose into a3D model, bringing NASA technologyback to Earth and its result into the handsof the firms entrusted to craft this metalmasterpiece for Motor City. The servicesof Quality Metalcraft, Livonia, an automo-tive metal fabricator with CATIA experi-ence and a strong working relationshipwith Foose, were enlisted to help the team“develop the complex shape of theroofline and to detail the irregular sur-faces, integrating all the stainless steel sur-faces and structural members,” accordingto information supplied by Giffels-NORR.

“We exported the 3D model to QualityMetalcraft by the end of September 2006,”said Panici. “They put it into their com-puter modeling system and created shopdrawings or a model that reflected ourdesign. The completed model was trans-ferred to the various subtrades, allowingthe information to be integrated directlyinto the manufacturers’ fabricationprocess, reducing both production andconstruction time and preserving designintent.”

Steel fabrication of this 181-ton wing ofsteel began in October 2006. “The pieceswere fabricated in 30-foot segments ofstainless steel and checked for fit in awarehouse before shipment to the job-site,” said Deming. An entire team of sub-contractors helped bring this one-of-a-kind roof to life. Bristol Steel & ConveyorCorporation, Davison, fabricated anderected the structural steel for the curvedroof, as well as the mechanical and restau-rant mezzanine; Aristeo Construction Co.,Livonia, partnered with QualityMetalcraft to engineer, fabricate andinstall the stainless steel ribbon roof thatmeasures from 3 feet to 8 feet in height.

The Wagner Baking Co. building, hous-ing the casino proper, features an evenmore complex, chevron- or V-shaped rib-bon roof used as a corner element. “Plus,this entire curved roof of stainless steeland glass is sitting on top of an almost 100-year-old building, so in some aspects, itwas more challenging to construct than thehotel roof,” said Deming. Fortunately, thesophistication of CATIA software readilyformed the chevron shape, and the vintagebuilding’s reinforced concrete structureeasily managed the additional load.

In turn, MIG readily managed multipletheaters of construction on this active job-site. MIG was finishing the hotel underthe protective canopy of a temporary roof

SI 2008 1-23 9/29/08 12:08 PM Page 14

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installed on the 16th floor, while a flurryof companies were immersed in designingthe hotel ribbon roof. Work also contin-ued unabated on the existing casino andits two-story expansion.

MIXING BUSINESS WITH PLEASURE The project team’s out-of-the-box think-

ing solved another conundrum: how toextend a portion of the two-story casinoaddition over a one-story section of theoriginal Wagner Building, withoutinstalling any shoring. Converting theoriginal Wagner roof into a new floor inthis one section (the Wagner Building iscomposed of four, two and one-story sec-tions) entailed pouring a 9-inch-thick con-crete floor slab with a 4-inch drop panel,an operation typically requiring a shoringsystem on the first floor to support theroof during the pour. Unfortunately, ashoring system on the ground level wouldbring gaming to a halt in this area for oneto two weeks.

Anthony DeStefano, Giffels-NORRstructural engineer, came to the rescuewith a plan to reinforce the roof with car-

The new hotel’s roofline and diamond-shaped accentsecho details of the WagnerBaking Company building,originally built in 1915.

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bon fiber-reinforced polymer strips. “Thestrips increase the capacity of the roof totake the load of the poured concrete untilthat concrete settles and becomes part ofthe concrete structure,” said Panici.“Essentially, the strips acted almost like ashoring strategy for the existing concrete.”

The carbon strips are typically used inCalifornia to reinforce concrete structuresagainst seismic activity, or to reinforceconcrete bridges and other infrastructure,added Deming. “Akins Construction isthe subcontractor that installed this SIKAproduct line,” he added. “We had manu-facturers representatives observe theinstallation and inspect the technique.”

Linking the Wagner Building to the newaddition kept the team on its toes. “Wehad to open up the building and look atwhat was there, reacting in real time as faras how the connections could be made,”said Deming. “We worked closely withthe architects and engineers, particularlysince the floor plate of the building is tri-angular rather than a conventional squareor rectangle.”

Building the casino and the ContinentalBuilding additions shared two commonconcerns: installation of massive rooftrusses and maintenance of existing casinooperations. The second floor of both addi-tions is hung from heavy steel roof trussesmeasuring 100 feet in length and 10 feet indepth. The triangular shape of the casinoaddition added another layer of complex-ity to the installation of the six massivetrusses that provide 100-foot spans of col-umn-free space on the second-level. Theclear spans make room for unimpededgaming and for the mesmerizing light dis-plays continually flitting across the ceilingof the casino’s main floor. “Hanging thesecond floor from the roof also created acolumn-free zone for the loading docklocated in a section of the addition’s firstlevel,” said Deming. In the ContinentalBuilding, the roof trusses clear the firstfloor for column-free ballrooms, confer-ence and banquet rooms.

MIG had to mix the business of con-struction with the gaming zeal of casinopatrons, meaning construction had to beconstantly tailored around the 24/7 oper-ations of an active casino. “When weerected the trusses in the casino they hadto clear the public from that first-floorgaming area for a time,” said Deming.“We also had to reroute emergency exits,because building the addition impactedthis area. Plus, we had to work around theloading dock, since the second floor of thecasino addition is basically built over the

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loading dock. We erected the structural steel frame to a safe con-dition, allowing the casino to open up their dock and allowing usto begin installing interior finishes on the second floor.”

In the Continental Building, MIG phased the project around theoperations of the casino’s bustling buffet. “We had to stagger con-struction and work closely with operations so that they could con-tinue to run their eatery, while we were constructing a buildingalmost triple the size of the original Continental Building,” saidDeming.

RESTORING A CLASSIC The Dream Cruise lasts forever at Motor City Casino thanks to

the force of design and the skill of the construction team. Thesheen of stainless steel panels blankets nearly half of the casinoand Continental Building additions. The conventional bound-aries of a building dissolve under the broad arc of rounded pan-els virtually transforming the two structures into the body of aclassic car.

The stainless steel panels stretch along the length of the newadditions and extend across a portion of the existing buildings.Folded aluminum composite metal panels with rows of LEDlighting complete this unique building integument where brickmeets metal and old terra cotta meets contemporary lighting tech-nology. “We essentially created an amalgamation of old andnew,” said Panici.

A 20-foot-high stainless steel façade and a veneer wood finish formthe dazzling entry to Motor City Casino’s high limit gaming area.The entry is on a radius, both horizontally and on its vertical slope.

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Amalgamating metal to vintage brickrequired installation of a new truss sub-structure on the exterior of the existingbuildings. “The original Wagner Buildingand Continental Building are reinforcedconcrete structures, so we penetratedthrough the brick to reach the structure tosupport the trusses and the new metalpanels,” said Deming.

MIG also restored portions of theWagner Building’s original brick façadeand its beautifully detailed terra cottaornamentation. Laser scanning, an inno-vative, high-definition type of surveying,was used to evaluate the exterior masonryof the 80-year-old façade and to accurate-ly capture existing conditions. “Theplumbness and soundness of the existingbrick was very important for analyzingthe renovation repairs needed and toretrofit the existing structure,” accordingto information supplied by Giffels-NORR.

The renovation brought back to life thebuilding’s original decorative elements,including terra cotta wheat stalks and earsof corn with each kernel carefully detailedon the cob. These terra cotta medallionswere replicated in cast stone and now add

a sense of Old World grace to the newaddition’s VIP porte-cochere. The terracotta ornamentation complements thethree different brick patterns – standard,soldier course and basket weave – form-ing the street-level façade of all the cam-pus buildings, said Deming.

With its gable-shaped coping and dia-mond pattern insets, the hotel’s two bricktowers match the original detailing of theWagner Building. Both of the 18-storytowers are formed of hand-laid brick witha decorative glass infill, said Deming. Thehotel towers ranked as one of the largestbricklaying projects in the region at thetime of construction, he added.

Similar to the two additions, the streetor pedestrian level features decorativebrickwork in a basket weave pattern. “Itis not just the amount of brick work onthe project, but the detail of the brickwork that is something you don’t oftensee,” said Deming. Added Panici, “Weused contemporary adaptations of thebrick patterns that are on the originalWagner Building. We worked with Leidal& Hart Mason Contractors, Livonia, todevelop the brick façade and to get the

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With well over a hundred clear globes suspended from a 40-foot ceiling, eating at Iridescence is like dining inside a champagne bottle. At night, the city glitterslike a jeweled carpet 16 stories below thisfour-diamond-rated restaurant located atopMotor City’s 400-suite hotel.

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brick technical details down.” The monolithic towers flank the hotel’s

extensive glass curtain wall system, offer-ing panoramic views from every room.The new hotel stretches along an east-west axis, exposing the full expanse of itsbroad southern façade to the Detroit sky-line. “The presidential suites have a greatview of the Detroit skyline,” said Panici.“The whole design of the hotel tower andits orientation was to take advantage ofthese views.”

Motor City Casino now adds its ownstrong presence to the Detroit skyline. Byday, the wonderful synergy of brick andstainless steel is in full view. Driving theLodge at night, the LED-lit expanse ofMotor City Casino rises suddenly abovethe freeway, its kaleidoscope of colorsadding a welcome glow to the urbantableau.

These ribbons of light are installed insuccessive rows in the hotel’s curtain wallsystem and in the folded aluminum com-posite panels of the casino. Nearly 4,800high-intensity, programmable LED lighttubes are installed along the exterior of thehotel and casino. “The fixtures use lessthan half the power of incandescent lights,last up to 15 years, and are capable of pro-ducing 16.7 million colors,” according toinformation supplied by Giffels-NORR.

A PLAYGROUND OF LIGHTOverall, the buildings produce the illu-

sion of a muscle car in motion. The themeand the magic continue in the buildinginterior. The main gaming floor on thesecond level of the new casino addition isawash in LED lights and subtle referencesto the automotive world, all designedwith style, imagination and a sense ofplay. LED lights race along a curved arc ofsilver-painted, formed fiberglass panelsinstalled along one edge of the main gam-ing floor. Adding to this 24/7 light showon the ceiling, shifting colors bath anarray of clear acrylic tubes above anothergaming area.

Phil Treinen, project manager of GenesisInterior Design, explains: “The tubes arehollow with solid sandblasted end caps atthe bottom with interconnected LEDlights on a ‘light string’ at the top of eachtube. The tubes are staggered at variouslengths to create a wave shape across thebottom, which accentuates the movementof the changing LED colors. The LEDs arecontrolled via a computer interface. Oneof the exciting aspects of this LED technol-ogy is that each individual light can beaddressed as a pixel and controlled indi-

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vidually or in various groups, allowing awide variety of effects, including the dis-play of video images and a changing arrayof colors.”

This magical playground of light givesMotor City visitors a unique gamingexperience. “One of the things we wantedMotor City to express was the vibrancyand “beat” of Detroit,” said Treinen. “Thedesign team, which also included ourclient, wanted to employ features thathadn’t been done before and set a newlevel of ‘cool.’ The LED lighting wasdesigned to represent the party atmos-phere we wanted the casino to have, andallowed a vibrancy and playfulness remi-niscent of the ‘60s and ‘70s without beinga throwback to the design idioms of that

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The project included cleaning and restora-tion of the Wagner Baking Company build-ing’s ornate terra cotta accents. The terracotta medallions were replicated in caststone and installed on the casino addition’sVIP porte-cochere entrance, blending thegrace of a vintage historical building withthe casino’s contemporary glitz. PH

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period. Essentially, the desire was for thecasino to be a fun, exciting place to playas opposed to a more formal or themedfacility.”

The automotive theme subtly infiltratesthe gaming space. “You can find elementsevocative of automotive trim in the casino,including ornamentation over the PlayersClub, which are abstracted forms of carbumpers and side scoops,” said Treinen.Genesis distilled its design from quintes-sential elements of Detroit, including theconcept cars of the ‘50s and ‘60s and thecity’s rich musical heritage. “We adopteda design credo of ‘future retro,’ to providethe design ethos for the project,” saidTreinen. “This meant incorporating clas-sic ‘50s and ‘60s elements, and updatingthem, along with softening some of themore current influences.”

The main construction challenges werethe high level of finishes and the sheerheight of some of the interior spaces. “Inthe casino, the entrance to the high limitgaming is a stainless steel façade andveneer wood finish that rises 20 feet,” saidDeming. Plus, the entry is on a radius,both horizontally and on its vertical slope.

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A Motor City original, the sinuous sweep of the hotel’s roof evokes the fender and fins of aclassic car. The sheen of stainless steel and the play of LED lights boldly set this stretch ofGrand River Avenue aglow.

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The fit of all these interior finishes had tobe perfect to maintain the design intent.”The second-level houses the main gamingarea of the casino, while the first level ofthe casino contains gaming space, a newpoker room, the VIP porte-cochereentrance, the loading dock, and the mainsubstation switchgear.

Each area of this interconnected web ofbuildings is like a new neighborhood withits own personality. “The ContinentalBuilding is the theater, restaurant andmeeting space core, so the finishes featuremore wood and more subtle colors, butstill retain an emphasis on lighting andthe common thread of stainless steel,metallic accent finishes,” said Treinen.“The theater lobby bar features morevibrant colors to parallel the energy gener-ated in the theater.”

The hotel lobby has a calming palette ofblue glass mosaic tile and wood panelingfor the soaring reception desk wall. “Thehotel lobby is a two-story, open structurewith 25-foot-high ceilings,” said Panici.Putting the R back in relaxation, the sooth-ing sounds of a waterfall cascade downanother 25-foot expanse of blue glass tile.The lobby’s undulating wall of wood pan-els is in sync with the sinuous lines of theribbon roofs, subtly linking the hotel inte-rior to the exterior.

“We wanted an expansive hotel lobbywith clean, uncluttered architectural linesand furnishings,” said Treinen. “Thereception desk wall and retail wall havedramatic sweeping curves to emphasizetheir materials, particularly the exoticMovingue wood veneer with darkerMovingue and polished stainless steelaccents. The wall is further accentuatedby LDA’s use of lighting. Also key is thetravertine floors with stainless dividerstrips.” The hotel offers a spa, a nightclub,and the Iridescence restaurant on the 16thfloor. “The restaurant features a 27-foot-high glass-enclosed wine display with acomputer controlled, vertically rotating,custom designed and fabricated wine cra-dle system fabricated and engineeredlocally by Detroit-based FerranteManufacturing Co. and its subcontractor,”added Treinen. That’s an interior designfeature worth its weight in Merlot.Thanks to an inspired and skilled designand construction team, visitors to MotorCity Casino can turn the inner dial toparty mode, burning away stress in thisexciting entertainment venue in the heartof the actual Motor City.

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VelocityVelocityVelocityVelocityVelocityVelocityVelocityVelocity


The North TerminalRedevelopment Project is diffi-cult to put into perspective. To acasual observer, the 26-gate facil-

ity, which was approved by the airlines inJune 2001 to replace the Berry and Smithterminal complex, would appear to haveinched toward completion at a snail’space. When one considers the scope ofthe project, which included the construc-tion of an 850,000-square-foot facility, anenclosed skywalk connecting the terminal

to a nearby parking deck, and a two-levelGround Transportation Center, in addi-tion to the demolition of the existingDavey Terminal, Marriott Hotel and600,000-square-yards of apron, the rela-tively short time period between concep-tion and completion seems much moreimpressive. On top of that, an under-standing of the job’s complexities, whichincluded working with many users andother stake-holders, coping with substan-tial design changes including many

resulting from the aftermath of 9/11, andthe inherent logistical issues associatedwith working at a major air transporta-tion complex, could make a person won-der how it ever got completed at all.

The team that delivered this mammothproject on time and on budget includedmaster architect/design architect Gensler,Detroit, and associate architect GHAFARIAssociates, LLC, Dearborn, along withconstruction manager Walbridge BartonMalow, LLC, Detroit. An able group of

VelocityTerminalBy David R. Miller, Associate Editor Photos by Anne-Marie Poltorak, CIT

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subcontractors and professional consult-ants followed the example of these indus-try leaders to form a cohesive team thatwas more than up to this challenge.

PROJECT HISTORY The facility known as the North

Terminal today was originally approvedby the airlines in June 2001. Events unlikeanything seen before put the future of thisproject in doubt shortly thereafter.

“In September 2001, 9/11 occurred andthere was some question as to whetherthere was even going to be a commercialaviation industry,” said Jon Hypnar, AIA,senior vice president, facilities, mainte-nance and planning for the DetroitMetropolitan Wayne County AirportAuthority. “As we moved beyond that,we went forward with design and con-struction of this new terminal to replacethe aging facilities of the Smith and BerryTerminals.”

The long-term effects of the terroristattacks, along with other business trends,complicated planning efforts by makingthe airline industry somewhat unpre-dictable. The Berry Terminal, for exam-ple, was originally the airport’s interna-tional terminal when it was competed in1972. The Berry Terminal’s role wasgreatly diminished when many interna-tional flights were transferred over to thenew McNamara Terminal. Charter traffic,another Berry Terminal mainstay, hasdrastically decreased in recent years.Skyrocketing fuel costs and other finan-cial pressures have also created a surge oflow-cost carriers, which neither the BerryTerminal, nor the older Smith Terminal,was designed to accommodate.

Of course, the mostn o t i c e a b l ec h a n g e

for post-9/11 flyers is an enhanced levelof security. Despite all of the new post-9/11 challenges, one key variableremained unchanged from the earliestplanning stages.

“One goal that has driven the designand construction is the budget,” admittedHypnar. “The airlines established abudget in 2001 when they approved theproject. When design work started in2004, we were told that we could proceed,but with the same budget. By the timeWalbridge Barton Malow ended up beingselected as the successful constructionmanager at risk in 2005, we had to workfour years’ worth of inflation into a budg-et that was tight in 2001.”

Despite the firmly set budget, therewere certain requirements for the newterminal that would not come cheaply.Airlines operating out of the NorthTerminal would be at a competitive dis-advantage if the fit and finish of theirfacility was inferior to what was found ashort distance away at the McNamaraTerminal. The project was also originallybudgeted as a renovation of the DaveyTerminal. The decision to build a newfacility added a substantial amount ofdemolition to the overall cost.

Delivering a high-end feel on a shoe-string budget was one of many challengesthat impacted the overall design philoso-phy of the project team.

DESIGN PHILOSOPHYFor the North Terminal to succeed com-

mercially, the facility would need to liveup to the elevated expectations created bythe McNamara Terminal. Using theMcNamara Terminal as a benchmarkposed some challenges, as the NorthTerminal was designed to operate under adifferent model.

“The difference between theMcNamara Terminal and the NorthTerminal is in the way that passengerspass though the facility,” said Hypnar.“The McNamara Terminal was built as ahub facility, with lots of aircraft coming infrom a variety of destinations and passen-gers changing over to other flights withinthe same concourse. The North Terminalwas designed as an O and D [Origin andDestination] facility, with passengerseither starting or ending their trips there.”

Movement patterns in O and D termi-nals are very different from hubbing facil-ities. An understanding of how peoplewould traverse the space aided the designprocess.

“Regardless of what type of traveler wewere looking at, or what airline theywere using, we were able toidentify commonpaths that



everyone walked,” said WilliamHartman, AIA, LEED AP, design princi-pal and principal-in-charge for Gensler.“That let us be very efficient with thedesign. We could support the movementof the passengers without wasting ourbudget in areas that weren’t commonlyexperienced.”

The second level of the North Terminalis the departure level. Departing passen-gers enter the second level through acurbside door or via an escalator for those

using the parking deck with its third-levelpedestrian walkway. Once on the depar-tures level, they stand in a two-storyentry foyer that brings natural light intoall three levels of the facility, even thelower level baggage claim area. Fromhere, they continue along a carefully con-sidered path that ends at the door of theirairplane.

Blue accents were artfully applied tothe interior to subtly direct all passengersin the right direction. Passengers can

Various retail offerings help make flyingout of the North Terminal more pleasant.

A two-story entry foyer brings natural light into all three levels of the facility, even this lowerlevel baggage claim area.



navigate the facility by simply movingtoward the next blue wall. As they reacha point where they might need to make adecision, even something as simple aswhether they need to use the restroom,passengers are comforted by a reductionin scale provided by drop ceilings withwarm wood panels. Departing passen-gers first enter the ticketing area, whichincludes easy access to traditional ticketcounters and Internet ticket kiosks. Bythis point, they have likely already light-ened their burden by checking their bag-gage curbside. Passengers may travelthrough the facilities differently, but theywill still see many similarities betweenthe North and McNamara terminals.

“The comparison to McNamara[Terminal], in terms of operation and con-figuration, is very important,” saidHartman. “There is a family resemblancebetween the buildings. The NorthTerminal is much smaller, so it is the littlebrother, but the operational efficiency andfamily resemblance are still there.”

To deliver a terminal that functioned aswell as its big brother, the design teamfirst needed to develop an understandingof precisely how the facility would beused and what was important to eachuser.

“Arriving at a facility design that pro-vided a pleasant experience for passen-gers, but also balanced the needs of thestakeholders, was a challenge,” saidHartman. “It’s easy to solve functionalproblems when all you consider is func-tion. However, when the experiences ofpassengers, visitors, airline workers, con-cessionaires and the airport staff are alltaken into consideration, everything israised up a notch. From the beginning ofthe project, there were many discussionswhere the voices of all these groups wererepresented.”

Before the desires of these groups couldbe realized, the project team first neededto address many logistical issues associat-ed with the project.

LOGISTICAL ISSUES The site of the North Terminal posed a

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team, as it prevented contamination fromseeping into soils below. This reduced theamount of soil that needed to be trans-ported to a landfill.

“One challenge that we had early onwas designing the facility right on top ofan existing ductbank that supplied powerand chilled water from the existing power

plant to other facilities that had to stay inoperation,” said Tom McCarthy, deputydirector, North Terminal Redevelopmentfor the Detroit Metropolitan WayneCounty Airport Authority.

This ductbank and other utilities wouldhave been problematic under even thebest of conditions, but the situation on the

site was far from ideal.“The utilities here have aged consider-

ably, said Charlie Pfeifer, project execu-tive for Walbridge Barton Malow. “Anumber of them weren’t located verywell, but we found them very quicklywhenever we put shovels into theground. We ran into one chilled waterpipe that wasn’t where it was supposedto be, and the pipe was so old that wecouldn’t find replacement parts. Weended up using a temporary chiller [sup-plied by Hale Contracting, Inc., MBE,Detroit] because we always had to have aplan so that the airport would never real-ize any significant downtime.”

In addition to keeping disruptions at aminimum, the project team also had tocoordinate all activities with an unusual-ly large group.

“It is important to understand that youare working with multiple customers on aproject like this,” said Pfeifer. “We arebuilding for all of the airlines, but also forinternal customers within WCAA [WayneCounty Airport Authority]. At the sametime, we were working with a very diffi-cult budget and inside an active airportfacility where passengers are constantlytrying to move towards the terminals.”

Walbridge Barton Malow performedthis project as a construction manager atrisk. Minor alterations, which wouldresult in a change order on a typical proj-ect, were absorbed by the maximum priceguaranteed beforehand by the contractor.On the other hand, this guarantee did notaccount for significant government-andowner-directed changes. For example,changing federal regulations drasticallyaltered the requirements for the FederalInspection Station (FIS) to accommodateinternational flights. This space doubledto more than 50,000 square feet under thenew regulations, with a similar doublingof baggage capacity. Changes this signif-icant, as well as the many smaller alter-ations that are inevitable on a project ofthis size, require a fair amount of flexibil-ity on the part of the project team.

“From an administrative point of view,we had to become very adept at passingpaperwork along, getting it into thehands of our superintendents and sub-contractors and incorporating changesinto our schedule,” said Paul Tantalo, sen-ior project director for Walbridge BartonMalow. “Operations on a large construc-tion project like this can happen in sever-al different sequences. When issues cameup, we sometimes had to work on what



we could, rather than on what we wanted to, while the archi-tects and engineers resolved the issues.”

To deal with these issues effectively, the project team devel-oped an uncommon level of cooperation.

MICHIGAN TEAMWORK One interesting aspect of the North Terminal project team is

the overwhelming majority of its members that come directlyfrom southeastern Michigan, including a unique joint venturethat brought much of the region’s top construction talent togeth-er. The current state of the economy would have made it diffi-cult or impossible for a single contractor to handle the construc-tion management responsibilities.

“This project is just a portion of our volumes [Barton Malowand Walbridge Aldinger Co.], but bonding capacity is an indus-try challenge that we are all facing right now,” said DougMaibach, PE, vice president of corporate affairs for BartonMalow. “Bonding companies are hesitant to give a single com-pany a bond for a project of this size. The surety industry great-ly encourages us, as contractors, to reach out and find a partner.Both Walbridge and Barton Malow would almost had to havereached out to someone, likely from outside the area, to be apartner.”

Blue accents were artfully applied to the interior to subtly directpassengers in the right direction.



Maibach pointed out that it made senseto look for a local partner for this particu-lar project. Contractors who perform wellcan always take pride in their work, butthe visibility of the North Terminal wouldmake it a particularly valuable showplacefor top-performing Michigan contractors.The terminal would also put any projectteam failings on display, so selecting apartner that could increase the chances ofsuccess was vital.

“We’re both quality-oriented and weboth happen to be ISO certified,” saidPfeifer. “We literally merged for thisprocess, using the best of our two qualityoperating systems. Our processesimproved jointly and collectively.”

Is spite of the many positive attributeseach company possessed, Maibach can-didly admitted that he assumed thisunique partnership caused some appre-hension on the part of the owner. Couldtwo competitors work together? IfMaibach was concerned about WayneCounty Airport Authority’s reaction tothe joint venture, recent comments from

As passengers reach a point where they need to make a decision, they are comforted by areduction in scale provided by drop ceilings with warm wood panels.



Hypnar must have been reassuring.“Certainly, when we sent the project

out as construction manager at risk, wewere hoping that both Barton Malow andWalbridge Aldinger would send in pro-posals, understanding that they bothhave a great deal of local knowledge,”Hypnar said. “I was pleasantly surprisedwhen the two of them decided to go afterthis together.”

Hypnar did confess to some slight con-cern about their ability to work together,but he felt that benefit of their localexpertise would far outweigh this poten-tial liability. His experience on the projecthas reinforced his initial optimism.

“As far as we were concerned, therewas a company called Walbridge BartonMalow that operated like it had beenaround for a long time,” said Hypnar.“They worked together seamlessly.”

Local regulatory agencies are alsofamiliar with the industry leadershipexhibited by both companies. The con-tractors joined with the MichiganDepartment of Labor & Economic Growth(DLEG), the Greater Detroit Building andConstruction Trades Council, theMichigan Regional Council of Carpentersand Millwrights, and MIOSHA, to sign amajor partnership to ensure the safetyand health of workers on the project.Similar to MIOSHA’s existing partnershipwith Walbridge Aldinger for the City ofDearborn Combined Sewer OverflowContract #3 project, the first such agree-ment in Michigan, it eliminates the per-ception of working against regulatoryagencies by reducing mandated inspec-tions in favor of a genuine partnershipworking collectively and proactivelytowards a safer work environment.

The spirit of cooperation that enabledagreements like the MIOSHA partnershipwas not confined to just constructioncompanies. The design process includedintegrating the talents and resources offour local architectural firms, Gensler,GHAFARI, Hamilton AndersonAssociates, Inc., Detroit, and Scales &Associates, Inc., Detroit, which operatedinitially from Gensler’s office and thenGHAFARI’s offices during the first 16months of the project.

“Having a collocated team significantlycontributed to the success of this project,”said Kouhaila G. Hammer, GHAFARIpresident and CEO. “Collocation enabledgreater efficiencies in terms of communi-cation, information-sharing and decisionmaking among members of the design

team. Additionally, this aided the team inmeeting challenging quality and timingobjectives.”

The effectiveness of this design processmanifested itself in a highly efficient facil-ity. The North Terminal’s linear designsimplifies pedestrian traffic while reduc-ing the amount of fuel aircraft use in get-ting to the gates. The baggage system was

also engineered to save energy by operat-ing with a minimum number of tracksbringing all bags through a centrally locat-ed bomb room. Despite the complexity ofthe project, the speed in which the teamworked rivaled that of the aircraft above,reaching terminal velocity to deliver thefacility on time and on budget.

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Patients at Metro Health Hospital are tuning into the C.A.R.E.Channel, drifting to sleep while gazing at a starlit sky awashin gentle, natural sounds. Free access to this unique televisionchannel is only one example of Metro Health’s healing touch

and its belief in the restorative power of the natural world. MetroHealth brought this healing touch to its new replacement hospitalnear Grand Rapids, creating the first LEED-certified hospital in theMidwest and one of only about five in the entire country. The dedi-cated team of HDR Architecture, Inc., Omaha, a joint venture of theMichigan office of Turner Construction Company, Detroit, and TheChristman Company, Grand Rapids, and Navigant Consulting, theChicago-based program manager, brought the C.A.R.E. Channel tolife in a sense, turning the volume on high with the delivery of this$105 million dollar replacement hospital.

Metro Health Writes Prescription for the First LEED Hospital in the Midwest

By Mary E. KremposkyAssociate Editor

Photos by Wayne Cable Photography

SI 2008 32-45 Metro Health 10/2/08 11:13 AM Page 32

Steeped in the LEED approach, bothTurner/Christman and HDR steered the envi-ronmentally-conscious hospital towardvying for LEED certification, a rarity in thehospital market. Together the entire MetroHealth team has answered the naturalworld’s Code Blue (the medical term for anemergency) with an array of “green” initia-tives.

The project team planted the seeds ofchange about four years ago, and today bothsite and building is bearing fruit. On site, thetangerine-bright blossoms of butterflyplants and the deep taproots of other native


species form a living blanket, reducing irriga-tion demands and bringing the vitality of theliving world to the doorstep of the ill andinfirm. The only hospital in the United Stateswith a vegetated roof and the second largestgreen roof in Michigan – second in size butprobably first in sheer beauty – covers thehospital’s lower reaches, its eight varieties ofsedum unfolding in a broad skirt of colorbelow the patient tower. The 108,000 plantsin this floral arrangement on a grand scaleare placed in great curvilinear swaths of var-ied color, its entire expanse easily viewedfrom a glass beacon scaling the 7-storypatient tower.

Sited and definitely operating on higherground, the hospital building, itself, is abroad curved arc of softly colored brick andbands of large windows, offering everypatient a panoramic view and drawing in thebalm of natural light into each of the hospi-tal’s 208 private rooms. This massive427,000-square-foot hospital with thewarmth of a welcoming home could nothave been possible without the care andexpertise of HDR, one of the leading health-care architectural firms in the country, andTurner/Christman, a team selected after arigorous review of 10 to 20 national candi-dates. “They are the best of the best, and I

mean that sincerely,” said David C. Brown,director of Navigant Consulting, Chicago,owner’s representative and program manag-er for Metro Health.

Turner and Christman joined forces undertheir own impetus.“The joint venture wasn’ta project requirement,” said Matthew W.Bort, Turner project manager. “Turner andChristman joined forces to provide MetroHealth Hospital the strongest team possi-ble.” Added Dan LaMore, senior vice presi-dent of Christman,“This strong collaborationallowed us to bring the unique strengths ofour two companies together in a way thatwould benefit Metro Health as our client.”

The numbers tell the story: A projectdelivered a month ahead of schedule, $13million dollars under budget, and with868,737 work hours without a lost-time acci-dent. The stellar safety record made theproject the first in Michigan to ever receive aGold Safety Award from Liberty Mutual.

More than numbers, Turner/Christmanand HDR delivered a high-quality buildingthat has satisfied the hospital and inspiredthe community. “We feel that with the newhospital we finally have a facility that match-es the caliber of people that deliver care forMetro Health Hospital,” said Carrie J.Knobloch, Metro Health vice president of

An outdoor Healing Garden flourishes in the center of the hospital complex. Vegetation, freshair, and the serene patter of a small stream help reconnect visitors and staff to the restorativepower of the natural world.

SI 2008 32-45 Metro Health 9/26/08 2:26 PM Page 33


under construction include a hotel, educational facility, and a bankthat broke ground in June 2008.

After the hotel’s launch, a major organic foods store and a fitnesscenter may soon join this healthcare neighborhood, said Michael D.Faas, Metro Health CEO and the visionary leader behind the villageconcept. “We believe it is the first at this level and scale for a hospi-tal,” said Faas. “Other hospitals tour our facility, and many will com-ment that they are building or considering a similar development.Others have certainly thought of the concept before, but visiting hos-pitals tell us we are ahead of everyone else in actual development.”

MAKING ROOM FOR GROWTHMetro Health has always been fertile ground for innovation, blend-

ing traditional care with an added focus on lifestyle, diet and theinteraction of multiple bodily systems on a disorder. “Metro Health isthe only independent osteopathic hospital and the last large osteo-pathic teaching hospital in western Michigan,” said Faas.

This cutting-edge institution has surprisingly humble roots. A smallgroup of osteopathic physicians established a practice in a privatehome before founding the original hospital on a 14-acre site alongthe border of Grand Rapids and East Grand Rapids, said Knobloch.Built in 1962, the facility became a hodge-podge of outdated spacesas the hospital continually expanded over the course of the next 40years. Plus, the surrounding residential neighborhood becameincreasingly congested and no longer offered any room for growth.Like a vigorous plant outgrowing a small pot, Metro Health saw thefutility of adding yet another addition to the existing 275,000-

real estate and hospital operations. The hospital once again hasbeen rated as one of the Thomson 100 Top Hospitals in America inthe teaching hospital category for the second year in a row. “We areonly in the 1.5 percent of all hospitals in the nation to achieve thatdesignation two years in a row,” said Knobloch.

The community has responded with enthusiasm and generosityto the new replacement hospital. Numbers also tell the secondchapter of the story.“We have increased the number of new patientsat our new facility by 30 percent, emergency room visits are up 15percent, and in-patient visits are up almost 20 percent. We’ve had anincredible response from the community,” said Knobloch. “We havemore than doubled our philanthropic goals. We have people com-ing to us very enthusiastically wanting to be part of the MetroHealth experience. It has just been amazing.” In fact, the 24-hourC.A.R.E Channel is one of the most recent healing touches support-ed by philanthropy in this expanding healthcare institution locatedon the southwest fringe of Grand Rapids in Wyoming.

IT TAKES A HOSPITAL TO RAISE A VILLAGEMetro Health is not only propagating “green” healthcare buildings,

but also embarking on another groundbreaking national develop-ment: the creation of a medical village with the replacement hospi-tal as the town square. Virtually a small planned town, the 170-acresite already supports four medical office buildings for specialty andprimary care physicians, a center of excellence for outpatient oncolo-gy, and two retail centers with Wright & Filippis, Inc., a durable med-ical equipment and prosthetics supplier as first tenant. Buildings

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square-foot hospital and began the search for a more expansivepatch of ground.

Once Metro Health decided to transplant the hospital, Faas kepthis eye open for an optimal site near Grand Rapids and his mind openfor cutting-edge healthcare developments. “Probably two key vari-ables struck me,” recalled Faas. “One was the fact that some hospitalsare blessed with great locations and have retail, restaurant, medicaloffice buildings and even assisted living facilities within walking dis-tance. The second variable became clear as I was waiting for a con-necting flight in Minneapolis. I wondered, ‘Who would ever havethought to build a mall in an airport?’ The concept turned out to besuccessful. I began to transfer the concept to the medical arena. Ithought, ‘What if we build our own town with the hospital as theanchor.”

Metro Health’s quest led to an expansive site located 7 miles south-west of the existing hospital. The site places the new hospital and itscompanion development, Metro Health Village, in one of GrandRapid’s thriving population centers south of the city and offers easyaccess from the recently constructed Paul Henry Freeway along thesite’s southern fringe, added Knobloch.

PLANNING A SUCCESSFUL OPERATIONTwo years of strategic planning and two years of physical planning

produced this 7-story house of healing.The incorporation of environ-mentally-friendly principles into the new development was identi-fied as a goal at the very inception of the project. With Grand Rapidspossessing the highest number of green buildings per capita in the

country coupled with Metro Health’s holistic osteopathic principles,the quest for a sustainable building was a natural fit. “In the earlyplanning stages, we worked with the hospital and the community inputting together a list of guiding principles,” said Jarrad Pitts, manag-er of property construction, Metro Health. “Green commercial build-ing practices were identified early as a principle, and then were taken

Native grasses and a network of rain gardens produce a site with asoft footprint. The site requires less irrigation, aids in stormwatermanagement, and reduces carbon emissions via less mowing andmaintenance.



out to the village and also operationallywithin the organization.”

In the planning stages, HDR andTurner/Christman wielded the budgetaryscalpel with finesse, surgically removing $13million dollars from the original budget butbeautifully preserving the design intent.Originally, the hospital envisioned a stoneskin for the first floor in line with Frank LloydWright’s prairie-style ideal. A terracotta andbeige brick, combined with light green alu-minum composite cornices, lend a lightnessand warmth to the building exterior. “Thebrick was less expensive than the stone, butstill provided the warm feel we were lookingfor in the project,” said Wade D. Goehring,HDR project architect.

The soft almost pastel-colored brick andthe building’s broad sweeping curve arewarm and appealing, moving Metro Healthfar beyond the institutional appearance of a

conventional hospital. The curve, too, was acost-effective choice selected without mar-ring the design intent. Instead of building aconventional but more costly radius, “thebuilding has the appearance of a perfect arc,but is actually composed of a series ofstraight segments,” said Knobloch. The curveis able to work its magic, “ensuring that theview from all the patient rooms looked outon the site’s vegetated areas,” said Goehring.“We also pinpointed the highest point on thesite and placed the hospital in this location.”

For cost-savings and future construction,an expansion zone in the back of the hospitalwas clad in brown metal panels rather thanthe appealing brick, saving the hospital overa quarter of a million dollars. “It will probablybe removed within five years, and bereplaced by an expansion of emergency andsurgery areas,” said Brown.

Knobloch praises the project team for

Metro Health is the only hospital in the United States with a vegetated roof. As the secondlargest green roof in Michigan, eight varieties of sedum unfold in a broad skirt of color belowthe patient tower.


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delivering stellar quality at a manageablecost. “I can’t speak highly enough of theteam,” said Knobloch. “The architects werewonderful. Every person we worked withfrom HDR was highly professional, highly col-laborative, and very creative in terms of theirapproach to problem solving. TheTurner/Christman joint venture did an out-standing job of identifying potential oppor-tunities to improve on the cost and offeringsuggestions as we moved through the con-struction process.”

The collaborative effort extended from theconference table to cyberspace.Turner/Christman used Turner Talk, Turner’sown Web-based project management sys-tem to keep the job on track. “Turner Talk isone of the first Web-based project manage-ment systems in which a construction com-pany has its own management program,”said Bort.“Plus, it is a new development for acompany to incorporate all of the programsnecessary for construction management intoone program. Other management programshave to be purchased separately, and theyoften don’t talk to each other properly.Turner Talk incorporates the financing end,payment application, project schedule, andchange orders, and expands into communi-cation on the Web with the owners and therest of the project team.”

A FAST-TRACK, TWO-TRACK PROJECT Turner/Christman turned its construction

machine into high gear, ultimately deliveringthe project a month ahead of schedule. Thejoint venture officially broke ground in fall2003, first removing the topsoil and excavat-ing to the lower level, then placing the con-crete foundation walls and structural steelframe. Unfortunately, “the constructionmachine” had to turn off its engine while thehospital temporarily idled the project inSeptember 2004 to obtain full financing. Theteam reconvened in April 2005 and construc-tion began in full swing in July 2005. “Ourpartners stood with us, and we found outhow strongly people believed in the project,”said Faas. “We went back into the market andhit the best week in a three-year zone tofinance. Everything went wonderfully fromthat point, and the project had a fantasticoutcome.”

