DETROIT-BASED M1DTW AWARDED AIA MICHIGAN PRIZE FOR 5000 GRAND RIVER OFFICES 
The space is now home to celebrated advertising agency Lafayette American 

June 6, 2022 - Detroit, MI — M1DTW Architects has been awarded a 2022 Design Honor Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Michigan for its work on the 5000 Grand River Offices. M1DTW and a team of other design collaborators were judged against over 65 projects and were awarded among six renowned building projects in Michigan. Projects in this year’s awards were judged by an esteemed jury from St. Louis, Missouri chaired by architect Amy Gilbertson, FAIA of Bell Knott & Associates. M1DTW was awarded for its work on the 5000 Grand River Office’s interior architecture and design, alongside a host of other parties, including owner and developer, Prince Concepts; landscape architect, D.I.R.T. Studio; building designer, undecorated; architect-of-record, Iannuzzi Studio; and the late contractor, Jim Saad. 

The 5000 Grand River project transformed a nondescript, 1950s, warehouse-like building with very little natural light into a corporate office space adjoining three courtyards filled with Ginko trees and other lush plantings. The benefit of the courtyards is two-fold—it allowed the interior to be filled with natural light and created a peaceful workplace with a connection to the outdoors, while also helping to solve the issue of the building’s crumbling roof (by removing 30 percent of it). Many adaptive reuse projects begin with architecturally-significant industrial buildings, but the teams on 5000 Grand River Offices were inspired by the challenge of beginning with an “insignificant” building and transforming it into a thoughtful and in-demand space. 

Of 5000 Grand River Offices, the AIA Jury said, “Minimal and strategic interventions yield a delightful repurposing of space. The jury enjoyed reviewing all of the submitted material for this project. Repurposing nondescript, big-box space (in this case, a grocery store) is a challenge and opportunity applicable in many communities. The project capitalized on the best attributes of the existing building while thoughtfully executing addition by subtraction. Throughout the project, raw and finished materials are combined with great effect.”

The office interior delivers a dynamic range of work and meeting spaces, designed with everything from individual quiet booths and focus rooms, to lounge spaces, meeting tables, breakout areas and conference rooms. Many spaces are clearly enclosed, others are positioned between elements, or as “soft” lounges separated by ripstop nylon curtains. 

M1DTW collaborated closely with landscape architect Julie Bargmann to ensure optimization of the courtyards from an interior workspace perspective; the careful positioning of fixed and flexible areas brings natural light to every space while operable windows and sliding glass doors provide the added benefit of natural breezes during warmer months. In winter, destratification fans reduce energy use while maintaining comfort, with the added benefit of white noise. 

A mix of natural and industrial materials are utilized with a degree of refinement intended to complement the raw character of the building—all designed, built and sourced locally. Lightweight aluminum mesh shading designed for greenhouses provides a south-facing radiant buffer year-round. A desk inspired by the sturdy trunk and cantilevered limbs of trees was designed by M1DTW and fabricated in Michigan—a single, lightweight metal frame provides the support for wood tops on either side, divided by a piece of felt draped for both privacy and sound absorption, and easily removed when a larger group table is desired. This project has shown that an adaptive reuse project doesn’t need to begin with a significant building, something special can be made from almost anything. And almost anything can be made here in Michigan.

“We are thrilled to be recognized alongside our collaborators for our work on the 5000 Grand River Offices,” said M1DTW Design Director Christian Unverzagt. “We see this project as a tour de force of collaboration and innovation; collectively, the design and architecture teams were inspired by the challenge of converting an overlooked building into an adaptable and sought-after space. Working closely with several Detroit-based and national designers, we created a project of pivots that is responsive to the shifting needs of workplaces today. We’re honored to have helped steward the project from its original proposal as a mixed-use space to an expansive and diverse workspace now occupied by one of Detroit’s leading creative agencies.” 

M1DTW prioritizes working with Michigan-based fabricators and makers to create the refined finishes for their projects. This is true of 5000 Grand River Offices, where they enlisted custom metal fabrication for the desks and plant holders from Universal Fabricators, architectural millwork from BJ Construction and Bourne Building, specialty installations by SCHMOE and sewing from Sarah Lapinski for the soft lounge curtains. 

“The office feels like it’s a reflection of the company we are building. We moved into the space at an important time, our four year anniversary,” said Ben Bator, Chief Innovation Officer of Lafayette American. “A lot of companies are struggling to adjust to covid and create effective workspaces, and we were lucky enough to find a place that’s a seamless fit. Being a creative, it's great to work in an inspiring environment—with the courtyards, everyone feels as if they have a window seat. Between the layout of the office and the various, flexible private spaces, there are not a lot of straightforward walking paths in the building–you have to walk by colleagues to make your way through, which is great, because collaboration is a huge part of our work. The furniture and desks designed by M1DTW also feel crucial—they’re modular and easy to move. What’s better than that?”

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About M1DTW Architects 

M1DTW Architects is an architecture practice and creative studio rooted in Detroit with projects across North America. Since 2000, the studio has focused on a wide range of design applications, expanding the boundaries of architectural practice with a holistic, cross-disciplinary approach. Founded and led by polymath designer Christian Unverzagt, the studio customizes production at all scales—from the fabrication and construction of buildings and interiors to furniture design and graphic messaging.