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ArchShowcase ![]() Sanjay Gangal
Sanjay Gangal is the President of IBSystems, the parent company of AECCafe.com, MCADCafe, EDACafe.Com, GISCafe.Com, and ShareCG.Com. The Factory at Corktown in Detroit, Michigan by McIntosh Poris AssociatesOctober 10th, 2020 by Sanjay Gangal
Article source: McIntosh Poris Associates McIntosh Poris Associates was responsible for the renovation and restoration of an existing 19th‐Century wood timber and masonry building into a modern office for Ford Motor Company’s self‐driving business unit. Originally planned for Buhl Sport Detroit, the building was purchased by Ford during construction to house Ford’s self‐driving business unit and attract fresh talent as part of the company’s commitment to enhancing Detroit’s Corktown neighborhood. McIntosh Poris Associate’s design concept was to bring back the building’s original form and retain as much of the historic character as possible while meeting Ford’s requirements.
The extensive renovation involved shoring up the walls and floors and refinishing the original timber beams and wood flooring. McIntosh Poris Associates installed expansive steel windows and glass floor‐to‐ceiling garage doors to maximize the permeation of natural light. Brick walls, high ceilings, and exposed structure invoke a simple and industrial warehouse feeling reflective of the previous use and original architecture. New elevators, stairs, and connections between previously separate spaces were critical, as Ford prioritized easy interaction among employees and teams. Open workspaces offer a flexible environment for collaboration while glass phone booths and meeting rooms allow for focused work and discussion. The design includes a ground‐floor garage that houses Ford’s self‐driving vehicles. A significant amount of roof area was converted into a terrace for Ford employees to use on a seasonal basis. McIntosh Poris Associates is a full‐service architecture, interiors, and urban design firm. Founded in 1994 by Michael Poris, AIA, and the late Douglas McIntosh, the firm transforms buildings, communities, and urban centers with architecture created through dialogue. Since 1994, McIntosh Poris Associates has won more than 100 awards for single‐ and multi‐family residential, mixed‐use, commercial, hospitality, institutional, and arts projects throughout Michigan, New York, and Ontario for private, public, and non‐profit clients.
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