With the resilience of natural systems, theproject recommenced at full-tilt withTurner/Christman enclosing the buildingswiftly by December 2005. “Completing theexterior building envelope and having theroof complete by December 2005 allowed usto work inside the whole winter of 2005-2006,” said Bort. “This was key to our ability

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to predict and target an accurate move-indate for the hospital eleven months beforeMetro Health moved into the new facility.”

The moving date had to be, and indeedwas, accurately gauged. Metro Health couldthen confidently plan the transfer of nearlyone hundred patients and its own hospitaloperations almost 11 months in advance.“Basically,Turner/Christman knew 11 monthsearlier that they would actually be a monthearly,” said Brown.“Metro had to know way inadvance, because to come up three monthsfrom the end and announce they would thenbe done one month early would have beenpointless. A hospital needs ample time toplan such a move.”

Cooperation between team players andlocal building officials aided the schedule.“We worked with local building officials forpermission to work in some areas of thebuilding, while the hospital staff occupiedadjacent finished areas for staff training,allowing the staff to become familiar withand move more quickly into the new hospi-tal,” said Bort. With their proverbial ducks ina row, Metro Health then moved an entirefacility essentially in a single weekend.

Another factor behind this swift construc-tion and occupancy was Turner/Christman’s

division of the interior into two completelyseparate construction tracks. “One team wasdevoted to constructing complicated spe-cialty spaces, such as the operating roomsand the emergency rooms,” said Bort. “At

Metro Health, all those facilities are on thefirst floor, plus some specialty areas on thesecond floor in labor and delivery. All therooms from the third to the sixth floor of thepatient tower are basically similar and repet-

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itive. An entirely separate crew – we used asecond crew from every subcontractor - wasassigned to building these repetitive spacesin the patient tower.”

Of course, the specialty spaces were themost challenging construction-wise. “Themost difficult spaces to build are surgery, car-diovascular, radiology and the emergencyrooms, because of the types of equipmentand services in these spaces,” said Bort.Building a mockup of one of the hospital’snine operating rooms, as well as a patientroom, and a labor and delivery room aidedthe hospital in finalizing equipment selectionwith minimal changes and helped the jointventure meet the schedule. “Using these twoflows was very successful,” said Bort.

The two-track flow and sequenced com-pletion of spaces offered a host of projectbenefits, including allowing time for “a verythorough and accurate commissioning ofevery space, because making sure a buildingfunctions properly is a vital part of a project’ssuccess,” said LaMore. “The phasing alsoallowed for proper airing out and curing ofall the materials. LEED certification requiresboth commissioning and airing of materials,

while curing is needed to maintain the prop-er warranty on many building materials.”

PREVENTIVE MEDICINEAs part of LEED certification,

Turner/Christman managed indoor air quality (IAQ) practices throughout the project, employing two dust reductionstrategies whose results were literally abreath of fresh air. “Ductwork and attachedequipment for air handling units arrive withboth ends sealed,” said Bort. “We took oneend off for installation, but at the end of eachday left any exposed ends sealed. Basically,the ductwork and other equipment neversaw dust. While IAQ parameters allow about100 ppm of particulate, our IAQ test resultswere in the range of about 8 ppm.”

A second strategy saved a substantial sum.Turner/Christman placed a filter system onthe air-handling units and used the units fortemporary heat. “Using air handlers as tem-porary heat was an economic benefit to theproject, but again we took pains to preventintroducing dust into the unit through theuse of filters, using supply air only, and clos-ing all the returns,” said Bort. “Because of

these approaches, we did not have to cleanthe air handling equipment and ductwork, acommon practice even on a new building atthe end of a project. On a project this size, weestimated that it could have cost a half-mil-lion dollars.”

A sustainable project also requires theconstruction team to manage, verify anddocument the influx of LEED-approved prod-ucts. “Making sure we were buying the rightproducts, checking that the products webought were being installed in the right wayor were actually being brought in on site wasall a management exercise,” said Bort. “Wehad to verify that what HDR designed andspecified is what we are actually incorporat-ing into the building.”

Working with HDR from the very inceptionof the project, Turner/Christman assisted thearchitectural team in investigating andassessing a variety of sustainable products.Goehring has noticed an increase in thenumber and diversity of LEED-approvedproducts just over the last five years, a facteasing the job of sustainable architects andcontractors.

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conscious jobsite, Turner/Christman pre-pared monthly LEED and safety reports forMetro Health, plus scheduled regular toolboxtalks focusing on both LEED and safety prac-tices. Every subcontractor was trained in sus-tainable construction practices, such as job-site recycling procedures,” said Bort.“We hadas many as nine or ten dumpsters for differ-ent materials, but we then had to educatethe work force and get them to buy into theinitiative.” A rigorous recycling programresulted in 70 percent of all constructionwaste recycled and diverted from landfills.

NATURAL MEDICINESustainability shaped jobsite practices

and the nature of the site, itself.At Metro Health, rolling up the manicured

lawn and allowing Mother Nature to let herhair down has created a “naturescape” ofnative grasses and a rich profusion of blooms.In the botanical version of holistic healing, thevery ground is restored to its natural state,and the healed fabric of soil, root, leaf andbloom is allowed to do its job of retainingstormwater and filtering impurities flushedfrom paved surfaces. At home in the Midwestclimate and soil conditions, this natural plantcommunity requires less irrigation and main-tenance. “Much of the landscaping on site isnative vegetation that was present on the sitebefore it was developed,” said Knobloch.

“This approach honors the natural environ-ment and reduces the use of mowers thatconsume fossil fuels and produce emissions.”

If not absorbed by the site’s network ofrain gardens, the stormwater is routed to awater retention basin. “The hospital uses thewater in the retention basin to irrigate thesite,” said Goehring. “Our overall purpose isto keep as much water as possible on siteand then use any remaining water for irriga-tion.” This carefully designed system is evenbeing used as a test case for a State ofMichigan study on effective stormwatermanagement practices.

Several wood stands remain on the site,some original to the site and others donatedand transplanted from an abandoned nurs-ery. A bike and walking trail, plus a barrier-free playground, add a healthy dose of exer-cise to the hospital’s list of site amenities.

Mother Nature’s natural “finishes” embel-lish the building, reducing the heat islandeffect and managing stormwater. A livingblanket of sedum covers the sweeping curveof the half-moon-shaped roof. Viewed fromthe patient tower, the 48,500-square-footvegetated rooftop resembles an abstractpainting composed of broad brushstrokes ofcurvilinear color. “We were very deliberate inselecting this design,” said Knobloch. “Wewanted something that was very organic innature and free-flowing. Also, sedum is a

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The building’s broad, sweeping curve breaks down the scale of the 330-foot-long corridors.Painted in calming earth tones, these pleasant corridors once again demonstrate MetroHealth’s commitment to humanizing the hospital experience.



hardy, drought-tolerant plant.”Beyond sedum, the building’s sustainable

skin can be viewed from the aerie of the glassbeacon scaling the patient tower. GarneringLEED points in two categories, the windowsare larger than the norm as part of an effec-tive daylighting strategy. Plus, the building’smassive number of bricks was obtained with-in 500 miles of the site.“Regional materials area LEED point, because the practice reducestransportation costs and lowers the nation’soverall vehicle emissions,” said Goehring.

Behind the brick façade, energy-efficientbuilding systems weave through the entireinterior, cutting into the hospital’s energy billand carbon footprint. “LEED certification isvery difficult to obtain for a hospital,” saidKnobloch, “because so much of LEED relatesto energy consumption, and hospitals are a24/7 facility with high-energy consumptionlevels.”

Despite such obstacles, Metro Healthincluded several energy-efficient meas-ures, one measure being the installationof larger than average ductwork for thepurpose of reducing total static pres-sure. “Air blows through larger ductworkwith less force, allowing the facility tosave energy by lowering fan speed andhorsepower,” said Goehring.

Within the hospital interior, virtually all fur-nishings use fabrics low in VOC content, andmaintenance staff use sustainable cleaningproducts. “We have a very active ValueAnalysis Team that scrutinizes new products,”said Knobloch. “For instance, we are onlyusing PVC in cases where there is no otheralternative.” Metro Health follows Healthcarewithout Harm principles, participates withHospitals for a Healthy Environment, and wasa pilot project for the Green Guide forHealthcare. “We are definitely on the cutting-edge in terms of our operating principles andpractices for hospitals and health systemsacross the country,” said Knobloch.

A HOUSE OF HEALING IN FULL LEAFSustainability is in full leaf at Metro Health

Hospital, both in its practices and buildingsystems and in the very shape of this newhouse of healing. Rigid geometry gives wayto a broad curvilinear building with an exte-rior entrance canopy formed like a lanceo-late-shaped leaf or dual pointed ellipse. Thepeace of the natural world fills the interior,beginning with the leaf patterns markingmuch of the furniture to the leaf-shaped ceil-ing soffits in the lobby and cafeteria.

The interior palette is far beyond the usualdrab institutional color scheme. Butter-cream yellow, dark sage green, terracotta and

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Saving Energyat MetroHealth’s NewReplacementHospital • A heat recovery loop was installedbetween the building exhaust air ducts andoutside air ducts. Energy consumption isreduced in the winter by preheating the coldoutside air, and in the summer by pre-cool-ing the hot outside air.

• Boiler stack economizers are used to pre-heat the boiler makeup water. Heat isreclaimed from the boiler blow down linesand the condenser water loop to preheatthe incoming domestic hot water makeuplines. A water-side economizer providescooling water when outside conditions war-rant its use. High-efficiency chillers with anNPLV of 0.519 beat the ASHRAE maximum of0.726.

• Sensor-controlled faucets are used inmost sinks throughout the facility.

• Two-level lighting controls and motionsensors were installed. Photo cell sensorsare utilized to take advantage of daylighting.HVAC, lighting and general use power all aremonitored separately and analyzed.

• Non-green roof areas utilize white TPOmembrane to reduce the heat island effect.

• Over 300 trees were rescued from aregional tree farm that had been sold fordevelopment.

• For interior materials, the following prod-ucts were specified because of their recycledcontent, low-VOC content and zeroformaldehyde emissions: ceiling tiles, GreenSeal™-compliant paints, SCAQMD-compli-ant adhesives and sealants, ForestStewardship Council-certified wood doors,casework, carpet made from recycled plasticbottles, Green Guard-certified systems furni-ture and seating; linoleum, resilient tile,handrails, guardrails, and wall protection.

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eggplant-hued walls infuse the interior witha warm and relaxing ambiance. The mainlobby is an open, light-filled space withclerestory windows balanced by intimatelounges in the “shadow” of leaf-shaped ceil-ing soffits. “The main lobby is a blend ofgrandness and comforting, intimate spaces,”said Knobloch.

A coffee bar, computer stations, and aninformation desk complete this graciousintroduction to Metro Health.“We wanted tocreate a lobby area that felt more like ahotel,”said Knobloch. “We wanted a welcom-ing, rather than an intimidating, facility.”

Ease of navigation is another core consid-eration. “We wanted to change the way WestMichigan experienced healthcare,” contin-ued Knobloch. “In some cases, it is difficult tofigure out where to go or who to ask for helpin a hospital lobby. We created a very visibleinformation desk and moved outpatientservices, such as imaging, lab, and cardiactesting, toward the very front of the building”.

Natural light pours into the lobby areafrom an outdoor courtyard called theHealing Garden. Lush vegetation, beds ofsoft mosses, and the serene patter of a smallstream draw the natural world into the hos-pital interior. “We wanted to create a greenspace for people to get out of the hospitaland feel the sunlight, hear the healing sound

of flowing water, and reconnect with therestorative power of nature,” said Knobloch.“All research indicates that that helps createa full sense of health and wellness, so wetried to incorporate these elements in thisarea.”

The hospital eatery offers food for thebody, mind and environmental conscience.The cafeteria uses biodegradable dishwaremade out of sugar cane and corn, while sig-nage explains the sustainable initiativesemployed in the facility’s creation. This cafe-teria also feeds the eye with its decorativeassembly of leaf-shaped panels suspendedbelow an exposed metal roof deck far abovethe cafeteria floor. The cafeteria’s clerestorywindows actually jut out above the mainexpanse of the vegetated roof directly above,drawing light deep into this eco-eatery.

A PLACE TO HEALThe patient tower is designed with the

same attention to comfort, healing and natu-ral light. The building’s sweeping curvebreaks down the scale and visually shortensthe length of the 330-foot-long corridors.What could have been a cold, institutionalroute is actually a pleasant, brightly paintedcorridor, once again demonstrating MetroHealth’s commitment to humanizing thehospital experience.

Metro Health’s cafeteria continues the facility’s “green” motif with leaf-shaped ceiling panelssuspended below an exposed metal roof deck. Cafeteria operations also put sustainabilityinto action through the use of biodegradable dishware made out of sugar cane and corn,plus other environmentally aware initiatives.



The patient tower has comfortable loungeareas for families and all private rooms forpatients. “We’ve created essentially threezones within each patient room, namely thefamily, caregiver, and patient zones,” saidKnobloch.“We’ve selected furniture that eas-ily pops out into a bed. We encouragepatients to have family members stay withthem for support. Research proves thisenhances recovery times, and allows peopleto go home more quickly.”

All the rooms are same-handed, addedGoehring. “This means that every room isarranged with the headwall and the footwallin the same position rather than back toback,” said Goehring. Added Knobloch,“It hasbeen born out in the medical literature thathaving same-handed rooms decreases med-ical errors within a hospital.” All hospitalequipment and vital instrumentation islocated in the same spot and oriented in thesame direction in every single room.

HDR designed the interior with the samesense of orderly circulation, separating pub-lic, patient and back-of-house areas into dis-tinct zones. Goehring summarizes the circu-lation of the hospital interior: “We wanted tohave public areas that are easy to navigate.We have back-of-house corridors on the firstand second floors, allowing staff to circulateeasily and away from the public corridors.Separate elevator bays transport patientsand accommodate staff and support servic-es. Lastly, we zoned the departments forproper placement, so that surgery, for exam-ple, was down the hall from emergency.”

Metro Health Hospital’s new replacementfacility reached substantial completion inJune 2007 and officially opened inSeptember 2007. This gracious building is afitting home for a patient-centered hospitalwith a personal touch. Louisa Porcelli, MetroHealth’s very first patient, attended the grandopening. “She was the wife of one of ourfounding osteopathic physicians, and shecame to the hospital to deliver her baby,”said Knobloch. “She visited our new replace-ment hospital to see how far the hospital hasprogressed from her husband’s vision andhow his commitment to create an osteopath-ic hospital in Grand Rapids has grown. It wasexciting for all of us.”

The new Metro Health Hospital has givenbirth to a sustainable building and to a newera for its own development. With the natu-ral world needing skilled acute care, hopeful-ly such bold institutions as Metro Health andknowledgeable design and constructionteams, such as HDR, Turner Construction, andThe Christman Company, will help stabilizethe world’s vital signs and move forward intoits own new era.

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No one knows exactly why shopping malls havebecome so popular, but the variety they offer is likelya key factor. People often shop with family or friends,but they also usually have a purpose in mind. If one

person in the group wants a new shower curtain, everyone else isalong for the ride – unless other shopping venues are withinwalking distance. Shopping malls let people travel as a groupwhile accommodating their individual desires.

Of course, this gets a little trickier when some people don’twant to shop. Perhaps they want to take in a concert or movie,enjoy a game of bocce or checkers, or leisurely stroll through apark-like setting. Opened by Taubman Centers Inc. in October oflast year, the Mall at Partridge Creek in Clinton Township offersall these opportunities and more, along with a unique retail expe-rience where a full two-thirds of the shops are new to MacombCounty. Architect Hobbs + Black Associates, Inc., Ann Arbor, andconstruction manager Skanska USA Building Inc., headquarteredin Parsippany, NJ with a local office in Southfield, combined theirtalents with tenant build-out coordinator, Sachse Constructionand Development Corp., Birmingham; anchor store construction

managers Beeler Construction, Inc., Menomonee Falls, WI(Parisian); W.E. O’Neil Construction, Chicago, IL (Nordstrom);and Roncelli, Inc., Sterling Heights (MJR Theater); along with asmall army of skilled subcontractors to make this project possible.

MARKET TRENDSThe opening of a single store is rarely newsworthy. Stores open

frequently, and they may close just as quickly. It takes a muchlarger investment to build a sizeable mall, so this type of con-struction entails more risk than a single store and developersmust convince a number of tenants to take the risk with them.Most potential tenants need to see a well thought out plan and asuccessful track record before they commit.

“We saw, for lack of a better term, a hole in the market,’” saidJohn Eggert, development director for the Taubman Company.“People had money to spend, but they didn’t have access to thestores where they wanted to shop. Purchases that could havebeen made in Macomb County were being made elsewhere.”

The Mall at Partridge Creek met consumer demands with aslew of new stores, many of which had no Macomb County loca-

By David R. Miller, Associate EditorPhotos courtesy of Hobbs + Black Associates, Inc.

SI 2008 46-55 Partridge Crk Mall 10/2/08 11:31 AM Page 46


tions before. Store and restaurant offer-ings include Macomb County’s first P.F.Chang’s China Bistro and Brio ItalianGrille, a new location for popular AnchorBay eatery Tin Fish, and the first freestand-ing Calvin Klein store in the nation.Taubman employs a market research teamto identify opportunities like the site that isnow the home of The Mall at PartridgeCreek. The company currently ownsand/or manages shopping centers in 11states, but local knowledge gives it a slightedge over the competition in Michigan.

“We’re always keeping our eye on theDetroit metropolitan market and had beenlooking for an opportunity on the eastside,” said Eggert. “I also think that ourreputation helps us here in our own backyard. We don’t build one shopping center,sell it and move on to the next one. We liketo build, hold, manage, own, maintain,renovate or expand when it makes sense,and keep these assets in our portfolio.”

Development was only one aspect of theproject that benefited from local expertise.

“We tried to select our subcontractorsfrom in and around Clinton Township,”said Ken Duty, senior project manager forSkanska USA Building. “We were able tofind quality contractors from the localarea, so we didn’t need to bring out-of-state contractors in. We also get the bestcompetitive pricing from local contractors,and they take a tremendous amount ofpride in what they build in their own com-munities, so it makes sense all around tokeep the subcontractor base local.”

Timothy Andres, AIA, vice president ofHobbs + Black, also praised the subcon-tractors for the attention to detail thatcomes from working close to home. Theirpride also translates into a tangible benefitfor Partridge Creek tenants.

“Since the mall opened, I don’t thinkI’ve yet gone there [Partridge Creek] with-out running into one of the subcontrac-tors,” said Andres.

Taubman likewise realized the benefit oflocal cooperation.

“Certainly, we wanted to give Skanskaflexibility, but all other things being equal,we prefer working with the local people,”said Eggert. “They know the local terrainand we also support the local economythat way.”

Local terrain was particularly challeng-ing on this project, as the site may havebeen ideal from a retail developmentstandpoint, but was less so for construc-tion.

MAKING EVERYTHING FIT The Mall at Partridge Creek is situated

on a 53-acre portion of a 300-acre site for-merly occupied by the Partridge CreekGolf Club. “It’s not a perfect site,”

acknowledged Eggert. “There are veryfew perfect sites left anymore, so you needto be creative these days.”

The biggest drawback to the site was itsrelatively small size. Useable land wasfurther reduced by a number of site fea-tures. Two natural gas lines initially ranunder the property, but one was removedand the other re-routed following conver-sations with Consumers Energy. An exist-ing drainage ditch running through the

The Mall at Partridge Creek met consumerdemand with a slew of new stores andrestaurants, many of which, like the BrioItalian Grille seen here, had no MacombCounty locations before.

SI 2008 46-55 Partridge Crk Mall 9/26/08 3:01 PM Page 47


site was also re-directed around theperimeter. Even after all of these elementswere moved, the site was still extremelytight.

“One of the biggest challenges was ingetting the project on the site along withall of the parking,” said Andres. “Therewas a strong desire to avoid a parkingstructure. We went through quite a fewschemes to come up with a plan thatworked.”

The Mall at Partridge Creek is intendedto appeal to upper moderate to upscaleshoppers, the same people who wouldalso probably frequent a gourmet grocer,like the adjacent Nino SalvaggioInternational Marketplace. The collectivethinking was that careful planning couldtransform the site to the benefit of both themall and the existing grocer.

“After some extensive discussions andagreements, we created an integratedparking field with Nino Salvaggio,” saidEggert. “The site looks like one unifiedproject, even though there are two sepa-rately owned pieces of property.Salvaggio’s customers are the same peoplewho shop here at the mall, so creating aneasy flow of traffic between the two onlyenhances the shopping experience for boththeir customers and ours.”

This parking arrangement greatlyincreased the useable land at the site, butother portions of the site required someadditional work to be made suitable.

“We had to consolidate the clays on the

site, and we used a combination of meth-ods to do that,” said Duty. “We pushedabout 10,000 wick drains down 22 feetdeep and introduced a surcharge burdenfor a period of 65 days.”

These wick drains are made from afibrous material that facilitates the flow ofwater up towards the surface. The areawas surcharged, or loaded with heavy soil,to force underground water up the wick.The surcharge essentially mimicked theload of the buildings that would be erect-ed. By compacting the soil, the surchargereduced the potential for uneven settlingthat can occur on loose material.

Tight site conditions were also com-pounded by the individual store build-outs that were completed before the mallopened. Every store represented a sepa-rate project with its own project team.

“I would say that inline tenant coordina-tion is always more strenuous when com-pared to working with the anchors,” saidDuty. “Each inline tenant has its own con-tractor, so you rehash some coordinationissues 100 times.”

Sachse Construction and Development,the on-site tenant coordinator hired byTaubman’s in-house tenant coordinationstaff, made this process much easier byproviding a single point of contact, but noamount of pre-planning can eliminateevery unforeseen challenge when utilityhook-ups are performed for each store.Coordinating the testing and inspection ofthese critical hook-ups placed a huge bur-

The mall and the Nino Salvaggio International Marketplace in the lower left corner of this photograph will probably appeal to many of the same shoppers. Both benefit from a parkingagreement that greatly increased the useable land at the site.


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den on the entire project team right as thework was entering its final stages.Restaurant tenants needed additional util-ity hook-ups and therefore required morecoordination, and fire protection and firealarm tie-ins added even more complexityto the project. Theoretically, a single ten-ant without a certificate of occupancy (CO)could have delayed the opening of themall, but too many people were focusedon the process to allow this to happen.

“We anticipate tenants handling theirown fire protection,” said Duty. “Based ontheir construction schedule, we put in acutoff time, after which we’ll come in andinstall the fire protection ourselves if weneed to. If something isn’t happening, wealways have a ‘plan B’ to meet our testingand inspection dates so we still get a time-ly CO.”

Once all the individual stores were tiedinto the fire protection and fire alarm sys-tems, the mall was cleared to open.

The Mall at Partridge Creek includes threedifferent fountains, including this 85-foot-long pop jet fountain that serves as a popular cooling spot for children.



GETTING BACK TO NATURE Few people would think of a shopping

mall as a place to reconnect with nature,but Partridge Creek provides a uniqueretail experience where this is not onlypossible, but also virtually unavoidable. Anatural highlight of the site is a 300-year-old Bur Oak tree in the southwest portionof the site that was saved and tied into thedesign of the mall.

“It was a goal of the owner to not onlysave the tree, but to also make it a feature,”said Andres. “One axis of the mall is actu-ally lined up on that oak tree. Weenhanced the area by putting a customerseating patio near the tree and by flowingthe landscaping from inside the project outto where the tree is located.”

The tree is truly breathtaking to behold,but building around any living thing begsthe question, “What happens if the treedies?” The project team worked with anarborist who carefully assessed the health

Extensive canopies were included in thedesign to provide shelter from the elements.



of the tree and also mapped out its rootsystem. Once the locations of the rootswere known, a significant amount of thesite was made off limits to heavy equip-ment. After the tree was determined to behealthy, selective pruning was performedand an elaborate lightning protection sys-tem was installed to sustain it, possibly foranother 300 years. An informative displayprovides another way of celebrating thetree, with information researched by theTaubman staff, including a timeline corre-lating the tree’s lifespan to major historicalevents and graphics illustrating itsimmense size. Hand tools were used tobury wiring for the up lighting that makesthe tree spectacular after dark and a mas-sive retaining wall was also needed to pre-serve the tree’s natural grade, given thehigher elevation of the mall.

“We installed a 110-foot-long, one-foot-thick wall to hold back the earth and theroad bed on the mall side,” said RonSharp, project manager for John Carlo,Inc., Clinton Township. “There was verylittle room to work because of the need toprotect the tree, and it took approximatelytwo weeks to install the retaining wall.”

Other outdoor amenities include a thir-ty-foot tall fireplace, bocce ball courts, achildren’s play park and three differentfountains including an interactive 85-foot-long pop jet fountain that serves as a pop-ular cooling spot for children. Gametables, along with play pieces available atthe customer service center, allow forrelaxing games of checkers, chess orbackgammon under the afternoon sun. Aconcert stage and a comfortable viewingstation with two LCD TVs add to theplethora of activities that can be enjoyedoutdoors at the mall. Many larger, maturetrees were installed to provide shade aswell as a more pleasing look.

Dog lovers, and their leashed dogs, arealso very welcome. Multiple dog comfortstations provide drinking water and plas-tic bags for their owners to facilitatecleanup. These comfort stations are easyto spot with their distinctive metal signs,and retail shops that allow dogs inside alsodisplay a window decal for identification.Three Dog Bakery is among the stores dis-playing this decal, so dogs and their own-ers can come in to ask, “How much is thatdoggie biscuit in the window?”

Being outside is not always pleasant,particularly during the winter months.The Mall at Partridge Creek was built withthis reality in mind and it features a mas-sive snowmelt system underneath theentire concrete paver and colored concrete

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surface that provides the main walkingpath through the mall, constituting some125,000 square feet of plaza area.Approximately 55 manifold and fill sta-tions are needed to manage the piped flowof recirculated snowmelt fluid, an ecologi-cally-friendly mix of glycol and water,which is heated by the output of 13 naturalgas boilers that were placed on storerooftops throughout the mall.

In the plaza, John Carlo, the hardscapecontractor, placed three-foot bed of 6-Astone over the entire sub-grade surfacebefore the snowmelt lines were placed toprevent frost-induced soil heaving. A bedof 21-AA stone was placed atop the 6-Astone and the snowmelt lines were placedabove this in a 2 1/2-inch sand bed thatwas placed just under the concrete paversystem. Larger grain sand could havedamaged the lines, which would be hotand under pressure when the system wasactivated. In addition to containing thesnowmelt lines, the stone and sand alsoprovided excellent site drainage duringconstruction.

Even though careful attention to detail

was needed in the plaza, particularlyaround the underground snowmelt lines,the project team faced a considerable scopeof work in a limited timeframe to completethe hardscape and softscape work. Inaddition to the hardscape work in theplaza, John Carlo performed the siteworkon the project. Among other tasks, thecompany stripped 60,000 cubic yards oftopsoil, excavated 111,300 cubic yards offill, and placed 128,500 square yards ofasphalt, working a total of 90,000 man-hours – all without a time loss injury. Thesitework performed by John Carlo provid-ed a stable platform upon which visitorscould enjoy the Partridge Creek experi-ence.

EXPERIENCING PARTRIDGE CREEK Shoppers may have their first experi-

ence with some retailers at PartridgeCreek, but their introduction to these newstores will take place against a familiarbackdrop. “We looked at Michiganorchards and parks and we brought insome of their local flavor,” said Andres.Landscaping also provides a very distinct

feel for each side of Partridge Creek, subtlyreinforcing the strategically placedwayfinding signs.

“The west end of the mall’s outdoorplaza [near Nordstrom] has more of a gar-den feel,” explained Andres. “There is alittle more formality in the plantings andthere are more painted finishes. As you gotoward the east end, where Parisian islocated, the plaza has more of an orchardfeel. There are more natural wood bench-es and less formal plantings. The east endis also the entertainment end, with thebocce ball court, interactive fountain, andchildren’s play park.”

A variety of plants were used to createthis multi-faceted environment, and someguests will inevitably want to replicate thelandscaping in their own yards. Eachplant is identified with a small numberedsign. Once they know this number, shop-pers can stop by the customer service cen-ter to get a corresponding informationsheet that identifies the plant species,describes its appearance, details its history,and even provides growing tips. Armedwith this information, visitors can seek out



an identical plant at their local nursery andbring some of the mall’s rich flavor home.

The plantings at Partridge Creek Mallmake for pleasant strolling on most days,but too much sunlight can be bothersome,and rain can literally dampen outdoorexcitement. Extensive canopies wereincluded in the design to provide shelterfrom the elements. An exclusive pedestri-an environment also adds to the enjoy-ment of walking through the mall. Unlikesome open-air shopping malls, wherepedestrian and vehicular traffic is mixedthroughout, all parking is located on themall’s outer perimeter at Partridge Creek.Shoppers can leave their cares, and theircars, behind in the easily accessible park-ing areas while safely traversing the mallat their leisure.

Most people will find something ofinterest at Partridge Creek, no matter whatthey enjoy. An impressive array of shopsand other activities truly make PartridgeCreek a mall for all.

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The mall features a massive snowmelt system underneath the entire concrete paver and colored concrete surface that provides the main walking surface.



H i g h - E n d D e s i g n

INSIDE & OUTFor a Rapidly Growing Michigan Business

H i g h - E n d D e s i g n

INSIDE & OUTFor a Rapidly Growing Michigan Business


Afew people figure out veryearly what they’re good atand what they want to dofor their life’s work. KevinChase seems to be one of

those people. He’s taken a very earlyinterest in plastics engineering to stun-ning heights with the business he and hiswife, Carole, founded in Clarkston in1992. The company has experienced dou-ble-digit growth since its beginning, and

in 2006 the Chases found themselves inneed of an enlarged office space – for thesixth time!

“As a matter of fact, at our last officespace, we had three people working inthe hallway, and I shared my office withan intern,” Carole Chase said.

A national distributor of specialty engi-neering thermoplastics, Chase PlasticServices, Inc. has been flying ever sincethe Chases started out in a small rented

By Clare Desmond

Photography by Matthew Austermann

Masonry, stone accents, and a hip roof with dormers and a cupola – and no visible mechanical mezzanine – create an upscale traditional look for the new world headquarters of Chase Plastic Services, Inc. in Clarkston. These features seamlessly blend in with the primarily residential neighborhood.

SI 2008 56-67 Chase Plastics 9/26/08 3:17 PM Page 56


space in the back of a roofing company’sbuilding. They have 72 employees now.“We’re very blessed with incredible peo-ple,” Kevin said of his employees in offer-ing his explanation for the company’ssuccess.

In the past 16 years, the company isdescribed on its website as having grownto become one of North America’s lead-ing and fastest-growing distributors ofspecialty engineering thermoplastic prod-ucts – no easy feat in a state whose econ-omy has suffered more in that time framethan many others. In addition to anenlarged world headquarters inClarkston, Chase Plastics also expandedin its main material distribution facility inSouth Bend, Indiana in 2006, from 60,000square feet to 95,000 square feet; the facil-ity’s fourth such expansion. The companyserves plastic processors in a variety ofindustries out of 20 sales offices and morethan 30 distribution facilities throughoutNorth America, Canada and Costa Rica.

Faced with limited options to expand at

their previous office, the owners decidedon new construction to satisfy theirimmediate needs for a larger office spaceand to accommodate future growth.Construction on the new building beganin November 2006, and in October 2007Chase Plastics moved into its new worldheadquarters at 6467 Waldon Drive, justdown the street from its former office.“We had the building blessed by ourfriend, Fr. Leon,” Carole Chase said, refer-ring to Fr. Leon Olszamowski, s.m., Ph.D.,of Notre Dame Preparatory High School,Pontiac.

Campbell-Manix Inc., Southfield, wasthe general contractor on the project. Thecompany’s vice president, Gary Burkhart,PE, was project manager. The full servicefirm also offered some much neededdesign/build expertise and value engi-neering assistance on the project.Although it did not do the architecturaldesign on this particular project,Campbell-Manix offers that service, alongwith pre-planning, interior design, pre-construction and construction services,and a host of others. Campbell-Manixwas established in 1972 and achieved itsISO 9001 certification in 2001. ChasePlastics is also ISO 9001-2000 certified.

Darryl Zammit was the project superin-tendent on the job for Campbell-Manix.He came on board approximatelyhalfway through the project, owing to theretirement of the previous superintend-ent, and picked up the effort without alost beat, Burkhart said. “The Chasesloved him,” Burkhart enthused. Carole

Chase agreed: “Darryl did a great job!”The project architect was David Lubin

of Lubin, Schulz and Skocelas, BloomfieldHills. Collaborating with him on some ofthe exterior details and doing the interiordesign was Valerie Young of ValerieYoung Interiors, Lake Orion.

With 14,000 square feet per floor,including a basement, the new 42,000-square-foot building is more than fourtimes larger than the office it replaced. Itcontains increased office area for Chase’sworld headquarters on the top floor, afirst floor planned for leased office space,and secure storage in a full unfinishedbasement.

THE BEAUTY IS IN THE DETAILSThe end result is one of refined beauty,

highlighted by classic styling and finedetail, inside and out, blended with thecontemporary features of today’s modernoffice systems. This was accomplished,Burkhart said, with a generous portion ofdark stained cherry finished millwork,including baseboards, crown moldingsand 3 x 8-foot solid core, raised panelwood doors.

Nestled among rolling wooded hills,curving streets, semi-custom residentialareas and a few light commercial build-ings, the new office blends spectacularlywell with its traditionally upscale, prima-rily residential neighbors. Having thenew building fit well within its neighbor-hood and creating a homelike atmosphereinside and out were steadfast require-ments of the owners.

Custom wood cabinetry and an 18-foot table are highlights in the main conference room.



Perhaps one of the reasons the projectcame together so well - as the end resultshows and as all who were involved inthe project can attest - is because of whatall say was the outstanding teamwork byall involved on the job. And that wasdriven by Kevin and Carole Chase,Burkhart noted.

“The project work was a team effort,”Burkhart said. “This was the most enjoy-able project I’ve ever been on because ofthe Chases.” They were very hands-onthroughout the project, he added. “Thiswas an incredible team collaboration fromDay 1,” Kevin Chase agreed. “We said atthe onset we wanted an enjoyable process,that we wanted a win-win situation.”

Though the business is “technology-reliant,” the Chases said they neverthelessinsist on rapid, personal responses to allcustomers. “What we sell is service,” theynoted. They said they feel the key to theirsuccess has been the company’s philoso-phy of “outrageous customer service.”

They carried that philosophy over tothe construction of their new headquar-ters. Kevin explained that in their busi-

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ness, they have “high expectations” oftheir staff and the business is “all cus-tomer satisfaction.” He said they askedthe same on this building project of thesuppliers, contractor, designers and all ofthe people involved. Carole said theywanted the same level of respect that isobvious among their employees, extend-ed to the people doing the work on thenew building. “We really had a greatgroup of people who never lost sight ofwhat we were trying to achieve,” shesaid.

With respect to the proportionate num-ber of hours people spend at their jobs,one of the Chases’ main objectives for thedesign of the new office, inside and out,was to make a home away from home.Because of that, the interior designdemonstrates the “use of things that youwould more normally see in a home, likesconces, pendant lighting, wallpaper, andother things like that,” Carole observed.

“This was my project,” she said,explaining that that she headed the proj-ect for Chase Plastics. Perhaps, she said,that’s one of the reasons the buildingradiates a feeling of home, rather than ofan office building. “It’s a pretty warmbuilding,” Kevin agreed.

TRADITION REIGNSThe new office building has been con-

structed with a traditional red brickveneer on a structural steel frame overreinforced concrete foundations, wallsand slabs. The façade goes upscale on theexterior with such high-end details as caststone quoins, copings, stone medallionsand other stone accents. Dimension shin-gles on a hip roof, set off with decorativedormers and a cupola, lend a residentialflair to the building exterior, and help thestructure blend seamlessly within its pri-marily residential neighborhood.Alternating herringbone and rowlockmasonry positions on the exterior addvisual interest to the running bondmasonry while delineating the entryway.There are cast stone accents over the win-dows and decorative stone pilasters add avertical element to the façade.

Conspicuously absent on the exterior isa visible mechanical mezzanine, provid-ing a clear example of the building designaccommodating the community and con-structed to look more like a home than anoffice. “There are no exposed mechanicalson the roof or outside,” architect Lubinsaid. “That was the way the owners want-ed it. They wanted the building to be res-idential in detail.”

Creating an attic space within theroofline avoids exposing commercialrooftop equipment and the need forscreening, Burkhart observed. The hiddenmezzanine is a beautifully clean and easy-to-access room that houses a state-of-the-art HVAC system. A lot of thought andplanning went into the design and con-struction of the HVAC mezzanine, said

Mike Kaiser, mechanical engineering con-sultant to Lubin. “The result is that it’seasy and simple to maintain,” heobserved.

The HVAC system consists of a variableair volume (VAV) hot water heat systemusing an 80%+ high efficiency boiler andfrequency drives on the air-handlingunits, explained Dennis Daniewski, proj-



ect manager with HVAC contractor,ES/TEAC Mechanical, Livonia.

The air handlers have economizers,providing free cooling during wintermonths when the outside air temperatureis below 55F degrees, Kaiser said. Thesystem uses VAV boxes with heating coils.With a minimum set point, the VAV boxeshelp maintain proper air ventilation andthe hot water coils help prevent over-cooling of the space. The heating coilsalso provide perimeter heating.

This type of system may cost approxi-mately 30% more to install, Kaiser noted,but the payback is in the comfort levelsthat can be achieved, the control the own-ers have in managing the system, and inthe energy/cost savings over time. “Thisis a pretty costly system up front,”Daniewski agreed. “However, the systemoffers a degree of comfort other systemsdo not, and savings over time.”

As tenants move into the first floor, theycan be readily hooked into the main duct-work infrastructure that has already beeninstalled, Kaiser explained. That infra-structure includes ductwork and hot waterheating piping that runs down a shaft tothe first floor ceiling space and is loopedall around. First-floor tenants hook infrom the leased space, eliminating the

need to install a new rooftop unit for eachnew tenant, and run ductwork down tothe first floor, bothering the second flooroffice space in the process. First-floor ten-ants and the building owners decide howmany VAV boxes and thermostats theirparticular rental space will need.

The building HVAC is managed by aDirect Digital Control (DDC) system thatcan be accessed and monitored remotelyby the building owners via the Internet,Daniewski noted. Otherwise, its opera-tion is 100% automatic.

A GRAND ENTRANCEOn the interior, visitors are greeted by a

serene two-story entry designed withfloors of 20-inch square, polished porce-lain tile in a light cognac color, punctuat-ed at cross sections with groupings of 1-inch-square dark grey tile. Centered onthe porcelain tile in the entry foyer floor isa 3-foot 9-inch-square medallion createdwith 6-inch x 12-inch sepia-coloredcarved stone with a matching 6-inch-square center of sepia-colored tile. Theoutside edge is graced with a double rowof the dark grey 1-inch tile and a 14-inchporcelain tile in the same dark grey tone.All tile in the building was supplied byLivonia-based Virginia Tile Company.

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A granite-topped reception desk, set off with a wall treatment created of black tile, greets visi-tors to the Chase Plastics suite. Five different granites were used in the office.

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The entry also dazzles with a spectacular ornamental iron andwood spiral staircase under an equally stunning oiled bronze 16-light, three-tier chandelier with hand-blown, umber-etched glassshades. “I really wanted the chandelier to be special,” Youngsaid. “I wanted it to be the centerpiece. While it’s a new fixture,the chandelier has the look of a high-end antique.” And, it addsgreatly to the homelike ambience the Chases wanted to achieve,she observed.

The impressive spiral staircase to the left of the entry doorleads upstairs to the Chase Plastics suite on the second floor. Thestaircase is constructed of scrolled ornamental iron painted darkbrown and wood, with Cambria natural quartz stair treads.“The Cambria quartz used on the staircase was selected becauseit’s less slippery, and the color was perfect for our palette,”Young said. “The texture also added contrast to the foyer porce-lain.”

