AIA Michigan and the Masonry Institute of Michigan Inc. recognized seven Michigan projects for excellence in masonry design. A jury from AIA Orange County (Calif.) reviewed 26 entries, all buildings that use masonry as the primary building material or show that masonry was an important element in the overall solution of the design. The winners received their bronze “M-Awards” at the 29th annual Masonry Honor Awards banquet in Livonia, Mich.

The seven winners are:

Our Lady of Good Counsel
Plymouth, Mich.
for the Archdiocese of Detroit
by HarleyEllis with contractor Frank Rewold & Son Inc., mason Baker Construction Company, and suppliers Glen-Gery Brick and Grand Blanc Cement Products. Photo © Justin Maconochie.
Jury comments:

• Good standard set for future buildings
• Great contrast of masonry—adds interest
• Great connection between spaces
• Stayed in character of surrounding building types
• Excellent detail over door.

Oakland County Work Release Facility
Pontiac, Mich.
for Oakland County Department of Facility Management
by ARCADIS, with contractor Turner Construction Company, mason Robovitsky Inc, and suppliers Best Block Company and Belden Brick Sales. Photo courtesy of the architect.
Jury Comments:

• Appropriate materials for use
• Expressive of use, but very pleasant
• Plan is very logical
• Excellent use of lighting on masonry
• Did not skew any of the elements
• Straightforward in design—simple and correct use
• Unique in its honesty
• Design appears impenetrable.

City of Livonia Community Recreation Center
Livonia, Mich.
for City of Livonia Parks and Recreation
by Neumann/Smith & Associates and Barker Rinker Seacat Architecture, with contractors Schostak Borthers & Co. and Skanska USA Building Inc., mason Brazen & Greer Masonry Inc., and supplier Theu Products Inc. Photo © Justin Maconochie.
Jury Comments:

• Expressive use of materials
• Pattern leads to central location
• Glazing has an excellent touch
• Pattern was superb
• The building speaks fun, recreation, and community
• Serious architecture made fun
• Interior masonry plays to interior design
• Rock-climbing wall is visually pleasing, even without people on it.

Oakland Schools Office and Conference Center
Waterford, Mich.
for Oakland Schools
by French Associates Inc., with contractor Barton Malow Co, mason Masonry Developers Inc., and supplier Grand Blanc Cement Products. Photo courtesy of the architect.
Jury comments:

• Expressive concrete masonry behind glass—powerful
• Practical and interesting use of masonry
• Horizontal banding pulls the building together
• Orientation to wetlands works well with masonry
• Arbitrary plan works well with wetlands.

St. Pauls Catholic Church Entry Addition
Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich.
for Archdiocese of Detroit
by Constantine George Pappas AIA Architecture/Planning, with contractor Roth Inc., mason Masonry Placement and Service Co., and suppliers Best Block Company and Dixie Cut Stone & Marble Inc. Photo © Justin Maconochie.
Jury comments:

• Superior solution that respects the original architecture
• Fantastic entrance detail
• Elegant and well-thought-out
• Minimized detailing very effective
• Good play of the masonry materials
• Highly respectful of the church’s architectural heritage, yet honest unto itself as a contemporary expression of a spiritual building.

Madison District Public Schools—High School Auditorium
Madison Heights, Mich.
for Madison District Schools
by DiClemente Siegel Design Inc., with contractor The Garrison Company, mason MACO Masonry and Building LLC, and supplier Van Poppolen Bros. Photo © Collyer Photo.
Jury comments:

• Simple in approach, elegant in design
• Excellent negative and positive space use
• Excellent detailing on addition
• Design ties to structural modular existing school
• Grooving adds to modulation of scale.

University Commons
Ann Arbor, Mich.
for Blue Hill Development LLC
by Hobbs + Black Associates Inc., with contractor O’Neal Construction Inc., mason DS Building Contractors Inc., and supplier Best Block Company. Photo courtesy of the architect.
Jury comments:

• Masonry respectful of design and occupants
• Lots of dignity
• Very human scale for a large project
• Achieved density with mid-rise buildings and broke down the scale
• The use of masonry increases occupants’ comfort and familiarity.

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