Michigan needs good news!  So, there can be no better time to have launched our new book, Great Architecture of Michigan than this fall.  The 150 buildings featured with Balthazar Korab photography and John Gallagher prose; prove to both our citizens and visitors alike that our state has a rich legacy of architecture and a quality of life at the top of all states.  Senator Carl Levin wrote the introduction for the book and Governor Granholm will be receiving copies to provide visitors and potential investors in our state.  Books are in available through Wayne State University Press, at local bookstores and online at websites like Amazon.com.  Comerica Bank's generous matching grant helped make it all possible.

The Foundation has made some significant changes in the last few months.  Our Education and Health Conferences have been acquired by AIA Michigan so that we can focus on our core mission and fund raising.  We launched our first Annual Campaign with unanimous support from the Foundation Board and the AIAM Board of Directors.  Our "52" campaign is based on our anniversary.  Individuals are asked to contribute $52, a dollar for each year of our existence and firms are asked to contribute $52 for each architect on staff.  Our humble target is $60,000 for this campaign.  We realize these are difficult times for all, but we believe there is no better time to invest in our future.

Our Scholarship program went from two to four in the last year.  We offered a $1,000 grant to each AIA Chapter that committed to vesting a scholarship.  Mid Michigan and Northern Michigan are in the process establishing their endowment with their Foundation, the Michigan Architectural Foundation.  This program will provide much needed incentives to students to study architecture and stay in the State.
Our Evans Grant program is in its 11 year.  The grant was established in memory of David Evans, FAIA, a preservation architect.  Each year, we have seen more than 20 applicants, most of whom are deserving of support.  This year we increased the grant from $5,000 to $10,000.  Through the generosity of a single donor, we will be establishing an endowment to ensure that the award will continue and will hopefully expand the number of recipients.

Gail McClure, our Board member from the Kellogg Foundation, has accepted a new international position with Kellogg and had to resign from our Board.  Her input on our K-5 program development will not be entirely lost as she has consented to continuing to advise us.

We have made great strides in the last few years.  We are more focused, have an outstanding and dedicated Board, and an ever-increasing awareness by our constituents.  Our many outreach and education programs will pave the way for the next generation to continue on with our mission to increase public appreciation of how architecture enriches life.  Your support today will help make sure our good news continues.

 
This year's auction took place August 7-9, 2008 at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island.  Thanks to our generous donors and bidders, we raised $11,470 at this year's auction.
 
Our Auction relies on the generosity of our donors and our bidders and we thank you so much for your gifts to the Michigan Architectural Foundation. 
We hope for another successful event next year as well!
 
Auction Committee:
Doug Kueffner, AIA - Chair
Michelle Saroki - Co Chair
Cynthia Radecki, AIA
Phil Lundwall, FAIA
Ralph Graham, Hon. Aff. AIAMI
Rae Dumke, Hon. AIA
 

The Skyline Club in Southfield, Michigan hosted the Michigan Architectural Foundation and the debut of their new book - Great Architecture of Michigan - on Tuesday, September 23.  Both the author and photographer, John Gallagher and Balthazar Korab, were in attendance to sign copies of the book. 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Great Architecture of Michigan is a book which celebrates Michigan architecture by featuring 150 buildings from around the state.  From The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island to the Fox Theatre in downtown Detroit, we have a rich array of culture and history right here in this great state of Michigan!
 

 

 

 

 

 

Great Architecture of Michigan website
In addition to the new book, a website is being devoted to the book, which features a similar layout of the book, divided into eight chapters based on the building's type.   A link to Wayne State University Press is also provided where you can purchase the book, as well as a link to Balthzar Korab's website, who did all of the photography for Great Architecture of Michigan.
 

 

Each year the Michigan Architectural Foundation grants scholarships to deserving students at accredited architecture universities in the state of Michigan, and this year was no exception.  On May 2, at the Inn at St. John's in Plymouth, these four students were recognized and awarded scholarships.

 

Francis Wilmore, a University of Michigan student, joined the ASL [design studio in Lansing where he quickly became a key contributor to the design direction of the small office. In his first year of the M.Arch program he has developed a clear focus towards architecture as an emerging digital practice. Francis is receiving this year's Neumann Design Scholarship.

 

 

 

 

Nicole Eisenmann, who is receiving one of the $4,000 President's scholarships, is a graduate student studying architecture and urban planning at the University of Michigan.  At the University of Michigan, Nicole has been involved in the TCAUP community as the student member on the Art and Architecture Building Addition Committee, the Admissions Committee and as a graduate student instructor for the undergraduate construction course. As an undergraduate, she was vice president of the UM chapter of the American Institute of Architecture Students.   Nicole recently studied abroad in Florence, Italy.   In the fall, Nicole will return to the University of Michigan to complete her Master of Architecture and Master of Urban Planning dual degree.

 

is a fourth year student at University of Detroit Mercy, School of Architecture and is receiving this year's second $4,000 President's scholarship.  He anticipates his thesis project in the graduate program this fall with a focus in construction management.  In 2007, Frank participated in a study abroad at the Warsaw University of Technology Faculty of Architecture in Poland.  He has had the opportunity to participate in both Muskegon and Grand Rapids Habitat for Humanity where he helped build inner city housing by completing the framing for a four bedroom home and a four unit housing complex.   For the past two summers he has held an internship position with an architectural firm in West Michigan.