Paneled wood double doors give entry on the second floor toChase Plastics suite. It’s a lot like entering an English countryestate, with sumptuous yet welcoming colors, materials andappointments. Dark cherry-stained raised panel solid core dou-

A scrolled ornamental iron and wood spiral staircase, highlighted bya 16-light, three-tiered chandelier with umber-etched, hand blownglass shades, leads visitors to the Chase Plastics suite on the secondfloor. Porcelain tile dazzles on the floor, while Cambria naturalquartz stair treads offer beauty and stability.



ble doors, paneled walls, porcelain tileand carpeting on the floors, and granitecountertops - no less than five differentgranites - are among the high-end finishesused throughout. Indirect pendant hunglighting and sconces along with a warmcolor palette and such residential featuresas sumptuous draperies and a privatebath in the executive suite, add to the gra-cious residential feel.

This is a Michigan-based business, soYoung selected artwork featuring suchessential Michigan subjects as automo-biles, boats and lakes, and it is displayedthroughout the office.

BEING NEIGHBORLYFor the design of this facility, it was

important to the Chases, the architect, thecommunity, and Independence Townshipin Oakland County for the structure toblend in with the surrounding commercialand nearby upper-middle class residentialdwellings, Burkhart said. The blend ofbrick and cast stone on the exterior wasselected, in fact, to achieve the desired tra-ditional upscale look.

There are semi-custom single-familyhomes and a high-end townhouse devel-opment nearby. Carole Chase participatedin township meetings and meetings of thenearby neighborhood homeowners asso-ciation to ensure ongoing feedback fromand to the neighbors before, during andafter construction. Township officials havereported that both the business and resi-dential neighbors have endorsed the newbuilding as a great contribution to thecommunity. Chase Plastics is continuingits association with the township andhomeowners group as they work toenhance the area, located in a plannedurban development. Gardens, pathways,wetlands enhancement, and bird nestingplatforms are in the works.

Rows of mature globe arbor vitae wereplanted on raised berms outside to shieldboth the office building’s windows andthe neighboring residential areas on theother side of an existing retention pondfrom car headlights accessing the parkinglot. Hundreds of trees and shrubs wereplanted in the landscaping design thatalso features the generous use of concretepavers and a picnic bench.

A full-unfinished basement in the newbuilding offers substantial and secure on-site storage space for Chase Plastics andfirst floor lessees. The added storage spaceminimizes storage requirements thatintrude into valuable office space upstairs,Burkhart noted. Incorporating tenant

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spaces on the first floor of the building provides an economicbuffer for the building’s immediate operational expenses andlong-term expandability for the expected continued growth ofChase Plastics, he added.

GENERAL CONTRACTING AND MOREIn addition to providing the general contracting on the project,

Campbell-Manix contributed its design/build expertise, provid-ing value engineering assistance that saved time and money forthe client throughout the project. “We value-engineered a lot ofthings, and drove Gary nuts,” Kevin Chase said.

The primary example of that is provided in the millwork,Burkhart explained. Due to cost considerations and final allow-able budgets, millwork had to be designed very late in the proj-ect and became a design-build effort between the owners, interi-or designer, subcontractor and contractor, he said. SBDCommercial Interiors, Belleville, did the millwork for the project.“He’s a real team player,” Burkhart said of SBD Commercial’spresident, Douglas McKillop. The company provided millworkfor all the running trim (baseboard, crowns moldings, chair rail,etc.), wainscoting, and trim for doors and windows. In addition,it built all of the wood and wood furnishings in the conferenceroom, executive offices and reception area.

With long lead times to deal with - up to eight weeks for high-end wood doors, wood crowns, base and millwork cabinets - thematerials had to be purchased from different suppliers, Burkhartexplained. They also had to use different sources for wood-stain-ing, necessitating that a common control sample be sent to vari-

ous suppliers. A control shade was selected in concert by theowners, interior designer and SBD Commercial, McKillop said.The risk was taken with respect to the construction schedule, andthe result was a pleasing and well-matched end product, he said.SBD created the stain and shared it with the interior painters andthe door manufacturer.

A COUNTRY ESTATEThe oval-shaped reception area on the second floor welcomes

visitors from around the world to Chase Plastics’ headquarters.A decorative black granite tile wall treatment behind the recep-tion desk features 12-inch black tile sparkling with flecks of cop-per and gold and set on a 45-degree angle. Wood is used gener-ously in the lobby area, including on the granite-topped recep-tion desk. The effect is elegant, intimate, rich and substantial, yetwarm and subdued.

Opposite the reception desk a double-wide opening leads toan oval-shaped visitors’ seating area. A grouping of four tuftedupholstered chairs, dark hued wallpaper, ceiling moldings and achair rail lend a comfortable feel to the space. The Chases alreadyowned the chairs in the guest waiting area, upholstered in a flo-ral pattern with shades of salmon and green on a black back-ground, and interior designer Young was asked to work the colorpalette around them.

The warmth was achieved on the interior in part by not usingthe color white, Young explained. “The Chases did not want thecolor white,” she allowed. Therefore all of the walls are paintedin muted yet warm and lively colors, including one grape-toned

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wall in the sales room. The color palette consists primarily ofmuted terra cotta, golds, greens, warm reds and some black.

All restrooms are wallpapered, painted and tiled, with theresult being almost luxurious, and definitely more like a homethan an office. The men’s room, for instance, is graced with a 2-inch, multi-colored mosaic tile ranging in color from off-white topale gray and pale chocolate. The tile is used on the backsplashand walls approximately 5 feet up from the baseboard. Abovethe tile, the walls are wallpapered. A 16-inch companion tile wasused on the floor.

From the reception area another set of double wood doorsleads to an interior hallway and small inner foyer, with the salesoffice in one direction and the administrative offices and execu-tive suite to the other. The 20-inch, cognac-hued polished tilecarries into this inner foyer and is made even more elegant withthe addition of a dark grey, 1-inch mosaic inlay on the perime-ter. Young designed the added inlay.

Just past the inner foyer is the main conference room. Dressedin dark cherry stained wood paneling and floor-to-ceiling cus-tom built-in cabinetry, the room is reminiscent of a refinedlibrary. An 18-x 6-foot conference table, custom designed byMcKillop and Young, and built by SBD Commercial, centers theroom.

The owners, interior designer, contractor and SBDCommercial met for several days to design the wood and woodfurnishings for the interior. “It was a collaborative design/buildeffort,” McKillop said. “The meetings enabled us to keep thedesign intent while allowing us to build the pieces on time and

on budget.”McKillop said he feels the main thing SBD Commercial offers

its clients is the business acumen it can provide as well its skillswith millwork. “I feel the biggest value-added thing SBDCommercial brings to a project, not only for the client but forthe designers and contractor, is our business managementapproach to a project,” McKillop said. “We approach this tradesegment as a consultative business manager with a manufac-turing capability.”

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The employee lounge provides kitchen amenities and a space to relax.



they can find quality people to work in theindustry in the future.

Perhaps as an offshoot of the Chase’ssupport of education, they added whatthey call an “Innovation Room” as part oftheir new office suite. Housing a comput-er, small library, a futon and one entirewall of dry-erase board. The room pro-vides a private space where employeescan relax and think and possibly researchways to improve their jobs and the busi-ness. Interior designer Young intended tomake the room “energizing and inspira-tional,” she explained, choosing vibrantcolors and artwork with a motivationalaesthetic.

“It’s an employee requirement that eachemployee spend two hours per quarter inthe Innovation Room,” Carole Chase said.

They also think well enough of theirstaff to have added an employee’s loungearea, appointed with cabinets in two dif-ferent colors, laminate wood flooring,tables and chairs, and a kitchen area withbar top. Just the place to sit back, enjoy thesurroundings, and maybe come up withnew ways to satisfy the customer.

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EDUCATION IS THE THINGAs the Chases have contributed to the

surrounding community with a beautiful-ly designed office building, so too havethey contributed to the industry that hasshown them such spectacular success. In2004, they established the Chase PlasticsAnnual Scholarship Program for full-timejunior or senior college students in thePlastics Engineering Technology bachelordegree program at Ferris State University.Two scholarships are awarded each yearand are renewable annually.

“Chase Plastics has always placed ahigh value on education,” says KevinChase on the company’s website. “Thisaward and scholarship program helpsmany students succeed in an industry thatis not only demanding but also technical-ly challenging in its very nature.” Thecompany also established in 2003 theSociety of Plastics Engineers (SPE)Student Chapter Education Award schol-arship. “Plastics is an interesting andthriving industry,” Carole Chase said, not-ing that engaging young people in theindustry early on is a necessity, in part, so

Polished porcelain tile, with a dark graymosaic tile inlay, carries through to an innerfoyer and hallway leading in one directionto the executive offices, and in the other tothe sales offices.




At Walsh College in Troy, lessonslearned in Finance 315 or inManagement 201 were not left in

the classroom. They built the classroom.Business savvy turned modest dollars intoa stellar, environmentally friendly struc-ture called the Jeffery W. Barry Center. Theleadership of Walsh College, the Chicago-based architectural firm of Valerio DewaltTrain Associates (VDTA), and constructionmanager, George W. Auch Company,

Pontiac, have delivered a sophisticatedbuilding with a remarkable price tag ofonly $10.6 million dollars.

With its angled planes and daring geom-etry, the building’s sculptural quality andsheer level of inventive design offersWalsh College an image matching its sta-tus as a premier institution of businesseducation. The building’s high return oninvestment also includes an optimal learn-ing environment housing the college’s first

doctoral program and one of the few spe-cialty focus market research rooms in themetropolitan Detroit area. “The buildingis phenomenal, not only in its architecture,but also in the way that the spaces weredesigned to help teach, to meet, and tothink,” said Stephanie W. Bergeron, presi-dent, chief executive officer of WalshCollege.

At the Barry Center, Walsh College hasinvested in its own future and the global

Delivering an Extraordinary Building on a Very Ordinary BudgetBy Mary E. Kremposky, Associate Editor Photography by Justin Maconochie

A Course inAdvancedBusiness

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A Course inAdvancedBusiness

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SI 2008 68-79 Walsh College 9/26/08 3:04 PM Page 68


future. This sleek, silver-colored building may soon turn LEEDSilver in the able hands of a project team who delivered an envi-ronmentally friendly building on a tight budget through smartsite design and by making full use of a palette of “green” interiorfinishes more in line with the cost of conventional materials. “Wetook advantage of the fact that times have changed, and there aremore green products available for our selection,” said Joseph M.Valerio, FAIA, VDTA principal and founding partner.“Manufacturers of ceiling tile, carpeting and other interior finish-es now have green products that are just slightly more expensiveor the same price as non-green products.” About 60 to 70 percentof VDTA’s projects are LEED with another portion being LEEDequivalent, Valerio added.

VDTA combined its expertise from the very beginning of theproject with the adept construction management services of theGeorge W. Auch Company. With 100 years in business and over65 percent of its work performed in the school market, this centen-nial company is used to opening school doors on time and work-ing within the unmovable budgets of district bond programs.Auch’s keen eye for costs and their creative problem-solving skillsdelivered the numbers for this private, not-for-profit college: an11- to 12-month construction schedule reduced from the original13 to 14 months, maintaining a tight budget, and absolutely zerolost time injuries, according to James Munchiando, Auch vicepresident and project director. Not too shabby for a complicatedbuilding formed of angled planes of metal and glass and perfect-ly aligned exterior joints rippling in a seamless line into the inte-rior. Of VDTA’s and Auch’s work, “we are pleased beyond expec-tation,” said Bergeron.

MGT 453 - ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIPA key statistic led to the development of Walsh College’s latest

campus expansion: enrollment had increased by a phenomenal 40percent since 2000, leading Walsh to purchase three additionalacres of the former Wattles Farm for its use. The three acresbecame a new parking area, clearing the way for the conversion ofan existing parking lot into space for a new facility.

The college leadership carefully considered what type of build-ing to place on this blank expanse of asphalt. More than a newbuilding, Walsh College was formulating a business plan for thenew Walsh College of the 21st century. The mission statement:Design and build a signature corporate facility, honor the memo-ry of a beloved past president, and build a facility whose verywalls and materials would train future business leaders in a greenethic.

The mission statement grew out of the college’s past. Three dif-ferent buildings tell the story of Walsh College, originally found-ed in 1922. Students learned Homer Pace’s accounting system atthe institute’s first home in the Capitol Theater Building in down-town Detroit. In the next chapter, Walsh appointed the dynamicJeffery W. Barry as president in 1969. “The 32-year-old Barry wasthe youngest college president in the United States at the time,”said Bergeron. Barry revolutionized Walsh College, moving theinstitute from downtown Detroit to Troy in 1970 and dramatical-ly increasing enrollment from 330 students to 3,300 students dur-ing his 20-year tenure. Under Barry’s leadership, the first brick-clad campus building was constructed in 1970, followed by aseries of five additions built over the course of the next 21 years.

As the next chapter in its history, Walsh College wanted tomove beyond the existing cluster of brick boxes and create a sig-nature building embodying the forward-thinking energy of thebest U.S. corporations. The building would bear the name and

honor the memory of Jeffery W. Barry, the man most responsiblefor Walsh’s amazing transformation. “He expanded our curricu-lum, taking Walsh from an institute to a college-degree grantinginstitution,” said Bergeron. “But what made him special was hispersonal style. He was well respected by the students, and manywould tell you he personally changed their lives. The businesspeople in Troy and in greater Detroit talked about his character,his integrity, and his warmth. We are where we are today as aninstitution because of his foresight and his leadership.”

MKT 460 - STRATEGIC MARKETINGVDTA was the firm selected to help commemorate Barry’s lega-

cy and take the college fully into the corporate world of the 21stcentury. The architectural firm has produced daring, cutting-edgedesigns for the corporate offices of Ebay, Motorola, NBC News,and a list of clients that reads like the Fortune 500. Locally, WalshCollege was impressed with VDTA’s design of the nearby KresgeFoundation Headquarters facility in Troy. “The building pushesthe edges of design,” said Bergeron.

VDTA first prepared several design alternatives, allowingWalsh College to select from a menu of design solutions rangingfrom hyper-conservative to adventurous. Walsh College couldhave easily replicated the brick boxes of the existing campus, cre-ating a cookie-cutter structure with a quick payback. But it’snever business as usual at this respected and successful businesscollege. In short, Walsh decided to build an adventure. “Wedecided to break our own mold and let people know that we arenot the little brick schoolhouse by the side of the road,” said

With its angled planes and folded metal platedesign, the building has a sculptural quality and asingular presence on the Walsh College campus.



Christine Stout, director, facilities and auxiliary services, Walsh College. “Rather than a hyper-conservative, very institutional kind of environment, Walsh opted

for an environment that a forward-thinking U.S. corporation would be building for theirown people,” added Valerio. “But it wasn’t that they just wanted an adventurous build-ing. They wanted to make a connection between a Walsh College experience and the expe-rience students have or will have working in a corporate facility.”

Unrolling the final blueprint revealed plans for an out-of-the-box building embodyingthe energy and charisma of Jeff Barry, the man whose leadership transformed WalshCollege in a shift as startling as the innovative building outlined on the plans. Once built,the exterior of the Jeffery W. Barry Center resembles a sculpture more than a building. Theexterior is formed of a folded metal plane design, meaning a series of angled metal planes,some slanting inward toward sunken windows and others converging on convex win-dows – hexagons of tinted glass pushing outward with equal visual force. “The north andsouth faces are a highly sculptural composition of metal and glass angled planes,” saidValerio. “The east and west sides are relatively simple and straightforward brick wallsmeant to link the new addition to the existing campus. The entire building is a juxtaposi-tion of two very quiet surfaces and two very active sculptural surfaces.”

On the angled surfaces, a perfect alignment of panel joints and window mullions stitch-es together the building’s metal panels and its playful glass geometry. VDTA extendedboth elements – the sculptural quality and aligned joints - into the building interior. “Wedidn’t want to create one building on the outside and then a very different building on theinside,” said Valerio. Angled and undulating ceiling planes – an interior folded metalplate design - are prominent in the lobby and second-level student lounge. The windowmullions line up with the joints in the angled ceiling and even the joints in the terrazzofloor. The building’s core reverts to a basic square or rectangular classroom. “We weredeliberately being a little playful on the interior by extending the sculptural quality intothe interior of the building, but we didn’t want to create angled corners that would becomeunusable spaces,” added Valerio.

Even the “quiet” brick facades on the exterior face contain articulated bricks, addingshadow and detail to the flat expanse at virtually no cost. “The articulation of brick on the east and west faces has a dramatic effect in terms of activatingthat brick façade, but it isn’t really an expensive detail,” said Valerio.

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Grand Blanc Police Headquarters• 2007 INTEX Award Finalist (Carpentry and Drywall/Ceilings)

Walsh College Barry Center Addition• 2007 INTEX Award Finalist (Carpentry) Grand Blanc Police Headquarters• 2007 American School and University Architectural Portfolio, Outstanding

Building Award – Oakland Community College – Levinson Hall Addition• 2007 AGC of Michigan Safety Excellence Award• 2007 Crain’s Detroit Business List of Contractors – #8• 2007 Engineering News Record Ranking Top 400 Contractors Nationally• 2006 INTEX Award Winner (Carpentry)

Wyandotte Hospital Center for Health Services• 2006 INTEX Award Finalist (Carpentry) NorthRidge Church Phase III• 2006 INTEX Award Finalist (Flooring) NorthRidge Church Phase III• #7 Crain’s List of Contractors 2006• NAWIC Longevity With Integrity 1997 (1st Award)• ENR 2006 Ranking Top 400 (#286 Nationally)• Detroit 300 Heritage Award Oldest Contractor in Southeast Michigan

Teamwork and a computer-generated grid of 3D coordinates helped the trades install theangled planes of the main lobby and other key spaces.


Grand Blanc Police

Henry Ford West Pavilion Vertical Expansion

Walsh College

Canton Township Administration Building

Walled Lake Central High School

Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Wyandotte Hospital Center for Health Services

First United Methodist Church

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Recent Awards and Acknowledgments:• 2008 Celebrating 100 Years• 2008 Engineering Society of Detroit Construction & Design Award

Walsh College Barry Center Addition• 2008 Michigan Masonry Institute – President’s Award – Schoolcraft College• 2007 INTEX Award Finalist (Carpentry & Resilient Floor)

Grand Blanc Police Headquarters• 2007 INTEX Award Finalist (Carpentry and Drywall/Ceilings)

Walsh College Barry Center Addition• 2007 INTEX Award Finalist (Carpentry) Grand Blanc Police Headquarters• 2007 American School and University Architectural Portfolio, Outstanding

Building Award – Oakland Community College – Levinson Hall Addition• 2007 AGC of Michigan Safety Excellence Award• 2007 Crain’s Detroit Business List of Contractors – #8• 2007 Engineering News Record Ranking Top 400 Contractors Nationally• 2006 INTEX Award Winner (Carpentry)

Wyandotte Hospital Center for Health Services• 2006 INTEX Award Finalist (Carpentry) NorthRidge Church Phase III• 2006 INTEX Award Finalist (Flooring) NorthRidge Church Phase III• #7 Crain’s List of Contractors 2006• NAWIC Longevity With Integrity 1997 (1st Award)• ENR 2006 Ranking Top 400 (#286 Nationally)• Detroit 300 Heritage Award Oldest Contractor in Southeast Michigan



BBA 461 - BUSINESS STRATEGY ANDPOLICY

Auch joined forces with VDTA as thevery beginning of the project. This earlyalliance saved immeasurable costs andaided the scheduling of this complex37,875-square-foot building. The architectand construction manager workingtogether – either in person or in cyberspace– is an invaluable budgetary aid, particu-larly in executing a design with the com-plexity of the Barry Center. “We were atsome mid-level design point when wewere just going over our budget,” recalledStout. “We actually cut a section out of thebuilding and made it significantly smaller.We could have gone through the wholedesign process, gone out to bid and onlythen discovered it’s too expensive.Because we were working together, wewere able to make that adjustment andcontinue forward.”

Added Munchiando, “What we aredoing is feeding the owner informationand helping them make intelligent deci-sions throughout the process. We take thisapproach on all of our jobs.”

Auch’s estimating accuracy is rooted inits own historical cost database assembledover the course of the last 15 years.Containing 25,000 line items, the databaseallows Auch to closely monitor cost trendsin the industry and prepare for upcomingprojects. “Two clients – Oakland

Community College and the BloomfieldSchool District - actually track our esti-mates,” said Munchiando. “At OCC, wefind that we are within two percent of allour estimates across the board. AtBloomfield, an outside group determinedthat we were right on the number.”

With its extensive experience in educa-tion, Auch has developed a well-oiledmachine able to deliver within this chal-lenging marketplace and bring Walsh’snew building out of the ground at a mod-est cost and on a tight schedule. MC2 esti-mating software is just one of the powertools in Auch’s high-tech tool belt acquiredto help forecast estimates and track sched-ule.

Auch even saved the owner money inthe selection of a slightly different type ofexterior metal panel. Originally the select-ed panels were solid aluminum, but Auchsuggested a switch to a less expensive alu-minum composite panel formed of a plas-tic resin between two sheets of aluminum.“The composite panel still provided thesame look,” said Munchiando.

BBA 410 - ETHICAL CONCEPTS ANDPRACTICES

Auch controlled the schedule with equalrigor by beginning construction of theparking area and sustainable landscape asthe building design entered its final stages.“We had to begin site work, includingwork on the massive parking lot in lateJuly 2006,” said Munchiando. “We needed

The building’s folded metal platedesign flows into the interior as shownin the angled ceiling planes of this second-level lounge (above).

The triangle is a dominant geometricshape in this structure. Even the lights

in the ceiling panels echo the triangular theme (below).



to be ready with parking spots for studentsreturning in the fall.”

The site is only the beginning of WalshCollege’s LEED initiatives. Combiningbusiness savvy with a green ethic, the proj-ect proves social consciousness and costconsciousness are not mutually exclusive.The project’s smart site design is the per-fect expression of combining practical, nononsense business with the green ideal. Inthis dual economy, both cash flow andstormwater flow determined the nature ofthe site.

The goal: retain and filter stormwateron site to reduce the amount inundatingthe municipal storm system and localwaterways. The three-pronged strategy: aseries of bioswales, a constructed wetland,and the placement of a sub base of coarseaggregate below the parking lot. Becausethe modest budget could not sustain thecost of porous pavement, the project teamused coarse, compact aggregate, essential-ly turning the new parking lot into astormwater reservoir. “The spacesbetween the coarse aggregate store theexcess stormwater,” said Scott Oswald,Auch project engineer. “The water is eitherabsorbed into the soil, or if excessive, itmakes its way to the constructed wetlands.The entire north and northeast lots are alldesigned for under lot storage of onsitestormwater runoff.” As a bonus, the park-ing lot’s sheer size makes it an even moreeffective reservoir, converting this sea ofasphalt into an asset rather than a hin-drance to stormwater control.

As part of this smart site design, thestormwater enters the under lot through anetwork of bioswales linked to the subsur-face aggregate. “The bioswales have a spe-cial soil mix and design to filter the water,”said Oswald.” The soil is composed ofsand for high drainage capacity and a top-soil with certain nutrients and a Ph level tohelp plants take root and grow.” A con-structed wetland also captures and filtersstormwater on site.

LEED is literally changing the landscapein other ways. Once established, nativeplants blooming in the bioswales willrequire zero irrigation and limited mainte-nance. This “green” parking lot is builtwith asphalt by-products from the demol-ished parking lot.

Both enlightened and affordable,Walsh’s LEED initiatives are part of a planto use the project as a green teaching toolfor future business leaders and as a benefitfor the broader community. In line with itsgood neighbor policy, Walsh College isdoing its part to bring the stars back to

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Ann Arbor Ceiling & Partition CO., LLC is one of the largest wall and ceiling contractors in Michigan. We have over 38 years of experience inthe commercial construction industry. We are pleased to have beeninvolved in recent signature projects like the new MGM Casino, WalshCollege, and the new North Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport. Our successis attributed to our dedicated staff and our commitment to quality.

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suburban skies. The site’s parking lotlighting features special lenses designed tokeep the beam low and focused. “Theywanted to be sensitive to the neighborsand sensitive to the night sky,” saidOswald.

BIT 305 - BUSINESS COMPUTING TOOLSWith blueprints in hand and permits in

place, foundations began in late October2006. Again, the project team paid astuteattention to that basic building block ofconstruction: money. Auch and VDTAblocked any cost escalation based on thewider foundation needed to support thebuilding’s irregular geometry. “Cost effi-ciency was evaluated with the design teamearly in the project,” said Oswald.“Essentially, the building required a widefooting. (Because the metal panels slantinward, the foundation walls often have tospan a considerable distance to follow theirregular line of the building.) The ques-tion was, ‘How do we achieve that founda-tion? Do we pour two separate footings –an inner and an outer – or do we make onethick foundation?’ We found it was more

efficient to basically pour one foundation.”The result is footings and foundation wallsaveraging four feet in thickness with somepoints measuring five or even five-and-a-half feet.

The foundation was the easy part. Theentire team had to think in 3D to designand install the building’s structural steelframe and its exterior folded metal platedesign. “Everybody received a 3D educa-tion, sometimes 4D,” said Stout. “It wasquite the geometry challenge.”

Embedded within the angled planes ofthe exterior is a conventional rectangularsteel grid that forms the building’s coreand houses the nine classrooms. A frame-work of exterior structural studs givesshape to the outside wall’s angular geom-etry. Ross Structural Steel, Detroit, devel-oped the structural frame in a 3D CADmodel that was checked against the archi-tect’s 3D design. “The architect came intotown, we sat down together and checkedall the 3D points to make sure they wereconsistent,” said Oswald.

The exterior structural studs serve as theframework for the intricate folded metal

plate design and its innumerable angledand concave, slanted metal panels thatactually function as the rain screen for thestructure. All the subcontractors had tothink in 3D from bid date to the moment ofinstallation, tightly coordinating theirwork with each other and with the archi-tect to create this unique folded platedesign. Auch worked closely with thesubcontractors even in the bidding stage toensure a thorough understanding of thisgeometric puzzle of a building. “Weworked hard upfront with the contractorsat bid time, making sure everyone had agood handle on the project when theycame to the table with their bids,” saidOswald.

Fabrication of each panel to tight toler-ances was essential to piece together thisintricate puzzle of angled metal panelsand irregularly shaped windows on budg-et and on schedule. With no room ormoney for errors, fabrication, field meas-urement and installation had to be closelyplanned and tightly coordinated. First, theexterior wall panels were modeled in 3DCAD and crosschecked with the architect’s

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3D design drawings. “The shop drawings were then preparedand checked by laser in the field once the exterior structural studframework was installed,” said Oswald. “C.L. Rieckhoff Co., Inc.,Taylor, as subcontractor to the metal panel contractor, Ann ArborCeiling and Partition, Ypsilanti went to the jobsite and used lasertechnology to check the actual field dimensions needed for themetal wall panels. In this way, actual field conditions were incor-porated into the shop drawings prior to fabrication.” Ann ArborCeiling and Partition was responsible for both the exterior foldedmetal plate and the interior angled ceiling planes.

The last line of defense to maintain the tight tolerances and theperfectly aligned joints of every piece of this complicated wall wasthe establishment of an actual control line four feet in from theoutside edge of the building directly at floor level. “Instead ofbasing their placement on another contractor’s work, each sub-contractor used this control line,” said Oswald. “All of the con-tractors could then accurately measure from that inside controlline to the outside grid of points plotted by the 3D design for theoutside wall.” Added Munchiando, “Using this control linemeant that if one person made a mistake, the next person didn’tmake another, further compounding the issue.”

Auch shepherded the creation of this irregular rain screen allthe way from the bidding stage through fabrication, and out onthe jobsite blocked delays and costly rework. Above all, thissaved incalculable costs on piecing together the tight tolerancesbetween individual panels and between the panels and angledwindow units.

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The building’s playful exploration ofgeometric form continues in the fenestra-tion – the pattern of windows and open-ings in the building face. Far beyond yourbasic punch windows, the windows of theJeffery W. Barry Center are an assortmentof triangles, trapezoids and squares, eitherreceding into the building’s metal skin orprojecting forward from the concavesculptural exterior. Part of the rhyme andreason behind this virtuoso window dis-play was the projection technology used inthe classrooms. Basically, the projectiontechnology precluded the use of expansivewindows. “These windows bring in natu-ral light very strategically,” said Valerio.“The building brings light to every class-room, but it doesn’t have a whole glasswall requiring the constant adjustment ofshades.”

In turn, the limited window size wasone reason for the building’s angledplanes. “The angled planes of aluminumfocus attention on these relatively smallareas of glass,” said Valerio. “This gavewhat could have been a very solid build-ing a sense of openness. I think weachieved that open feel, yet at the sametime we haven’t overburdened the interiorwith a great deal of daylight that wouldhave made it more difficult to use theclassroom for the purposes intended.”

MTH 401 - ADVANCED GEOMETRY The intricacy of the design meant this

construction class in advanced geometrycontinued on the building interior.Teamwork and a computer-generated gridof 3D coordinates helped the trades installthe angled planes composing the ceilingsof the lobby, second-level lounge, andother interior corridors. “On the interiorthe ceiling contractor had to think andwork with every trade impacted by theangled planes of the ceiling, including theplumbing, ductwork and the lights,” saidOswald. “The architect was generous onhis drawings in providing three-dimen-sional points.”

Thanks to a very astute team of subcon-tractors, exterior joints and window mul-lions are visually pulled into the interiorand placed in perfect alignment with theangled ceiling planes and terrazzo floorjoints, creating a sense of flow into thelobby and down the corridors. “The lobbywas the point in the building where wemost dramatically pulled the exterior intothe interior,” said Valerio. “Unlike a class-room or an office, using an angular plandoesn’t hinder the use of the space.”

The building’s creative spark is brought

to full flame in the stunning lobby with thefacility’s signature angled ceiling planesand an expansive glass curtain wall flood-ing the space with natural light. A featurewall of perforated aluminum panels spansthe full height of the two-story space andadds to the 21st century sensibility of thenew building. Reinforcing the building’splayful geometry, a contemporary chande-lier of lighted cubes cascades from a pur-posively peeled back ceiling tile far abovethe lobby floor. This new campus gather-ing spot has earned the ultimate endorse-ment. “A gentleman walked into thebuilding while I was here,” recalledMunchiando, “and without knowing myrole in the project, he looked around thelobby and exclaimed, ‘this place justmakes you want to donate!’ ”

MGT 404 - HUMAN RESOURCEMANAGEMENT

More than a classy corporate lobby, theinterior provides a stellar educationalenvironment. The Center contains theExecutive Leadership Suite housing thecollege’s first doctoral program in man-agement and a specialized Focus GroupResearch Room permitting hidden obser-vation via a one-way viewing mirror andcamouflaged audio equipment. “Havingsuch a research space is unique for a busi-ness school,” said Bergeron.

The first level houses a new library withmore computer and movable workstationsdesigned for working individually or indifferent groups. A 135-person lecture hallbuilt in a challenging elliptical shape com-pletes the first level of this completelywireless building. The second level hous-es nine classrooms, plus conference andbreakout rooms for team meetings. Theclassrooms have flexible workstations forreconfiguration, plus an entire wall blan-keted in whiteboard from floor to ceiling.

Bergeron still receives e-mails from fac-ulty expressing “what a joy it is to teach inthese classrooms in every respect. Theacoustics, the layout and the flexibility arephenomenal.” At the end of a long dayBergeron sometimes walks the halls of thenew center as it begins to fill with studentsattending evening classes. “That’s whenthis building really comes to life,” saidBergeron. “There is an air of expectationand excitement when I see the rooms beingused in the way for which they weredesigned.”

Bergeron recalls a stroll she tookthrough the building during constructionwith Jane Barry, the wife of the late JefferyBarry. “I remember her saying, ‘Jeff would

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be so proud of the building, but particular-ly about two components: the way it wasdesigned to teach and its emphasis on eco-logical responsibility,’” recalls Bergeron.“I could feel chills going down my spine,because I knew how much the facilitytouched her. That for me was the definingmoment of the building.”

Forward thinking in form and function,the building is also progressive in the useof environmentally friendly materials andsystems. If Walsh had an actual corporateladder it would probably be made of recy-cled materials. In actuality, recycled wind-shield glass is part of the terrazzo floorand the second-level staircase steps.Interior “green” materials run the gamutfrom recycled carpet tiles, natural andrenewable linoleum desktops in the lec-ture hall, and low VOC paint, as well asrestroom countertops made of recycledaluminum and millwork formed of lumber

harvested from sustainably managedforests and certified by the ForestStewardship Council. In the material cat-egory, Auch diverted approximately 75percent of construction debris from a land-fill, added Oswald.

“The building has high-efficiencymechanical units with a heat recovery sys-tem, meaning the energy in the building’sexhaust air is used to either pre-heat orpre-cool fresh incoming air,” said Oswald.The heat energy recovery equipment andother measures optimized energy per-formance by 20 percent. AddedMunchiando, “The lobby has radiant in-floor hydronic heating. Radiant heatwarms objects, not just air, creating an effi-cient, comfortable heat. They didn’t wantconventional heating, because of theexpanse of glass windows in the lobby.”

Other energy-efficiency measuresinclude occupancy sensors for lights and

HVAC. “As part of daylight harvesting,the library’s perimeter light fixtures nearthe windows sense the amount of daylightand dim down automatically during theday,” said Stout.

The building’s white thermoplasticpolyolefin roof membrane reduces the pro-ject’s contribution to the heat island effect,because the albedo (the ability of a surfacematerial to reflect solar radiation) is higherfor a light-colored rather than a dark-col-ored roof. The heat island effect is a rise inurban and suburban temperatures exacer-bated by the vast expanses of dark pave-ment and rooftops spread across a metrop-olis. This temperature rise increases peakenergy demand, air conditioning costs, airpollution levels, and heat-related illnessand mortality, according to an EPA web-site.

This white roof also reduces the col-lege’s energy costs. Plus, the roof also hasadditional insulation over and above whatyou would find in a typical roof system,”said Oswald. “This contributes to theenergy efficiency of the building and addsto the LEED points.”

The project team is submitting the proj-ect for a LEED Silver rating, an amazingachievement for a building constructed onsuch a modest budget. Leave it to arespected business college and a talentedproject team of Valerio Dewalt TrainAssociates and George W. Auch Companyto carefully shepherd and creatively man-age both construction and naturalresources. Creating a viable future is theultimate return on investment.

Expanses of bricklink the new

addition to theexisting campus.

Even the information desk in the main lobbyis in sync with the angled geometry of thisrefreshing and bold addition.




The familiar slogan, “What happensin Vegas, stays in Vegas,” happilydid not hold true during the creation

of the award-winning MGM GrandDetroit. Las Vegas-based MGM Miragebrought its project management expertisedirectly to downtown Detroit, buildingthis new 2.65-million-square-foot play-

ground two-and-a-half months ahead ofschedule and $15 million under budget.This gaming empire and international hospitality company did not leave successto chance. MGM Grand Detroit II assembled a team of internationallyrenowned interior designers, and enlistedthe talents of Detroit-based Hamilton

Anderson/SmithGroup, a joint venturewith strong local roots anchored in theurban experience.

At the same time, MGM Grand Detroit IIalso recruited the management skills of TréBuilders, LLC, a project management con-tractor with a team that has the qualifications, experience and capability of

By Mary E. Kremposky, Associate Editor

City ChicMGM Grand Builds

Entertainment Destination in the Heart of Detroit

City ChicMGM Grand Builds

Entertainment Destination in the Heart of Detroit

PHOTO BY CURT CLAYTON STUDIOS

SI 2008 80-89 MGM 9/26/08 2:52 PM Page 80


managing a project of this size. Glamourwithout the glitz, this timeless buildingrises 18 stories above Third Avenue, itsstone base and soaring vertical lines blend-ing with Detroit’s rich stock of earlyTwentieth-Century Art Deco skyscrapers.

“We were trying to achieve what werefer to as ‘city chic,’ a stylish look thatrespects the history of Art Deco inDetroit,” said Ben Mammina, senior vicepresident of construction for MGM GrandDetroit II. “Basically, we wanted to bringsome of the Las Vegas product to Detroitwithout the glitz. As architect-of-record,Hamilton Anderson/SmithGroup didgreat work for us, and Tré Builders suc-ceeded in gathering together a workforceof personnel whose talent was surpassedonly by their enthusiasm for this project.

“Tré Builders handled not only the bid-ding and negotiations for price, schedule,terms and scopes of work, they also nego-tiated the contracts and supervised thedaily work on the jobsite,” Mammina con-tinued. “MGM Grand Detroit handled allthe payments and accounting.” In addi-tion to their administrative experience andqualifications, Tré Builders supervised andmanaged the day-to-day constructionactivities of 105 local subcontractors. Theliaison between Tré Builders and the man-agement of these contractors brought thisvision of ‘city chic’ to life at the intersec-tion of Third and Bagley Avenues indowntown Detroit.”

The opportunity to expand contractopportunities to companies outsideMGM’s traditional base was not left tochance. SSmith & Associates, a consultingservices firm with offices in Southfield andLas Vegas, was engaged because of its suc-cess in helping companies utilize small,local, minority and women-owned busi-nesses. In addition to the HamiltonAnderson/SmithGroup, some 100 compa-nies were awarded contracts because ofMGM Grand’s commitment to diversity.

This commitment extended to construc-tion contractors and suppliers, as well asprofessional service companies, includingarchitects, engineers and consultants.“Only a handful of companies were largeenough to bid directly, so we ‘teamed’them with larger contractors as subs, sothey could participate,” stated SusanSmith, president of SSmith & Associates, afirm dedicated to improving the utilizationof emerging businesses by major corpora-tions in construction and operations. “Theproject had been anticipated since theopening of the temporary casino in 1999.Some companies, who were on the brink

of going out of business, remained afloatas a result of this opportunity. For others,it allowed growth and for others expan-sion into the Las Vegas market.”

“The workforce in Detroit is amazing,”said Mammina. “I have worked in 75 per-cent of all the states and I have never comeacross a workforce like they have in thisarea. They did it quickly, and they did itright. I hated to put the ceiling up, becauseeven the ductwork is beautiful.”

While the ductwork is hidden, the well-crafted interior unfolds and reveals aseries of intimate spaces, some serene andothers sizzling with some serious nightlife,

but all clad in a sophisticated interplay ofinspired finishes. At MGM Grand Detroit,everyone can follow his or her own bliss,whether its floating like a lotus petal in thepool of the incomparably lovelyIMMERSE Spa or ramping up your relax-ation levels in the “night fever” of theaward-winning V lounge. Water and fire,serenity and excitement are all under oneroof in this destination entertainment com-plex housing a 400-room hotel, 9,000square feet of nightclub space in six different lounges, 6,000 square feet ofretail, an 18,000-square-foot resort spa forboth hotel guests and day visitors, and a

In Agua and other MGM lounges, spaces become experiences with the aid of a $20 million dollar information system. Using video projection, Agua’s ceiling simulates water; sound-sensitive equipment then translates clapping, laughter or any other noise into ripples on the surface of the “water.”

PHOT

O BY

BET

H SI

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PHO

TOGR

APHY

SI 2008 80-89 MGM 9/26/08 2:52 PM Page 81


diversity, your projects take longer andcost more money. We had a totally oppo-site experience in Detroit where we camein under budget, we finished early, andour project is winning awards all over theUnited States.”

MGM Grand Detroit has already beennamed the American Lodging InvestmentSummit development of the year, a presti-gious honor possibly unknown to theaverage person but ranking as theAcademy Award of the hotel business.“That award is the equivalent of theOscar,” said Mammina. “MGM GrandDetroit was competing against major proj-ects on the West and East Coasts. I don’tthink that in the 30 years I’ve been in thisbusiness, I have ever seen anybody out-side of the East Coast or West Coast everwin the award.”

