Chronicle 33: Sustainable Design At Centric Design Studio

When we started Centric Design Studio eight years ago, one of our goals was to be a sustainable design-focused architecture firm. We are located in the heart of Midtown Detroit and in 2017 our firm became a founding member of the Detroit 2030 District. We are committed to transforming buildings and interiors to a more sustainable and healthier design.

At Centric Design Studio, we listen carefully to you, your goals and mission, and what you hope to accomplish. We provide solutions on how to make the space work for you, utilizing a variety of methods such as energy assessment consultation services, 3D modeling, strategic planning and much more.

Take a look at our approach to sustainable design and what sustainability means for an urban area.

Chronicle 32: Celebrating 8 Years of Designing Detroit

In November, we celebrated Centric Design Studio's 8th anniversary at the Society Room at St. Andrew's Hall, one of our newest projects. Here are a few photos:

Chronicle 31: Centric Grows Detroit's Young Talent

Vincent Bennett was a summer intern at Centric Design Studio through the City of Detroit's Grow Detroit’s Young Talent Program. Vincent just completed his Senior year at L’Anse Creuse High School where he was enrolled as a dual high school and college student focused on studying architecture. This fall, Vincent began his studies at Macomb Community College with architecture as his major and business as a minor. His goal is to own an architecture firm or related business.

CDS Intern Vincent Bennett

Around age six, Vincent became interested in architecture and design. He would draw everything he imagined and everything that he saw, “whether it was Spongebob, flip flops, a house, anything I would draw it,” said Vincent. He told his parents that he wanted to bring everything he drew to life as a creatively-designed house. His parents told him an architect builds and design houses. From then on, he planned to become an architect.

Vincent has experience in the built environment professions. He worked in industrial construction for about two months. Also, his school connected him with a job at Three Rivers Corp. Commercial Construction where he worked for two years. He has worked in residential construction since I was 12 years old with a family business. Vincent had never worked for an architecture firm before, but he prepared for his first design job by taking classes in drafting and blueprint reading.

At Centric Design Studio, Vincent had the opportunity to be involved in a variety of projects: a new headquarters for Walker-Miller Energy Services, and a childcare center that will be located in a former  AAA office building.

We asked Vincent a few more questions about his summer at Centric Design Studio. Here’s what he had to say:

REVIT model by Vincent Bennett

CDS: What did you learn about architecture that you didn't know before?

Vincent: I’ve learned about AutoCAD and Revit, which are drafting computerized programs. I also learned about how architects meet with other architects and engineers. 

CDS: Which did you like better, working in the office or going out to projects to field measure?

Continuing education certificate

Vincent: I would say (I like) field measuring more. But, working in the office I got a chance to work on Revit and AutoCAD which I love so, so, so much.

CDS: What was your favorite part of your summer internship with Centric Design Studio?

Vincent: All of it. I love Centric Design Studio like it’s my own. The people that own it and work there are so friendly and hardworking. They helped me when I needed it and checked on me every single chance they got. All of them made sure I was okay and understanding the work that was being brought to me.

Read details of Vincent's busy first day at CDS in his presentation:

Chronicle 30: Student Interns Welcome

We’re enjoying the summer here at Centric Design Studio. Busy with projects across the state, we’ve welcomed students throughout the year into our Studio to learn more about architecture and design. No, not filing and running errands – our student interns work on actual projects and help us solve design problems.

Jonathan reviews construction drawings

Last fall, we began working with the Henry Ford School for Creative Studies in Detroit. The school's curriculum is centered on art and design, and all students must complete a senior practicum to gain hands-on knowledge of the creative field and to begin putting their design skills to practical use.


For fall 2014, we welcomed the first student from the Henry Ford School – Jonathan Kimble, a senior. Jonathan used AutoCAD, Photoshop and other design software to assist with architectural projects. He also went on projects site visits. Jonathan will be attending college this fall.



