http://www.plyarch.com PLY Architecture Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:05:31 +0000 http://www.plyarch.com en http://plyarch.com/Central-Glass-Competition http://plyarch.com/following/plyarch.com/Central-Glass-Competition Tue, 16 Oct 2012 16:05:31 +0000 PLY Architecture 4268730 <img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268730/001.jpg" width="550" height="550" width_o="550" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268730/001_o.jpg" data-mid="22510919" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268730/005.jpg" width="550" height="550" width_o="550" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268730/005_o.jpg" data-mid="22510925" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268730/006.jpg" width="550" height="550" width_o="550" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268730/006_o.jpg" data-mid="22510926" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268730/008.jpg" width="500" height="500" width_o="500" height_o="500" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268730/008_o.jpg" data-mid="22510927" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268730/009.jpg" width="550" height="550" width_o="550" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268730/009_o.jpg" data-mid="22510931" border="0" align="left"/> Ply was awarded a Merit Prize in the 46th Annual Central Glass International Architectural Competition, co-sponsored by Shinkenchiku-sha Co. Ltd. and Japan Architect Magazine. The theme of the competition was Glass 2050. Our entry will be exhibited at the Tokyo International Forum in conjunction with the next world congress of the International Union of Architects (UIA). PROJECT TEAM: Craig Borum Alex Timmer Karl Daubmann Julie Simpson Ross Hoekstra Ply was awarded a Merit Prize in the 46th Annual Central Glass International Architectural Competition, co-sponsored by Shinkenchiku-sha... http://plyarch.com/Competitions-1 http://plyarch.com/following/plyarch.com/Competitions-1 Tue, 16 Oct 2012 15:36:40 +0000 PLY Architecture 2870289 The Robbins School Elementary School Competition is published in the Winter 2006/2007 issue of Competition. Maas, Anna Martin. “Integrating the New with the Old.” Competitions Winter 2006/2007: 34 - 43. <img src="http://payload28.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/2870289/0001 COVER low res.jpg" width="657" height="857" width_o="657" height_o="857" src_o="http://payload28.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/2870289/0001 COVER low res_o.jpg" data-mid="14591690" border="0" align="left"/> The Robbins School Elementary School Competition is published in the Winter 2006/2007 issue of Competition. Maas, Anna Martin. “Integrating the New with the... http://plyarch.com/MOCAD-Mike-Kelley-s-Mobile-Homestead http://plyarch.com/following/plyarch.com/MOCAD-Mike-Kelley-s-Mobile-Homestead Tue, 16 Oct 2012 15:31:58 +0000 PLY Architecture 4268460 <img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268460/MIKE-KELLEY_1_2048.jpg" width="823" height="550" width_o="823" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268460/MIKE-KELLEY_1_o.jpg" data-mid="22509566" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268460/IMG_3638_2048.jpg" width="733" height="550" width_o="733" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268460/IMG_3638_o.jpg" data-mid="22509371" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268460/IMG_3639_2048.jpg" width="733" height="550" width_o="733" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268460/IMG_3639_o.jpg" data-mid="22509372" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268460/IMG_3640_2048.jpg" width="733" height="550" width_o="733" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268460/IMG_3640_o.jpg" data-mid="22509373" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268460/IMG_3641_2048.jpg" width="733" height="550" width_o="733" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268460/IMG_3641_o.jpg" data-mid="22509376" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268460/IMG_3642_2048.jpg" width="733" height="550" width_o="733" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268460/IMG_3642_o.jpg" data-mid="22509378" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268460/IMG_3643_2048.jpg" width="733" height="550" width_o="733" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268460/IMG_3643_o.jpg" data-mid="22509380" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268460/IMG_3644_2048.jpg" width="733" height="550" width_o="733" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268460/IMG_3644_o.jpg" data-mid="22509381" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268460/IMG_3645.jpg" width="413" height="550" width_o="413" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268460/IMG_3645_o.jpg" data-mid="22509383" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268460/IMG_3646.jpg" width="413" height="550" width_o="413" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268460/IMG_3646_o.jpg" data-mid="22509385" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268460/IMG_3647_2048.jpg" width="733" height="550" width_o="733" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload98.