A TIMELESS BUILDING BUILT IN A TIGHTTIMEFRAME

MGM played its cards right in selectinga fully assembled parcel of land, avoidingthe hassles and higher costs of painstak-ingly acquiring properties from diverseowners. The 25-acre parcel was a formerparking lot for DTE Energy located close tofreeways and facing the heart of the down-town business district, said Mammina.

Hamilton Anderson/SmithGroup creat-ed a utilitarian and a city edge for thismassive complex. Utilitarian or back-of-house services are placed along the site’swestern border near the Lodge Freeway.Moving north to south, the massive com-plex stretches along Third Avenue, bendsat a 45-degree angle, and aims the southend of the hotel tower directly towards theheart of downtown Detroit. “The southface is the property’s symbolic front doorto downtown Detroit,” said Tom Sherry,AIA, LEED AP, Hamilton AndersonAssociates design principal and HamiltonAnderson/SmithGroup joint venturedesign lead. “This corner offers an excit-ing opportunity to address traffic flowingto MGM Grand from the major thorough-fare of Michigan Avenue in downtownDetroit.”

Approached from downtown Detroit,the south end’s clever angle of placementgives this sprawling, suburban-size devel-opment the appearance of being a free-standing, pencil-thin skyscraper comfort-ably woven into the existing urban fabric.MGM Grand’s extensive length alongThird Avenue is broken into a series ofthree entrances, again translating whatcould have been a typical suburban build-ing into an urban vernacular. “The lengthalong Third Avenue is so substantial, wewere trying to present more of an urbansolution to the street,” said John Sobetski,project manager, HamiltonAnderson/SmithGroup joint venture. Thejoint venture is a perfect fit for this project.Both firms are strongly committed to revi-talizing Detroit’s urban fabric. Under itsoriginal name of Smith, Hinchman &Grylls, SmithGroup is a 155-year-old archi-tectural firm responsible for designingmany of the prominent Art Deco skyscrap-ers woven like a bright thread throughdowntown Detroit.

This citadel of stone and glass blendswith downtown Detroit and with some ofthe lighter limestone-colored buildings ofthe DTE Energy campus next door. “It isvery important that the building looks likeit belongs in essentially a 100-year-olddowntown,” said Sherry. “The real driver

host of restaurants, ranging from namechef establishments to quick serve, as wellas a third level devoted to convention andmeeting space. For gaming buffs, the casi-no floor in the heart of it all has 4,500 slotmachines and 90 table games.

Over 2.3 million work hours werepoured into the creation of this massiveentertainment emporium, including theconstruction of 7,300 parking spaces locat-ed in a subterranean valet area below thecasino and in a nine-level self-parkinggarage anchoring the north end. Design,craftsmanship, and project managementcoalesced into this amazing $800 milliondollar entertainment hub in Detroit.“About 47 percent of all the money wespent was with targeted businesses, mean-ing women, minority and Detroit-ownedbusinesses,” said Mammina. “Somebelieve that if you have high levels of

MGM’s soaring 18-story hotel tower easilyblends into the fabric of Detroit’s downtownbusiness district and its stock of earlyTwentieth-Century Art Deco skyscrapers. PHOTO BY CURT CLAYTON STUDIOS

SI 2008 80-89 MGM 9/26/08 2:52 PM Page 82


of the design was to place a high-quality, timeless building on thedowntown site versus a trendy type of entertainment venue. Forthis reason, we used timeless materials, such as precast concretewith natural stone aggregate, a black polished precast base withsome use of granite toward the very base of the building, and aglass curtain wall system of high quality.”

This timeless building, however, was constructed on a verytight timeline. In the short span of only two years, MGM GrandDetroit’s entertainment empire took root and rose from a mereconcept on a blueprint to the towering building and host of spe-cialty spaces contained within its stone and glass walls.

Design and construction of this sophisticated entertainmentcomplex occurred almost simultaneously, taking place within abrief stretch of time from September 2005 to September 2007.“The core design challenge was the raw speed of the project,” saidSobetski. “We had to be very nimble on our feet and make gooddecisions very quickly.”

Easing the process, MGM Grand and the joint venture architec-tural team have a long history of working together as a tight unit.MGM enlisted the services of Hamilton Anderson/SmithGroupfor the design of the temporary MGM complex and for assistancein winning the competition for the current casino license. The cur-rent project was set in motion several years before September2005, but legal issues put all casino construction on hold in Detroitfrom 2003 to 2005. Once resumed, the programming of the build-ing was altered. “The basic footprint of the building remained thesame, but there were some pushes and tugs on the building as theprogram had changed from the earlier program,” said Sobetski.“Our first priority was to make sure the structure was accurate.We had to make sure that the entire ‘box’ was correct, so the steelcould be ordered and fabricated while caissons were installed inthe ground.”

THE BEST PARKING SPOT IN TOWNWith building permits for foundations and structure in hand,

the “game” officially began on Sept. 19, 2005. Lady Luck in theform of good weather aided in the rapid placement of 150 caissonsbelow the entire complex from hotel tower to parking structure.MGM’s strategy was to place the caissons and structural frameswiftly, leaving ample time for the intricate, labor-intensive finish-es blanketing the interior of this entertainment hub. “Because ourprojects have a great deal of finishes, we often have 800 to 900people working at the end or finish portion of the job,” saidMammina. “To accelerate jobs with that many people costs agreat deal of money at that time, so we always accelerate at thebeginning of the job when fewer people are involved. We hit thecaisson portion of it very hard with several rigs on site.”

Rohrscheib Son Caissons, Inc., New Hudson, worked six days aweek to install caissons by January 2006, drilling through the softclay of downtown Detroit to hit bedrock at about 120 feet belowgrade. Almost in the blink of an eye, caissons for the self-parkinggarage were finished in October 2005, followed in rapid succes-sion by caissons or drilled piers for the casino in November 2005and hotel tower caissons in December 2005.

As the clay-encrusted auger rose from the last drilled pier,Hamilton Anderson/SmithGroup began preparing blueprints forthe building envelope and interior in January 2006. In this tight-ly sequenced job, the construction team then turned towards thetask of bringing the first post-tensioned, cast-in-place concrete tierout of the ground. Detroit saw its first glimpse of MGM Grand asthe concrete parking deck poked through the cold mud andreached grade in January 2006. “There was one level below grade,

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but we reached the street with structure inJanuary 2006, and our last pour for thenine-level parking deck was in August2006,” said Mammina.

Rapid construction was essential toservice DTE employees who once used theMGM site as a parking lot. “DTE had torent spaces in downtown Detroit, so ourgoal was to get the parking deck open andbring back DTE personnel as soon as pos-sible,” said Mammina.

DTE clearly emerged as a winner in theparking sweepstakes. “They had this bigpiece of land that they were really onlyusing for parking,” said Mammina.Parking outdoors in Michigan’s fickleweather is no longer an issue for DTEemployees who now enjoy reserved areasin the newly built parking deck.

MGM opted for a parking deck with apost-tensioned, cast-in-place structuralconcrete frame, a seldom-used structuralsystem for a Michigan parking garage.“Aesthetically, we believe the cast-in-placelooks nicer, because the ceilings are flatrather than waffled,” said Mammina. “Wealso painted them white and raised theceiling by about two feet above a standardparking garage, creating a bright facilitywith a more welcoming and less confiningfeel. Functionally, the cast-in-place struc-ture has fewer maintenance require-ments.”

Sobetski summarized the advantages ofusing post-tensioned concrete: “The use ofpost-tensioned concrete is a little unusualin a parking deck. The advantage of posttensioning is the concrete is always incompression, so the garage is not subject tocracking. Without cracks, road salt fromcars cannot enter and corrode the rebar. Ifany cracks did occur post-tensioningwould keep them tight and closed.”

The parking deck opened in December2006, two-and-a-half months ahead ofschedule. MGM and its team of local sub-contractors maintained the acceleratedpace throughout the course of this well-sequenced project, saving time and money.“Most of the savings came from the earlycompletion of the project,” said Mammina.“Just as if you had a construction loan, theactual cost of the money is about a milliondollars a week.”

WORKING WITH A SAFETY NETNext on center stage was construction of

the three-story casino’s structural steelframe and the hotel tower’s post-ten-sioned, cast-in-place concrete frame, againa relative rarity in Michigan. “The casinois a steel-framed building, mostly because

it has much larger expanses and muchlarger bays,” said Sobetski. “With thehotel, we could obtain a very compactstructural system with good ceilingheights by going with a cast-in-place con-crete frame. It is a very efficient use ofspace.”

The hotel tower began its rise 18 storiesabove grade in March 2006 with ColasantiSpecialty Services, Inc., Macomb Twp.,performing the seemingly impossible:pouring almost a floor a week using slip orflying forms as the building rose skyward.MGM worked with Colasanti on a guaran-teed maximum price (GMP), cost plus feebasis to meet the rigorous schedule.“Working with us, not only were theybuilding the 18-story hotel at about a floora week, but they also saved us $10 milliondollars over what the low bid was,” saidMammina.

MGM Grand issued the concrete,mechanical and electrical work on a GMP,cost plus fee basis. “It’s a negotiated feeranging between 5 and 10 percent,” saidMammina. “Essentially, they are not atrisk, for as the job continues they are reim-bursed for their costs and get a negotiatedfee on top of it. The pressure is off. Thegood thing is we get greatly reduced feesbecause we don’t put anybody at risk.”

In MGM Grand’s game, timely paymentis not a gamble. “We had 105 subcontrac-tors, and by the end of 2007 about 90 per-cent were closed out,” said Mammina.“Everybody was paid 100 percent. ByFebruary, 100 percent were closed out,meaning everyone was paid.”

MGM Grand’s owner-controlled insur-ance program saved costs and boostedsafety. “All of the contractors bought theinsurance from us,” said Mammina. “Wesaved about $4 million, and we had a $4million refund on the insurance as wellbecause the workers were very safety con-scious. We ended up with a Projects DaysAway case rate of 1.01 as compared withthe industry average in Michigan of 4.2.”

DIVIDE AND CONQUEREssentially, divide and conquer was the

basic strategy for delivering this mam-moth $800 million dollar project early andunder budget. The project was split intofour pieces: the guest and employee park-ing structure; the subterranean valet park-ing below the casino; the hotel tower; andthe casino. “Plus, we had about a dozensuperintendents on the job versus thethree or four that might typically work ona large project,” said Mammina.

However, one crucial facet was not

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subdivided, shaving time and money offthe project. “We set the estimators – ourproject managers – in the designer’soffices, making estimating part of thedesign process,” said Mammina. “ I thinkwe are very good at understanding thedesigner’s intent. We can grab hold of thedesign vision and make it cost effective.For example, say we are going to spend a$1,000 dollars a square-foot on a particularrestaurant. Perhaps, $75 dollars a square-foot is reserved for the ceiling, but thedesign comes in at $85 dollars a square-foot. We then give the designer the optionof keeping his design or taking $15 dollarsa square-foot off of the floor or walls.Essentially, when the designers and esti-mators are finished, the price negotiationshave already been done. The first time ourpeople actually ever see a design we knowit is in budget.”

THE RACE TO THE FINISHThe MGM Grand juggernaut continued

its swift march toward completion, top-ping off the hotel in October 2006 andinstalling the single-ply roof in November2006. As the concrete tiers rose into theskyline, the precast base and glass towerswiftly enclosed the building only five tosix stories below the tower’s leading edge.

The schedule never slackened despite tightmarket conditions for glass around theglobe and the installation of the detailedmullion patterns on the glass tower, saidMammina.

The same tight sequencing played out inthe hotel interior. “With a hotel with somany floors, we were actually finishingthe interiors before there was even a roofon,” said Mammina. “We were installingdrywall, plumbing and other interior com-ponents before the building actually wasenclosed, taking precautions and usingtemporary protection.”

The same strategies were used to build-out the diverse interior. “Because of thebuilding’s size, we contracted with awhole host of different interior designers,”said Mammina. Interior constructionflowed from north to south.“Construction-wise, the metal deck andsteel framing started on the north side ofthe project and worked its ways south,”said Mammina. “There were areas in thecasino that were finished with drywallceilings, all the mechanical work and allthe electrical installed, and everythingeven painted, but when you got to theother end of the casino there was nothingbut a shell.”

With its grand opening on Oct. 2, 2007,MGM Grand Detroit now brightens thiscorner of downtown Detroit. At night, theplay of white light washes over the glasstower and softly accents its precast base ofnatural stone aggregate. The dramaticbacklighting and accent lighting brings thebuilding to life, turning white light almostinto a material cladding. “We tried to

MGM Grand’s hotel guest lounge on the17th floor offers patrons a relaxingambiance and fine hors d’oeuvres.

MGM Grand offers guests the opportunity to get away from it all in this penthouse living and dining room.

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heighten the building’s presence through detailing and lighting,”said Sherry. “We tried to give the building the energy of an enter-tainment or hospitality property in a tasteful way that doesn’tfight the look and feel of downtown Detroit.”

The material palette is traditional but the details are contempo-rary. “The building is more traditional at the base and becomesmore contemporary as the eye travels up the tower,” said Sherry.“The metal accents for the MGM logo, medallions, and the curtainwall columns or pilasters all have a silvery sheen emulating stain-less steel to add sparkle and a contemporary feel to the building.”

The exterior of MGM Grand Detroit adds a tangible excitementto the city’s streets. Anchored at the south end by the hotel andthe at the north end by the main parking garage, people pour intothe massive gaming emporium from both ends of the complex,energizing the interior every night of the week. The hotel, garageand back-of-house area together form a U-shaped cradle holdingthe main expanse of the casino floor.

On the gaming floor, the wide arc of a broad curvilinear ceilingserves as a wayfinding device along the perimeter, intuitivelychanneling visitors into a curved “street” lined with a buffet ofsophisticated restaurants, lounges, and retail shops. “We tried tocreate more of a street experience around the entire perimeter ofthe casino,” said Sherry. “There is a powerful kind of organicshape to the ceiling, and we very deliberately designed it the waywe did to create visual sight lines across and through the casinolinking the guest’s eye to all the offerings within the casino floorand around its perimeter.”

Like the exterior, MGM Grand wanted to focus on a timeless

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This boardroom is only part of MGM Grand’sextensive meeting and conference space.

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design rather than a specific theme. “Wewanted it to be stylish and contemporarybut not cold, so warm colors and millworkwere chosen as part of the casino spaces,”said Barrie G. Borovsky, vice president ofplanning and development, MGM GrandResort Development. HamiltonAnderson/SmithGroup coordinated thedesign intent of the team of renownedinterior designers. Borovsky managed andinterfaced with the entire design andarchitectural team.

A collaboration between HamiltonAnderson/SmithGroup, Cleo Design andArchavision, the main casino never over-whelms the visitor with a cavernous, over-bearing expanse. “The casino floor is alarge space broken up into a dozen or sosmaller spaces through different types oflighting and varied colors,” said Sherry.The entire interior is broken into a series ofwarm, intimate spaces all designed on acomfortable, human scale.

MATERIAL SPLENDOR MGM Grand searched the globe to

obtain the expertise of a select cadre ofinternationally renowned interior design-ers, including Superpotato, Tokyo, Japan;Tony Chi & Associates, New York City;Jeffrey Beers International, also of NewYork City; Cleo Design, Las Vegas;Archavision, New Port Beach; and HarrisDesign, a Hamtramck firm that designedthe video poker bar, the executive offices,and Breeze, an upscale food court. As aresult, inspired materials blanket virtuallyevery square inch of interior space. A wallof small, gray pebbles serves as theentrance to the restrooms, small blocks ofpolished wood, arranged at varying anglesand assembled in an intricate jigsaw puz-zle, form the entrance to one of the manyeateries; and a massive tableau of polishedstone forms the backdrop of the hotellobby. The casino buffet, called Palette, is alarge dining facility with a 580-personseating capacity. The massive eatery issubdivided so skillfully by curvilinearmetal louvers and art walls of bottled vine-gars no one would ever guess its true size.Panels formed of molded fiber reinforcedpolymers and backlit by shifting LEDlights add to MGM Grand’s long list ofunusual, inspired materials.

Bourbon Steak House is an artfularrangement of reclaimed wood beamsfrom old Maine barns, a feature wall ofblue and glass bottles, and reclaimed brickfrom Detroit buildings. “The grout isplaced far back from the edge, giving afloating effect to the entire brick wall,” said

Borovsky. Teak blocks and an ornamentalmetal screen complete the upscale eatery’smaterial showcase. SALTWATER containsmosaic tile ceilings, beautiful millwork,and plaster placed free-form on the wallsto resemble rippling pools of water.

More than static spaces, the interior is “acollection of very unique, very well-thought out experiences,” said Sherry.Masters of showmanship, MGM Grandinvested in a $20 million dollar informa-tion system as part of the interior experi-ence. In the popular lounge called Ignite,video screens simulate a wall of ice cubeseach melting in a ring of fire. The tableausubtly shifts across the wall every 7 min-utes. Even Ignite’s elevator floor containshidden video screens simulating flamesflickering below your feet. The screenchanges to a pool of water as the elevatordescends and exits at the aquaticallythemed Agua lounge. “Using video pro-jection, the ceiling inside Agua simulateswater, creating the effect of being underwater,” said Mammina. “The sound-sensi-tive equipment picks up laughter, clap-ping or any other noise and translates itinto ripples on the surface of the ‘water.’”

The building’s actual systems also con-tain some unusual infrastructure. “TheHVAC system is tied into a smoke releasesystem, meaning in the event of a fire theHVAC enters a mode designed to actuallycontrol the smoke,” said Sobetski. “Such asystem is not often used.” Plus, the HVACsystem is designed for over 90 percentfresh air, an uncommon level of airexchange.

As another seldom-used building sys-tem, MGM Grand has four 2,000 kva gen-erators able to place approximately 75 per-cent of the building on emergency power.“Typically, a building has about 10 percentof its electrical needs on emergencypower,” said Sobetski. In yet anotherunusual approach, the casino floor haswhat is known as an electrified floor sys-tem. “It is a series of trenches built into theconcrete floor which allows the casino torun cabling for all the gaming machines,”said Sobetski. “It is a very flexible system.If they want to reorganize the placement ofgaming machines, this system allowsrerouting without drilling new holes in thefloor or rerouting wires.”

MGM Grand’s sophisticated finishesand efficient systems extend into large sec-tions of the 250,000-square-foot back-of-house area designed by HamiltonAnderson/SmithGroup for MGM Grand’s3,200 employees. The employee diningroom rivals most corporate cafeterias and

The casino interior is similar to a city streetwith a “buffet” of sophisticated restaurants,lounges and retail shops arranged along theperimeter of the central gaming area.

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is one of the best of any MGM facility, saidBorovsky. This appealing eatery featuresPewabic tile, a bubbling fountain, andmillwork. MGM staff also enjoys a breakroom called Chill and a smoke roomnamed Puff. The joint venture also provid-ed the landscape design, master planning,space planning and programming forMGM Grand Detroit. An impressed MGMhas enlisted Hamilton Anderson to workon its new CityCenter project in Las Vegas,where Hamilton Anderson has now evenestablished an office.

The lavish living room of the hotel withits fireplace extending the width of anentire wall and towering columns clad inrich millwork. The tower contains 400hotel rooms, 20 percent being suites asopposed to the 10 to 15 percent in a stan-dard hotel, said Mammina. “We werechallenged with delivering a property thatembodied the corporate standard,” said

Sherry. “It has been well received withinthe corporation, and ranks as one of theirtop properties nationally and globally.”

Far beyond a casino, MGM Grand’sentertainment venues are attracting peoplefrom throughout metropolitan Detroit andbeyond. With its diverse offerings, peoplewho never dropped a token into a slotmachine but love fine food can dine on thecreations of two name chefs, namelyMichael Mina and Wolfgang Puck. “Forexample, Oakland County is a great cus-tomer in Las Vegas, but they had not beena great customer in their own backyard,”said Borovsky. “What do they end updoing in Las Vegas? They were going to allthe new stylish restaurants with all thechef names, so we decided to bring thoserestaurants closer to them.”

MGM Grand’s floorplan offers visitorsthe option of staying at the hotel, imbibingat the lobby bar, dining at Wolfgang Puck

Grille, and unwinding at IMMERSE Spa,all without even entering the casino floor.Business and pleasure is a beautiful mix atMGM’s third-level convention area, con-taining six meeting rooms, two board-rooms, a grand ballroom, and 8,000 squarefeet of pre-function space.

Open for less than a year, metropolitanDetroit and the Midwest are only begin-ning to discover the treasure in their ownbackyard, courtesy of the efforts of hun-dreds of companies, the long-standingjoint venture of HamiltonAnderson/SmithGroup, and MGM GrandDetroit II. Blessed with such a phenome-nal entertainment destination, any roll ofthe dice is bound to land on a winningcombination.

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Long before the staples of life couldbe found at sprawling retail stores,approaching ships meant a fresh

supply of basic necessities that are takenfor granted in modern times. Ships on thehorizon were met with a combination ofwonder and impatience, but those whohad knowledge of trigonometry oftenknew exactly when they would arrive.Land-based observers could determine thedistance to the ship by measuring the

angle between the shore and the ship attwo different locations, using a techniqueknown as triangulation. Like the positionof a far off ship, many unknowns can bedetermined by simply looking at themfrom more than one vantage point.

Charting a course to project success isgetting increasingly difficult given themuddied waters of Michigan’s currenteconomy. Construction managers Mosher,Dolan, Cataldo & Kelly, Birmingham, and

Templeton Building, Rochester Hills,along with architect Victor Saroki &Associates Architects, PC, Birmingham,have employed a unique approachtowards this goal at 735 Forest. TheBirmingham mixed-use building was care-fully designed to let retail, office and resi-dential users all benefit from each other,making the facility a 24-hour hub of urbanexcitement. Innovative green technologiesalso put the building at the forefront of

I N B I R M I N G H A MI N B I R M I N G H A MTriangulatingTriangulatingTriangulatingBY DAVID R. MILLER, ASSOCIATE EDITOR PHOTOS BY GEORGE DZAHRISTOS

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current trends. This dual focus on inven-tive mixed-use and sustainability providesthe points from which success can be trian-gulated upon – making the building a fit-ting addition to Birmingham’s TriangleDistrict.

THE TRIANGLE DISTRICT Some towns have rivers running

through them, but Birmingham has moreof a stream – a traffic stream carried by

Woodward Avenue. Site of the WoodwardDream Cruise and the world’s first mile ofconcrete road, Woodward isn’t as much aroad as it is an icon of America’s car cul-ture. Each day, thousands of vehiclesdrive this traffic mainstay that flows fromPontiac all the way into the heart of Detroit– yet sitting just a few feet away isBirmingham’s trendy, and entirely pedes-trian-friendly, downtown.

Birmingham’s downtown thrives on thewest side of Woodward, but the busy thor-oughfare effectively kept any of the excite-ment from spilling over to the east side.The road also runs diagonal to the pre-dominant street grid, combining withAdams and Maple Roads to form theboundaries of the Triangle District. Likeany neighborhood, the Triangle Districtgradually developed its own character.

“Historically, the buildings of theTriangle District have been a mix of com-mercial buildings with some family resi-dences,” explained Victor Saroki, FAIA, ofVictor Saroki & Associates Architects, PC.“The commercial buildings were usuallysmaller, with one or two stories and theirown parking lots, which made them a littlebit out of the character of downtownBirmingham.”

Zoning in downtown Birmingham wasmuch more urban in nature, allowing forstructures built right up to the lot line.Five nearby parking structures eliminatedthe need for individual lots. The buildingat 735 Forest was originally envisioned asa two-story office building more similarwith other Triangle District structures, butthe project team applied for a variance andmade a major transformation to take

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promising quality. The project team savedthousands of dollars by working with codeofficials to put water and sanitary lines inthe same trench and to branch domesticwater service off the main fire suppressionline. The sewer line was also relocated toanother side of the building, whichallowed for a deeper trench and a gravityfed system. This led to substantial savingswhen bathrooms were added to the base-ment, as costly mechanical equipmentwould have otherwise been needed to lift

waste up to grade level.Subcontractors and professional con-

sultants used their expertise to provideadditional savings. A necessary changefrom 36” to 30” bar joists was projected toadd $30,000 in material costs, but a simplechange to the phalanges reduced this to$2,000. Along with installing DuroLastPVC single-ply membrane roofing for theproject, Allen Brothers Roofing, Inc.,Rochester Hills, also cut costs by propos-ing more economical use of CitadelEnvelope 2000“ composite panels, manu-factured by East Cost Metal Systems Inc.,on the third floor.

“A composite panel is one of the mostexpensive materials you can put on theexterior envelope,” said Brian Marceau,estimator/project manager for AllenBrothers. “There is a crown detail that wasalso going to be a composite panel, but we

value-engineered a 24-guage steel panelthat we could fabricate ourselves.”

Much like the cost-efficient crown detailand the high-end manufactured compositepanels, many aspects of the building offera combination of benefits.

MIXED BLESSINGTrue urban environments are always in

motion because they contain large, diversegroups of people and provide them withlots of exciting things to do. Mixed-use

buildings are ideal for developing urbanenvironments because they encourageround-the-clock activity.

“Along with downtown Birmingham,the city planners want the Triangle Districtto be active 24-hours a day,” said Saroki.“The only way to create 24/7 activity in acity is to have people living there.”

Putting retail, residential and officespaces under one roof creates a synergythat lets each benefit from the other. Thebistro at 735 Forest has a built-in clienteleof loft dwellers and office workers.Residents can get meals prepared by aworld-class chef without setting foot out-side, while office tenants have a conven-ient lunch spot for clients. Future TriangleDistrict buildings will also benefit from asteady stream of foot traffic generated by735 Forest.

Mixed-use buildings are also desirable

advantage of a new zoning ordinance thatwas designed to make the area more urbanand pedestrian-friendly.

A third floor was added to house 11 for-lease residential lofts, averaging 1,100square feet, bringing the building total upto 35,000 square feet. A 65-seat bistro,operated by renowned Chef Brian Polcyn,is a first floor addition that was facilitatedby the new zoning. The second floor isdedicated for office use, including newspaces for Mosher, Dolan, Cataldo & Kelly

and Templeton Building. The Triangle District may eventually

have its own parking structure, but noneexist at this time, so a covered parking areawas shoehorned into the building. Use ofa precast planking system let the projectteam maximize lower level space, allow-ing for the additional storage needs of theresidential users and a combination ofspaces to support the bistro. Despite thesudden evolution of the project, somethings never change.

“We had a fixed budget even though wemade a moving target for an end product,”said John Kelly, principal for Mosher,Dolan, Cataldo & Kelly. “We obviouslyhad to add a budget for the third floor, buteverything else was absorbed by the exist-ing budget and that was no small task.”

A number of innovative ideas were uti-lized to stretch the budget without com-

A 65-seat bistro, operated by renowned Chef Brian Polcyn, was added to the first floor under new zoning that was designed to make the areamore urban and pedestrian-friendly.

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from an environmental standpointbecause they encourage more efficient useof resources. Instead of creating a spacefor every car that will park at the buildingover the course of a day, the project teamcarefully planned around anticipateddemand. Residential parking needs peakat night, with office spaces needing moreparking during the day. Earmarking anumber of parking spaces for office usersduring the day and loft dwellers at nightmaximizes their function.

The project team also worked withneighbors to ease parking concerns. Sincethe bistro will likely be busiest at night, theproject team worked with neighboringoffice buildings to secure an agreement touse their parking spaces after office hours.The activity generated by 735 Forest bene-fits the entire area, which gives all nearbyfacility owners an excellent incentive tocooperate.

All of the benefits associated withmixed-use buildings begs an obviousquestion: If they’re so great, why aren’tmore people building them?

“The reason that people aren’t runningAn alliance with Dow Building Solutions led to the development of the Thermax Total WallSystem, which saw its first worldwide application at 735 Forest.

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to do mixed use buildings is that they arevery complicated,” said Kelly. “With mul-tiple uses come multiple codes.”

Noise was also a key factor. Bistro visi-tors tolerate more noise than other users,but they will also generate it. Office work-ers, on the other hand, tolerate occasionalnoises, but nothing that distracts themfrom their tasks. Loft dwellers are the leasttolerant of noise, often simply wanting torelax undisturbed.

Placing the office floor in-between thequiet residents and noisier bistro elimi-nates much of the potential for noise com-plaints. This also separates the residentsfrom smoke, grease and deliveries that areinherent to a restaurant operation. Threeseparate entrances and two designated ele-vators will also keep different user groupsapart. Mechanical equipment was careful-ly placed to prevent noise transmissionand cast iron piping was used to insulatethe sound of water trickling through.

Different uses are carefully separated at735 Forest, but all of the spaces are unifiedby consistent green design.

OLD FASHIONED GREEN DESIGNMost Michigan contractors are familiar

with the U.S. Green Building Council’s(USGBC) Leadership in Energy andEnvironmental Design (LEED®) GreenRating System, but nothing can replace thepractical experience gained from a firm’sfirst LEED project. For Mosher, Dolan,

Cataldo & Kelly, that project was 735Forest, but it took an infusion of freshthinking to convince the project team.Deirdre Greene Groves, special projectscoordinator and green specialist forMosher, Dolan, Cataldo & Kelly, is current-ly working towards a Master’s Degree inUrban Planning and Real EstateDevelopment at the University ofMichigan, and she eagerly accepted thechallenge of bringing green building tech-niques out of academia and into the realworld. She quickly found that the profes-sionals at Mosher, Dolan, Cataldo & Kellyalready had the necessary skills.

“Green building is a basic function ofquality and architecture,” said SteveMarszalek, principal for Mosher, Dolan,Cataldo & Kelly. “A building that is ener-gy-efficient, with quality architecture andmechanical systems, is inherently morevaluable in the marketplace and our firmhas always focused on quality. Greenbuilding essentially just provided a bench-mark for where our product already was.”

An understanding of the merits of greenconstruction doesn’t always translate intoa firm belief in LEED. Convincing theteam to consider LEED was GreeneGroves’ next hurdle.

“We were already building green, soDeirdre’s ‘homework’ was to convince usthat LEED wasn’t just some off-the-wallset of abstract criteria,” said Kelly. “Whenshe showed us that LEED was a legitimate

A third floor was added to house 11 for-lease residential lofts, averaging 1,100 square feet each.

SI 2008 90-97 735 Forest 9/26/08 3:43 PM Page 94


measuring system, and that we werealready working up to that standard any-way, it became worthwhile.”

Mixed-use buildings fit in well withland use guidelines stipulated underLEED because they encourage efficient useof resources, but combining many types ofspaces under the same roof can also com-plicate the process. It is very easy to fallinto the trap of designing green in one waywhile working against the goal in another.Retail spaces that are flooded with naturallight, for example, can introduce unwant-ed heat gain. Selecting materials anddesigning mechanical systems to compen-sate for this, particularly with the individ-ual levels of control needed in a residentialapplication, can be difficult. To preservethe overall environmental vision, 735Forest is seeking LEED certification underLEED New Construction (LEED-NC), notLEED Core and Shell (LEED-CS).

“Tenants moving into the building willneed to follow the same guidelines wedo,” said Marszalek. “We will show themwhy these guidelines are important.”

A few words about energy costs will cer-tainly play a role in this process. Priceswill continue their upward trend asresources become increasingly scarce,which makes 735 Forest a smart option forrestaurant owners, loft dwellers and officerenters who are hoping to manage thesecosts. Energy efficiency goals played intoevery design decision.

Lighting was carefully studied to deter-mine what types of fluorescent fixturesand bulbs provided sufficient lighting eco-nomically. Fixtures in residential spacesalso allow for a range of bulb types to suitindividual tastes, a simple flourish notsupported by every lighting manufacturer.Since the building achieves 90 percent daylighting throughout, motion sensors thatcontrol lighting in common areas also fea-ture a photometric capability that keepsthe lights off when ambient lighting is suf-ficient.

Instead of placing individual waterheaters in each residential unit, the boilerin the basement is equipped with twoinsulated storage tanks to provide instanthot water when needed. The 300,000 BTUboiler runs at 98 percent efficiency and itcan even be programmed to shut downautomatically when reduced demand isdetected. This approach resulted in apotential savings of over three millionBTU and also adds valuable space to eachresidential unit.

Products and materials that went into

the building were given considerablescrutiny. The superstructure at 735 Forestis typical concrete and steel construction,as steel has significant recycled contentand the concrete mix includes a higheramount of flyash than normal. Other envi-ronmentally friendly elements include:Energy Star™ appliances and lighting, lowVOC stains, finishes and paints, and reflec-

tive roofing. Many building elements offera combination of recycled content and/ormanufacture within a 500-mile radius.Some products are also manufactured inplants that utilize their own innovativegreen technology. The project team lookedcarefully to find products that met specificenvironmental goals, and frequently par-ticipated in their development.

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NEXT GENERATION GREEN The project team formed a number of

partnerships with manufacturers to createor modify products specifically for use at735 Forest. One such alliance withMichigan-based Dow Building Solutions®

led to the development of the THER-MAX™ Total Wall System, which saw itsfirst worldwide application on the proj-ect. The THERMAX Total Wall Systemutilizes the existing THERMAX productas an outsulation system, placing theinsulation on the outside face of thebuilding instead of between the studs.

“Metal studs allow thermal transfer,which can contribute to dew point issueand condensation to some extent,”explained Kelly. “There has been a drivein construction to put the dew point out-side the walls.”

The move towards outsulation is basedon strong logic, but whenever time-testedtechniques are modified, there are alwaysa few issues that crop up. The projectteam approached Dow primarily todevelop a system that was easy to workwith.

“The partnership was born out of our

frustration,” admitted Kelly.“Outsulation is tough to work with.Carpentry and masonry contractors needto work with each other with a typicaloutsulation system.”

The THERMAX, Total Wall System, onthe other hand, combines the backing,insulation and water management systemall in a single spray-applied product. Asa result, the building gets sealed muchmore quickly, with fewer componentsand less direct interaction between indi-vidual trade contractors. Before the proj-ect team could enjoy these benefits, theyneeded to work with Dow to develop abrick tie that could be easily insertedthrough the system.

“We spent a lot of time and energyworking on the brick tie,” said Marszalek.“We can slide it through the insulationand fasten it while standing right on theconcrete slab.”

Despite the ease of working the special-ly developed brick ties through the insu-lation, the foam still provides an effectivethermal barrier.

“Once the system was up, everythingwas taped and the windows were in, we

were able to heat the entire second andthird floors – that’s 28,000 square feet –with one 300,000 BTU natural gas heater,”said Marszalek. “There are very fewdrafts in this building and that reallyhelps with the overall energy efficiency.It has a very high r-value by the time youput the brick and drywall on. We wereable to eliminate 12 tons of cooling equip-ment because of the wall construction.”

The successful collaboration with Dowinspired the project team to seek out similar opportunities with other manu-facturers.

“Reaching out to Dow broadened ourminds on every other aspect,” said Kelly.“We worked with Kohler to introducesome new water saving products in thebuilding. Shaw Industries, the secondlargest flooring company in the country,came to us and told us about some sus-tainable products that were developing.”

Once again, looking at a challenge frommultiple vantage points led to success.The expertise of the project team, alongwith many quality manufacturers, pro-vided a clear path into unexplored territo-ry at 735 Forest.

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If people stopped to think about the complex system that generates and delivers electricity each and every time they flippeda switch, they would spend many contemplative hours in the dark. Fortunately, when a strange noise triggers the semicon-scious reflex of turning on the lights at three o’clock in the morning, a carefully deliberated energy grid that supplies reliable

power supports this action. TAQA, headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, brings new global experience in design-ing, maintaining and expanding these systems to North America following its acquisition of CMS Generation, a subsidiary ofJackson-based CMS Energy.

Construction manager DeMattia Group, Plymouth, and architect Hobbs + Black Architects, Ann Arbor, facilitated a power shiftby supporting the relocation of about 40 highly-specialized employees in Jackson to transfer their skills to a new Ann Arbor loca-tion. A 12,000-square-foot suite inside Ann Arbor’s Class A Domino’s Farms Office Park was transformed into a high caliber, functional workspace with a color scheme that is subtly evocative of TAQA’s desert heritage.

By David R. Miller, Associate EditorPhotos by Beth Singer

SI 2008 98-105 AbuDhabi 10/2/08 2:27 PM Page 98


IT’S ALL ABOUT LOCATION Ann Arbor offered one key advantage

over TAQA’s existing Jackson office.Closer proximity to Detroit Metro Airport,coupled with the easy freeway access ofDomino’s Farms, was an obvious benefitfor a company that performs a significantamount of international work. Many ofthe existing employees lived in townsbetween Jackson and Ann Arbor, so thenew office would also be within commut-ing range of the workforce. In addition tothe tangible benefit of simplified trans-portation, the new location contained ahost of other advantages that were moredifficult to quantify.

“There is a vibe in Ann Arbor, with theUniversity and the Ann Arbor ArtFestival,” said James Zimmer, plant sup-port manager for TAQA. “TAQA supportscreativity, even with the design of thisoffice and the selection of a site. We needto be able to tap into creative juices as wework, and Ann Arbor provides access tothem.”

Once a city was selected, attention wasfocused on a specific site. After much care-ful deliberation, Domino’s Farms rose tothe top of the list.

“From my perspective, I think that ourservices set us apart,” said Van Belanger,facilities superintendent at Domino’sFarms. “Besides the amenities that weoffer, we provide a full-service, turnkeyoperation from construction managementto the day-to-day operation. We havesecurity and maintenance personnel here,and someone is here 24/7.”

Experienced tenants know that thingscan go wrong at any facility. Quickresponse time minimizes the impact ofthese events and spells the differencebetween mediocre and superior service.

“Having people who know the facility,work there on a regular basis, and areready to respond when things go wrongcan be a big help,” said Belanger. “Theycan shorten any ‘down time’ experiencedby the occupant of the space.”

Once a specific suite was selected, thedesign team began working with the clientto create a vision for the space.

ENVISIONING THE PROJECT An early step in any design process is

determining what the client’s desiredresult is. In some cases, architects mustfirst develop an understanding of how theclient wants to interact with design profes-sionals. When clients span the globe, cul-tural diversity can manifest itself with dif-fering expectations.

“International clients sometimes viewthe architect’s project responsibilities dif-ferently than in the United States,” saidThomas Phillips, LEED AP, vice presidentwith Hobbs + Black Architects. “Here,clients tend to be more personallyinvolved in the design throughout theprocess, especially here in Michigan. Theyrarely say, ‘Let’s establish a project visionfor the spaces and you e-mail us photo-realrenderings for review when you thinkyou’re close.’ More commonly, the designis organized into specific design phaseswhere not only rendered images are pre-sented, but also detailed schedules of wallcolors, carpet and ceiling types.”

There are exceptions, of course. Phillips

pointed out that larger projects are morecomplex and may require communicationwith a larger group, a Board of Directors,for example. Detailing the fit and finish ofevery room would provide too muchinformation, so architects often rely onrenderings to provide an accurate sense ofthe vision and character of the space.Depending on the feedback from execu-tives, the architect can make refinements tothe design for final approval before pro-ceeding with specific material choices andthe construction document phase.

With smaller projects, detailed informa-tion about the design is much more man-ageable. Phillips estimates that approxi-mately 95 percent of the office build-outs

A private break room was placed behind this woven marble tile wall.



green tint of standard material was used toprovide clear sight lines across the space.In fact, most interior walls and doors areglass. Large glass panels were brought upto the office atop elevator cars.

“We had to rotate the glass up, stand iton its edge, and bring it up so we would beable to pull it back out,” said Belanger.“We were very fortunate that the secondfloor of the building is accessible from theeast side, so we could drop the elevator cardown to level one and enter the buildingon level two.”

