Text: R.J. Weick Whether public or private, noticed or overlooked, art can cause a shift in how one encounters space and contemplates the culture and history of its community; or in the very least, is an emotive and dynamic expression with the potential to disrupt thought. It can create a statement; which is what has come to define the work…
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Rebuilding a brand
Text: R.J. Weick In celebration of its 45th anniversary milestone in 2017, Birchwood Construction Company invested in an extensive re-branding initiative to update the company’s logo and communication to accurately reflect its values and dedication to a relationship-based approach to the homebuilding process. The refreshed brand, which was unveiled and announced early 2018, not only incorporates a new crest-shaped logo…
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The woven path
By R.J. Weick Lloyd Flanders Inc. has become known as a premier outdoor furniture designer and manufacturer built upon a dedication to great design and craftsmanship. For more than 110 years, the Menominee-based company has cultivated a reputation on par with its innovative patented loom process; high-quality, durable materials; and timeless, handcrafted furniture. While its collections impart a sense of…
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RADA spotlight
Text: R.J. Weick The 18th annual Residential Architect Design Awards highlights two firms in the Great Lakes region. Residential design is a dynamic field that often stretches across multiple architectural typologies and can push the boundaries of what has been historically, or collectively, considered a home. While each firm’s process is nuanced and plays to the strengths of each creative…
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Megan Feenstra-Wall, AIA
Architect | Mathison|Mathison Architects Grand Rapids, Michigan There was a period in time when Megan Feenstra-Wall, AIA, architect at Grand Rapids-based Mathison |Mathison Architects, and her husband took a year off from their professional careers and spent nearly six months backpacking and traveling through southeastern Asia and the subcontinent of India. While the trip, which was rather spontaneously decided last…
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Mark Humitz, AIA, LEED AP
Owner, President | Cornwell Architects Traverse City, Michigan “I was one of those kids, who always stuck his nose where he maybe shouldn’t, but I was just fascinated with the whole construction process and design and how things went together,” said Mark Humitz, AIA, LEED AP, in reference to the addition project at his childhood home in Dearborn, Michigan. “It really…
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Robert Sears
Owner, Principal | Sears Architects Grand Rapids, Michigan Robert Sears, owner of the boutique architecture and planning firm known as Sears Architects, considers himself lucky. “I knew what I wanted to do. So many people don’t have a passion or a clear direction for their career,” Sears said. “I’ve wanted to be an architect since I was in sixth grade.…
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Finished luxury
Text: R.Collins The Minnesota-based company known for pushing the solid surface envelope continues its legacy by offering innovative finish options and expanded designs—and its Michigan-based partner is bringing it to the table. Since entering the quartz market in 2000, Cambria has been changing the functionality and style of kitchens worldwide. Founded by the Davis family and known for producing and engineering…
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Gina Van Tine, AIA, LEED AP
Owner, Principal | inFORM Studio PC Northville, Michigan | Traverse City, Michigan; Chicago, Illinois “When I was a little kid, my grandparents owned a saw mill down in Tennessee and I’ve always been around buildings my whole life,” said Gina Van Tine, AIA, LEED AP, principal and owner at Detroit-based inFORM Studio PC. “I just loved it. I thought it…