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4268460/IMG_3647_o.jpg" data-mid="22509389" border="0" align="left"/> Ply is overseeing the construction of Mike Kelley’s Mobile Homestead. The project is a full-sized replica of the 1950’s ranch house that Kelley grew up in. The reinterpreted house is split into two parts, the front of the house is constructed on a mobile trailer bed and is detachable from the larger portion of the house which will remain permanently on the MOCAD property. The mobile portion was constructed in 2009 and was the subject of three films by the artist. Zago Architecture developed the design and construction detailing with Mike Kelley before his death in January 2012. Ply will be working with the Ronnisch Construction Group through the completion of the project. Kelley envisioned the ground floor of the homestead functioning as an open space for diverse community activities. At the same time, he designed a labyrinthine basement complex for more covert activities – what he called “private rites of an aesthetic nature.” The completed Mobile Homestead will house these co-­‐existing public and private functions mindful of Kelley’s typically challenging contention that “one always has to hide one’s true desires and beliefs behind a façade of socially acceptable lies.” __from the MOCAD Press Release For the press release: press release For more information: MOCAD Ply is overseeing the construction of Mike Kelley’s Mobile Homestead. The project is a full-sized replica of the 1950’s ranch house that Kelley grew up in. ... http://plyarch.com/The-Elert-House-Crane-Residence-featured-in-Concentrate-Media http://plyarch.com/following/plyarch.com/The-Elert-House-Crane-Residence-featured-in-Concentrate-Media Tue, 16 Oct 2012 14:58:23 +0000 PLY Architecture 3963507 <img src="http://payload83.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3963507/P1090606_2048.jpg" width="840" height="556" width_o="840" height_o="556" src_o="http://payload83.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3963507/P1090606_o.jpg" data-mid="22508463" border="0" align="left"/> http://www.concentratemedia.com/features/midcenturymodernhomes0207.aspx Modern Yet Historic, Vintage Yet Sustainable Denise McGeen | Wednesday, August 22, 2012 The clean lines, flat planes, massive windows, and natural elements of Ann Arbor's Modern houses are the perfect compliment to the city's rolling hills and robust tree canopy. Their architects were experimenting with innovative design principles and materials that maximized their use of the natural surroundings while creating simple and comfortable living spaces. Constructed primarily between 1945 and 1970, by a prolific group of U of M professors and visiting architects, these homes represent some of the best Modern residential design in the country. Now approaching sixty years old, they have reached an age when historic preservationists not only consider them historic, but also pivotal to Michigan's leading role in the Modern design movement. Unfortunately, many have also reached an age when the experimental building methods and untested new materials incorporated into their design have begun to fail or no longer meet our energy efficiency standards. As homeowners begin to do more to address their home's energy use, preservationists urge them to proceed with caution; to consider how the home can be made more efficient without compromising its original design and how that can be done without wasting existing materials. As Jim and Linda Elert of Ann Arbor learned, when you happen to own a high-style Modern home designed by a well-known local architect for a well-known local physicist, those principles become even more imperative, but also require a little more creative thinking to apply. An experiment in design The couple bought their house in the Ann Arbor Hills neighborhood this past spring having no idea it was so well known. "It's so funny, because I had never even heard of mid-century modern. But we looked at the house and we just loved it," says Linda. It wasn't until the Elerts were introduced to a local Modern preservation group, A2 Modern (http://a2modern.org/), that they began to understand how much the community values this house. Local architect, Robert Metcalf designed the house for Dr. and Mrs. H. Richard Crane in 1954. Dr. Crane was an award winning physicist at U of M who is best known for the creation of the Racetrack Synchrotron, an early type of particle accelerator. Metcalf later became dean of U of M's School of Architecture. He designed more than 78 houses in Ann Arbor, including his own home in Ann Arbor Hills where he still lives. The Crane house was Metcalf's first commission. Although the house has remained largely intact over the years, when the Elert's moved in it had been on the market for several years and had renters living there in between. It needed to be spruced up, but the Elert's also wanted to incorporate some energy saving measures. A friend recommended architect, Craig Borum of Ply Architecture. Little did they know that Borum, a professor at U of M's School of Architecture, had become an expert on Metcalf's work. Borum had already spent two years studying the architect's drawings to understand the style and the innovations Metcalf is now known for. "I started using those drawings for a course that I teach at U of M to graduate students which looks at…the integration of mechanical and structural systems and materials selections as well as issues of sustainability and siting. And his work is a great example of how to do that." Borum used Metcalf's early projects to understand the limitations of the technology at the time and to explore how construction and building standards have shifted since then. Nestled into a hillside with a large lawn and abundant trees, the two-story, flat-roofed house is meant to look and feel like an organic outgrowth of the