Glass was secured on top of the elevatorcar and two elevator company employeeswere tasked with operating the car andobserving movement from inside the ele-vator shaft. Getting the glass up to thespace was only the first challenge. Theglass panels were set with only enoughframing to hold each individual unit

securely in place. Sliding glass doors werealso used to maximize floor space. Placingperfectly square panels adjacent to eachother on a hard, flat floor created an envi-ronment in which the slightest misalign-ment would be visually detectable.

“The bottom channel that the glass wasset into was critical,” said DeMattia. “Wehad to know exactly what the level of thefloor would be, but the floors were madeof cork, wood, leather and marble. We hadto know the thickness of each material tolevel the floor.”

Natural light brought in by the windowscan reduce the need for artificial fixtures,helping the project team meet key energyefficiency goals. Instead of simply beingfitted with occupancy sensors that detectmovement, the lights are tied to a series ofsophisticated light level sensors placednear the windows. When the sun is

performed by Hobbs + Black involve com-municating a high level of very specificinformation on the finish of every space.TAQA is not a standard office suite, norwas the design process typical of what onewould expect in Michigan.

“The client viewed our experience as away of providing the details necessary todevelop their vision,” said James Sharba,vice president and director of design forHobbs + Black. “We interpreted theirvision, created a floor plan that wasapproved, and the next communicationwas a rendering proposing our vision forthe central office space. We looked for-ward to decisive decisions from TAQA andthis was no exception. A few days later,we received a few comments and approvalto proceed to construction documents.”

Most architects would prefer havingtime to do some research before meetingwith a prospective client, but there was notime for that with TAQA. The initial calland the tour of the suite occurred onlyhours apart on a Friday afternoon. Invitedarchitects spent most of their time listeningat this meeting, as they would be requiredto translate the client’s vision into a floorplan that they would submit for approvalon Monday. Client concerns and informa-tion about the operations of the companywere discussed at this meeting. The suiteis located in a rectangular building, allow-ing for a linear layout with plenty of accessto outside windows. Transparency was akey goal. Natural light pervades the office,and every inch of the space offers a clearview of bison grazing over a bucolicprairie. The client also stressed a desire fora simple space, but simplicity is often inthe eye of the beholder. High-end finishesand hard surfaces define the TAQA interi-or, without the softer touch of carpet orother textiles.

“One of the biggest challenges was fit-ting so many materials together inside thespace,” said John DeMattia, vice presidentof the DeMattia Group. “All of the materi-als had hard surfaces that were joined withstraight edges. If something was out ofbalance, it was very noticeable. We didn’thave carpet to hide any imperfections.”

Planning how diverse materials wouldinteract in the space, and how they wouldbe installed, stood out as a key challenge.

PLANNING OUT THE SPACEThe TAQA office is flooded with natural

light and also offers striking views ofDomino’s Farms’ unique setting throughthe extensive use of glass. A specializedlow iron glass variety that minimizes the

Materials used at TAQA are defined by hard surfaces and straight lines, with no carpet to hideimperfections.



shining brightly, the lights dim to anappropriate level, only to instantly bright-en when less sunlight is detected.

Glass that forms interior walls letseveryone benefit from this natural light.As the glass panels that made this possiblewere installed, great care was needed toprevent breakage. Many walls were pro-tected with carpet padding and plywoodto prevent the big problems that couldresult from small bumps. Small clips werealso installed anywhere there is a jointbetween panels to prevent glass-to-glasscontact as the glass flexes in place. Notevery wall material at TAQA required thislevel of care, as transparency was notdesired in every space.

Since the building already containedrestrooms, none were required by codeinside the TAQA suite, but high-end rest-rooms with marble floors and attractiveartwork were added for the convenienceof employees. The executive office fea-tures glass walls just like every otherTAQA office, but shades can be lowered atthe push of a button to provide privacy.Since this office will be used by someonewho travels extensively, a private restroomcomplete with a shower was strategicallyplaced behind a non-transparent wall.Fitting a shower in added a whole host ofmechanical complexities not typicallyencountered in an office suite. The hotwater typically isn’t hot enough for com-fort, and people also tend to prefer awarmer air temperature after bathing.

“In an office building, the temperature isbased on a common thermostat,” saidPhillips. “We added a supplementalheater on a timer so someone could take ashower without heating up the wholeoffice. There is also supplemental ventila-tion because we needed to exhaust thesteam, or you’ll just blow humidity intothe central office.”

Privacy was a concern in more than justthe restrooms. The project team realizedthat employees might spend long hoursworking at TAQA, so a more private breakarea was placed behind a curved wall fit-ted with an attractive woven marble tile.The space, complete with marble chipstone flooring, a bar sink, glass mosaic tilesand artistic photography fromBirmingham’s “ZOOM” that was selectedby the artist to enhance the Europeanatmosphere and create a space more remi-niscent of a restaurant than of a breakroom.

As visitors enter through the lobby, theymight be directed to a conference room, orthe office area with its glass walls. In the

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office area, they may see a faint glow radi-ating from a curved wall in a distance.Constructed of translucent plastic panelsattached to a metal grid, this wall sepa-rates the strategy room form more publicparts of the suite. The strategy room,along with other meeting rooms in thefacility, is equipped with whiteboards thatlet users log in and see, or even interactwith, images from remote locations usinga laptop. Images on the whiteboard caneven be saved for future reference.Natural light fills the strategy roomthrough glass like other TAQA spaces, butthe glass faces away from public areas toprovide privacy when needed.

“The front of the office is the publicarea,” said Zimmer. “If you are bringing invisitors, potential partners or potentialcustomers, you are more likely to keepthem up front. Towards the back, wemight be dealing with something that is alittle more sensitive, but there really isn’tany reason for visitors to go back there.”

Areas farther back in the office are evenless likely to host visitors, but they stillrequired careful planning from the project

team. Given the large size of the building,expansion joints were needed to accom-modate for movement. One of these runsthrough the TAQA space, but the officewas configured to let it run through a filestorage area and out of sight of most visi-tors. If the expansion joint were in anoth-er area, the office layout would have beenshifted to keep it out of public view.

Unlike the expansion joint, the TAQAoffice contains many spaces that should beseen and admired. High-end finishes wereused to add class and sophistication to thesuite.

GLASS WITH CLASS“The biggest challenge on this job came

from the large variety of materials thatwere used,” said Paul Velin, senior projectmanager for DeMattia Group. “We had 22different stone products in a space thatwas only 12,000 square feet. A number ofthe stone products were imported fromItaly and Spain, so it took time to get themonsite, and we had to schedule aroundthat.”

Getting materials to the site was only a

part of the scheduling issue. Glass, forexample, was a long lead-time itembecause of the low iron content thatreduced its tint. Glass did not arrive readyto install because hardware for the slidingdoors needed to be installed onsite. Onceholes were drilled to accommodate thehardware, the glass needed to be sent backout for tempering. Leather floor tiles alsocould not be installed immediately uponarrival.

“The leather needed to acclimate to thehumidity at the site,” said Brenda Cole,project manager for Decorative FlooringServices, Maumee, OH. “That process issupposed to take two weeks, but one ofour batches took a while longer.”

Each piece of leather was checked with amoisture meter to make sure it was suffi-ciently acclimated to the space prior toinstallation. The material could not be cutuntil it was acclimated and it needed to betrimmed on all four sides to obtain a prop-er fit. A template was made to the desiredsize to simplify this operation, butinstallers were still under put under con-siderable pressure when the acclimation

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process took longer than anticipated.Hard tile installation also involved

unique challenges. With 18 different typesof tile and stone used on the floors alone,some rooms included intricate patternscomprised of up to four different materi-als. John Trendell, general manager ofDecorative Flooring Services’ Ceramic TileDivision, credits Dwyer Marble & StoneSupply, Farmington Hills, with getting amultitude of materials delivered in a time-ly and organized fashion. He also neededto depend on the ability of his craftspeopleto translate the circular and elliptical patterns into a precise installation. Theneed for precision ran more than skindeep, as installers needed to install a level-ing coat before placing any finish productsto ensure a perfectly flat surface. The corkflooring also sat atop a plywood substrate,

The glass that forms interior walls letseveryone benefit from natural light (left).The executive office (above) also featuresglass walls, but shades can be lowered atthe push of a button. A private shower and restroom were strategically placed behind a non-transparent wall.

Hard surfaces tend to deflect noise, makingacoustics a significant concern. Acoustics in this

main conference room are partially controlled by anattractive bent maple tile wall.



and installers needed to know the thick-ness of each layer to calculate the properfinish height.

Textiles like carpet and some wall cover-ings tend to absorb sounds, while the hardfloors and glass walls at TAQA tend todeflect noise. Acoustics inside the spacewas a significant concern, particularlywith areas where meetings would occur.

“There are three conference rooms,along with some other meeting spaces,”said Phillips. “They are all pretty sophisti-cated in terms of teleconferencing andphone conferencing, but the spaces them-selves needed to be relatively quiet or theelectronics would pick up on the sounds ofpeople talking or echoes, especially withall of the hard materials. We evaluatedeach space in terms of how lively it wouldbe when meetings or other activities weregoing on.”

The team worked with an acoustician toplace sound absorbing materials in appro-priate locations. Acoustics in the mainconference room are partially controlledby an eye-catching wall that featuresMaple tiles that are bent to fit into a con-cealed metal grid. Overhead mechanicalpipes and ductwork were left exposedwithout the drop-in ceiling commonlyfound in office environments, so acoustic“clouds” here hung above work spaces.

The unique geometry of the ceiling,along with the desire to leave mechanicalsystems exposed, also complicated certainaspects of the project.

“The roof slope is relatively low, fromslightly more than seven feet up, to thestandard nine-foot ceiling,” said LoriMartens, senior interior designer forHobbs + Black. “The space was designedto have a nine-foot lay-in ceiling, but wewere after a more modern look, so wedecided to expose the structure and onlyselectively incorporate design elements,such as the ‘wings’ above the glass cubi-cles. The elements are not only aesthetic,but serve to dampen sound and reflectlight from indirect linear features.”

Mechanical systems needed to operatein peak condition because there was noceiling to contain bothersome noise.Getting to this point required somepatience, with one faulty valve earning theless than affectionate nickname “the ban-shee.” The diligent effort of the mainte-nance staff that found and fixed this valvewas merely the last step of a long processthat ultimately left TAQA with a uniquespace from which it can apply its globalexpertise to the rapidly shifting energy market.

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It’s not just the geothermal heating and cooling field belowthe grass outside or the sustainable design and constructionthat put the new Westview Elementary School in Warren a

cut above the norm. Nor is it that the new school also brings tothis older neighborhood a modern, technologically upscaleschool that will be a learning tool in itself, teaching kids aboutenvironmental consciousness and sustainability along with theirABCs.

It’s also the exuberant use of colors, shapes, textures and mate-rials in the design that fairly shout to kids, “This is going to be a

fun place to be, learn, explore and get creative!” That’s what the Fitzgerald Public School District wanted and what the architect and contractors seem to have achieved with spectacular success.

It’s as though every decision about the design and construc-tion of the school was made with the intention of creating a placewhere kids would want to be. From the wide corridors to themulti-colored serpentine brick wall in one of two outdoor learn-ing spaces to the colored window squares in the media centerand the windows placed low to the ground in that room so little

By Clare Desmond Photography by Steve Maylone

Opened in September 2007, the newWestview Elementary School in Warren

has boosted the neighborhood andpiqued young students with its design

using multiple colors, textures and materials. Among its star attractions is a

geothermal field constructed on the 17.9-acre site to provide heating and

cooling for the school, and an EarlyChildhood Center offering

after school latchkey services.

SI 2008 106-113 Westview Elem 9/26/08 3:42 PM Page 106


kids are able to see out of them – the newWestview Elementary School presentsitself as an inviting, fun and creative placeto spend the day.

The school uses the latest technology,natural lighting, adaptable spaces, simplebuilding organization, color, texture, indi-vidualized learning spaces and a dynam-ic aesthetic to support a fun, inviting andwelcoming learning environment for stu-dents, teachers and community, accord-ing to project architect Michael Malone,AIA, principal, Partners in ArchitecturePLC (PIA), Mount Clemens.

“The kids love it,” enthused FitzgeraldPublic Schools Board of EducationPresident Thomas Owczarek. “They lovegoing there.”

Assistant Superintendent/Curriculumand currently acting district superintend-ent Barbara vanSweden echoed thosethoughts. “We wanted a school the com-munity could be proud of,” she said. “It’sa jewel in this part of Warren. Maybe itwill inspire our kids to do bigger and bet-ter things in their lives.” She also notedthat the new school “has given our kidssomething to take care of.”

Providing a modern learning environ-ment while incorporating sustainabledesign principles and technologies werehigh on a wish list for the new schooldeveloped by the school district and avolunteer focus group assembled by theBoard of Education. The focus groupincluded teachers, staff, parents, andmembers of the community working inconcert with the architect. “The designteam at PIA formed an educational part-nership with this group,” Malone said.Project manager for the firm was AdamLach, AIA, who was an “integral part ofmaking this project a success,” Malonecontinued.

Construction manager on the projectwas the Southfield office of Skanska USABuilding Inc., under the direction ofAndrea Atherton, project executive; JoelLemp, project manager; and TonySarkins, Jr., project superintendent.Construction began in May 2006 and wascompleted in August 2007. The school canaccommodate 200 pre-kindergarten andkindergarten students and 600 students ingrades 1 through 5.

Atherton met with the board of educa-tion nearly three years ago, and said their“concern was, No. 1, the kids. They want-ed a terrific learning environment andone that was flexible and had a lot of nat-ural elements,” she noted. She complimented the school district and

architect for being “very forward-think-ing. They made all the best choices andupdates to create a school of the future.”

Several different professional groupshave recognized the new school. It hasbeen named to receive an “Impact onLearning” award from School Planningand Management magazine and theScottsdale, Arizona-based Council ofFacility Planners International. It also isfeatured on the schooldesigner.com web-site. The National School BoardsAssociation showcased WestviewElementary in 2006 while it was still aproject-in-development, and again at itsTechnology & Learning conference in2007.

The school district got everything on itswish list and more in a bright, welcomingbuilding brimming with colors, differenttextures, and elements designed to appealto young students. The school dazzleswith, among other features: two outdoorlearning spaces, a media center, art andscience rooms and a computer lab, muchof it constructed with recyclable materi-als. That, plus an energy- and money-sav-ing underground geothermal heating andcooling system are just a few of the mod-ern amenities that help the new schoolsucceed in bringing its students into the

21st century.Constructed on a 17.9-acre site in the

south end of Warren within the 3,500-stu-dent Fitzgerald Public Schools, WestviewElementary had been experiencing adeclining enrollment. The new school isone step the district is taking to reversethat trend. Only one school year in, itappears to be having the desired effect.

“Enrollment increased for the 2007-08school year by 140 students,” formerFitzgerald Public Schools SuperintendentJanette Brill said. She noted that peoplehave moved into the district; the schooloffers individual instruction as needed,and it has an all-day kindergarten andearly childhood education (ECE) center.The ECE center remains open after theclose of the regular school day to providelatchkey services.

Set in a residential area of primarilyone-story ranch style single-familyhomes, and a townhouse development oftwo-story homes, the new 98,500-square-foot school blends in well with the sur-rounding community while making astrong visual statement that declares tokids it's a great place to be. The existingschool had been situated at the south endof the site, allowing the new school to beconstructed to the north while school

A permanent student art display at the entrance to the school’s media center is a colorful testament to the Fitzgerald Public School’s and the architect’s belief that school can be a creative and fun place to be.

SI 2008 106-113 Westview Elem 10/2/08 11:46 AM Page 107


remained in session. When constructionwas complete, the old school was demol-ished and new play areas were construct-ed in the former location. Asbestos abate-ment at the old school prior to demolitionwas accomplished during the summerwhile students were on vacation, Sarkinsnoted.

Despite the variety of constructionmaterials used on the job and the numer-ous “extras,” like the geothermal fieldand a multi-colored serpentine masonrywall, the school project was completed ontime and under budget, Sarkins said. Hesaid the mason contractor alone had towork with multiple colors, shapes andsizes of masonry units, block and glass.

The new school replaced an aging, sin-gle story 1950s-era building of approxi-mately 56,000 square feet. It is simplyorganized around a large, story-and-a-half-high central entrance lobby and maincorridor spine, Malone said. The corri-dors and other circulation spaces weremade wider and brighter to ease conges-tion and to enhance comfort and security.Classrooms in the building are organizedinto individualized learning “pods,” eachhaving their own color identity and sepa-rate central resource area, he added.

These individualized areas provideflexibility, while also creating a sense ofplace for each student. The resource areasin the classroom pods have become themost popular areas in the building due totheir flexibility, access and layout. The

Walls of windows allow copious lightinto the main lobby and a clear view tothe multi-colored, serpentine brick wallthat highlights one of two outdoorlearning spaces.

Squares of colored glass windowsalongside a window wall with a view to

an outdoor classroom highlight theschool’s media center. The insulated

maple wood ceiling adds beauty andwarmth to the space while it helps

buffer sound.

fifth grade students have the largestresource area. It can accommodate morestudents and activities at once and itoverlooks the media center below on thefirst floor. Barbara vanSweden noted thatthe pods allow “a whole grade to gettogether” while also offering space forsmall group or individual instruction.

The single-story ECE and kindergartenclassrooms are combined into a singlearea, with their own secure entry, check-in area and play space. Having its ownentry was a choice based on security andconvenience for working parents whopick up their latchkey kids after normalschool hours. The two-story academicwing houses grades 1 through 5, as wellas the media center, computer lab and theart and science rooms.

MAKE IT FUN AND EXCITINGArchitectural detail throughout the

school, inside and out, is intended to cre-ate “a fun and exciting environment,”Malone noted. A large 22-foot diametercompass constructed of concrete terrazzopavers is the focal point of the circularmain entry plaza, which also features lowplantings, flowering trees and bench seat-ing. Visitors enter into a two-storyentrance lobby, with the administrativeoffices immediately to the left.

Design objectives, Malone explained,included establishing safe site circulationby separating bus, parent and visitor



ty turned down, and I've been with thedistrict for 30 years.

“It was a great experience,” she said ofthe construction process. “And the schoolopened when it was supposed to open.”

GEOTHERMAL HEATING & COOLINGChief among the modern technologies

at Westview is the closed loop geothermalfield, also known as a ground source heat

pump, that provides heating and cooling.“Ground-source heat pumps use the earthor groundwater as a heat source in winterand a heat sink in summer,” according tothe Geothermal Resources Council, aneducational association based in Davis,California.

The system was constructed in a rough-ly pie-shaped, 56,000-square-foot grassyarea on the northwest corner of the site.By its nature as an environmentally

traffic, not negatively impacting the sur-rounding residential properties, and cre-ating outdoor educational opportunities.

Other design features include angledand recessed windows that add architec-tural interest while providing a shadingsource reducing direct sunlight. Keepingthe visual interest high, different materi-als were used throughout, Malone noted,including ribbed and smooth metal pan-els, masonry, glass block, and painted andburnished block. The burnished blockused on the bottom half of the corridorwalls is attractive and fairly immune tofingerprints, creating a lifecycle cost sav-ings since it shouldn’t have to be cleanedor painted.

One of the stars of the visual showmight be the serpentine brick wall con-structed in one of two outdoor learningspaces. Composed of eight different col-ors of glazed masonry units interspersedwith translucent glass and glass blockwindows, the 12-foot-high colorful wall isa backdrop for an outdoor classroom forhands-on life sciences learning. Servingas a focal point for the school, this out-door learning space is centrally locatednear the main entrance lobby, completelyvisible from the lobby through glass win-dows and doors. The space offers a pond,teaching platforms, built-in seating, a lec-ture area, butterfly and hummingbirdgardens as well as an abundance of vege-tation.

The other outdoor space, approximate-ly 160 feet by 60 feet, is directly accessiblefrom both the media center room and theart/science rooms on the south side of thebuilding. It incorporates a hardscape areawith tiered amphitheater seating sur-rounded by landscaping that providesopportunities for outdoor art and scienceprojects, as well as student activities andperformances.

Entry to the media center on the interi-or is enhanced with a permanent studentart exhibit created with a base of themulti-colored glazed brick supporting alaminated glass installation that housesstudent art. The art exhibit is flanked oneither side with giant crayons createdaround structural steel. The high ceilingin the media center room is an insulatedmaple wood backed with acoustic materi-al for sound absorption. The wood ceilingadds as well an element of beauty andwarmth.

“Our goal is always what's best for thestudents,” Brill observed, adding, “Wehave a very supportive community. I donot recall a bond issue that the communi-



sound, cost- and energy-saving heating and cooling system, thesystem will also provide a learning experience for students. Thebuilding has been prepped for web-based interactive kiosk soft-ware that will provide education and awareness about theschool’s actual energy use in real time.

A series of paired vertical pipes installed in the ground areconnected to each other by a grid at the top and then to thebuilding to create the geothermal, or geo-exchange field, that“taps the stored energy of the greatest solar collector in exis-tence: the Earth,” according to the International Ground SourceHeat Pump Association, based at Oklahoma State University inStillwater, Oklahoma.

At Westview, 140 bore holes with 5-1/2-inch diameters weredrilled to a depth of 355 feet into bedrock to contain the verticalpiping, explained John D. Richards, PE, LEED AP, and principalMEP consultant, MA Engineering, Bingham Farms. LoopMasterInternational, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana, installed the geother-mal system, working from approximately November 2006through July 2007 in some very rainy Michigan weather.

“Those guys were in chest-high waders,” said Larry Ulfig,general foreman for Macomb Mechanical, Sterling Heights, theHVAC contractor on the job. “I told my crew anytime you wantto complain just take a look at what the LoopMaster crew isgoing through.”

After the bore holes were drilled, a 710-foot unicoil of 1-1/4-inch DR9 polyethylene plastic piping, designed and rated forgeothermal applications, was spooled down, connected by a U-bend at the bottom, and then brought back up to create verticalsupply and return piping for each well, or loop, explained TroyCoffman, project manager for LoopMaster. Then the bore holeswere filled with a bentonite grout.

At the top, all 140 bore holes are connected to each other andthen to the building via DR11 polyethylene piping placed hori-zontally in 5-foot deep trenches. Individual loops are circuitedand converge into a main below-grade vault containing the man-ifold circuit. The system then enters the school via 8-inch piping.Approximately 103,000 linear feet of piping was installed for theproject, Richards noted.

In each of the individual loops or wells, one pipe carries warmor cool fluid from the earth to the school building and the otherpipe returns hot or cold fluid, depending on the season, back tothe earth. The fluid is water-based with 23% propylene glycol(antifreeze). Individual wells were placed on a 20-foot by 20-footgrid, Richards said.

“The geothermal system works great at Westview,” Richardsenthused, “handling 100% of the school's heating and cooling.”He attributed the success in part because it's completely newconstruction. The geothermal field serves 64 distributed heatpumps, including 57 units placed throughout the building, fourmore on the roof and three dual effect energy recover ventilators(ERVs), also on the roof. Richards explained that the temperaturein Michigan 5 feet to 6 feet below grade is approximately a con-stant 50F degrees. It’s the constant temperature of the earth thatmakes these systems work.

“The school district and their board were really the impetusbehind (installation of) the geothermal system,” Richards said,noting there are several engineers on the district’s Board ofEducation who had done research on their own.

One of those engineers is Board of Education PresidentOwczarek, who said the board researched geothermal groundsource heat pumps before committing to the system in retrofitsat two existing Fitzgerald schools. He said the system has beenso successful in the two retrofits and at Westview that the gascompany the district contracts with sent some workers out tocheck the meters because they were registering such low gasusage.

Owczarek acknowledged that the system at Westview costapproximately “25%-30% more than conventional systems upfront” to install, but says the school is “already on track to getthat back.” Richards noted that geothermal systems require alarger initial investment with the payback in terms of energy-and cost-savings usually coming in 8-10 years.

Macomb Mechanical installed all the ductwork inside thebuilding, the 64 heat pumps, and the piping to connect the build-ing to the geothermal field. “My piping tied in all 64 heat pumpsto that field in the grass,” Ulfig said. “LoopMaster brought the

Eight different colors of glazed masonry units were usedto construct the 12-foot-high serpentine wall in the outdoor classroom for hands-on life sciences learning.

Eight different colors of glazed masonry units were usedto construct the 12-foot-high serpentine wall in the outdoor classroom for hands-on life sciences learning.

Completely visible from the school’s main lobby, this outdoorlearning space is designed and landscaped to attract

butterflies and other wildlife to serve its use for the study of the life sciences.

Completely visible from the school’s main lobby, this outdoorlearning space is designed and landscaped to attract

butterflies and other wildlife to serve its use for the study of the life sciences.

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geothermal grid right up to the schoolbuilding. We like new technology, andSkanska was excellent to work with; itwas a great team effort.”

THE VISIONThe Board of Education’s focus group

“provided welcomed and insightfulthoughts that helped to identify what wasimportant to each of them as well as to thecommunity,” Malone said. In addition tothe latest in technology, that visionincluded providing:

A learning community that offers opportu-nities not previously possible. Examplesinclude the outdoor classrooms, the cen-tral resource area, and updated technolo-gies, including the computer lab.

A learning environment suitable to meettoday’s needs while being adaptable to futureeducational demands. One of those futuredemands is a distance learning capability,Brill said, and the facility is prepped forthat in the future. She explained that theState of Michigan is encouraging Chineselanguage classes at the elementary schoollevel, and electronic distance learning is adistinct possibility for that endeavor.

A learning environment where kids willwant to be. The building is alive with dif-ferent colors, textures and interestingarchitectural detail – all the things youngkids love to see, touch and feel. In thenew media center, for example, one entirewall is punctuated with multi-coloredglass squares, reminiscent of the multi-colored glazed brick wall in the outdoorclassroom and the permanent art exhibitin the corridor outside the media center.Squares are a design element usedthroughout the school, including the win-dows in four stairwells and in the gymna-sium. In the gym and cafeteria, squares ofinsulated concrete block are used to dif-fuse sound but which add to the designaesthetic, as well.

Sustainable design principles and technologies.The geothermal field is a prime exampleof this, but others abound throughout thenew school, including the use of recycla-ble materials chosen for construction, theimproved overall thermal envelope, andthe building's orientation to the site.

In the new school, all windows areinsulated, low-e and tinted. The buildingis constructed with masonry cavity wallsthat provide more thermal mass and areinsulated. There also are three inches ofinsulation in the roof of the new school.Water efficient fixtures were installed andlinoleum, a sustainable product that isalso washable, was used for flooring and

ABC Paving Co. Able Demolition Ameri-can Furniture Contractors ANM Construc-tion Ann Arbor Commercial Construction Services Authority Group Concrete, Inc. Bos-ton Tile & Terrazzo Brazen & Greer Cadil-lac Iron Cig Jan Products Ltd. Davis IronWorks Delta Construction Associates Detroit Automatic Sprinkler Detroit Door & Hardware Dew-El Corp. DRV Joint Sealants Enviro-Aire, Inc.The Gilardone Co. Great Lakes Hotel Supply Hatzel& Buehler International Building Prod-ucts J.L. Geisler Corp. Loopmaster In-ternaitonal, Inc. Macomb Mechanical Madison Heights Glass McNulty Electric Michigan Playgrounds, LLC North Coast Studios Oakland Plumbing Co. Peter A. Basile Sons Precision Landscaping Reliable Fence Roof-con Schlindler Elevator Corp. Schreiber Corp.Seven Brothers Painting The Sheer Shop Shock Brothers Floor Covering Skanska USA Build-ing, Inc. Sunset Excavating The Supersine Co. TEL Systems Total Door Urban’s Parti-tion & Remodeling Wally Kosorski Won Door

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halfway up the walls in the bathrooms.Low-maintenance landscaping wasdeveloped, with the hardscape just out-side the main entrance and in the outdoorclassroom planted to attract butterfliesand other wildlife attractive to young stu-dents. Metal panels used on the exteriorare all recyclable, and the asphalt roofingwas cold applied rather than hot to mini-mize fumes while the students were inschool, even though it cost more to apply.“The building could easily be LEED certi-fied,” engineer Richards noted, “but theschool decided not to seek it.”

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A major objective of the architect, PartnersIn Architecture PLC, Mt. Clemens, was toenhance student interest with a wide varietyof colors, shapes, materials and textures, asdemonstrated in this elevation.



A facility with plenty of natural light-ing. An abundance of natural lightingwas incorporated into most occupiedspaces within the building, with bothoperable and fixed windows used inclassrooms. Light-directing glass blockwith internal baffles that direct lightupward were used in the classrooms andgymnasium. In most cases direct/indirectfluorescent light fixtures with multi-levelswitching and occupancy sensors wereinstalled. Pendant lighting graces theadministrative office space. In the class-rooms, the windows sport double shades:one blocks light completely and the otheris a “5% shade” because they allow thatpercentage of light into the room, Malonesaid. Upper window lights are frosted todiffuse light.

School Principal Denise Kluck wasespecially happy about the natural light-ing. “I can be having the worst day, andthen I look around and can see the sky,the sun,” she enthused. “It's a fabulousschool,” Kluck said, complementing thearchitects for their ability to incorporatenew technologies along with great colorand design.

A sense of place in the community anda focal point for revitalization for theneighborhood and district. The newschool has provided a boost to self-esteemfor many of the children and their parentstoo, according to Kluck. “They reallyenjoy the new school,” Kluck said. Shenoted that many of the school’s childrencome from socio-economically disadvan-taged families and the school creates anentirely new atmosphere for them. Shesaid a second grade student said the newschool looked “like a college campus!”

Kluck highly commended bothPartners in Architecture and Skanska. Shesaid Sarkins was available to answer anyquestion she ever had and Athertonemailed her routinely. She said PIA's proj-ect manager, Lach, even gave a presenta-tion to the second graders describingwhat the construction would entail andhow the new school would look.

“Moving is hard on kids,” Kluckobserved, “and they made it easy. Theconstruction was really an enjoyableprocess,” she added. “I never felt alone.”

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Few would argue against calling the era in which we live theInformation Age, even if a few of us still have parents whostill cannot successfully log onto the Internet. We are literal-

ly bombarded by information every day as it is scattered by cellu-lar phones and laptop computers all around us. When webreathe, we might inhale the anguished break-up of a teenromance. Our next morsel of food may have just collided with

someone else’s tax records. While the data that permeates ourexistence can be transmitted over the airwaves, there is no wire-less way to transmit the electricity that powers these devices.

When ITCTransmission purchased the electric transmission sys-tems from Detroit Edison and the Michigan Electric TransmissionCompany (METC, which had purchased transmission systemsfrom Consumers Energy), the company accepted the awesome

SI 2008 114-121 ITCTransmission 10/2/08 2:24 PM Page 114


responsibility of reliably delivering theelectricity that keeps Information Agedevices, along with all the time-testednecessities that previous generations havecome to depend on, running.Construction manager Cunningham-Limp, and architect Gillett Associates, Inc.,

both of Farmington Hills, recently led theeffort to build a Novi headquarters facilityfrom which ITCTransmission could per-form this vital task.

KEEPING THE LINES OPEN The first task in any design project is to

develop an understanding of the owner’sneeds. One necessary component forITCTransmission was a control room thatcould continue operations through themost extreme conditions without anyinterruptions and could accommodatefuture growth.

“Part of our building is a two-story con-trol room from which we monitor thetransmission grid 24/7,” said Joe Bennett,director of facilities for ITC Holdings. “Itis a critical operation, so we have a lot ofredundancies and failsafes to keep the con-trol room up and operational. Quitefrankly, if we are out of power, there is alikelihood that the rest of Michigan is outof power too. Our people need to do theirjobs in the worst of conditions.”

In a Midwestern climate few, if any, con-ditions can be considered worse than thoseexperienced in the path of an oncomingtornado. Tornados produce maelstroms soviolent that observers can only make edu-cated guesses as to their wind speeds. Foryears, scientists used the Fujita Scale exclu-sively as a measure of a tornado’s destruc-tive power, but they developed theEnhanced Fujita Scale (EF Scale) afterresearch suggested that wind speeds are

overestimated under the Fujita Scale amidthe catastrophic damage often left in atwister’s wake. No matter how they aremeasured, the two-story control room wasbuilt to withstand the 250-mile-per-hourwinds characteristic of an F-4 or EF-5 tor-nado.

“Anyone looking at this building wouldsay that it’s way over-designed when com-pared to a typical office building,” saidTimothy Melvin, AIA, LEED AP, seniorproject architect for Gillett Associates.“The connections, the sizes of the structur-al members and the redundancies in cer-tain areas are part of a whole web of sys-tems that work together.”

The two-story control room is locatedwithin a “hardened area” that is attachedto a six-story office tower, which was alsodesigned to withstand extreme conditions,but not nearly to the extent of the controlroom. According to Mike Kepsel, projectmanager for Utica Steel, Inc., Chesterfield,approximately 1,200 tons of structuralsteel was used to create the 188,000-square-foot space, which is about 20 to 30percent more than would typically befound on a similarly sized structure. Thedurability of the structure cannot simplybe measured by the bulk of materials, asthe office tower was also designed withthe concept of progressive collapse inmind.

“Typically, a building will be able to losea column without collapse,” explainedMelvin. “We incorporated extreme

The ITCTransmission headquarters sits on an 84-acre site, but much of this land was unusabledue to natural wetlands and water features.

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redundancy into the structural system. Aslong as you don’t take out multiplecolumns in one area, the building willstand. The floors will sag, but the designwill save the people inside and allow themtime to evacuate.”

In a typical office tower, when one col-umn is removed, the resulting damage tothe structure can have a domino effect,causing a disproportionately large portionof the structure to collapse. The conditionis called “progressive collapse.” It keepingwith the high level of safety and securityfor this project, the structural design crite-ria included addressing the potential forprogressive collapse. This aspect of thedesign criteria required increasing the sizeof many framing members and variousbeam to beam connections.

The ITCTransmission building is set backfrom 12 Mile Road and is only accessiblevia a meandering path that includes asecurity checkpoint. In the unlikely eventthat an unauthorized vehicle is able toreach the building, subtle barriersdesigned to look like landscaping detailswill prevent it from getting close enoughto cause a collapse by damaging the struc-tural system.

Mechanical and electrical equipment is situated in a hardened courtyard that is surrounded by12 inches of reinforced concrete and topped off with a galvanized steel grid of bar grating and steel beams.



A combination of materials was used tobuttress the office tower, including mas-sive precast panels. Of course, anythingthat can be installed can also be removed,and a 250-mile-per-hour wind could per-form that task pretty efficiently. The two-story control room lies in a potential droppath for these precast panels, so the roof,consisting of eight-inch thick solid rein-forced precast concrete panels over a gridof structural steel beam topped with aLaurenco membrane waterproofing sys-tem and insulation and then a topping offour-inch thick concrete covered by a stan-dard built-up roof system, is engineered towithstand a direct impact.

Mechanical and electrical equipmentsupplying the building is likewise protect-ed against harsh conditions. Instead ofbeing placed on top or beside the build-ings, this equipment is situated in a hard-ened courtyard that is surrounded by 12inches of reinforced precast concrete pan-els and topped off with a galvanized steelgrid of bar grating and steel beams, that isalso able to withstand the impact of afalling precast panel, or almost any otherconceivable event. Incoming power issupplied directly from an onsite substa-tion, with back-up power provided bythree, 1,500-kw generators. Under thefacility’s current electrical load, two gener-ators are more than able to power thebuilding in an emergency, and a UPS sys-tem consisting of hundreds of batterieswould also provide power to the most crit-ical loads until the generators come online.Mechanical systems are similarly redun-dant, with three, 350-ton chillers set in thehardened courtyard.

Before the staff at ITCTransmission couldbegin working in their secure environ-ment, the project team needed transformthe site in order to make it suitable for con-struction.

JOBSITE ISSUESThe ITCTransmission headquarters sits

on an 84-acre site, but much of this landwas unusable due to natural wetlands andwater features. Fitting the required squarefootage along with a three-story, 398 spaceparking deck onto the site while adheringto mandates from the MDEQ, the City ofNovi and the State of Michigan, was noeasy task. In spite of this difficultly, theproject team was able to find additionalroom for a secure outdoor dining area, alandscaped plaza with a water feature, ahelipad, and a tremendous amount of support and security infrastructure. Spacewas also earmarked for the second phase

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of the project, which will include the construction of a secondparking deck and another six-story office tower on the site of theexisting helipad, which will be relocated to the top of the newtower.

“If we had more space, we probably would have made thebuilding lower,” said Melvin. “Initially, the land at 12 Mile Roadwasn’t available, so we had the building facing the other way withthe entrance off of Haggerty Road. Then, ITC acquired the land tothe north and we flipped the design. That solved a lot of problemsfor us, even though 80 percent of the land that we got wasn’t use-able.”

Solutions sometimes come with new sets of problems, and flip-ping the building to provide access off of 12 Mile Road was noexception. Extensive amounts of unsuitable soils on the path tothe building site left the project team with a difficult choice.

“We had a crossing where we could either build a bridge orexcavate out some peat material that was basically like soup,”said John Druskinis, project manager for Cunningham-Limp.“We dug up piles of sand to surcharge the peat so we could builda road instead.”

Placing heavy loads of sand on top of the peat pushed the soft-er material out of the way in a process much like squeezing a tubeof toothpaste, exposing hard clay soil with better bearing capaci-ty. By using this approach, the project team was able to avoid theexpense associated with large-scale excavation, as well as the

up-front construction cost and long-term maintenance burden abridge would have added. The location of the existing under-ground utilities would have also complicated excavation efforts,making surcharging the best budget option and a valuable timesaver on a project with a very tight schedule.

“The schedule was the biggest challenge,” said Druskinis. “Wehad 10-1/2 months to build this project, but the redundant sys-tems, beefed up steel and design criteria made this job much moredifficult to build within the timeframe. ITC needed to move inbecause their lease at their other facility was going to expire, so wehad to find a way to do it.”

Cunningham-Limp employed a number of strategies to keepthe project on schedule. Most subcontractors worked weekends,with six, 10-hour days being the norm. Sunday may be a day ofrest for most people, but foremen often utilized the single day ofthe week when there was not too much going on at the site to getset up for the week ahead. Major contractors were also broughtonboard early, so they could assist with design decisions andexpedite material orders. Materials were initially staged along aconstruction entrance off Haggerty Road and on the future site forthe second office tower, but speedy completion of the parkingdeck allowed for convenient storage closer to the site. After thestructural steel and precast were installed, attention was shiftedtowards finishing most of the upper floors of the office tower,thereby letting the unfinished first floor serve as a material stag-ing area. An extraordinary effort by every subcontractor wasneeded to complete the project on time, as many unique featuresadded to the complexity of the building.

A keycard or personal escort is needed to pass through this revolving door, which is the office tower’s only entry point. The hardened area can only be accessed from the office tower, but security at thischeckpoint is much more formidable.

Skilled professionals monitor an active graphicof the power grid that is projected onto a 15’

high x 110’ long screen in the control roomseen here. The display effectively puts control

of the entire regional power grid into thehands of a few select operators.

Skilled professionals monitor an active graphicof the power grid that is projected onto a 15’

high x 110’ long screen in the control roomseen here. The display effectively puts control

of the entire regional power grid into thehands of a few select operators.

A keycard or personal escort is needed to pass through this revolving door, which is the office tower’s only entry point. The hardened area can only be accessed from the office tower, but security at thischeckpoint is much more formidable.

SI 2008 114-121 ITCTransmission 10/2/08 11:37 AM Page 118



the floor above, so a person can’t simply climb over the wall,” saidMelvin.