From January until June, Aaron Anderson, a junior from the Henry Ford School, worked with us. Aaron built his first architectural model, created logos and did research on architectural building products. Architectural Designer and college instructor, Shanita Rutland, guided Aaron on many of his tasks at CDS. “Working with Aaron was an overall great experience, Shanita said. “As a mentor and teacher, I believe the relationship between a professional and intern can offer more substance than working on remedial tasks.  It is truly an opportunity for the student to dive in head first and begin to do the "work" which merges theory with practice.”   

Aaron on a project site visit at the
David Klein Gallery in Detroit

Read a full post on Aaron’s co-op experience here. 
Dr. Curtis Lewis, principal at the Henry Ford School for Creative Studies, expressed his appreciation of CDS and wants the relationship to continue. He said his students gained valuable knowledge from being able to work with Architects.



We’re glad to mentor college students in the Studio, as well. Kristen Collins, a student at the University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, requested to work with us for two weeks before she began an internship at Wayne State University for the summer. During her brief stay, Kristen used her Illustrator skills, updated CDS firm profiles, and designed with AutoCAD for the first time. She learned the software quickly, noting construction document CAD files and drafting flashing details.



Kristen learned AutoCAD

For the second summer in a row, Wiley Roberts is joining us as a college intern. Wiley completed his undergraduate degree in Architecture at Bowling Green State University in Ohio, and he is currently a graduate student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC). Wiley is adept at CAD, 3D modeling, and Rhino software. He has worked with us on a variety of projects, including the Detroit Fire Department Training Facility and renovations and upgrades of two Detroit Public School facilities’ kitchens and cafetoriums.





Wiley joins us for a second summer

We are proud to further architecture education through student internships at Centric Design Studio. Please contact us for further information on student visits and internships at our Studio.

Chronicle 29: CDS Co-op Student Gains Practical Architecture Experience

Aaron Anderson is a junior at the Henry Ford School for Creative Studies. The school's curriculum is centered on art and design, offering students real-world applications. In addition to academic knowledge, students develop their creative thinking and problem solving potential. All students at Henry Ford Academy must complete a senior practicum – a program similar to co-operative education – with a professional who practices in a creative field.

Aaron makes an architectural model

Centric Design Studio was contacted by Henry Ford Academy to participate in their senior practicum program, and Aaron was placed with our firm for the winter semester. Although he takes mandatory art classes in school – product design this semester – Aaron has gained hands-on skills in architectural and graphic design, model-making and building product research during his time at CDS.

When asked what he learned about architecture that he didn’t know before his experience with CDS, Aaron exclaimed enthusiastically, “A whole lot!” He built an architectural study model for one of our current projects: an addition to a private residence in Detroit's Palmer Park neighborhood. Architectural designer, Shanita Rutland, taught Aaron the fundamentals of model-making.

Aaron also researched radiant heating. CDS is proposing to incorporate system in a client’s residential renovation. Searching the internet, he discovered that radiant heating was invented by the Romans. He reported how the system is currently installed, how it functions, and product costs. See Aaron’s findings and presentation on SlideShare.

Radiant Flooring Research by Aaron Anderson, High School Co-op Student from Centric Design Studio

Aaron wants to pursue a career in architecture. He “likes the look and feel of new and old projects” and exploring the renovation of old buildings for new uses. In addition to his model-making and product research tasks, he was able to increase his proficiency with Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop by using the software to add human silhouettes to architectural renderings and to create a new logo for a client. Aaron now has a portfolio of work from CDS that he will present at school to conclude his practicum. This work can be presented in his college applications as well.

We were glad to have Aaron as part of the Studio and to help him gain practical experience in the architectural profession.

Aaron Anderson with Saundra Little, AIA of CDS

Chronicle 28: Part 2 "Blurred Lines"

Burns and Burton Kitchen Renovations Completion

Design + Build

Designed by Centric Design Studio

By Wiley Roberts, Associate AIA  
Architectural Intern 

                           

Ending 2013, Centric Design Studio completed several institutional kitchen renovations, including Burton International Academy located on Detroit's east side and Burns Elementary School located on the west side of the city.

Burns International School

Prior to construction, Burns' cafeteria was split into two separate rooms, divided by a performance stage and storage rooms. The existing kitchen was small, so we demolished an adjacent classroom, combining it with the kitchen to create much more space.  The design approach we took was to unite the two cafeterias, combining them into one.