hillside, set apart only by its clean lines and flat planes. Its wide bands of massive windows and sliding doors, vertical wood siding, and earth-toned brick foundation are characteristic of the style and of Metcalf's work in general. Along with these natural elements, Metcalf incorporated passive solar design elements that inherently make the house more energy efficient. Metcalf, Borum says, treated his commissions like experiments, and a number were about exploring things like orientations and siting. The house is oriented so that the roof's wide eaves shade against the sun in the summer but still allow light and warmth into the second floor living areas when the sun is lower in the winter. In addition, the floor, which consists of a concrete slab that sits between steel joists and cork floors, absorbs the winter sun's heat and warms the house. That heat supplements the furnace, which pushes hot air into the space between the basement ceiling and second floor and also heats the concrete slab, acting similar to a radiant floor system. Updating the modern Despite Metcalf's intentions to create a minimal, transparent, connection to the outside, the original, custom-made windows had uninsulated glass and thin aluminum frames. As a result, they allowed for heat and cold transfer, when hot air from the inside or cold air from the outside escapes through the glass and frames. Because the minimal, thin windows and frames are a key element to the houses' aesthetic, the Elerts were committed to finding a way to improve their efficiency without compromising Metcalf's design. Adding storms or replacing the windows with something commercially available would have made the windows too thick, and most likely would not have met quality and longevity standards. Surprisingly to both the Elerts and Borum, the original window manufacturer, Peterson Architectural Products of Lakeport, Michigan, is still in business. The company was able to replace the original windows and sliding doors using insulated glass and identical, but improved frames. "So it basically replicates the original look but now it's a much more energy efficient solution," says Borum. Although the Elerts have yet to experience the new windows in cold weather, Linda says she has already noticed a difference. "Oh they are so great, I just love the windows. They work better and they insulate better… In this heat you can open those windows when its cool at night and close them in the morning and really, they do an amazing job. I'm sure they'll do the same in the wintertime." The Elerts also contracted with local restoration specialists, West Side Builders. So far, they have installed the windows and completed a few other projects, including refinishing the original cork floors. "I didn't even know cork could be refinished," says Linda. "But they're beautiful." A question remains whether or not the Elerts will modify the house's existing heating system. Since they have yet to live through a winter in the house, they worry the system will not adequately heat the basement area, which contains the main entrance and two bedrooms originally used by the Cranes' children. Any new heat system will require a creative solution that they will have to address after their first winter in the house. A new white roof is also on their to-do list. The original was a standard, built-up roof covered in gravel that was later replaced by asphalt. The new white roof will help keep the house cool in the summer by reflecting the sun's heat instead of absorbing it in the way dark roofing materials do, but will remain consistent with the original light-colored gravel covering. The house continues to surprise its new owners as they learn more and more about Metcalf, who happens to be a neighbor and frequent guest, and about innovative ways to bring the house back to life. "I just love that house. Its just so much fun to live in and so beautiful and so simple," says Linda. All it needs is a little cautious modernizing. Denise McGeen is a Detroit-based editor for two statewide Issue Media Group projects that address transportation and energy efficiency. All photos by Doug Coombe http://www.concentratemedia.com/features/midcenturymodernhomes0207.aspx Modern Yet Historic, Vintage Yet Sustainable Denise McGeen | Wednesday, August 22, 2012... http://plyarch.com/Eastside-Recreation-Center http://plyarch.com/following/plyarch.com/Eastside-Recreation-Center Fri, 28 Sep 2012 09:56:14 +0000 PLY Architecture 4162711 <img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/SECTION PERSPECTIVE 1 COMPOSITE_2048.jpg" width="1035" height="550" width_o="1035" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/SECTION PERSPECTIVE 1 COMPOSITE_o.jpg" data-mid="26186471" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/Dusk View_2048.jpg" width="1270" height="550" width_o="1270" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/Dusk View_o.jpg" data-mid="26186460" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/River View_2048.jpg" width="1146" height="550" width_o="1146" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/River View_o.jpg" data-mid="26186467" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/East-Entry_2048.jpg" width="1206" height="550" width_o="1206" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/East-Entry_o.jpg" data-mid="26186461" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/GYM-VIEW_2048.jpg" width="1286" height="550" width_o="1286" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/GYM-VIEW_o.jpg" data-mid="26186464" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/LOBBY-VIEW_2048.jpg" width="1277" height="550" width_o="1277" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/LOBBY-VIEW_o.jpg" data-mid="26186465" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/POOL-VIEW_2048.jpg" width="1285" height="550" width_o="1285" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/POOL-VIEW_o.jpg" data-mid="26186466" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/Sect