The portal does not meet code stipulated egress requirements,so an additional secure door that will only open from one sideunless security authorization is obtained to open from the otherside. This provides a fast exit from the hardened area to the officetower in the event of an emergency. Although the portal is largeenough to accommodate a standard wheelchair, persons with dis-abilities might have some difficulty, while those who have claus-trophobic tendencies might also find the mechanism unpleasant.Arrangements can be made to gain access to the hardened areathrough the egress doors in these cases, and all egress doors, alongwith other sensitive areas of the facility, are monitored from thesecurity office. In addition to responding to special needs of hard-ened area visitors, the security office is also the site of a uniquecontrol switch that provides additional protection againstinclement weather.

“There is a button in the security office,” said John Richards, PE,LEED AP, principal for MA Engineering, Bingham Farms. “Whenthis button is pressed, extra heavy duty tornado dampers close allof the intake and exhaust louvers on the outside of the hardenedarea. The building becomes isolated and all air handlers go into100 percent recirculation mode.”

The specialty dampers, manufactured by Ruskin of Kansas City,MO, feature .08-inch-thick extruded aluminum blades set into a12-gauge steel channel with 3/4” diameter plated steel axles, pro-viding protection during severe weather. Occupant safety was atop concern in designing the building, and jobsite safety wasequally important during its construction. In fact, Cunningham-Limp completed the project without a single loss time incident,even though more than 200 workers were employed onsite at onetime. This result was made possible by stringent jobsite policies,some of which even exceeded MIOSHA standards, including 100percent usage of hard hats and safety glasses. A number ofexperts were also employed to bolster safety efforts.

“It was a combination of our own safety personnel and ITC per-sonnel,” said Druskinis. “ITC even had MIOSHA do a walk-through.”

Safety efforts were undoubtedly enhanced by the combinedexpertise brought to the site, and the facility was likewiseimproved by numerous innovative ideas brought to the table bythe design team.

KEEPING CURRENT Much of the technology that makes the ITCTransmission head-

quarters unique is immediately visible, although most visitorswill never make it into these sensitive areas. All visitors, on theother hand, will experience a comfortable environment, oftenwithout realizing that they are walking right on top of the systemthat makes it possible.

“We used an underfloor air distribution system, with all of theair delivered in a plenum under the floor, and then rising up intothe individual spaces,” explained Richards. “We also utilize somenew technologies for the perimeter system that allowed us to saveenergy by eliminating some fans that existed on previous sys-tems.”

The perimeter system relies on a linear diffuser with a variablediffuser plate that controls the flow of air through a baffle ratherthan utilizing a fan for this purpose. Unlike ceiling systems,which use fans to mix the entire volume of air in the room, under-floor systems are designed to let air move naturally. Simplephysics will draw air supplied at floor level towards hot spots in

SURGE PROTECTION Given the vital nature of the work performed there, security

was an important project consideration at ITCTransmission. Thesite and building were designed to use a multilayer approach tosecurity. The building is accessible through a single entry pointleading into a lobby area. Guests are greeted in this area, but theyneed a keycard or personal escort to successfully pass through therevolving door leading into the office tower. This door not onlylimits access to a single individual at a time, but also keeps a countof how many people are in the building and can even log whichkeycards were used to gain entry, thereby keeping a record of whois in the building at any given time.

The hardened area is likewise accessed through a secure entrypoint from the office tower, but physical security at this check-point is much more formidable. After swiping their keycard,users enter a security portal. A motion sensor will then confirmthat only one occupant is in the portal and would allow the innerdoor to open upon activation via the key card. If someone weretrying the “piggy back” along with an approved user, the sensorwould deny access. The portal can also be set to require athumbprint scan on a biometric reader before the inner dooropens, eliminating the possibility of an intruder gaining accesswith a stolen keycard.

“We even took the structure down to the underfloor and up to

The full-service cafeteria seen here providesaccess to a secure landscaped patio.



the room, be they people or equipment,where they will ride naturally occurringthermal currents towards the ceiling,resulting in higher temperatures at ceilinglevel with increased comfort below for theoccupants of the space.

The underfloor system also allows for agreat degree of flexibility, which wasstrongly desired for the ITCTransmissionfacility. A number of individual diffusersare set into the 2-foot x 2-foot concretefilled steel panels that form the floor abovethe pressurized plenum. Each diffuser hasits own damper, allowing it to be individ-ually set for the comfort of the occupant ofthe space. The panels that contain dif-fusers can be moved to easily accommo-date interior layout changes.Heavyweight materials were selected forthe panels which, when combined withself-adhesive carpet tiles, provide excellentacoustic properties. A sound masking sys-tem was designed to provide white noiseto prevent background chatter frombecoming bothersome.

The control room inside the hardenedarea was similarly built with flexibility inmind. An active graphic representation ofthe power grid is projected onto a 15’ highx 110’ long screen that is constantly moni-tored by skilled professionals. The sheerbulk of data can be intimidating, but thedisplay effectively puts control of theentire regional power grid into the handsof a few select operators. They can makeadjustments to keep the grid functioningand immediately see the real results oftheir actions. Massive 50-foot-span girderscarry the structural load, facilitating theclear span that is necessary for this work-space, even allowing for a planned expan-sion that will allow for the monitoring of aseparate power grid in a different locale.A well-placed conference room directlyabove the projection room provides abird’s-eye view of control room activities,but a series of shutters can be closed whenthe grid requires undistracted attention.

Final touches not to be overlooked arethe 489-seat auditorium with state-of-the-art audio video systems, which meetsevery current and anticipated need, and afull-service cafeteria. The project teamdelivered a unique facility to meet thechallenges of today, with built-in flexibilityto carry ITCTransmission well into thefuture. As tomorrow’s historians reflect onour times, the story of the Information Agewill surely include a chapter on the reli-able energy grid that power its manydevices.

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Two very different masters at work - an art conservator with a paintbrush and a con-tractor with a power drill - both have the same mission at the Detroit Institute ofArts: preserving the 60,000 works of art housed in this national cultural gem. Torn

masterpieces are repaired and grime removed with an art conservator’s array of delicateinstruments. With a less delicate set of tools, a joint venture of Walbridge AldingerCompany/Jenkins Construction, Inc., both of Detroit, practiced art conservation with acapital C, wielding Manitowoc cranes and installing an uncommon vapor barrier to pre-serve a masterpiece of a building and to establish proper climate control for one of thelargest and most varied art collections in the United States.

The DIA’s remarkable metamorphosis is a product of over 20 years of building audits,

By Mary E. Kremposky,Associate Editor

Photos by JustinMaconochie, Courtesy of SmithGroup

The Builders’ ArtOn Exhibit at the New DIA

The Builders’ ArtOn Exhibit at the New DIA

SI 2008 122-135 DIA 10/2/08 12:32 PM Page 122


master planning, and construction. For nearly two decades,SmithGroup Incorporated, Detroit, as architect of record, andPrinceton, New Jersey-based Michael Graves & Associates, Inc. asmaster planner and design architect poured their talents into res-urrecting and revitalizing this cathedral of art in the heart ofDetroit.

A CATHEDRAL OF ARTBuilt in 1927, the original museum is one of the finest examples

of the Beaux-Art style of buildings designed by Paul PhilippeCret, a French-trained, neo-classical architect from Philadelphia,who became a leading master of the style and whose prominentbuildings include the Folger Shakespeare Library and the Federal

Reserve building in Washington, D.C. “It is always a joy to see aCret building, but the idea of working on one was extraordinary,”said Michael Graves, FAIA.

Added Thomas Rowe, AIA, Michael Graves & Associates, prin-cipal-in-charge, “It truly is a beautiful collection, and the originalCret building is one of the best museums in the country.”Offsetting this Beaux-Arts jewel are two modern wings: the southwing built in 1966 and the north wing built in 1971.

In the late 1980s, the DIA embarked on a master plan to bringthe museum into the 21st century with improved circulation path-ways and new venues, ranging from expanded food service tospaces for corporate meetings and educational programs. Butshortly after formulation of a master plan, a building audit in the

The soaring promenade offers a clear path through the heart of the museum on two levels.

SI 2008 122-135 DIA 10/2/08 12:32 PM Page 123


In the ‘90s, forensic investigations were conducted throughoutthe 600,000-square-foot museum, including temperature and dewpoint analysis of window frame systems, exterior wall watervapor flow analysis, and an examination of the chiller piping andcontrol system, according to information supplied by theSmithGroup. Actual construction in the ‘90s included the northand south loft air-handling unit replacements, exterior wall glassreplacement, and rebuilding of the historic clay tile roof.

Six years of master planning consumed much of the ‘90s untilapproval of the final master plan was obtained in 1998 with abudget of $158.2 million dollars. Official groundbreaking was in2001, and the clock began to tick for a projected opening inNovember 2006. “The project was intentionally phased in orderto keep as much of the building open to the public as possible, andto accommodate the pace of fundraising,” said Rowe.

Keeping the museum open naturally lengthened the construc-tion schedule. Construction demanded ceaseless attention tologistics with Walbridge/Jenkins tasked with working in the mid-dle of an operating museum, managing the influx of visitors,accommodating special events, coordinating security for pricelessart treasures, and ensuring proper temperature and humidity con-trol for art on display and in storage, summarized DonaldGreenwell, Jr., PE, senior vice president, Walbridge general man-ager, Commercial Group.

This extensive “to-do list” included tailoring the scope of workto a fluid budget based on public and corporate donations. “Wekept an eye on our fiscal stewardship throughout the project,”said Greenwell. “It required constant, non-stop vigilance from allparties to keep the lid on the cost. We had weekly meetings,authorization signing sessions, and value engineering at pre-scribed points to work through the process and find the best wayto accomplish the mission.”

PROTECTING PICASSOPhasing of the job was a pivotal part of finding the best way to

accomplish the mission. Added Greenwell, “The whole phasingplan was vetted out numerous times to obtain the most economi-cal solution that was in concert with the owner’s operations.”

“The first chosen order of business was construction of a three-story south wing addition for temporary art storage during con-struction and for use as a learning center, studios, and specialexhibition space after project completion,” said Carolina Lopez,AIA, LEED AP, SmithGroup project manager. “This saved theDIA the expense of retrofitting a warehouse for temporary artstorage for the duration of construction,” said Gierlinger.

In another sound decision, the addition was clad only in anexterior insulation finish system. Cloaking the 32,000-square-footaddition in its marble cladding was deferred until the other wingswere ready for their own marble skin.

The museum staff then packed up the works of Rembrandt,Rubens, Picasso, and company to make way for installation of anew HVAC system in the Cret building. “The state-of-the-art sys-tem provides a highly filtered, highly controlled environment forthe artwork,” said Rowe. “It is basically a high-performance airhandling system with multiple sensors for temperature andhumidity control.”

Maintaining proper temperature and relative humidity in an artmuseum is an art, itself. “Preserving artwork demands a verytight range of humidity, essentially staying within 40 percent to 50percent relative humidity to achieve an archival, museum-qualityspace,” said Roehling.

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late 1980s exposed deficiencies in the structure, predominatelyconcentrated in the walls of the modern wings, said Sven O.Gierlinger, DIA vice president, museum operations. The projectwas detoured, forcing the team to temporarily shelf the masterplan and address the building’s pressing functional issues.

THE THINKER(S)The hunched form of The Thinker, the famous sculpture in front

of the DIA, is an apt symbol of the thought and planning neededfor every facet of this endeavor. The root cause of the museum’smodern plague of moisture migration from the interior wasupgraded standards mandating higher relative humidity andtemperature levels for art display and storage. The windows andwalls of the 1927 building and the modern wings could not with-stand the higher humidity levels introduced to better preserve theartwork within. In the modern wings, condensation in the wallcavity, particularly in winter temperature conditions, was the endresult. “Essentially, one was preserving the artwork but destroy-ing the building,” said Carl Roehling, FAIA, SmithGroup presi-dent and CEO. “It was probably an appropriate wall constructionin the ‘60s, but the added levels of humidity were introducedwithout the structure being able to accommodate it.

“The moisture inside the wall cavity corroded the ties that heldthe stone in place,” Roehling continued. “Because the ties had losttheir structural integrity, the stones were at risk of falling. This iswhat drove a great deal of the restoration.”

Once clad in dark brown granite, the DIA’s two wings are now drapedin an elegant cloak of Vermont Montclair Danby marble.

SI 2008 122-135 DIA 9/26/08 4:20 PM Page 124

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SI 2008 122-135 DIA 9/26/08 4:20 PM Page 125


with only minor deviations, and automati-cally corrects any humidity or temperatureaberrations within an area. “The humidityrises if a gallery or an area becomes filledwith a hundred people,” said Gierlinger.“The system will then automatically dehu-midify the space.” Added Roehling, “Withhumidity controlled room by room, this isprobably the most complicated systemyou could have in a building of any kind.”

The control room for this sensitive,sophisticated system monitors conditionsthroughout the museum. “The system ismonitoring these parameters constantly,and we are able to read on screen what thehumidity level is and what the system isdoing in every area,” said Dennis A. Spors,DIA program director and president,Spors Company, Inc., Detroit. “The num-ber of sensors in a room varies dependingon the size of the room, the ceiling heights,and other factors.”

YOU GOTTA HAVE FOODThe HVAC system is as intricate as the

tangle of industrial machinery in DiegoRivera’s masterwork titled DetroitIndustry. At least Diego Rivera painted hisfrescoes on the walls. TheWalbridge/Jenkins team had to threadductwork and elaborate systems throughthe walls of this 80-year-old building. Asone example, all the large exhaust duct-work and feeds had to snake unseen fromthe main air handler through all the levelsof the Cret building to reach the new CaféDIA and kitchen in the lower level.Expansion of food service capacity is vital,for artists may starve for their art, but artlovers prefer to be well fed. More impor-tantly, museums need the extra revenue intheir coffers to host special events andfundraising galas in an era of decliningpublic funding.

Walbridge/Jenkins had to weave thenew exhaust ductwork through thelabyrinth of varied and architecturally richspaces composing this unique building.“One gallery has an 1870 Neo-GothicChapel actually transferred from France,the early Christian galleries have numer-ous arches, and nearly every gallery in theCret building has a different ceiling style,”said Gierlinger. “There is no easy channelthrough the building.”

As expected, actual field conditions dif-fered from the original Cret drawings, butin this project every available inch wasvital. “Our tolerances were very tight,”said Roehling. “We’re trying to insertenormous ductwork through what we

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think is a 2-by-3-foot opening, but in actu-ality it’s off by two inches, which becomesan issue in a project with such tight toler-ances.”

The main HVAC upgrade took placebetween 2001 and 2003, but the projectteam had to protect both stored andinstalled artwork throughout the durationof the seven-year project. “At times, wehad heavy construction in one part of thebuilding, while commissioning of theHVAC systems was in progress in the fin-ished galleries,” said Gierlinger. “Forinstance, in November 2006 we weresimultaneously installing art in the southwing, while we still had an open buildingenvelope in the north wing. It was a 12-month process just to install the art.”

RESTORING FORM AND FUNCTIONPhase II began the visual metamorpho-

sis of the new DIA. Like the proverbialbutterfly emerging from its cocoon, thedark brown granite was peeled from thetwo wings and an elegant cloak ofVermont Montclair Danby marble wasdraped over the rebuilt wall. But the

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The renovated Farnsworth entrance is a glory of marble and wood. Daiek Woodwork, SterlingHeights, supplied the Curly Maple sketch face work for the reception and information desk, aswell as many of the sketch face veneer flush doors.

SI 2008 122-135 DIA 9/26/08 4:20 PM Page 127


beauty of the wall is more than skin deep.Walbridge/Jenkins and the project teamfirst had to correct the core problem: mois-ture migration into the wall cavity fromthe interior. The solution has turned themodern wings into an impregnablefortress against moisture migration.

A DIA visitor admiring the masterpieceson the wall probably has no idea of themasterful work composing the actual wall.Beyond the work of Monet and Van Goghand through the drywall is an uncommon,three-layered system beginning “with aspray-on, liquid-applied vapor retarder,three inches of spray-on polyurethanefoam insulation, and spray-on fireproof-ing,” said Lopez.

This state-of-the-art vapor barrier forbetter humidity and temperature control israrely used on any wall. “There are veryfew buildings in this country that havethat kind of humidity requirement, and

even fewer have this type of systeminstalled as part of a building retrofit,” saidRoehling. “We’ve worked on one inanother museum located in West Virginia,but the DIA is the largest application by farof this quality of vapor barrier.”

Booms Stone Co., Redford, removed thedark granite cladding and the vapor barri-er and insulation was applied to the exteri-or of the masonry back-up wall.“Applying the vapor barrier and insula-tion on the outside creates a swimmingpool-like seal or envelope,” said Spors.

The canvas of white marble is stretchedacross a unique frame of structural mem-bers that actually carries the weight of thestone and the wind loads, said RichardBooms, owner of Booms Stone Co. BoomsStone anchored approximately 140 tons ofgalvanized support steel to a larger steelgrid installed by the former Vulcan IronWorks. “The marble then hangs directly

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on rows of continuous horizontal extrudedaluminum rails rather than a clip system,”said Greenwell. “Corresponding top andbottom machined kerfs in the marblepanel are placed on these continuous railsthat hold the stone in place.”

In building this a wall of almost six lay-ers, Walbridge/Jenkins had to orchestratea finely tuned symphony of material sys-tems and subcontractors. “This phase ofthe project was a challenge, because it hadmany different ‘moving parts’ to coordi-nate, meaning it had a wide variety of dif-ferent systems and different subcontrac-tors,” said Greenwell.

A MASTERPIECE OF A WALLWith ingenuity and skill, a wall in jeop-

ardy of collapse was transformed into ahigh-performance envelope with the abili-ty to safeguard the creative work of thehuman spirit for at least another century.The wall’s appearance was equally trans-formed from dark granite to bright marble.

Prior to the renovation, both wings wereclad in highly polished dark brown granitewith minimal detail. The dark wingsreceded into the background, framing andfocusing attention on the marble-clad mas-terpiece of the Cret building. “We thinkthe original modern additions were clad ina darker stone to create two backgroundbuildings that are very quiet against theCret building,” said Graves. “That is adecent way to go about it. Our interest,however, was to showcase the overall sizeof the building and to show that the organ-ization of the building had changed a greatdeal over the years.”

Cret’s basic, square Beaux-Art plan hadliterally grown wings over the course ofthe museum’s history. The new marblecladding “celebrates” the museum’sexpansion and creates a cohesive buildingartfully blending the modern expansionwith the early 20th century original.

The new cloak of marble pays homageto the original Cret building, both in typeof marble and in the stone detailing. Inmaterial type, the Montclair Danby marbleis a stone taken from the same Vermontquarry as the cladding of the Cret build-ing. In detailing, the newly clad wings area contemporary interpretation of the mar-ble patterning of the Cret building, saidRoehling.

Explained Graves, “As part of theBeaux-Arts style, the stone details of theCret building visually break down thescale of the façade, adding interest to thebuilding face. Although we are building acontemporary not a neo-classical building,

we wanted to find a way to give a reference to the Cret building. What we’vedone is to exaggerate the size of the stoneand place them in a running bond patternover the main expanse of the buildingface.” Plus, an exaggerated stone borderframes the large marble panels, visuallysimulating the mortar between the stones.

“Simply by lining up the stone in a partic-ular way, we obtain some of the detail thatCret has in his style,” added Graves.

The exaggerated stone panels are vein-cut, book-matched marble, while the bor-der is fleuri cut marble. This same combi-nation blankets the entire expanse of wallin an elegant, flowing pattern of

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black-streaked marble. “Obtaining theright product and matching the marblewere very intricate challenges,” saidGreenwell. Swenson Stone Consultantsoversaw the piecing together of the differ-ent marble panels to ultimately form thefinal distinctive pattern, added Gierlinger.

Obviously, the newly clad wings arebrighter than the Cret building whosestone was discolored by the use of a clean-ing solution years ago that stripped thefinish from the marble and increased theporosity of the stone, said Roehling.“When that happened that kind of roughsurface started to collect pollution andeven algae,” said Graves. “The stone has aslightly different cast to it as a result. Butthe Cret building stone looked like ourswhen it was first built, and when it is re-cleaned, it will come closer to the newlyapplied stone.” As funds become avail-able, the master plan calls for the cleaningof the original building exterior.

These central panels of prominentlystreaked marble are placed between a dis-

tinct base of smaller stone with pro-nounced accent bands and a custom cor-nice of teal-colored composite panels. Fineart and the art of building meet at thisunique cornice line fabricated by aCalifornia-based company called Kreysler& Associates. Brinker Group, Detroit,installed the composite panels. Accordingto Gregg Wielage, AIA, LEED AP, projectmanager, Michael Graves & Associates,Kreysler & Associates also fabricated thecomposite pieces for the monumentalsculptures of Claes Oldenburg, a promi-nent sculptor best known for public artfeaturing colossal replicas of everydayobjects. “The composite panel cornice ismeant to recall the use of the cornices onthe original museum and to shade the win-dows below,” said Rowe. “We weren’tinterested in actually imitating what wasbuilt in 1927, but in establishing a continu-ity but still acknowledging that what wewere doing was modern.”

After an infusion of thought and labor,the once ailing walls of the modern wings

are now restored in both form and func-tion. The public has a fitting and appeal-ing vessel to safely hold the creative spiritof the ages within these well-designedwalls.

AN AVENUE OF THE ARTSThe exterior is translated and drawn

into the interior of this venerable 600,000-square-foot museum. The museum’s con-tinuous expanse of Montclair marble nowstretching along Woodward Avenue paral-lels the newly created central spine housedwithin the building. “We wanted the clar-ity of a long corridor parallel to Woodwardand John R,” said Graves. “Rather than a‘rabbit warren’ of spaces, the spine createsa clear path through the museum fromnorth to south on two levels.”

Rather than navigating a confusingmaze, visitors now have an easily under-stood route through the heart of the muse-um and easier access to the galleries oftheir choice. “Using the promenade, visi-tors can access the galleries almost like

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exits on a highway,” said Gierlinger. The promenade is an expansive, open

volume almost resembling the nave of achurch. This spacious avenue of the arts isdesigned as gallery space, attracting theeye with its long sight lines ending in dramatically illuminated works of art.“Conceptually, we wanted to provide acontinuous art experience smoothly flow-ing between ancient, classical, Islamic,African, and contemporary art,” saidRowe. “It is similar to what we did on theoutside with the exterior unifying thebuilding into a single museum.”

The master plan examined several alter-natives for the promenade’s placement,ultimately selecting a location in the centerof the existing Cret building for betteraccess to all galleries, said Roehling.Altogether, the spine clarifies a pathway,creates new gallery space, and links theexisting museum to the new south addi-tion, all without much reshuffling of exist-ing galleries and with minimal revision ofthe Cret building. “There was a mechani-cal shaft, an elevator, and a bit of short

staircase that we needed to work around,”said Lopez, “but we were able to do thatsuccessfully.”

For improved vertical circulation,Walbridge/Jenkins built two staircaseadditions on the Woodward face of thenorth and south wings, affectionatelyreferred to by the construction team asbookends. Beyond pure function, the twomonumental stairs have a bold presenceand draw natural light into the interior,making “the art of architecture” a part ofthe visitor’s engagement of the senses asthey move through the museum.Mounting these marble-clad staircaseswith sunlight pouring into this white,expansive volume of space lends themuseum’s modern wings some of thewonder and openness of Cret’s Great Hall.The day’s shifting cloudscapes are framedwithin successive rows of strongly definedsquare windows that together create a sin-gle composition (turning a window wallinto a living canvas) almost resembling aliving painting.

The square grid is a motif used as the

window mullion pattern for both staircaseadditions and throughout the museuminterior as an expression of and link to thestrong divisions of Cret’s original windowmullions. “Cret’s are not necessarilysquare, but without making windowsexactly like his, we wanted a pattern thatwould repeat and ultimately compose onelarge surface,” said Graves. “We couldhave used a different geometry or even arandom pattern, but we elected not tobecause of the severity of Cret’s geometry.The square also has lasting power and ageometry that can be repeated in otherplaces. The skylight, the flooring, and thecourtyard walls are all tied togetherthrough this motif.”

The square is the motif but marble is thematerial unifying the exterior and interior.Newly clad interior walls in the prome-nade, the renovated Farnsworth entrance,and the Café DIA are vein cut VermontMontclair Danby marble. New flooring inthe promenade, the Farnsworth entrance,and the renovated Prentis and NorthCourts is Vermont Crystal Stratus Danby

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JGA, a Southfield-based retail design andbrand strategy firm, renovated the DIA’s3,052-square-foot shop, creating a stunningnew facility within the established parame-ters of set floors and columns. With a simpleand timeless contemporary design, the newDIA Shop draws in guests as they enter orexit the museum. In this space, without nat-ural light, JGA focused on adding and inte-grating illumination to create a sense ofopenness and to effectively light the mer-chandise. A color palette of refreshing whiteglass and cocoa rift cut oak offers a clean lin-ear grain that complements the sweepingveining of the marble floor. SterlingMillwork, Farmington Hills, was the fixturesand millwork contractor.

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SI 2008 122-135 DIA 9/26/08 4:21 PM Page 132


marble in a frame of Vermont AppalachianGreen marble. Beyond the new marbleskin, the renovation created 35,190 squarefeet of additional gallery space. Galleryspace was added in Prentis Court by creating balconies on two levels. TheFarnsworth lobby was reshuffled with themuseum store expanded and its placementshifted to the opposite side of the marble-clad lobby. A loggia and a new John Rentrance was created offering access to themuseum, the Detroit Film Theater, and tothe south addition’s emerging learningcenter and special exhibit space.

WORKING INSIDE A RUBIC’S CUBEReshuffling and working within the hal-

lowed halls of an operating art museumdemanded extraordinary coordination andlogistical controls for the protection of thepublic and the art treasures on display.First, the DIA felt a strong public responsi-bility to keep the museum open to someextent. “Other major cities have more thanone fine arts museum,” said Gierlinger. “Ifthe DIA shutdown, there would be noth-ing of that caliber that would have com-pensated the public.”

The DIA’s decision dramatically impact-ed the pace of the project. “Each phase ofthe project had virtually the same issues,”said Greenwell. “It was to keep the muse-um in operation in terms of visitor circula-tion, controlling security, and maintaininghumidity and temperature. All of theseissues changed weekly if not daily.”

For security, “we were constantly moni-toring points of entrance and egress thatshifted constantly,” said Gierlinger. “Theproject demanded a strong cross-function-ing team of museum representatives, logistical people in charge of moving andinstalling the art, as well as security, thearchitect, and the contractors.” The rippleeffect of every action had to be carefullyconsidered. “The team would create aplanning scenario and walk through itmentally,” said Roehling. “If we work inthis area how will we get humidity andheat to the space, how will it impact theartwork, how will it impact the public vis-iting the museum, how will we meet code?There were hundreds of scenarios the teamcarefully considered and thought throughto manage every probability. The toughestpart was trying to convert the mechanicalsystem in phases and having to protect theintegrity of the art. We are literally goingto peel the exterior wall off the wings ofthe building and also work in the 1927building.”

HITTING A MOVING TARGETBeyond logistics, another vital parame-

ter remained fluid throughout the project,namely the budget. “We never had all themoney together at one time,” saidRoehling. “The strategy was to keep scopeout until we knew we had the money tofunnel into the project. The master plan

was helpful in establishing first, second,third priorities and so on, essentially mak-ing the team build in sequence to ensurewe didn’t overspend and get beyond themeans of fundraising.”

The team formulated a list of 30 items, atype of wish list for an ideal project. Somehad to be excluded in the value engineer-

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ing process, while others had to wait untilfunds were available almost at the lastminute. The DIA staff worked in the near-by Rackham building for several yearsuntil funding was secured for constructionof office space. “That is just one example ofscope that was held back until we knewwhere the project was going financially,”said Roehling.

Unforeseen conditions added to thecomplexity of working within fluid oper-ating and budgetary conditions. Workingin an existing 80-year-old building virtual-ly ensured the project team wouldencounter unforeseen conditions. Themajor unforeseen condition was the dis-covery of asbestos in the modern wings.“After a long internal struggle in the DIAbetween encapsulation or remediation, itwas determined that remediation wouldbe the best course,” said Gierlinger. “Wewanted to call the building completelyasbestos free at the end of the day. Also,because the layout changes constantly forvarious displays, every time a wall wouldneed to be modified, a containment areawould have to be created. It would havebeen too cumbersome.”

Remediation added to the budget andschedule, pushing back the grand openingto November 2007 and precipitating thecomplete demolition and reconfigurationof the north and south wing interior. This20-year endeavor has certainly not been amere cosmetic renovation. Core issues ofthe building were resolved and this stellarmuseum returned to the public good. Theproject improved basic functions, includ-ing new restrooms and two loading docks.The DIA now has food service and gather-ing spaces to generate revenue from ven-ues for children’s educational programs tocorporate board of directors meetings andlarge fundraising galas.

A NEW WAY OF SEEINGWith clearer pathways, the visitor can

easily navigate through the museum.With the DIA’s new approach to art inter-pretation, the visitor can also more clearlynavigate through the world of art.Interactive graphics and technology allowa visitor to see how art objects were usedin the daily life of its time period. Forexample, a life-size video of an Africanmasquerade shows the actual use of thedisplayed masks. “Eye Spy” labels in gal-leries throughout the museum encouragechildren to learn about art by playing thiswell-known game. “The driving principlebehind all these changes was the need toput the works of art in their original social,

historical and spiritual context,” accordingto a DIA publication. Added Gierlinger,“There were critics before that were hesi-tant about our new approach to open theart more to the non-connoisseur, to havemore interpretive strategies and to makethe museum more kid-friendly and morefriendly to the average person. All of thesevoices have gone away and turned intogreat praise.”

Staples & Charles, a Washington, D.C.design firm specializing in gallery designand construction, were the gallery design-ers for the DIA’s startling to new approachto art interpretation. StonebridgeConstruction, Royal Oak, and McCarthy &Smith, Inc., Farmington Hills, served asgallery contractors.

Since the DIA’s grand gala opening Nov.10, 2007, more than 350,000 people havevisited the renovated museum. “Beforethis project, the only time we had numberslike that was during major special exhibi-tions such as Degas or Van Gogh,” saidGierlinger. “In the past few months, thenumber of school groups has quadrupled.It’s been unbelievable. Added Spors, “Theprojected attendance for the year wouldexceed 600,000, including a new Monet toDali exhibit scheduled to open in October2008.

“The DIA Director Graham Beal washoping that people walking through thewould already be thinking, ‘I want to comeback,’” continued Gierlinger. “We get thatreaction a great deal. We are being com-pared to a world-class institution based onthe e-mails, phone calls and other feed-back pouring in. It is just spectacular.”

The DIA is currently finishing the interi-or built out of the south addition andhopes to restore the dilapidated exteriorstaircase on the John R building elevation,said Spors. Work on a masterpiece neverends, but all can now savor the DIA’s greatgift to the public in the form of this dra-matic transformation of a cultural jewel.“It is a joy to provide a work for the cityand for the public that is enduring and thatworks for them in unexpected ways,” saidGraves.

The builder’s art and the disciplines ofart and architecture have brought the cre-ative fire of the human hand, heart and eyeto bear on this prominent museum.Thanks to Walbridge/Jenkins, theSmithGroup, Michael Graves & Associatesand a long list of skilled consultants andsubtrades, this respected institute literallyhas shed its old skin and has been rebornas a truly world-class art museum inDetroit’s own backyard.

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The grandfather of Ron Capp, president of Wolverine StoneCo., Warren, worked on the DIA in the 1930s, talking casu-ally with Diego Rivera himself as the artist painted his

renowned murals from 1932 to 1933. The conversation betweenBenny Capp, original owner of Wolverine Stone, and the famouspainter shows how long Wolverine Stone has been working at theDetroit Institute of Arts. The 84-year-old company has worked atthe DIA since 1928, shaping a great deal of the marble in the muse-um interior over the course of the last 80 years. Major projectsinclude the floor renovation of the Rivera Court in about 1988.Overall, three generations of Wolverine Stone owners – BennyCapp, Ben Capp, Jr., Stan Capp, and now Ron Capp – have lefttheir mark on this venerable museum.

Wolverine Stone handled three projects in Phase I of the DIA’smost recent transformation. In 2001, Wolverine replaced thegrand marble entrance stairs leading from Woodward Avenue tothe DIA’s very doors, as well as the large side or cheek walls flank-ing this prominent staircase. Damaged beyond repair, both thegrand staircase and the cheek walls had to be removed andreplaced.

Matching the existing Vermont Imperial Danby entailed a tripto Italy with Walbridge Aldinger/Jenkins and Swenson StoneConsultants to match the material. The quarry had shipped largeblocks to Italy for fabrication of the thick marble pieces with theItalian fabricator’s specialty equipment. The cheek walls meas-ured up to 24 inches thick by 48 inches wide, while the staircase isformed of solid treads, 5 inches thick and approximately 16 inch-es deep, said Capp.

“Our mission was to make sure we matched the material, andwe also matched all the existing profiles of the stair treads, thecheek walls, and an ornamental hand-carved volute,” said Capp.The volute is an ornamental stone piece placed near the junctionof the cheek wall and the building. “We had to remove one of theexisting volute pieces, which weighed about two tons and ship itto Italy,” said Capp. “The Italian fabricator was then able to usethe shipped piece as a template to match the profile and carve thenew volute.”

Western Waterproofing first installed a new waterproofing sys-tem on the entire deck, as well as underneath the treads and cheekwalls, to protect the DIA basement directly below. WolverineStone then installed and set the cumbersome cheek walls with acrane, Capp added.

As the second portion of its Phase I work, Wolverine Stone per-formed Dutchman repair and replacement of damaged exteriorwindowsills on the north, south and west elevations of the Cretbuilding. The original wrought iron ornamental railing anchoredin the stone sill had rusted over the years and had damaged theoriginal windowsills. “We saw-cut, removed and replaced all thedamaged original marble using new stone from Vermont,” saidCapp. “In Dutchman repair we put large pieces in place, grindand reshape, and then carve and match the existing profile of the

original. The 20 pieces ranged from 12 to 36 inches in length andfive to eight inches in depth.”

The third part of Wolverine’s Phase I contract was blanketingthe Café DIA interior in marble. The floor alone is clad in threedifferent types of stone: Crystal Stratus marble from Vermont asthe main field on the floor; Verde Antiqua as the perimeter floorborder; and Bursting Star slate from Great Britain as the mainfield’s ribbon border. The café walls are Mont Clair Danby fromVermont.

“All the material was selected up in the Vermont quarry, blockby block, slab by slab by myself and Gregg Wielage from MichaelGraves & Associates,” said Capp. “We had special instructionsfrom the architect on how to blend the Crystal Stratus veining onthe floor. Per the architect’s instructions, we had to place the morestrongly veined Mont Clair Danby at the floor level and placestone with successively less veining as one worked up the wall.They didn’t want a great deal of heavy veining at eye level andabove. It was a challenge working with the naturally very heavyveined Mont Clair Danby, but we were successfully able to accom-plish the goal.”

Wolverine Stone remained on the job in Phase II working as asubcontractor to Chezcore in the installation of 5,000 square feet ofVermont ashlar pattern slate flooring in Kresge Court. As the sec-ond portion of its Phase II scope, the 84-year-old company earnedits place in the spotlight as the contractor responsible for disman-tling, crating and shipping the famous sculpture of The Thinkertemporarily to Grand Rapids. The Frederic Meijer Gardensserved as The Thinker’s new home from May 2007 to October2007 during work on the brick pavers of the DIA’s front entrancedrive.

Working for Wolverine Stone, Connelly Crane Co., Redford,used a 35-ton crane to hoist the 1,500 lbs. sculpture to a palette.“We built an insulated crate around it, and then placed it in atruck with a forklift,” said Dave Schmidt, Wolverine project man-ager and 35-year veteran of the stone company. “We had the cratedouble strapped and secure. After all, I believe there are onlyseven of these statues in the world. Also, we’ve done this type ofwork many times, but not with the media and a crowd watching.

“It was quite a production,” he continued. “ProfessionalMovers provided the air ride trailer. One person from the DIArode in the truck cab and another followed the air ride trailer toGrand Rapids where again the cameras were on us. They had atemporary base set up for The Thinker in a beautiful area of thegardens next to a waterfall.”

On October 24, 2007 as the DIA’s gala opening neared,Wolverine retrieved the 12,000 lbs. granite base from temporarystorage, and brought The Thinker home to the DIA. “It was a funexperience,” said Schmidt. “It went off beautifully, and every-body was great to work with.”

Wolverine Stone “Capps” Off a Great Project

By Mary E. Kremposky, Associate Editor


SI 2008 122-135 DIA 9/26/08 4:21 PM Page 135


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Conveyor Corp., Davison• Fire Protection System, Hotel - Wolverine Fire Protection

Co., Mt. Morris• Fire Safing and CW Insulation - Whitson Insulation

Company, Royal Oak• Drilled Pier Contractor - Lanaville Foundations, Howell• Fire/Security Alarm - SimplexGrinnell, Farmington Hills• Fireproofing - Pontiac Drywall Systems, Pontiac• Fireproofing Casino Addition - William E. Harnish

Acoustical, Inc., Redford• Floor Capping - Central Distribution & Insulation, Inc.,

Kalamazoo; Baywest, Detroit• Floor Installation - Precision Industrial Services, Inc.,

Detroit• Floor Installation - Motor City Custom Interiors, Detroit• Foose Roof/Panel Siding - C.L. Rieckhoff Co., Inc., Taylor• Furniture Fixture Installation - Midwest Installation, Inc.,

Novi• Generator Re-Commissioning - PM Technologies, LLC,

Wixom• Glass, Glazing and Metal Work, Curtainwall - Icon Glass

Systems, Inc., Livonia• Ground Core Samples - McDowell & Associates, Ferndale• Hauling - Superior Demolition Company, Detroit; Hayes

Trucking, Inc., Novi; Summit Transport, Brighton• Heaters, Supply Only - Jetheat, Inc., Fraser• Utility Locator, Hi-Pot Testing to Generator & Transformer -

Power Plus Engineering, Novi• Hi-Pot Testing/Maintenance - Powertech Services, Inc.,

Swartz Creek• Hotel Buckhoist - Elevator Technology, Inc., Detroit• Hotel Cleanup/Painting of Parking Structure - Eugenio

Painting Company, Grosse Pte. Woods • Hotel Elevators - KONE Elevators, Livonia• Hotel Glass Cleaning - Hercules & Hercules, Inc., Detroit• Hotel Roofing - Schena Roofing & Sheet Metal Co., Inc.,

Chesterfield• Hotel Spa - Camps Services, Ltd., Fenton• Hotel Tile Supply & Installation - Mirage Tile & Marble Co.,

Inc., Farmington Hills• HVAC, Hotel - W.J. O’Neil Company, Livonia; Partlan-

Labadie Sheet Metal Co., Oak Park; R.L. Bondy Insulation Co., Madison Heights

• HVAC Controls - Detroit Electrical Services, Detroit• HVAC Removal - Aristeo Rigging & Erectors, LLC, Livonia• HVAC Units Supplier and Start-Up - Thermal-Netics, Inc.,

Auburn Hills • Installation Marble Walls - Michigan Tile & Marble Co.,

Detroit• Insulation/Framing - Jasman Construction, Inc., Whitmore Lk.

