JC Reindl | Detroit Free Press

Photo Credit: Ryan Garza

3/21/24

It was Oct. 24, 1998, and business partners Michael Poris and Douglas McIntosh of McIntosh Poris Architects weren’t feeling good about the controlled explosion that had just leveled the massive and empty J.L. Hudson store building in downtown Detroit.

Not simply for the resulting dust cloud that enveloped blocks, or the structural debris that rained down on the nearby People Mover track, forcing it out of commission for the rest of the year.

But rather for the loss of a unique and historic downtown building — once the largest department store in the world — that, in the young architects’ assessments, could have been preserved and adaptively reused with some design ingenuity and enough motivation.

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A big “Congratulations!” to AIA Detroit’s own Michael Guthrie, FAIA of INFORM Studio, on his elevation to the American Institute of Architects College of Fellows. Michael Guthrie is the founding design principal of INFORM Studio, with offices in Detroit, Chicago, and Traverse City. Michael’s accomplishments range from professional to academic; and his commitment to the firm’s progressive work is illustrated by a broad range of projects including museums, libraries, a recording studio, residences, commercial, hospitality, and pedestrian bridges.

AIA Fellows are recognized with the AIA’s highest membership honor for their exceptional work and contributions to architecture and society. Architects who have made significant contributions to the profession and society and who exemplify architectural excellence can become a member of the AIA College of Fellows. Only 3% of the AIA members have this distinction.

See the full list of Fellows here.