Persp 3 Composite_2048.jpg" width="1210" height="550" width_o="1210" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/Sect Persp 3 Composite_o.jpg" data-mid="26186469" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/Site_Grid Plan_2012-08-13 copy_2048.jpg" width="750" height="550" width_o="750" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/Site_Grid Plan_2012-08-13 copy_o.jpg" data-mid="26186472" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/1a.jpg" width="598" height="550" width_o="598" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/1a_o.jpg" data-mid="26186455" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/2c_2048.jpg" width="725" height="550" width_o="725" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/2c_o.jpg" data-mid="26186457" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/3b_2048.jpg" width="761" height="550" width_o="761" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/3b_o.jpg" data-mid="26186458" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/4b_2048.jpg" width="825" height="550" width_o="825" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload93.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/4162711/4b_o.jpg" data-mid="26186459" border="0" align="left"/> Craig Borum and Ply has been working with Jen Maigret and Maria Arquero of MAde Studio and a group of Graduate students from UM on conceptual designs for a community recreation center and urban design proposals for Washtenaw County Parks Commission and the City of Ypsilanti. The work is currently on display at SPARK East in Downtown Ypsilanti. More info is available in an extensive interview posted to Mark Maynard's Blog. Design Team: Maria Arquero, MAde Studio Catherine Baldwin Craig Borum Leigh Davis Kathryn Dreitzler Chaerin Jin Kayla Lim Caileigh MacKellar Jen Maigret, MAde Studio Amy McNamara Geoffrey Salvatore Alex Timmer Catherine Truong Steering Committee: Robert Tetens, Director WPARC Coy Vaughn, Deputy Director, WPARC Meghan Bonfiglio, Superintendent Park Planning WPARC Robert Marans, President, WPARC Cathi Duchon, Ann Arbor YMCA Teresa Gillotti, City Planner, City of Ypsilanti The project has received generous support from: Taubamn College of Architecture and Urban Planning The University of Michigan Office of the Vice-President for Research and The Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission Craig Borum and Ply has been working with Jen Maigret and Maria Arquero of MAde Studio and a group of Graduate students from UM on conceptual designs for a... http://plyarch.com/Case-Study-House-Cleveland http://plyarch.com/following/plyarch.com/Case-Study-House-Cleveland Wed, 15 Aug 2012 14:33:50 +0000 PLY Architecture 2877909 <img src="http://payload28.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/2877909/ext_lawn.jpg" width="525" height="500" width_o="525" height_o="500" src_o="http://payload28.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/2877909/ext_lawn_o.jpg" data-mid="14629445" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload28.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/2877909/Living Interior a_2048.jpg" width="750" height="500" width_o="750" height_o="500" src_o="http://payload28.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/2877909/Living Interior a_o.jpg" data-mid="14629453" border="0" align="left"/> http://plyarch.com/Elert-House-Crane-Residence http://plyarch.com/following/plyarch.com/Elert-House-Crane-Residence Thu, 31 May 2012 17:25:43 +0000 PLY Architecture 3507808 <img src="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090127_2048.jpg" width="889" height="500" width_o="889" height_o="500" src_o="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090127_o.jpg" data-mid="18128721" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090589.jpg" width="309" height="550" width_o="309" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090589_o.jpg" data-mid="22508795" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090590_2048.jpg" width="978" height="550" width_o="978" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090590_o.jpg" data-mid="22508797" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090595_2048.jpg" width="978" height="550" width_o="978" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090595_o.jpg" data-mid="22508798" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090596_2048.jpg" width="978" height="550" width_o="978" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090596_o.jpg" data-mid="22508799" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090597_2048.jpg" width="978" height="550" width_o="978" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090597_o.jpg" data-mid="22508800" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090599.jpg" width="309" height="550" width_o="309" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090599_o.jpg" data-mid="22508801" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090601_2048.jpg" width="985" height="550" width_o="985" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090601_o.jpg" data-mid="22508803" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