• Interior Design and Furnishing - Tamara Kessler & Associates, Inc., Detroit

• Jump Form System - EFCO, Detroit• Kitchen & Bar Equipment - Gold Star Products, Inc.,

Oak Park• Landfill (Excavated Spoils) - Waste Management, Inc.,

Detroit• Layout - Metco Services, Inc., Detroit• Lift Equipment - NES Rentals, Detroit• Lot for Construction Parking/Material Storage -

Raymond & Mildred Phillips, Detroit• Manlift Equipment Rental & Service - Sky-Reach, Inc.,

New Hudson• Mason Contractor - Liedal & Hart Mason Contractors,

Livonia • Masonry Consulting - Central Masonry and Cement, Inc.,

Rochester Hills• Masonry Restoration - Akins Construction, Inc.,

Sterling Heights• Material Storage - Rose Moving & Storage Company, Inc.,

Belleville• Mechanical Consulting - Ironwood Consulting, Inc.• Mechanical Contractors - Cooney Engineering Company,

Detroit• Mechanical ID - L.E. Brockman Co., Warren• Mechanical Piping Contractors - Eastern Mechanical, Fraser• Mechanical/Plumbing Contractors - Macomb Mechanical,

Inc., Sterling Heights• Metal Fabricators - Quality Metalcraft, Inc., Livonia• Metal Siding - Crown Corr, Inc., Gary, IN• Metal Soffits - Michigan Metal Walls, Inc., Wyandotte• Millwork - Dovetails, Inc., Waterford;

Madeira Woodworking Co., LLC, Troy; Brunt Associates, Inc., Wixom

• Millwork, Continental Bldg. - Mueller Custom Cabinetry,Inc., Pacoima, CA

• Operable Wall Partitions - Urban’s Partition & Remodeling Co., Northville

• Painting - Future Maintenance, Inc., Livonia• Painting, Casino - Midwest Pro Painting, Inc., Livonia• Painting, Special Finishes, Wallpaper – Joe’s Faux’s, Inc.,

Dillon, CO • Parking Gates - Cincinnati Time Systems, Inc.,

Farmington Hills• Pipe Insulation - Master Mechanical Insulation, Inc., Troy;

R.L. Bondy Insulation Co., Madison Heights• Plumbing Floors 3-15 - Guideline Mechanical, Inc.,

Clinton Township• Portable Toilets - Porta John Systems, Inc., Utica• Portable Toilets - Rick’s Portables Sanitation, LLC,

Fowlerville• Precast - Hollowcore Incorporated, Detroit• Precast Concrete Grout - North American Structural, LLC,

Ray• Precast Installation - Precast Services, Inc., Detroit• Precast Steel - National Precast, Inc., Roseville• Rebar installation - Dynamic Contracting, Inc., Toledo, OH• Refrigeration Connections to Walk-In Coolers - A.C. Coutts,

Wixom• Refrigeration, Pipe Fitting, Controls - Steele-Johnson, Inc.,

Auburn Hills• Reinforcing Steel Supplier (Delivery) - The Boomer

Company, Detroit• Resteel, Supply & Install - B&S Resteel, Walled Lake• Roofing - Royal Roofing Co., Inc., Orion• Rooftop Fall Arrest System - Unistrut Canada Limited,

Ajax, Ontario• Sawcutting (Concrete) - Detroit Diamond Drilling, Inc.,

Detroit• Scaffold/Installation - Safway Services, Inc., Detroit;

Patent Construction Systems, A Harsco Corp., Taylor; Safeworks LLC dba Spider a division of Safeworks, LLC, Romulus

• Security - DELRAY Security Consultants• Sheet Flooring, Casino - Master Craft Floors, Inc., Redford• Signage - EEC Industries, LTD, North Vancouver, B.C.;

Harmon Signs, Inc., Toledo, OH• Site Surveying - Giffels-Webster Engineers, Inc., Detroit;

Field Measurements, Inc., Clinton Township• Site trailers - McDonald Modular Solutions, Inc., Southfield;

McDonald Modular, Southfield• Site Work - Blaze Contracting, Inc., MBE, Detroit• Site/Street Sweeping - Armadillo Services, Inc., Birmingham• Spa Cove Lighting - Phillips Sign & Lighting, Inc.,

Harrison Township• Spray-On Insulation - Stony Creek Services, Inc., Ypsilanti

S U B C O N T R A C T O R L I S T

SI 2008 136-148 Sub Lists 9/29/08 12:54 PM Page 136


• Stainless Steel Equipment/Kitchen Equipment - Institutional Equipment, Inc.

• Steel Erection - Whaley Steel Corporation, Mio; Monarch Welding & Engineering, Inc., Warren

• Steel Fabrication - W.J. Metal• Steel & Precast Erector/Steel Stair Supplier/Installation -

Whaley Steel Corporation, Mio• Steel Supplier - Dymin Steel, Inc., Brampton, Ontario• Steel Supplier, Hotel Structure - Metro Steel Fabricators, Inc.

Hazel Park• Striping - Motor City Marking, Inc., Detroit• Structural Steel - Utica Steel, Inc., Chesterfield; OEM

Distribution, LLC; Vertex Steel, Inc., Milford• Structural Steel, Install Steel Fins/Tubes - Vertex Steel, Inc.,

Milford• Supply Materials and Possible Technical Support -

Gardner Signs, Inc., Troy• Temp Electric to Site Trailers/Hotel - Motor City Electric

Company, Detroit• Temp. Fencing - Future Fence Company, Warren• Temp. Gravel in Parking Lot - J.J. Barney Construction, Inc.,

Rochester Hills• Temporary Construction/ Casino/Cont. - Charles James

and Associates, Detroit; Jasman Construction, Inc., Whitmore Lake

• Temporary Construction/Painting - Midwest Pro Painters, Livonia

• Temporary Fence - Rite Way Fence Company, Sterling Heights

• Temporary Heat to Casino - U.S. Distributing, Inc., Birmingham

• Temporary Heat to Hotel - Flamegas, Inc., Milford• Temporary Stairs, Delivery - Patent Construction, Taylor• Theatrical Lighting Design - Westbury National Show

System, Ltd., Toronto, Ontario• Thermostats/Hotel - Inncom International, Inc., Niantic, CT• Tile & Marble - Michigan Tile & Marble Co., Detroit• Tile & Masonry - Malone Tile & Masonry • Tile & Stone - Marble Restoration, Inc. dba Decorative

Flooring Services, Maumee, OH• Tile & Stone Supply - Dwyer Marble & Stone Supply,

Inc., Farmington Hills• Traffic Signal Installers - Posen Construction, Inc.,

Shelby Township• Trucking - J.M.D. Contracting, Detroit; Laramie, Detroit;

PSI, Detroit; Vickerd Brothers, Detroit; Hayes Trucking, Novi

• Utility Locator, Hi-Pot Testing to Generator & Transformer -Power Plus Engineering, Novi

• Vanities (Supply & Install) - Ferrante Manufacturing Company, Detroit

• Vapor Barrier - Ann Arbor Ceilings & Partitions, Ann Arbor• Walk-In Refrigeration Units - Chryser & Koppin Company,

Detroit• Water Damage Mitigation - Coach’s Carpet Care, Inc. dba

Coach’s Catastrophic Cleaning & Restoration Services, Ypsilanti

• Waterproofing - D.C. Beyers Company, Detroit• Waterproofing Foundation - Western Waterproofing,

Livonia• Water Tap -Watertap, Inc., South Lyon• Window Wall System - American Glass & Metals Corp.,

Plymouth• Window Washing System - Equicon Services, Inc.,

Mississauga, Ontario

DETROIT METROPOLITAN AIRPORT NORTHTERMINAL REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT Owner – Wayne County Airport Authority, Detroit Master Architect/Design Architect – Gensler, DetroitConstruction Manager – Walbridge Barton Malow, LLC,Detroit Associate Architect – GHAFARI Associates, LLC, DearbornAssistant Architect/Landscape Architect – HamiltonAnderson Associates, Inc., DetroitAssistant Architect/Plumbing Engineering Support –Scales & Associates, Inc., DetroitLead Civil Engineer (Air Side) – Reynolds, Smith & Hill,Flint Lead Civil Engineer (Land Side) – Tucker, Young, Jackson,Tull, Inc., DetroitLead Mechanical Electrical and Plumbing Engineer –Syska Hennessy Group, Inc., New York, NYLead Structural Engineer – Thornton-Tomasetti Group,Inc., Chicago, IL




DETROIT METROPOLITAN AIRPORT NORTH TERMINALREDEVELOPMENT PROJECT — SUBCONTRACTORS• Air Handling Units – York – A Johnson Controls Company,

Auburn Hills• Airside Civil Work – Angelo Iafrate Construction Co.,

Warren• Apron Services Engineer – Burns & McDonnell,

Kansas City, MO• Asbestos Abatement and Management Services –

Environmental Consulting Group, Inc., Ann Arbor• Baggage Handling System – Siemens Logistics & Assembly,

DFW Airport, TX• Ceilings – Turner-Brooks, Inc., Madison Heights• Civil (Air and Land Sides) and Structural Engineering

Support – Northwest Consultants, Canton• Civil Engineering Support (Land Side) – ABE Associates,

Inc., Detroit• Civil Engineering Support (Land Side) – BBF Engineering

Services, Detroit • Civil Engineering Support (Air and Land Sides) – Somat

Engineering, Inc., Detroit• Commissioning and Testing – Kahn Global Services, Inc.,

Detroit• Concrete Slab on Grade – Simone Contracting Corporation,

Sterling Heights• Demolition – Adamo Demolition Company, Detroit• Davey Terminal – Mechanical Cut and Cap – Anzaldua

Mechanical, Inc., Detroit• Driven Steel Piling – E. C. Korneffel Co., Trenton• Drywall – Walbridge Barton Malow Interiors, Oak Park• Electrical Core and Shell – Superior Electric Great Lakes

Company, Troy• Electrical Cut and Cap [Utility Rebuild] – Center Line

Electric, Inc., Center Line• Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Support – GHAFARI

Associates, LLC, Dearborn• Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Support – Sigma

Associates, Inc., Detroit• Elevators, Escalators and Moving Walkways – Schindler

Elevator Corporation, Livonia• Electrical and Fire Alarm – Motor City Electric Co., Detroit • Fire Protection – S.A. Comunale Company, Inc., Farmington• Fireproofing – William Reichenbach Co., Lansing• Flooring – Terrazzo and Ceramic Tile – Artisan Tile, Inc.,

Brighton• Foundations and Davey Terminal – Concrete Bulkheads,

Civil and Architectural, Utility • Rebuild – Aristeo Construction Co., Livonia• General Trades, General Trades Core and Shell and Spirit

Airlines Architectural and • Partial Concourse “C” – The Patersen Companies, Inc.,

Wixom• General Trades – Finishes, Hollow Metal – Ideal

Contracting, LLC, MBE, Detroit• Glazing and Glazed Aluminum Curtain Wall – Universal

Glass and Metals, Inc., MBE, Detroit• HVAC – AppleGate, Inc., Jackson• HVAC Controls – Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.,

Plymouth• Hydrant Fuel Transfer Pipeline Testing – Tuboscope

Pipeline Services, Houston, TX• Interior Glazing – Madison Heights Glass Co., Inc.,

Ferndale• Interior Wall Systems – Ann Arbor Ceiling & Partition Co.,

Inc., Ypsilanti• Interior Window Washing Equipment – PROB-BEL, Ajax,

ON, Canada• Landside Civil Phase II and Davey Ramp Bypass, Fencing, • Signage and Striping – Dan’s Excavating, Inc.,

Shelby Township• Lighting Design – Illuminating Concepts, Farmington Hills• Low Voltage Electrical – Ferndale Electric ESS Division,

Ferndale• Masonry – Leidal & Hart Mason Contractors, Livonia• Mat Foundations and Slab on Deck – Walbridge Barton

Malow Concrete Services, Detroit• Mechanical Cut and Cap [Utility Rebuild] and Hydrant

Fueling System – Pipe Systems, Inc., Troy• Millwork – Trend Millwork, Inc., Lincoln Park• Painting – Madias Brothers, Inc., Detroit• Passenger Boarding Bridges Refurbishment –

ThyssenKrupp Airport Systems, Inc., Fort Worth, TX• Plumbing and Piping – E.L. Plumbing and Mechanical, Inc.,

Detroit, John E. Green Company, Highland Park• RF Systems – Superior Electric Great Lakes Company, Troy• Roofing – Christen Detroit, Detroit• Security Systems – Center Line Technologies, Center Line

• Siding and Metal Wall Panels – Crown Corr, Inc., Flat Rock• Soil and Pipe Testing – Corrosion Control, Inc.,

Rutledge, GA• Structural Engineering Support – Desai/Nasr Consulting

Engineers, Inc., West Bloomfield• Structural Steel – Midwest Steel, Inc., Detroit• Temporary Chiller – Hale Contracting, Inc., MBE, Detroit• Terminal Special Systems Engineer – Glover Associates,

Roseville, CA• Testing and Inspection – Professional Service Industries, Inc.,

Plymouth • US Air Diverter Additional Work – Belt Maintenance

Midwest, Romulus

GROUND TRANSPORTATION CENTER• Baggage Handling System – Siemens Logistics & Assembly,

Detroit• Concrete Foundations – Simone Contracting Corporation,

Sterling Heights• Deep Foundation Piling – E.C. Korneffel Co., Trenton• Electrical and Fire Alarm System – Superior Electric Great

Lakes Company, Troy• Fire Suppression – S.A. Comunale Company, Inc.,

Farmington• HVAC Sheetmetal – John E. Green Company,

Highland Park• Precast Concrete – National Precast, Inc., Roseville• Special Systems – Ferndale Electric ESS Division, Ferndale• Structural Steel – Midwest Steel, Inc., Detroit• Testing and Inspection Services – The Mannik & Smith

Group, Canton• Vertical Transportation Equipment – Schindler Elevator

Corporation, Livonia

METRO HEALTH HOSPITALOwner: Metro Health Hospital, WyomingConstruction Manager: Michigan Office of TurnerConstruction Company, Detroit; The Christman Company,Grand Rapids, Joint VentureArchitect and Engineer of Record: HDR Architecture, Inc.,Omaha, NEProgram Manager: Navigant Consulting, Chicago

METRO HEALTH HOSPITAL — MAJORSUBCONTRACTORS• Asphalt Paving – Aggregate Industries, Kalamazoo• Commissioning – SSRCx.LLC, Nashville, TN• Electrical – Buist Electric, Inc., Byron Center; Feyen-Aylstra,

Grand Rapids • Elevator – Otis Elevator Company, Grand Rapids• Exterior Stud Walls – Ritsema Associates, Grandville• Fire Extinguishers, Cabinets – S.A. Morman & Co.,

Grand Rapids• Fire Protection – Brigade Fire Protection, Belmont• Landscaping – Katerberg Verhage, Grand Rapids• MEP & Misc. Equipment – Turner Logistics, Detroit• Masonry – Lynn Masonry, Ada• Mechanical Controls – Johnson Controls, Inc., Auburn Hills• Metal Panels/Glass/Glazing – Architectural Glass and

Metals, Inc., Kalamazoo• Millwork and Casework – Trend Millwork, Inc.,

Lincoln Park• Painting – H & H Painting, Kalamazoo• Plumbing – Andy J. Egan Company, Inc., Grand Rapids• Pneumatic Tube – Swisslog Healthcare Solutions,

Rolling Meadows, IL• Roofing and Sheet Metal – Great Lakes Systems, Inc.,

Jenison• Rubbish Removal – Allied Waste Services Detroit, Jenison• Studs and Drywall – The Bouma Corporation,

Grand Rapids• Structural Steel – Steel Supply & Engineering,

Grand Rapids• Testing & Balancing – Kinetix Testing & Commissioning,

Newaygo• Trailer Cleaning – United Commercial Services,

Grand Rapids• Unitstrut – Unistrut Detroit Service Company, Wayne

THE MALL AT PARTRIDGE CREEK Owner/Developer – Taubman Company Centers Inc.,Bloomfield HillsConstruction Manager – Skanska USA Building Inc.,Parsippany, NJ (with a local office in Southfield)Architect – Hobbs + Black Associates, Inc., Ann Arbor

THE MALL AT PARTRIDGE CREEK — SUBCONTRACTORS• Arborist – Branch Tree Service, Inc. • Architectural Casework, Millwork, Postal Specialties –

Brunt Associates, Inc., Wixom• Architectural Signage – Harmon Sign DBA Planet Neon, Novi• Children’s Playcourt – Playtime, LLC, Englewood, CO• Concrete Foundations – Broadcast Design & Construction,

Inc., Mount Clemens• Civil Engineer – Giffels-Webster Engineers, Rochester Hills• Construction Manager (MJR Theater) Roncelli, Inc.,

Sterling Heights • Construction Manager (Nordstrom) W.E. O’Neil

Construction, Chicago, IL• Construction Manager (Parisian) Beeler Construction, Inc.,

Menomonee Falls, WI• Customer Service Aluminum Storefront, Valet Booth, Glass

and Glazing – Modern • Electrical Engineer – Swanson Rink, Inc., Denver, CO• Estimating Consultant – DES Consulting, L.L.C.,

Farmington Hills• Fountain Consultant – Waterline Studios, Fort Collins, CO• Geotechnical Engineer, Testing and Inspection – Soil and

Materials Engineers, Inc., Plymouth • Hardware Consultant – Ingersoll-Rand Company, Ferndale• Landscape Design Architect – Lawrence J. Tencza

Associates, East Orange, NJ• Life Safety/Code Analysis/Fire Protection/Fire Alarm –

Code Consultants, Inc., St. Louis, MO• Lighting Design – Hillmann Dibernardo Leiter Castelli,

New York, NY• Mechanical Engineer – E & S Construction Engineers, Inc.,

Pasadena, MD• Mechanical/Electrical Consultant – Alfaro-Slotka

Associates, Inc., Milford• Owner’s Store Layout Drafting Services – JPRA Architects,

Novi • Project Designer – Communication Arts, Inc., Boulder, CO• Roofing Consultant – Detroit Roofing Inspection Service,

Warren• Snow Melt Consultant – Performance Engineering Group,

Inc., Livonia• Specification Consultant – Richard L. De Lisle, Grosse

Pointe Farms• Structural Engineer - L & A, Inc., Farmington Hills • Tenant Build-Out Coordinator, Sachse, Construction and

Development Corp., Birmingham• Traffic Engineer – Birchler Arroyo Associates, Inc.,

Lathrup Village• Traffic Signal Consultant – Mansell Associates, Inc.,

Farmington • Building Automation Systems – Roth Bros, Inc., Tampa, FL• Carpet and Vinyl Flooring – Ideal Floor Covering, Inc.,

Rochester• Mirror & Glass Co., Roseville• Fencing – Industrial Fence & Landscaping, Inc., Detroit• Fire Alarm – Premier Electronics, Inc., Macomb• Fire Protection Sprinkler System – Shambaugh & Son,

Southfield• Framing and Partitions, Ceilings, Insulation, EIFS, Thin

Brick, Drywall, Doors and Hardware – Pontiac Ceiling & Partition, Pontiac

• Furniture – Wesnic Services, Inc., Jacksonville, FL• HVAC and Sheet Metal – McShane Mechanical Contracting,

Commerce Township• Landscaping and Irrigation – W.H. Canon, Romulus• Masonry and Stone Elements – Monte Costella & Company,

Novi• Mall and Plaza Electric and Electric Systems – Maryland

Electric, Clinton Township• Overhead Doors – Crawford Door Sales, Inc., Detroit• Painting – Duross Painting Company, Warren• Plumbing and Fountains – Guideline Mechanical, Inc.,

Clinton Township• Public Restroom Wall and Floor Tile, Solid Surface Vanities

and Niches – Michielutti Brothers, Inc., Eastpointe• Roofing and Metal Panels – Royal Roofing Company, Orion • Site Earthwork, Site Utilities, Grading, Asphalt Paving,

Parking Lot Striping, Regulatory Signage, Curbs, Concrete Pavers and Colored Concrete – John Carlo, Inc., Clinton Twp.

• Site Electric – Alpha Electric, Inc., Sterling Heights• Site Sidewalks/Slab on Grade – Albanelli Cement

Contractors, Inc., Livonia• Snow Melt System – Goyette Mechanical, Flint• Structural Steel Ornamental Metals – B&A Steel Company,

Inc., Chesterfield• Toilet Accessories, Toilet Partitions, Doors and Hardware –

A&C Builders Hardware, Warren




CHASE PLASTIC SERVICES, INC.Owner – Chase Plastic Services Inc., ClarkstonGeneral Contractor – Campbell-Manix, Inc., SouthfieldArchitect – Lubin Schulz & Skocelas, Bloomfield HillsInterior Designer – Valerie Young Interiors, Lake Orion

CHASE PLASTIC SERVICES, INC. — SUBCONTRACTORS • Aluminum Entrances – Modern Mirror & Glass Co.,

Roseville• Asphalt – Asphalt Specialties, Inc., Warren • Basement Walls – Elite Poured Walls, Holly• Carpentry, Drywall, Ceiling – Matrix Commercial • Carpentry, Commerce Twp.• Carpet – SCI Flooring, Southfield• Concrete Flatwork – Renegade Contracting, Inc.,

Lake Orion• Corian Tops – Troy Millwork, Inc., Rochester Hills• Doors, Frames & Hardware – Tupper Door & Hardware,

Farmington Hills• Electrical – Hunter Electrical, Inc., Algonac• Elevators – Otis Elevator, Farmington Hills• Fencing – Shamrock Fence Company, Southgate• Fire Alarm – Siemens Building Technologies, Inc.,

Plymouth Twp.• Fire Protection – Tri-Star Fire Protection, Plymouth• HVAC – ES/TEAC Mechanical, Livonia• Layout & Civil Engineer – Kieft Engineering, Inc.,

Clarkston• Masonry – Connolly Masonry, Inc., Clarkston• Millwork – SBD Commercial Interiors, Belleville• Painting – Technical Specialties & Applications, Pontiac• Plumbing – Stately Plumbing Inc., Rochester Hills • Roofing – Kril Enterprises, Inc., Brighton• Security & Access Control – Integrated Communications

Services, Novi• Site Work & Utilities – S.A. Miles Excavating, Inc.,

Rochester• Spiral Entry Stairs – Northern Lights Custom Fabricators,

Commerce Twp., and its subcontractor, Delmark, LTD, West Bloomfield

• Stair Risers/Granite Tops – PMP Marble & Granite, Troy• Steel – B&A Steel, Chesterfield• Structural Engineer – AR Decker & Associates, Inc., Troy• Toilet Partitions & Accessories – Rayhaven Group,

Southfield• Waterproofing – D.C. Byers, Detroit• Testing Engineer – Testing Engineers & Consultants, Troy

Owner’s Subcontractors:• Audio/Visual – Sport View Technologies, Brighton• Furniture – ISCG Workplace Design & Furnishings,

Royal Oak• Landscape – Lowries Landscape, Clarkston• Phone/Data – AEGIS Concepts Inc., Clinton Twp.• Tile Installation – J.S. Yarnall & Sons, Orion• Wall Covering – Nancy & Randy Longstaff, Davisburg• Windows – Bolyard Lumber, Rochester Hills

WALSH COLLEGE — JEFFERY W. BARRY CENTER Owner: Walsh College, TroyConstruction Manager: George W. Auch Company, PontiacArchitect of Record: Valerio Dewalt Train Associates,ChicagoStructural Engineer: Penhale & Yates, Inc., SouthfieldMechanical/Electrical Engineer: Peter Basso Associates, TroyCivil Engineer: Progressive AE, Grand Rapids

CONSULTANTS• Landscape Architect – Conservation Design Forum, Inc.,

Elmhurst, IL• Commissioning Agent – Integrated Design Solutions, Troy• Lighting Consultant – Lighting Design Alliance, Chicago, IL• Structural Engineer – Penhale & Yates, Inc., Southfield• Mechanical/Electrical Engineer – Peter Basso Associates,

Troy• Civil Engineer – Progressive AE, Grand Rapids• Acoustical Engineering – Shiner + Associates, Inc.,

Chicago, IL• Rendering and Visualization – Visualized Concepts, Inc.,

Chicago, IL

WALSH COLLEGE — JEFFERY W. BARRY CENTERSUBCONTRACTORS• Earthwork/Utilities – ABC Paving Company, Trenton• Concrete Flatwork – Albanelli Cement Contractors, Inc.

Livonia

• Aluminum Materials – Aluminum Supply Co., Inc., Detroit• Studs/Gyp/Ceilings – Ann Arbor Ceiling & Partition Co.,

Ypsilanti• Ceramic Tile – Boston Tile & Terrazzo Co., Detroit• Toilet Accessories – Building Accessories Co.,

West Bloomfield• Metal and Glass Railing – Curtis Glass Co., Inc., Troy• Painting – Detroit Spectrum Painters, Inc., Warren• Signage – Ford & Earl Associates, Inc., Troy• Hardware – Gamalski Building Specialties, Auburn Hills

• Foundations – Gemelli Concrete LLC, Romeo• HVAC – Great Lakes Mechanical, Inc., Dearborn• Masonry – Leidal & Hart Masonry Contractors, Livonia• Glass & Aluminum Windows – Madison Heights Glass Co.,

Ferndale• Terrazzo – Michielutti Bros., Inc., Eastpointe• Electrical – Moote Electric, Inc., Pontiac• Paving – Nagle Paving Co., Novi• Plumbing – Oakland Plumbing Co., Ray Township


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ARCHITECTURAL AND SPECIALTYCONSULTANT LIST PROVIDED COURTESY OFHAMILTON ANDERSON/SMITHGROUP JOINTVENTURE. SUBCONTRACTOR LIST AND OTHERCONSULTANTS SUPPLIED COURTESY OFMGM GRAND AND SSMITH & ASSOCIATES,DIVERSITY CONSULTANT.

MGM GRAND CASINOOwner: MGM Mirage, Las Vegas, NVConstruction: MGM Grand Detroit II, Las Vegas, NVProject Managers: Tré Builders LLC, Las Vegas, NVArchitects of Record for Hotel & Casino; InteriorDesigner for Essentials (fashion retail), Accents (jewelryretail) and Casino/Hotel Back of House, Civil Engineering,Landscape Architecture: Hamilton Anderson/SmithGroupJoint Venture, DetroitStructural Engineering: John A. Martin & Associates, Inc.,Las Vegas, NVMechanical Design/Build: Limbach Co., LLC, PontiacElectrical Design/Build, Low Voltage Designer: Motor CityElectric Co., DetroitDiversity Consultant: SSmith & Associates, Southfield, MIand Las Vegas, NV

ARCHITECTURAL• Art Direction - Archivision, New Port Beach, CA• Fire Protection - Design/Build - SimplexGrinnell,

Boca Raton, FL• Interior Designer for Bourbon Steak (steakhouse),

Agua (casino lobby bar), Palette Dining Studio (buffet) and Ignite (fire pit) - SuperPotato, Tokyo, Japan

• Interior Designer for Saltwater (seafood), Wolfgang Puck Grille (mid-range), and Immerse (pool and spa) - Tonychi and Associates, New York, NY (Inner View dba Tonychi)

• Interior Designer for Hotel, Entice (hotel lobby bar), Ballroom/Conference Center - Laurence Lee Associates, Los Angeles, CA

• Interior Designer for Vivid (night club) - Jeffery Beers International, New York, NY

• Interior Designer for Casino, U Me Drink (casino bar), Hi-Limit Casino designer - Cleo Design & Archivision, Las Vegas, NV (Adakot, Inc. dba Archivision)

• Interior Designer for Executive Offices, Breeze (quick serve)and Video Poker Bar - Harris Design Group, Hamtramck

• Self Park Garage – Rich and Associates, Southfield; Paragon Structural Design, Inc., Phoenix, AZ; Designed Productions, Inc. (audio design) – Las Vegas, NV

SPECIALTY CONSULTANTS• Lighting Design - Illuminating Concepts, Farmington Hills• Acoustic Engineer - Chips Davis Design, Concord, CA• Surveillance Designer - M. Malia and Associates,

Northfield, NJ• Pool Designer - Water Technology, Inc., Beaver Dam, WI• Vertical Transportation Designer - Technical Inspections,

Inc., Columbia, NC• Cladding and Waterproofing Consultant - SmithGroup,

Inc., Detroit• Food and Beverage Services Designer - JEM Associates,

Inc., Las Vegas, NV• Signage and Environmental Graphics Designer - Eslick

Design, Tulsa, OK• Scenographic Designer - Realisation, Montreal, OC• Water Feature Designer - Commercial Aquatic Engineering,

Minnetonka, MN• Electrical Criteria Engineer - MSA Engineering,

Las Vegas, NV (Melroy Engineering, Inc. dba MSA)• Mechanical Criteria Engineers - JBA Consulting Engineers,

Las Vegas, NV• Parking Deck Programmer (Global) - International Parking

Design, Sherman Oaks, CA• Wind Modeling and Studies - Rowan Williams Davies &

Irwin, Guelph, ON• Life Safety and Code Consultant – Rolf Jensen &

Associates, Chicago, IL• Barrier Free Consultant – Equal Access, Las Vegas, NV

MGM GRAND CASINO — SUBCONTRACTORSCONCRETE• Concrete - Colasanti, Detroit• Concrete Cutting - Cougar Sales & Rental, Inc. (supplier),

Novi; FMG Concrete Cutting, Inc., Brighton; Northern Concrete Cutting, Dryden

• Concrete Forming - Ceco Concrete Construction of Michigan, Detroit; Fastdecks, Walled Lake

• Concrete Pumping - Cross Enterprises, Melvindale

• Construction Supplies - Fastener’s, Inc. (supplier), Madison Heights

• Crane Operators - LW Connelly Crane & Sons dba ConnellyCrane Rental Corp., Redford

• Elevator Repairs - Detroit Elevator, Detroit; Elevator Technology, Detroit

• Equipment & Maintenance - AIS Construction Equipment, Grand Rapids; Burke Rental, Inc., Sterling Heights; HD Edwards and Company (supplier), Detroit; Jeffers Crane Service, Inc., Oregon, OH

• Equipment Rental - Mercers Down River Equipment Rental dba Mercers Equip. Rental (supplier), Southgate

• Excavation & Backfill - Detroit Building Group, Detroit• Fencing - Riteway Fence Co., Sterling, Heights• Foundation & Structure - Samuel A. Chagois & Assocs,

Las Vegas, NV• Heating Systems - Jetheat, Inc., Fraser• Hole Drilling - American Vault & Concrete Products,

Hamtramck• Install Dismantle Cranes - Forest City Erectors,

Twinsburg, OH• Install Weight Scale Floor - Cech Corporation, Livonia• Installation - Precast Services, Inc., Twinsburg, OH• Offsite Parking Lot - Khalil Bros. dba Corktown Properties,

Detroit; Monier Khalil Living Trust, Livonia• On Site Fueling - D & W Oil Company, Detroit• Parking Structure Architects - Paragon Structural Design,

Phoenix, AZ• Platform Staging - Patent Construction Systems, Taylor• Polish Precast Panels - Great Lakes Concrete Floor

Polishing, Harper Woods• Post Tension System - KLG Corporation (supplier),

Centennial, OH• Precast Concrete - National Precast, Inc., Roseville• Printing Services - Dunn Blue Printing Co., Detroit• Rebar Material - Barnes & Sweeney, Walled Lake• Re-Steel Fabrication - The Boomer Company (supplier),

Detroit• Risk Management - Williams Harper Palmer & Associates,

Detroit• Shuttle Service - Contractors Shuttle Service, Detroit• Site Demo & Earthwork Third Street Improvements -

Blaze Contracting, Detroit• Steel Hardware - MBM Fabricators & Erectors, Romulus• Suppliers - Arcomet USA (supplier) aka P & J Arcoment,

Manassas, VA; Detroit Wire Rope, a Mazzell Lifting Technologies Co. (supplier), Detroit; Laser Hydraulic & Hose dba Pirtex (supplier), Westland; Premier Business Products (supplier), Troy

• Temporary Elevator - Metro Elevator Company, Inc., Indianapolis, IN

• Caissons, Tower Crane Install - Rohrscheib Sons Caissons, New Hudson

• Tower Cranes - CCK Equipment Company, Macomb Township

• Towing - Allied Towing Service, Hamtramck• Towing - Joe Ballor Towing, Inc., New Haven

CONVEYING SYSTEMS• Construction Drilling - United Drilling, Inc.,

Plumsteadville, PA• Elevators - Otis Elevator, Farmington Hills• Linen Chutes - KASL Enterprises, Belleville• Metal Re-finishes for Elevators - The Stone & Metal

Group, LLC, Chicago, IL

DOORS AND WINDOWS• Dock Levelers - Detroit Door & Hardware,

Madison Heights• Door Hardware & Operators - Great Lakes Automatic

Door, Inc., Hillside, IL• Glass & Glazing - Harmon, Inc., Livonia• Hotel Tower Curtain Survey Wall - ABE Associates, Inc.,

Detroit• Window Cleaning - Royal Building Services dba Eagle

Window Cleaning, Detroit• Window Film Application - Specialty Protective Coatings,

Inc., Troy

ELECTRICAL• Assemble Jobsite Trailer - Pro Mod, Inc., Pinconning• Concrete/ Excavation - Broadcast Design & Construction,

Mount Clemens• Console & Training - Arc Solutions International,

Durham, NC • Control Wiring - Detroit Electrical Services, Detroit• Design Build Electrical, Cabling Installation & Site Utilities

Reroute - Motor City Electric, Detroit• Electrical Supplies - Empire Electric (supplier), Detroit• Escalators - Thyssen Krupp Elevator Corporation, Livonia• Food Venue - Liberty Electrical Services, Inc., Detroit;

Micron Electrical Contracting, Inc., Detroit• Generator Maintenance - Cummins Bridgeway,

New Hudson• Heating & Cooling - R and A Heating and Cooling, Detroit• Hotel Room Package - Hendricks Electric, Inc., Detroit• Install Call Recording Equipment - Dictation Sales &

Service, Southfield• Install A/V Cable - ECS Kahn, LLC, Detroit • Install A/V Speakers & Head Ends - Sound Planning

Communications, Redford• Installation Services - ISG Global, Inc., Detroit; Percipia

Networks, Inc., Gahanna, OH• Lighting - Fluoresco Lighting, Las Vegas, NV• Lighting Fixture Package - Integrated Supply Management

(supplier), Detroit• Lighting Protection System - Guardian Equipment

Company, Novi• Low Voltage Communication - Integrated Media Tech.,

Detroit• Low Voltage Systems - SER Communications, Detroit• Power /Generator/ Fire Alarm/ Detection for Sprinkler

System - Henderson Electric, Inc., Detroit• Printing - Hernandez Blueprint Services LLC, Detroit • Start-Up Commissioning - PowerTech Services, Inc.,

Swartz Creek• Suppliers - Acme Ladder and Supply (supplier), Oak Park;

Brock Tool of Detroit (supplier), Livonia; Caniff Electric Supply Co.(supplier), Hamtramck; O L Johnson Company, Inc. (supplier), Detroit

• Surveillance and Security Systems - North American Video, Inc., Brick, NJ

• Tech. - LVC Technologies, Auburn Hills• Third Street Improvements - Motor City Electric Utilities

Company, Detroit• Third Street Lighting & Signalization - Rauhorn Electric,

Macomb• Truck Hauling - Hayes Trucking, Novi; Hayes Washed Sand

& Gravel, Novi• VOIP - Analysts International, Auburn Hills

EQUIPMENT• Bituminous Pavement Patching - A & R Repairs Baker’s

Kneads, Inc., Warren• Commission Parking Equipment - Federal APD Federal

Signal Corp., Novi• Control Wiring - Detroit Electrical Services, Detroit• Crane for Hotel Tower & Equipment Maintenance -

Allingham Corporation, Southfield• Fire Suppression Systems - Gallagher Fire Equipment,

Livonia• Food Service Contactor - Baring Industries, a Div. of

Electrolux Professional, Inc., Fort Lauderdale, FL• Food Service Equipment - J.F. Duncan Industries,

Downey, CA• Food Service Equipment Install - Commercial Stainless

Innovations, Inc., Turnersville, NJ• Food Service Installation - Phoenix Refrigeration, Wixom• Food Service Installer - Cross Country Installers, Easton, PA• Inspect Installed Equipment - Bildon Parts & Service,

Livonia; GCS Services, Inc., St. Paul, MN• Install, Inspect Alvey Equipment - Armor Metal Group

Mason, Inc. dba Alvey Washing Equipment, Mason, OH• Parking Control Equipment - Applied Bldg. Technologies,

Detroit• Refrigeration Systems - Omni Team, Inc., Downey, CA• Service Ice Machines - Papa’s Refrigeration Service, Warren• Start-up for Cook Chill - Cleveland Range, Cleveland, OH• Supervise Hood Install, Install Flight Type Dishwasher -

ITW Food Equip. Group LLC dba Hobart, Troy, OH

FINISHES• Carpentry/ Drywall - Arait Building dba Arait Building &

Engineering Co., Detroit• Carpet & Resilient Flooring - Master Craft Carpet Service,

Redford• Carpet & Vinyl Flooring - Conventional Carpet, Inc.,

Sterling Heights • Ceramic Tile & Stone Work - Architectural S/W Stone,

Livonia• Construction Equipment - Amerimin Systems, Novi• Drywall Material Supplier - Cinda Corporation (supplier),

Detroit




• Drywall, Framing & Acoustical - US Builders Group, Detroit

• Drywall, Framing for Tower - Turner Brooks, Madison Hts.• Equipment & Maintenance - Hertz Equipment Rental

Corporation, Romulus• Flooring - Master Craft Floors, Inc., Redford• Framing & Drywall - Ann Arbor Ceiling & Partition,

Ypsilanti; JL Judge Construction, Detroit; Pontiac Drywall Systems, Pontiac

• Installation - Master Craft Installation, Redford• Labor - Rustin Tile & Marble, Dearborn Heights• Measuring - Horizon Interests dba Horizon Millwork,

Livonia• Painting - Salvatore Randazzo, Macomb; Soft Touch

Painting, Detroit• Painting & Wallcovering - Madias Brothers, Detroit• Painting Garages - Eugenio Painting, Grosse Pointe Woods• Plaster Venue 10 & 12 - Debacker & Sons, Warren• Plastering - Nass Fresco Finishes, Fox River Grove, IL• Stone & Fabrication Install - Michigan Tile & Marble Co.,

Detroit• Stone & Solid Surface - PMP Marble & Granite, Troy• Supervise/Consult On-Site - Strata Design, Traverse City• Supply Wheel Chair Lift - Lift U, Division of Hogan

(supplier), New Liberty, KY• Tile - Southeastern Tile, Mt. Clemens• Tile & Marble - Tile & Marble Co., Schnecksville, PA• Tile Work - Boston Tile & Terrazzo Co., Detroit• Venue Stone & Tile - Empire Tile & Marble, Eastpointe• Wall Covering - Bruce Morgan Wallcovering, Brighton• Wall Covering & Painting - Detroit Spectrum Painters,

Warren; Signature Contracting, Redford; Midwest Pro Painting, Livonia

GENERAL CONDITIONS• Assemble Jobsite Trailers - Pro Mod, Inc., Pinconning• Clean Floor Mats - Cintas Corporation No. 2 dba National

Account Sales Divisions, Livonia• Computer Support - Bind Technologies, Berkley• Computer Support Services - Tactical Information Services,

Detroit• Concrete Polishing - Hoover & Wells, Toledo, OH• Copier Repair - Konica Minolta Albin, Wixom• Demolition - Adamo Demolition, Detroit• Drill 16 piers - Niemi Corporation, Ypsilanti• Electrical - Stanley Access Technologies, Indianapolis, IN• Engineer - Extreme Engineering Inc (supplier), Troy• Equipment & Maintenance - Team Equipment (supplier),

Warren; Michigan Tractor & Machinery dba MI Cat, Novi; Nes Rentals, Detroit; United Rentals (North America), Detroit

• Equipment Supplier - Sprint Solutions (supplier), Overland Park, KS

• Fence Repairs - Industrial Fence & Landscaping, Detroit• Fencing - Rite Way Fencing Co., Sterling Heights• Furnish Fire & Ice Wall - Lumid, Inc., Montreal, Canada• Furnish Fire Place Equipment - Automated Fire and Water

Effects, Inc. (supplier), Las Vegas, NV• Furnish Garage Doors - LaForce, Inc. (supplier),

Green Bay, WI• Furnish Lion Figure - Guangzhou Zhongxiong Imp.

