Albert Kahn, FAIA, received AIA Detroit's Gold Medal, the component's highest honor, nearly 60 years after his death. Stephen Whitney, FAIA, current president of Albert Kahn Associates, received the medal on Kahn's behalf during an awards ceremony November 17. Kahn practiced in Detroit for almost 40 years and many of the metropolis' buildings are a testament to his talents. Well known as an industrial architect, he also designed factories, army posts, naval bases, and other buildings for the war effort from his Detroit offices.

The chapter also conferred honorary membership on Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer. Harvey Gantt, FAIA, an architect and former mayor of Charlotte, presented the award. The component's architects honored Archer for his efforts to revitalize the core city.

Architect and attorney Frederick Butters, AIA, was named Young Architect of the Year. After receiving his license to practice architecture in Michigan in 1987, Butters enrolled in Wayne State University's law school while working as a project architect. He was admitted to the Michigan bar in 1991 and is now a full-time lawyer and senior associate attorney with Federlein and Keranen, PC, Bloomfield Hills.

Finally, AIA Detroit paid tribute to the designs of a variety of building types in the city's downtown district. A jury chaired by Sylvester Damianos, FAIA, chose to honor eight projects (all in Michigan) from a field of 73 entries. During the November 17 program, 2001 Design Awards were presented to:

Constantine G. Pappas, AIA, Architecture/Planning, Troy, for the Grosse Pointe United Methodist Church, Grosse Pointe Farms. "A good interpretation of the gothic vaults . . . Integration of the pipe organ as a major design element was well done."

Archive Design Studio, Detroit, for Canfield Lofts, LLC. The project is a redevelopment of an existing 1920 industrial building into market-rate condominium loft units. "The rooftop addition fits well with the original shell and provides a nice cap, good cornice line . . . The relationship between old and new is quite wonderful, contrasting the warmth of the new materials with the coldness of the old."

Neumann/Smith & Associates, for Ken and Beverly Neumann, in a suburb of Detroit. The couple designed their own home more than 10 years ago and wanted an addition for informal family gatherings. "Nice palette of materials on the interior with the bookshelves serving as a major design element. We'd love to live there."

Biddison Architecture + Design, Farmington Hills, for Victor 3 Corporate Park, K & F Land Company, Livonia. The architect's challenge was to create a speculative office environment for unknown tenants.

Albert Kahn Associates, Inc., Detroit, for JA·DA - A Barbecue Restaurant (now defunct). The project involved the adaptive reuse of a 19th century, two-carriage garage that had seen better days. "The graphics introduced the project well, a nice integration . . . The sense of fun comes through the treatment of the project. Thankfully not overdone, does not fall into usual cliches."

Van Tine/Guthrie Studio of Architecture, for Sterling Millwork, Inc., both of Farmington Hills. The project was "conceived as a museum of millwork, the interior forms with-in the office space are presented as artistic sculptures that are visually independent but collectively define space."

HarleyEllis, Southfield, with consulting architect Studio Zone, Detroit, for the Huntington Woods Community Center. This renovation of a recreation space included adding 44 new parking spaces; relocating the tennis courts, pool, and bathhouse; and melding the design with the library and elementary schools while preserving other community heirlooms.

Hamilton Anderson Associates with consulting architect Architects Four, both of Detroit, for the Master Plan of Belle Isle, a 982-acre island set in the Detroit River, a mile from downtown. It features sports fields, picnic grounds, and a golf course.

Copyright 2001 The American Institute of Architects. All rights reserved.