090606_2048.jpg" width="840" height="556" width_o="840" height_o="556" src_o="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090606_o.jpg" data-mid="22508804" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090607.jpg" width="309" height="550" width_o="309" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090607_o.jpg" data-mid="22508806" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090609_2048.jpg" width="978" height="550" width_o="978" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090609_o.jpg" data-mid="22508808" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090610_2048.jpg" width="978" height="550" width_o="978" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090610_o.jpg" data-mid="22508811" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090612_2048.jpg" width="978" height="550" width_o="978" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090612_o.jpg" data-mid="22508813" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090614_2048.jpg" width="978" height="550" width_o="978" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090614_o.jpg" data-mid="22508815" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090616_2048.jpg" width="978" height="550" width_o="978" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090616_o.jpg" data-mid="22508816" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090620_2048.jpg" width="978" height="550" width_o="978" height_o="550" src_o="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507808/P1090620_o.jpg" data-mid="22508817" border="0" align="left"/> The challenge in restoring of Dean Robert Metcalf’s 1953 Crane Residence is striking the balance between maintaining the original design aesthetic which relies in large part in the careful detailing of windows and material finishes while integrating new energy efficient technologies. The Crane Residence was his first house commission in Ann Arbor, and miraculously hadn’t been mangled by subsequent owners in the last 60 years. As was typical with Metcalf’s work, the house was design with sophisticated passive energy strategies in mind, but the windows were extruded aluminum frames with uninsulated glazing. We worked with the original Michigan based manufacturer to integrate a thermally broken insulated panel that matches the original frame profile and depth. Additional work opened up the kitchen to Metcalf's original open design (the Cranes added a partition at the rear of the galley island to provide more separation from the dining room. Also Kate Lazuka (of BTB2 fame) has been meticulously painting the interior. She has an amazing eye for color! PROJECT TYPE: Single Family Residence CLIENT: Linda and Jim Elert LOCATION: Ann Arbor, MI SCHEDULE: April 2012-September 2012 DESIGN TEAM: Craig Borum Alex Timmer The challenge in restoring of Dean Robert Metcalf’s 1953 Crane Residence is striking the balance between maintaining the original design aesthetic which relies... http://plyarch.com/Wagner-Farms http://plyarch.com/following/plyarch.com/Wagner-Farms Thu, 31 May 2012 17:10:37 +0000 PLY Architecture 3507771 <img src="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507771/679web_2048.jpg" width="1053" height="500" width_o="1053" height_o="500" src_o="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507771/679web_o.jpg" data-mid="18128765" border="0" align="left"/><img src="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507771/IMG_3739_2048.jpg" width="1336" height="500" width_o="1336" height_o="500" src_o="http://payload60.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3507771/IMG_3739_o.jpg" data-mid="22750698" border="0" align="left"/> An addition to a 1940's farmhouse, extends the living space on the upper floor while providing a bedroom suite at the lower ground level opening on to the owner's garden. Here is a link to a blog documenting some of the joys of construction. An addition to a 1940's farmhouse, extends the living space on the upper floor while providing a bedroom suite at the lower ground level opening on to the owner's... http://plyarch.com/Le-Moniteur-Architecture http://plyarch.com/following/plyarch.com/Le-Moniteur-Architecture Thu, 22 Mar 2012 13:47:10 +0000 PLY Architecture 3042273 Mies Van der Rohe Plaza is published in the April 2011 issue of Le Moniteur Architecture. Le Moniteur Architecture AMC no 205 April 2011 <img src="http://payload37.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3042273/Le Moniteur Architecutre AMC cc.jpg" width="388" height="500" width_o="388" height_o="500" src_o="http://payload37.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/3042273/Le Moniteur Architecutre AMC cc_o.jpg" data-mid="15513175" border="0" align="left"/> Mies Van der Rohe Plaza is published in the April 2011 issue of Le Moniteur Architecture. Le Moniteur Architecture AMC no 205 April 2011 http://plyarch.com/All-American http://plyarch.com/following/plyarch.com/All-American Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:35:54 +0000 PLY Architecture 2869046 Building Design Workshop has several projects published in All American: Innovation in American Architecture. <img src="http://payload28.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/2869046/bldgdesignwkshop_cover1.jpg" width="657" height="577" width_o="657" height_o="577" src_o="http://payload28.cargocollective.com/1/6/201330/2869046/bldgdesignwkshop_cover1_o.jpg" data-mid="14586092" border="0" align="left"/> Building Design Workshop has several projects published in All American: Innovation in American Architecture.