& Exp. Trading Co. (supplier), China• Furnish Mosaic Tile - Canary Services (supplier),

London, UK• General Conditions - 3.L.K. Construction, LLC, Detroit• Heating & Cooling - R and A Heating and Cooling, Troy• Install Carpet for Offices - AM Installation, Novi• Jobsite Security - Crime Prevention Security, Ypsilanti• Jobsite Security Company - Personal Protection, Inc. dba

Personal Protection, Lathrup Village• Jobsite Trailers - McDonald Modular Solutions, Southfield• Medical Supplies - SOS Medical (supplier), Commerce Twp.• Office Supplies - Precise Business Supply Source (supplier),

Detroit• On-Site Catering - Gary’s Catering, Inc., Wixom• On-Site Fueling - Spencer Oil Company, Roseville• Photography - Aerial Associates Photography, Ann Arbor• Portable Toilets - Acee-Deucee Porta Can dba Suburban

Sewer & Septic Tank Cleaning, Carleton• Portable Toilets - Porta John Systems, Inc., Shelby Township• Project Management - Tre’ Builders, Las Vegas, NV• Project Management Staff - Lakeshore Tech, Inc., Detroit• Project Management Staffing - Kaskel Construction, Detroit• Project Staffing/ Pool & Spa - Harvard Engineering &

Construction Consultants, Detroit• Propane Services - Baker’s Propane, Wauseon, OH• Repair UR Equipment - Minuteman International,

Addison, IL


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• Scaffolding Set-Up & Equipment Maintenance - Safway Services (supplier), Detroit

• Septic Cleaning - Greenwood Enterprises dba Jay’s Septic Tank Service, Lapeer

• Service Copier - Alphacopy Systems, Farmington Hills• Street Sweeping - Inland Waters Pollution Control, Inc.,

Brownstown• Supplier - Navigating Business Space (supplier), Rochester• Tire Repair - Cox & Winfree Tire, Madison Heights• Waste & Recycling - Allied Waste Services dba Dinverno,

Detroit; Americal, Detroit; Capital Waste, Detroit• Water - Absopure Water Company (supplier), Plymouth

MASONRY• Masonry - Dixon Masonry, Detroit

MECHANICAL• A/C Equipment/ Maintenance - Curbs & Damper

Products, Roseville; Potter Claiborn Geelhood dba Computer Support Technology, Troy

• A/C Install, Chillers & Air Handling Units- American Standard, Inc. dba Trane, Warren

• ATC Wiring - Corporate Electric, Bruce Township• Boiler Room Equipment & Testing - D.J. Conley

Associates, Inc., Troy• Casino Piping - Hale Contracting, Inc., Detroit• Casino Plumbing - Bruner Plumbing & Heating Co., Detroit• Chemical Testing - HV Burton Company, Livonia• Chemical Treatment - Bennett, Holland, Kovac &

Associates, Dearborn; PoolPak International, York, PA• Concrete Drilling - Detroit Diamond Drilling, Detroit• Cooling Towers - Baltimore Aircoil Company, Jessup, MD• Cranes - Laramie Enterprises dba Gordon F. Laramie

& Sons, Detroit• Electrical - Innovated Energy Controls, Hartland• Engineering - Limbach Facility Services dba Mechanical

Professional Services, Plymouth• Engineering & Design - JRED Engineering,

Dearborn Heights• Equipment - SBC Global Services, Inc.• Equipment & Maintenance - OEMC LLC, Livonia• Fire Protection Install - Atlas Fire Technology, LLC, Detroit• Fuel - Atlas Oil Company (supplier), Taylor• Hotel Piping - Klearview Mechanical Systems, Detroit• Hotel Plumbing - E L Plumbing & Mechanical, Inc., Detroit• HVAC Steel - Duct Connection & Sheet Metal Supply

Company (supplier), Warren• In-House Calibrating - American Electrical Contractor, Inc.,

Hamtramck• Install Phones for Trailers - Telephone Support Systems,

Farmington Hills• Installation & Materials - Dimer ISG, Utica• Lift/Rigging Services - Lifting Gear Hire Corporation,

Bridgeview, IL• Machine Vibration Testing - Stack Balance Engineering,

Farmington Hills• Make-Up Air Start Up - Michigan Air Products, Troy• Masonry Pheroscanning - Muirhead Construction, Inc., Milford• Mobile Trailer - American Mobile Office & Containers, Warren• Pipe Freeze - Dihydro Services, Inc., Sterling Heights• Pipe Installation - Master Mechanical Insulation, Inc., Troy• Plumbing - Guideline Mechanical, Clinton Township• Plumbing & Mechanical - Limbach, Auburn Hills • Plumbing Piping Consultant - Colombo Sales, Ferndale• Plumbing Powerhouse - R L Deppmann Co., Southfield• Refill Fire Extinguishers - Eastman Fire Protection, Troy• Refrigerate Monitoring System - Cochrane Supply &

Engineering, Inc., Madison Heights• Set Up & Testing - Underwood Fire Equipment, Novi• Sheet Metal - Motor City Ventilation, Inc., Detroit• Start-Up Testing - Allied General Mechanical, LLC, Detroit;

Thermal-Netics, Inc., Auburn Hills; Fife Pearce Electric Company, Detroit

• Supervise Install of Equipment - American Mechanical Insulation Sales, Inc., Farmington Hills

• Supplier - OL Johnson Company, Inc. (supplier), Detroit• Suppression Systems - Simplex Grinnell, Farmington Hills• Temp. Heating & Cooling – Nutemp, Inc., Bridgeview, IL• Terminal Service Work - Fontanesi & Kann Co., Oak Park• Test Air Conditioning Systems - International Test &

Balance, Inc., Des Plaines, IL• Test Cooling Water - Sarmento Mechanical Sales, Inc.,

Farmington Hills• Towing - Boulevard & Trumbell Towing, Detroit• Water Treatment Services - H-O-H Chemicals, Inc., Walled Lk.• Welding - Baker’s Gas & Welding, Lincoln Park

METALS• Crane Operators - L W Connelly & Sons dba Connelly

Crane Rental Corp., Redford• Equipment Maintenance - Sunbelt Rentals, York County, SC• Erector Services - General Steel Erectors, Sterling Heights• Fabrication - Cives Corporation dba Cives Steel Company,

Roswell, GA• Field Measuring/ Layout - Field Measurements,

Clinton Township• Food Catering - Omar’s Mexican Restaurant dba

Armando’s Mexican Restaurant, Detroit• Furnish & Erection - City Steel, Inc., Waterford• Install Ornamental Steel - Assemblers Precast & Steel

Services, Pinckney• Installation - Sova Group, Detroit• Metal Fabrication/Wall Panels & Louvers - C.L. Reickhoff

Co., Taylor• Misc. Steel - Dumas Concepts in Building, Northville• On-Site Fueling - Chapp & Bushey Oil Co., New Boston• Scaffolding Set-Up - Safeworks LLC dba Spider, Romulus• Touch–Up Painting - Detroit Industrial Services, Detroit• Trucking - Van Dam Iron Works, Inc., Grand Rapids• Structural Steel, Welding for Buck Hoist - Midwest Steel,

Detroit

SITEWORK• Asbestos - D2 Abatement, Detroit• Asphalt Paving - Doan Construction Company, Ypsilanti;

Nagle Paving Company, Novi• Bituminous Pavement Patching - A & R Sealcoating,

Waterford• Catering Company - Original Romano’s #5 dba Original

Romano’s Catering, Orchard Lake• Clean Drain Structures - Doetsch Industrial Services, Inc.,

Warren• Concrete Cutting - Cougar Contracting, Inc., Wixom• Concrete Encasements - Timmer Construction Company,

Farmington Hills• Core Drilling - Detroit Diamond Drilling, Detroit• Equipment & Maintenance - MCM Management

Corporation, West Bloomfield• Granite Pavers - Soulliere Decorative Stone, Inc., Utica• Install Flagpoles - Rocket Enterprises, Inc., Warren• Install Precast Concrete - Advance Concrete Products,

Highland• Joint & Crack Sealant - JMA Contracting, LLC,

St. Clair Shores• Labor - Willie McCormick & Associates, Detroit• Landscaping Irrigation - W. H. Canon, Romulus• Lawn Irrigation - Marc Dutton Irrigation, Waterford• Layout Engineering Services - Metco Services, Inc., Detroit• Live Tap of Water Main – Watertap, Inc., South Lyon• Mechanical - JF Cavanaugh Co., Farmington Hills• Mechanical Installation - Detroit Boiler Company, Detroit• Parking Controls Equipment - Angle Striping, Canton• Pavement Marking - PK Contracting, Troy• Pipe Install - North West Trading (supplier), Detroit• Pump Install - Mersino Dewatering, Davison• Recycling Services - USA Lamp and Ballast Recycling,

Cincinnati, OH• Re-Steel Installation - City Re-Steel, Inc., Wayne• Road Patch Encasement - Superior Materials, Inc.,

Farmington Hills• Site Concrete - Ferrini Contracting Corporation, Detroit• Site Utilities - Site Development, Inc., Madison Heights• Steel Erection - Titus Welding Company, Farmington Hills• Street Sweeping - Armadillo Services, Birmingham• Supplier - State Barricades (supplier), Warren• Truck Hauling - Hayball Transport, Livonia;

ROC Transport, Coppell, TX; Summit Transport, Brighton; Superior Demolition Company, Detroit

• Trucking/ Demolition - Farrow Group, Detroit

SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION• Engineering - Commercial Aquatic Engineering,

Minnetonka, MN• Concrete Pumping - Cross Enterprises, Melvindale• Concrete Supplier - Michigan Foundation Company, Detroit• Construction Equipment - Mirage Properties, LLC dba

ConVey of Flint, Flint• Fuel/ Concrete - Koenig Fuel & Supply Co. dba Koenig

Concrete, Jefferson, WI• Pool & Jacuzzi Consultant - John Robertson dba Robertson

Pools & Service, Walled Lake

SPECIALTIES• Computer Access Floor Work - Gardiner C. Vose,

Bloomfield Hills• Display Boards - Murray Steel, Ecorse• Equipment Maintenance/ Crane for Hotel Tower -

Allingham Corporation, Southfield• Exterior Signage and Graphics - Gardner Signs, Troy• Guest Garage Traffic Signs - PLSC Sign Contractors,

Southfield• Installer - Progressive Installers, Saginaw• Post Hole Drilling - Vena’s Nursery, Belleville• Signage - Harmon Signs, Inc. dba Planet Neon, Novi;

Splashworks, Inc., Birmingham• Toilet & Misc Specialties - International Bldg. Products,

Livonia• Toilet Partitions & Lockers - Rayhaven Group, Southfield• Wire Mesh & Chain Link Fence - Future Fence, Warren

THERMAL AND LIST RENTALS• Applied Fireproofing - William Reichenbach Co., Lansing• Lift Rentals - Aero Lift, Livonia• Propane - Propane Services, Taylor• Roofing - Fred Christen & Sons Co., Detroit• Waste & Recycling - Americal, Detroit

WOOD AND PLASTICS• Buffet Pool Spa Millwork - Mueller Custom Cabinetry, Inc.,

Pacoima, CA• Drywall, Framing & Acoustical - Denn-Co Construction,

Shelby Township• Fabric Stretch Panel System - Invirons, Mt. Clemens• Finish Carpentry - Kulbacki, Inc., Clinton Township• Finish Carpentry - Sather Installation, Inc., Modeso, CA• Custom Architectural Millwork, Install Fabric Wrapped

Panels - Trend Millwork, Lincoln Park• Stone/Tile, Labor - Wolverine Stone, Warren• Labor & Materials - Madeira Woodworking Co, Troy• Millwork & Carpentry - Foster Finish Carpentry, Inc.,

Detroit• Millwork for Food Venues - Quality Cabinet & Fixture,

San Diego, CA• Millwork for Hotel High Limit - Glenn Rieder,

Milwaukee, WI• Millwork for Hotel Tower - Precision Industrial Services,

Detroit• Venue Glass & Glazing - Madison Heights Glass, Ferndale

OTHER CONSULTANTS• Charette Meeting - Flashlight, San Diego, CA• Forensic Accounting Service - Neil Kugel, CPA,

Northridge, CA• Geotechnical & Environmental - Enviro Matrix, Detroit• Mechanical - Pacific Mechanical Construction Mgmt.,

Baldwin Park, CA• On-Site EMS - Universal Macomb Ambulance,

Sterling Heights• Parking Structure - Resources Applications, Designs

& Controls, Long Beach, CA• Risk Management - Lewis & Thompson, Phoenix, AZ• Surveying - Giffels-Webster, Detroit• Testing - Applied Research Labs, Miami, FL;

Testing Engineers & Consultants, Troy• Traffic Engineers - Linscott, Law & Greenspan,

Pasadena, CA• VOIP Systems - AMI Strategies, Livonia• Test Dimming/Control Equipment – Electronic Theater

Controls, Middleton, WI

735 FORESTOwners – Mosher, Dolan, Cataldo & Kelly, Inc., Birmingham,Templeton Building, Rochester Hills, and MJT Development,BirminghamConstruction Managers – Mosher, Dolan, Cataldo & Kelly,Inc., Birmingham and Templeton Building, Rochester HillsArchitect – Victor Saroki & Associates Architects, PC,Birmingham Engineer – MA Engineering, Bingham FarmsEngineering and Surveying – L & A Associates, FarmingtonHills

735 FOREST — SUBCONTRACTORS• Alarm System – Vigilante Security, Southfield• Appliances – Specialties Showroom, Berkley• Architectural Woodwork – Zuckero & Sons,

Clinton Township• Bamboo Doors – Dillman & Upton, Rochester




• Built in Cabinetry and Panel Installation – Nielsen Quality Construction, Fenton

• Cabinetry – Canac Cabinetry, Clawson• Carpet – Burns Floorcovering, Troy• Computer/Phone Networking – Key Information

Technologies, Waterford • Concrete – Popelier Construction Co., Inc., Lake Orion• Concrete Materials – Ersco, Detroit• Countertops – Marble & Granite Works, Inc.,

Shelby Township• Drywall – Burgess Bros., Clarkston• Earthwork – Pacitto & Forest Construction, Co., Wixom• Earthwork and Concrete Paving – Wisneski Grading, LLC,

Sterling Heights• EIFS – Stefani Finish, Inc., Clarkston• Electrical – Great Lakes Electric, Auburn Hills• Electrical – Meadowbrook Electric, Inc., Rochester Hills• Electrical – Russell Electric, West Bloomfield• Electrical – Saturn Electric, Rochester• Elevators – Schindler Elevator Corporation, Livonia• Fencing – Contractors Fence & Gate Service, Redford• Fire Caulking – Standard Drywall, Utica• Fire Extinguishers, Cabinets and Toilet Partitions –

Rayhaven Group, Southfield• Fire Protection – Flow Fire Protection, Milford• Flooring Installation – Thompson Marble and Tile, Milford• Flooring Supplier – Genesee Cut Stone & Marble Co., Flint• General Conditions – Great Lakes Construction Services,

Inc., Royal Oak• Granite/Marble Countertops (for Bistro) – USA Stone,

Oxford• Hardware and Hollow Metal Doors – Russell Hardware

Company, Bloomfield Hills• Hardwood Flooring – Birmingham Hardwood Imports,

Birmingham• Hardwood Flooring – Johnson Yarema Hardwood Floors,

Troy• Hardwood Supplier – Michigan Hardwood Distribution,

Wixom• Hoods (for Bistro) – Premium Air Systems, Troy• HVAC – Diamond Air Heating & Cooling, Inc., Chesterfield• Insulation – Metal Arts Construction, Mount Pleasant• Iron Gates – East Jordon, Oak Park• Insulation – Victory Insulation, St. Clair Shores• Joint Sealants – National Exteriors, Auburn Hills• Laminate Countertops (for Bistro) – Ultima, Macomb

Township• LEED Consultant – Newman Consulting Group, LLC,

Bloomfield Hills• Lighting – Gasser Bush, Livonia• Lighting Fixtures – Lumecon Relume, Farmington Hills• Limestone Countertops (for Bistro) – Ciot, Troy• Low Voltage – Avio, Inc., Troy• Masonry – Madison Masonry, Madison Heights• Masonry – Metropolitan Stone, Carleton• Masonry Accessories – Mason Pro, Northville• Membrane Roofing – Allen Brothers Roofing, Inc.,

Rochester Hills• Metal Studding, Rough Carpentry and Drywall – Dun-Rite

Drywall, Shelby Township• Miscellaneous Materials – Burke Building Centers,

Waterford• Miscellaneous Materials – Custom Builder’s Supply,

Birmingham• Miscellaneous Materials – Neighborhood Hardware,

Birmingham• Miscellaneous Materials – Ryan Building Supply, Southfield• Miscellaneous Materials – Stock Building Supply, Troy• Office Furniture – A Notch Above, Inc., Oak Park• Ornamental Metal, Entrances and Special Windows –

Ann Arbor Glass & Metal, Troy• Paint Supplies – Technical Specialties, Pontiac• Painting – Camovic Rainbow Painting – Sterling Heights• Painting – Whale Painting, Shelby Township• Parking Blocks – Ideal Shield, Detroit• Pavers – Mosher & Associates, Clarkston• Plumbing and Plumbing Fixtures – Singel Plumbing Co.,

Rochester• Precast Concrete – Kerkstra Precast, Jenison• Precast Concrete and Foundations – Tru Wall Construction

Company, Wixom• Railings and Handrails – BlackJack Iron Works, Detroit• Railings and Handrails – Patio Rooms,

Commerce Township• Rough Carpentry – Danna Carpentry Contractors, Inc.,

Harrison Township• Rough Carpentry – Lumberline, Waterford

• Site Clean-up – Take Away Trash Services, Pontiac• Steel – Smede Son, Redford• Structural Metal Framing and Steel Joists – Architectural

Iron Works, LLC, Detroit• Tile – Beaver Tile, Farmington Hills• Tile – Canvasback Tile & Marble, Inc., Dryden• Tile – Gabriel Granite, Oakland• Tile – Virginia Tile, Farmington Hills• Trash Chute – Kasl Enterprises, Inc., Belleville• Trees – Bill’s Tree, Milford• Trim Carpentry – Custom Designed Woodward, Clarkston

• Trim Carpentry – Ebano Trim, Shelby Township• Trim Carpentry – Lumberline, Waterford• Trim Carpentry – The Wellman Company, Livonia• Trim Materials – American Heritage Woods, Farmington

Hills• Veneer Masonry Systems – Brick Tech Architectural, Berkley• Wall Paneling System – Daiek Woodworks, Sterling Heights• Waterproofing and Membrane Roofing – Water-Tite Co.,

Wixom• Windows, Doors, Entrances and Storefronts – O.L. Bolyard

Lumber Co., Rochester Hills


Plunkett Cooney has been part ofMichigan’s construction industry since 1913. Clients tell us they appreciate our fearless determination to obtain the right result from theboardroom to the courtroom.

A leading advisor to developers, designprofessionals and contractors, PlunkettCooney can provide legal counsel toassist you in achieving your businessgoals.

SCOTT H. SIRICHConstruction Law Practice Group Leader

(248) 594-8228 • [email protected]

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ABU DHABI NATIONAL ENEGRY COMPANY —TAQA TENANT FIT-OUTOwners – TAQA, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates andDomino’s Farms Office Park, Ann ArborConstruction Manager – DeMattia Group, Plymouth Architect and Engineer – Hobbs + Black, Ann Arbor

ABU DHABI NATIONAL ENEGRY COMPANY —TAQA TENANT FIT-OUT — SUBCONTRACTORS• Acoustical Panels – Integrated Interiors, Inc., Warren• Carpentry and Millwork – Wally Kosorski & Co. Inc.,

Clinton Township• Demolition – DKI, Inc., West Bloomfield• Doors and Hardware – Stafford Building Products,

Waterville, OH• Drywall – Precision Interiors, Manchester• Electrical – Charge Electric Co., Inc., Ann Arbor• Fire Extinguishers – Architectural Building Components,

Oak Park• Fixtures – Expressions in Hardware, Ann Arbor• Fixtures (Bathroom) – DeGiuilo Kitchen & Bath,

Birmingham• Flooring – Decorative Flooring Services – Maumee, OH• Furniture and Accessories – Incite Design, LLC, Tecumseh• Glass and Aluminum – Harmon, Inc., Livonia• IT Wiring – Current Electric, Chelsea• Painting – Cavalier Painting Co., Sterling Heights• Plumbing and HVAC – Boone & Darr, Inc., Ann Arbor• Soundproofing – Stony Creek Services, Inc., Ypsilanti• Soundproofing – Interlam, Claudeville, VA• Special Finishes – Panelite, LLC, Culver City, CA• Structural Steel – Raven Iron Works, Inc., Livonia• Window Treatments – Creative Windows, Ann Arbor

WESTVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOLOwner – Fitzgerald Public School District, WarrenConstruction Manager – Skanska USA Building Inc.,Southfield Architect – Partners in Architecture, PLC, Mt. Clemens Engineers – MA Engineering, Bingham Farms (MEP); GiffelsWebster Engineers, Rochester Hills (civil); Desai Nasr, WestBloomfield (structural).

WESTVIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL — SUBCONTRACTORS• Aluminum Framing and Glazing – Madison Heights Glass,

Ferndale

• Asphalt Paving – ABC Paving Co., Trenton• Audio/Video Systems – TEL Systems, Ann Arbor• Built-up Roofing – Schreiber Corp., Detroit• Carpentry – Wally Kosorski, Clinton Twp.• Casework & Custom Casework – Dew-El Corp., Holland• Coiling Doors, HM Frames, Hardware and Wood Doors –

Detroit Door & Hardware, Madison Heights• Electrical – McNulty Electric, Lexington• Exterior Site Sign – J.L. Geisler Corp., Warren• Fencing – Reliable Fence, Clinton Twp.• Fire Protection – Detroit Automatic Sprinkler, Warren• Flagpoles – Delta Construction Associates Inc., Fort Gratiot• Foundations – Authority Group Concrete Inc., Walled Lake• Geothermal System – LoopMaster International, Inc.,

Indianapolis, Indiana• HVAC – Macomb Mechanical, Sterling Heights• Horizontal Accordion Fire Door – Won Door Corp.,

Salt Lake City, UT• Hydraulic Elevator – Schindler Elevator Corp., Livonia• Landscaping, Brick Pavers & Irrigation – Precision

Landscaping, Caso Twp.• Masonry – Brazen & Greer, Livonia• Metal Roof and Wall Panels, Column Covers – Roofcon,

Brighton• Metal Stairs & Misc. Steel – Davis Iron Works, Inc.,

Walled Lake• Metal Stud, Drywall, Acoustical Ceiling & DEFS –

ANM Construction, New Hudson• Operable Partitions – Urban’s Partition & Remodeling,

Northville• Painting – Seven Brothers Painting, Shelby Twp.• Playground Equipment – Michigan Playgrounds, LLC,

Holland• Plumbing – Oakland Plumbing Company, Ray Twp.• Preassembled Doors – Total Door, Pontiac • Visual Display Boards & Cases – Cig Jan Product Ltd.,

Caledonia• Precast Terrazzo Floor Tile – Boston Tile & Terrazzo

Company, Detroit• Projection Screens – International Building Products,

Livonia• Resilient Flooring, Linoleum & Carpet – Shock Brothers

Floor Covering, Roseville• Roller Shades – The Sheer Shop, Shelby Twp.• Selective Salvage & Demolition – Able Demolition,

Shelby Twp.• Signage, Building – The Supersine Co., Detroit.• Site Concrete – Peter A. Basile Sons, Livonia• Site Work & Utilities – Sunset Excavating, Livonia• Specialties, Toilet Partitions and Accessories – Ann Arbor

Commercial Construction, Ann Arbor• Stage Curtain – North Coast Studios, Clinton Twp.• Structural & Miscellaneous Steel – Cadillac Iron, Oxford• Technology Infrastructure – Hatzel and Buehler, Livonia• Testing – NTH Consultants, Ltd., Farmington Hills• Testing & Balancing – Enviro-Aire, Inc., St. Clair Shores

ITCTRANSMISSION Owner – ITC Holdings Corporation, NoviConstruction Manager – Cunningham-Limp, Farmington HillsArchitect – Gillett Associates, Inc., Farmington HillsAcoustical Engineer – Kolano and Saha Engineers, Inc.,WaterfordCivil Engineer, Landscape Architect, Surveying andStormwater Designer – Professional EngineeringAssociates, Inc., TroyFoodservice Designer – Stephens-Bangs Associates, Inc.,Livonia Interior Designer – Interior Image, Inc., Farmington HillsMechanical and Electrical Engineer – MA Engineering,Bingham FarmsOwner’s Representative – Grubb and Ellis, SouthfieldSecurity Consultant – Kroll, Chicago, ILStructural Engineer – Westfall Structural Engineering, Ann Arbor

ITCTRANSMISSION — SUBCONTRACTORS • Acoustical Wall Panels – Division 9 Products, Inc.,

Farmington Hills• Asphalt Paving – Asphalt Specialists, Inc., Pontiac• Audio Visual – Immersion Graphics, Commerce• Buck Hoist – Metro Elevator, Indianapolis, IN• Cabinets and Millwork – GI Millworks, Plymouth• Carpentry – Conquest Construction Company, Inc., Livonia• Carpet, VCT and Base – Interior Image, Farmington Hills

• Ceramic Floor Coating – Valley Painting, Inc., Flint• Ceramic, Quarry and Granite Products – United Tile &

Stone Works, Sterling Heights• Davit System – Pro-Bel, Ajax, Ontario, Canada• Electrical and Fire Alarm – Center Line Electric, Inc.,

Center Line• Elevators – Otis Elevator Company, Farmington Hills• Fire Protection – Dynamic Fire Protection, Inc., Newport• Flagpole – American Flag & Banner Company, Inc.,

Clawson• Foundation – Poured Brick Walls, Brighton• Glass and Glazing – Curtis Glass Co., Inc., Troy• Hollow Metal Doors, Frames and Hardware – RK Hoppe

Corp., New Hudson• HVAC – TF Barry, Plymouth• Interior Concrete, Site Concrete, Curbing – Albanelli

Cement Contractors, Livonia• Landscape and Retaining Walls – Yanke’s Design, Novi• Landscaping – Executive Landscaping, Northville• Low Voltage Data and Accoustics – Center Line

Technologies, Inc., Center Line • Masonry – Leidal & Hart Mason Contractors, Livonia• Material Testing – G2 Consulting Group, LLC, Troy• Office Furniture – Interior Environment, Southfield• Office Furniture – Resource Office Interiors,

Farmington Hills• Overhead Doors, Dock Equipment and Accordion

Partitions – Gardiner Vose, Bloomfield Hills• Painting – Detroit Spectrum Painters, Inc., Warren• Plumbing – Brentwood Plumbing & Mechanical Inc.,

Chesterfield Township• Precast Concrete – National Precast, Inc., Roseville• Roofing and Metal Wall Panels – Lutz Roofing Co., Inc.,

Utica• Security – E O Integrated Systems, Inc., Washington• Signage – SignGraphix, Inc., Farmington Hills• Site Fencing – Future Fence Company, Warren• Sitework, Clearing/Grubbing, Site Utilities, Stone –

MWB Contracting, Clarkston• Spray-on Fireproofing – William E. Harnish Acoustical, Inc.,

Redford• Structural Steel – Utica Steel, Inc., Chesterfield• Toilet Partitions – RE Leggette Company, Dearborn• Waterproofing and Joint Sealants – Chezcore, Inc., Detroit

DETROIT INSTITUE OF ARTS MASTER PLAN IMPLENTATION AND RENOVATIONSOwner: Detroit Institute of Arts, DetroitConstruction Manager: Walbridge AldingerCompany/Jenkins Construction, Inc., Detroit, Joint VentureArchitect and Engineer of Record: SmithGroupIncorporated, DetroitDesign Architect and Master Planner: Michael Graves &Associates, Princeton, New Jersey

SMITHGROUP CONSULTANT LIST• Acoustical Engineering – Cerami and Associates,

New York, NY• Civil Engineering, Building Verification Study –

Hamilton Anderson Associates, Detroit• Building Code Investigation – Lovett Consultants,

Mint Hill, NC• Rackham Planning, Site Field Representation –

Mark English Associates, Detroit• Scale Model Testing – RWDI, Guelph, Ontario• Vibration Control Study – SME, Plymouth• Cost Estimation – SmithGroup Management Services,

Detroit• Pier Engineering – Somat Engineering, Detroit• Hardware Specifications – Stepanian Hardware• Food Services Consultant – Stephens-Bangs Associates,

Southfield• Stone Quarry Consultant – Swenson Stone Consultants,

Ltd., Hanover, NH• Elevator Specifications – Technical Inspection, Inc.,

Columbia, MD• Fire Suppression Consultant – TVA Fire Security Life,

Atlanta, GA

MICHAEL GRAVES & ASSOCIATES CONSULTANT LIST• Signage - Calori & Vanden-Eynden, New York, NY• Illumination Design – Fisher Marantz Stone, New York, NY

WALBRIDGE/JENKINS LIST OF MAJOR SUBCONTRACTORS• Air Handlers – Griffin International, LLC-Chlor (JV),

Ventrol Air Handling Systems, Chesterfield


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AvailableCAM Magazine offers a variety of custom reprints of available articles that appear in our monthly magazine.

These reprints make great promotional pieces, such as tradeshow posters and brochures, and canbe customized to fit your needs.

For more information contact CAMMagazine at (248) 972-1000.



• Concrete – Devon Industrial Group, LLC, Detroit• Controls – Johnson Controls, Inc., Auburn Hills; Siemens,

Plymouth • Cooling Towers – Baltimore Aircoil Co., Hudson, OH• Demolition – 21st Century Salvage, Inc., Ypsilanti; Adamo

Demolition Co., Detroit• Drywall/Ceilings – Taylor Metal Carpentry, Inc., Taylor• Elevators – City Elevator, Inc., Detroit; Detroit Elevator Co.,

Ferndale• Electrical – Edgewood Electric, Inc, Madison Heights;

Motor City Electric Co., Detroit; Post Electric Co., Detroit; James G. Spaulding Electrical Contractors, Detroit

• Exterior Marble – Booms Stone Co., Redford• Fire Protection – Wolverine Fire Protection Co., Mt. Morris • Glass & Glazing – Curtis Glass Co., Inc., Troy; Exterior Wall

Specialties, Northville• HVAC Work – Temperature Engineering Corp.,

Sterling Heights• Interior Finishes – Jimenez Construction, Detroit• Interior Marble – Cleveland Marble & Mosiac,

Cleveland, OH• Kitchen Equipment – Gold Star Products, Oak Park;

Great Lakes Hotel Supply Co., Detroit • Marble/Stone – Wolverine Stone Co., Warren• Masonry – Dixon, Inc., Detroit• Mechanical – Limbach Company, Pontiac; O’Hara

Corporation, Mt. Clemens; Pipe Systems, Inc., Troy• Miscellaneous Iron, Metal Hand Rails – Couturier Iron

Craft, Inc., Comstock Park• Office Partition & Furniture – NBS, El Paso, Texas• Outside Façade Panels – Kreysler & Associates, American

Canyon, CA• Painting – Eugenio Painting Co., Grosse Pointe Woods• Plastic, Drywall, Carpentry – Brinker Team Construction

Co., Detroit• Roofing – Schreiber Corporation, Detroit • Sheet Metal – Allied Ventilation, Inc., Warren • Specialty Metal Work – Venus Bronze Works, Inc., Detroit

Stone Pavers, Outside Tile Pavers – Soulliere Decorative Stone, Utica

• Structural Steel – MBM Fabricators Co., Inc., Romulus • Supplied Farnsworth Lobby Casework, Numerous Sketch

Face Veneer Flush Doors, Provided Folding Partition Units for Urban’s Partition & Remodeling Co., Northville - Daiek Woodworks, Sterling Heights

• Surveying/Layout – Giffels-Webster Engineers, Inc., Detroit• Tile Work – Michigan Tile and Marble Co., Detroit;

Michielutti Brothers, Inc., Eastpointe • Waterproofing & Vapor Barrier – Western Waterproofing

Co., Livonia• Wood Flooring – City Carpet and Flooring, Detroit


• Programs and ServicesIncluding MemberDiscount Programs and Services

• Membership and GeneralInformation about CAM

• 2008 Construction Buyers Guide

• Labor Relations Services

• Construction FederalCredit Union

• CAM AdministrativeServices and CAM Comp

• Construction EventsCalendar

• News PublicationsIncluding ConstructionProject News, CAMMagazine, Planroom andElectronic Project News,Construction Previewand Much More!



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Center Line

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Farmington Hills Royal Oak

Ferndale

River Rouge

Grosse Pointe Farms

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A Great Mix ofPersonnel & Technology

Place your concrete order at any of our regional locations

AWI Great Lakes Chapter ........................................................22

Ace Cutting Equipment & Supply......................................116

Acme Maintenance Service ................................................111

Advance Concrete Products Co. ..........................................48

Aluminum Supply Company - Marshall Sales ..................75

Amalio Corporation................................................................132

American Carpet Care ..........................................................128

American Fireplace & Barbeque Dist. ................................31

Ann Arbor Ceiling & Partition Co., Inc.................................73

Aoun & Company, P.C. ..............................................................60

Auch Company, The ..................................................................71

Bobcat of Motor City ................................................................65

Booms Stone Co. ....................................................................125

Boone & Darr, Inc.....................................................................102

Brentwood Plumbing and Mechanical ............................121

Bristol Steel & Conveyor Corp. ..............................................15

Broadcast Design & Construction, Inc. ............................131

Brunt Associates, Inc.................................................................20

CAM Administrative Services ..................................................3

CAM - Affinity ..........................................................................103

CAM Comp ................................................................................134

CAM - ECPN ................................................................................97

CAM - EXPO ................................................................................77

C.A.S.S. ......................................................................................95

C.F.C.U. ......................................................................................49

Cannon Electric Co. ..................................................................17

Cipriano Coating Technology................................................52

Clark Hill PLC ..............................................................................19

Colombo Sales & Engineering, Inc. ......................................88

Conley Associates, Inc., D.J. ....................................................96

Connelly Crane Rental ..........................................................102

Connolly Masonry ....................................................................63

Cummins Bridgeway ................................................................14

Curran Crane Co., J.J. ..............................................................130

Curtis Glass Company, Inc. ..................................................128

D&R Earthmoving, LLC ..........................................................117

DESAI/NASR ..............................................................................94

Daiek Woodworks ..................................................................133

Danboise Mechanical ............................................................134

DeBacker & Sons Inc.................................................................64

Detroit Carpentry JATC............................................................45

Detroit Roofing Inspection Service, Inc. ............................54

Detroit Spectrum Painters......................................................70

Detroit Terrazzo Contractors Association ......................113

DiHydro Services ......................................................................66

Doeren Mayhew ........................................................................23

Dunn Blue Repographics ........................................................36

Duross Painting Company ..................................................113

Edgewood Electric, Inc. ........................................................127

Edwards Glass ............................................................................52

Executive Vehicle Sales, Inc..................................................139

Ferndale Electric........................................................................BC

Fishbeck Thompson Carr & Huber, Inc. ..............................62

Frames, Doors & Hardware, Inc. ..........................................105

G2 Consulting Group ..............................................................16

Glass and Mirror Craft ..............................................................84

Glazing Contractors Association ..........................................37

Great Lakes Ceramic Tile Association ................................66

Great Lakes Fabricators & Erectors Association ............119

Gutherie Lumber Company ..................................................18

Gwyer Reprographics ............................................................146

Hansen Marketing Services, Inc. ..........................................61

Harmon, Inc...............................................................................101

Hartland Insurance Group......................................................85

Hertz Equipment Rental..........................................................41

Hilti Inc. ......................................................................................26

Hunter Electric............................................................................60

IBEW Local 252 ..........................................................................63

Jackson Park Agency................................................................74

Jeffers Crane Service ................................................................34

JetHeat, Inc. ..............................................................................137

Kem-Tec ....................................................................................141

Klochko Equipment Rental Company ................................89

LPL Financial ..............................................................................27

Laramie Crane ..........................................................................23

Lifting Gear Hire Corporation................................................35

Limbach ......................................................................................83

Madison Heights Glass ............................................................73

MasonPro, Inc. ............................................................................13

McAlpine & Associates, P.C. ......................................................8

McCoig Companies ................................................................IBC

Metro Detroit Signs ..................................................................29

Michigan Propane Gas Association ..............................50, 51

Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters ........................55

Michigan Surveyors Supply ..................................................79

Mosher, Dolan, Cataldo & Kelly, Inc. ....................................93

NCDS (National Center for Dispute Settlement) ............70

National Construction Rentals ..............................................38

National Ladder & Scaffold Co. ............................................12

Navigant Consulting ................................................................14

Next Generation Services Group ......................................129

Nicholson Construction ........................................................137

North American Dismantling ..............................................43

Oakland Community College ................................................43

Oakland Companies ................................................................39

Oakland Metal Sales, Inc. ........................................................87

Operating Engineers Local 324 ..............................................7

Osborne Trucking & Osborne Concrete, John D. ............53

PMP Marble & Granite..............................................................58

Partners in Architecture, PLC ..............................................111

Plante & Moran, PLLC ..............................................................28

Plunkett Cooney......................................................................143

Premier Electronics, Inc. ........................................................130

Professional Concepts Insurance Agency, Inc. ................64

Providence Steel & Supply Inc. ..........................................121

Rich Osterman Electric Co., Inc. ............................................36

Rick's Portables Sanitation LLC. ............................................21

Roofing Technology Associates, LTD ................................117

SMRCA ....................................................................................112

SANI-VAC Services, Inc. ..........................................................126

Scaffolding Inc. ..........................................................................38

Sellers Pontiac ..........................................................................IFC

Spartan Specialties ..................................................................76

State Building Products ........................................................145

Sullivan, Ward, Asher & Patton, P.C.....................................126

Sunset Excavating ....................................................................54

Superior Materials Holdings, LLC ......................................109

TES Consultants, PC ..................................................................30

Transworld Systems..................................................................40

Trend Millwork, LLC ....................................................................9

Unique Metal Products, Inc. ..................................................16

Universal Glass & Metals, Inc. ................................................30

Valenti Trobec Chandler, Inc. ....................................................5

Wade Trim ..................................................................................21

Wally Kosorski & Co., Inc. ......................................................101

Wayne Bolt & Nut Co. ..............................................................42

Wolverine Power Systems ......................................................67

Woods Construction Inc. ........................................................74

W. W. Williams..............................................................................59

Xpert Technologies ..................................................................27

Zervos Group ..............................................................................42

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Redford Grosse Pointe Park

Eastpointe

St. Clair Shores

Hamtramck

HighlandPark

Center Line

Melvindale

Lincoln Park

Taylor

Dearborn

DearbornHeights

Inkster

Farmington Hills Royal Oak

Ferndale

River Rouge

Grosse Pointe Farms

Grosse Pointe Woods

SouthfieldOak Park

SPRINGWELLS

TRENTON

WAYNE-CANTON

SEVEN MILE

FRENCH ROAD

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Serving Metro Detroit with six permanent plant locationsthat are strategically located, along with severalportable plants, to provide you an unmatched capacityfor Service on Demand. All plants and materials areNRMCA, MDOT and County Certified.

A Great Mix of Personnel & Technology

A Great Mix ofPersonnel & Technology

Place your concrete order at any of our regional locations

ll READREADYY-MIX CONCRETE PRODUCTS TO FIT ANY RESIDENTIAL,RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL OR MUNICIMUNICIPAPALL JOB APPLICAPPLICAATIONTION

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SPECIALIZEDELECTRICALSERVICESfor over 45 years

Ferndale Electric’s innovative thinking, astute project management and experienced team of installation specialists can guarantee you a quality installation.

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CAM Magazine Special Issue 2008: The Best of Michigan Construction

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