• Travel

    Reinvigorated essence

    Text: R. Collins For many northern Michigan businesses and organizations, the serenity of the area’s natural environment—composed by sandy bluffs, fresh water, dense deciduous forests, and awe-inspiring seasonal changes—often inspires the design of retail and gathering spaces. When it came time for Spa Grand Traverse, a full-service spa within the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme, Michigan, to receive an upgrade…

  • Design,  Design Spotlight

    Traverse City Tuscan

    Text: R. Collins For many, the home is a dwelling space, which enables those inside to be their truest selves every time they return—a permanent fixture accumulating important artifacts from everyday life, which in turn tell an individual’s story. This was true for a condominium unit project nestled along the scenic Boardman River in Traverse City, Michigan and its owners, who contracted local…

  • Design,  Travel

    Traverse City’s East end

    Text: R.Collins  During the last several years, downtown Traverse City has developed as both a local and tourist destination filled with an eclectic assortment of eateries, venues, shops, and bars, leaving areas like the city’s eastern side less noticed. More recently, the East side has grown into having a similar reputation for locally-renowned venues and businesses that showcase the best…

  • Relish

    Savoring season

    By R. Collins   For years Aerie Restaurant & Lounge in Acme, Michigan—Grand Traverse Resort and Spa’s award-winning in-house dining venue—has annually crafted two seasonal menus to showcase Michigan’s diverse harvests. This summer’s newest three-part menu featuring starter, lounge, and dinner menu sections, is delivering a new grouping of ingredients to the many national and international guests the resort draws…

  • Print Edition

    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…

  • Print Edition

    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…

  • Travel

    The grand destination in northern Michigan

    Grand Traverse Resort & Spa pampers guests with the whole vacation package.  The 17-story glass Tower at Grand Traverse Resort & Spa has become an iconic image set against a backdrop of 900 acres of sprawling greens, wooded trails, and the shimmer of sunlight dancing upon the East Grand Traverse Bay on the northwestern horizon. Much like the nature of…