Other construction phases involved removing the stage and removing all existing lunch tables installed within the wall. This process involved using a blow torch to detach all lunch tables.  We repainted all cafeteria and kitchen walls, changing the color scheme to match the existing glazed brick walls located in the cafeteria.  All new flooring tiles were added using Luxury VCT and quarry tile. We redesigned the cafeteria ceiling, adding in a new drop ceilings, inserting a cloud in the center of the cafeteria where the stage was once located, and adding new ceiling lights.

Two serving rooms were added - one at each end of the cafeteria - each receiving new kitchen equipment, including: a stainless steel hand sink, sales register, four-well hot steam table, cold-well equipment, milk cooler, and an overhead rolling door. The kitchen was outfitted with all new equipment: Boilerless steamer, double stack convection ovens, hot holding cabinets, prep tables, walk-in self-contained freezer, and two new compartment sinks.

Burns Kitchen + Cafeteria Renovation from Centric Design Studio

Burton Elementary

Prior to construction, Burton needed a lot of improvements. There was chipped paint and stained ceiling tile throughout the school and the existing color scheme of the cafeteria did not contain the school colors. The entire area needed to be upgraded and refurbished, so existing ceiling and flooring tile was removed from the cafeteria and kitchen area and existing equipment and the ceiling were removed from the serving room.

Burton received new kitchen equipment such as stainless steel hand sinks, multiple compartment sinks, stainless steel prep tables, double stack convention ovens, boilerless steamer, walk-in freezer, and an exhaust hood. As for the serving room, it was equipped with a sales register, hot steam table, cold well equipment, tray station, milk cooler and hot holding cabinets. In the cafeteria, a new ceiling and all new fluorescent ceiling lights were put in . All walls in area of work received new paint with a color scheme derived from the school colors blue, grey and white. New floor tile was added in the cafeteria, serving room, bathroom, locker room, kitchen, office and storage room. Bathroom lockers were added for kitchen workers to store personal belongings. Handrails were added to the stage area to comply with the building code.

Burton Kitchen + Cafeteria Renovation from Centric Design Studio

The lesson learned from our second year of design-build projects experience is that communication is the key to a successful outcome of a project.

     • Our team meets twice weekly to eliminate the need for RFI and submittals lag time.

     • Architect, General Contractor and all subcontractors work together for best value material and equipment selections.

     • Integrated Project Delivery: schedule, budget and ideas are shared among the entire project team.

Chronicle 27: 5 "Sustainable Design Solutions"

TechTown|1st Floor Renovation Project

Designed by Centric Design Studio

By Saundra Little, AIA, LEED AP, NOMA
Principal - Architect

In this post we are presenting a Sustainable-Design Case Study. Centric Design Studio (CDS) begins each sustainability design journey often advising our clients to go after the “low hanging fruit” for energy efficiency and sustainable design solutions.   They are easy to explain, readily achieved, and, often reward you with a high ROI. 

5 simple steps in sustainable design in an urban context.

The open floor plan at TechTown's Junction 440, designed by Centric Design Studio and engineered by Ghafari Associates, was specifically created in collaboration with Patrick Thompson Design to use fewer construction materials than traditional private office design. (the original floor plan layout was very traditional in plan) The design not only reduces resource use, but also allows for increased collaboration in an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere.  

Now, windows border the entire space, allowing natural light to penetrate deep into the office, reducing the need for unnecessary energy use. (BIM Daylighting studies were completed by the design team)  We reused the sound insulation material for the new conference rooms and event center. Existing lighting fixtures were reused in new "X" configuration for surprising design element.

5 Sustainable Solutions used on the TechTown 1st Floor Renovation Project:

1. Material Re-Use + Recycled Content in Materials - Reuse of 
2. LED Lighting and Retro Fit to LED Lighting
3. Daylighting
4. Energy Efficiency Controls
5. Walkable City Principals - Bike Rack in Coworking Space

Take a look at our slideshare of our 5 "sustainable solutions"..........

5 Sustainable Solutions at TechTown - Green Design Approach from Centric Design Studio