CAM Magazine June 2007

JUNE 2007 VOL. 28 • NO. 6 • $4.
00
IN THIS ISSUE:
®
“VOICE OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
GLASS/
GLAZING
A “Light-Tastic” Cass Tech
in the Heart of Detroit
Transparent Splendor:
The Belle Isle Conservatory
WEILL HALL
AT U OF M
Project Overview Plus
Detailed Carpentry Feature
Plus: SWEET SUCCESS – The Intricate Woodwork at Sunrise of Bloomfield, Bloomfield Twp.
Group Insurance
Quality, Affordability...
and Solid protection

Good employees are essential to the success of your business. And retaining your employees can be
challenging. That’s why your Association sponsors the CAM Benefit Program ... a valuable group health
insurance program with a wide range of benefits options.
By combining our responsive local claims services with our new medical and pharmacy insurance
carrier, Madison National Life, you now have an opportunity to select a full array of employee benefits:
Medical PPO RX Drug Card Dental PPO Life

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A New Carrier Means New Rates!

Call us today for pricing and further details
Jerry Rutkowski • CAM Administrative Services

Ph: 248.233.2114 • Fax: 248.827.2112
Email: grutkowski@camads.com The CAM Benefit Program is underwritten by
AD-MNL-0004 03/07
“VOIC E OF TH E CONSTR UCTION I N DUSTRY”®
FEATURES GLASS / GLAZING
14 Construction Quote Pad 32 Cass Tech

Pitch Revival A “Light-Tastic” Building in the Heart of Detroit
18 On the Jobsite: 42 A Garden Under Glass

Putting Faith in a Contractor The Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory on Belle Isle
CONSTRUCTION HIGHLIGHT
CARPENTRY
48 Weill Hall
An Advanced Degree in Craftsmanship
20 Gingerbread
Buffet
The Beauty is in the DEPARTMENTS
Details at Sunrise
Senior Living
8 Industry News
12 Safety Tool Kit
56 Product Showcase
26 Timeless 64 People in Construction
Craftsmanship 66 CAM Buyers Guide Update
University of Michigan’s 69 Construction Calendar
Stately Joan and Sanford 70 Advertisers Index
Weill Hall and Gerald R. Ford
School of Public Policy ABOUT THE COVER
The University of Michigan's picturesque grounds were recently transformed by the addition
of Joan and Sanford Weill Hall, which houses the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.
Various aspects of this unique project are discussed in this month's Carpentry Feature and
Construction Highlight.
4 CAM MAGAZINE JUNE 2007 PHOTO BY DIETRICH FLOETER
PUBLISHER Kevin N. Koehler
EDITOR Amanda M. Tackett
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR E. Dewey Little
ASSOCIATE EDITORS Mary E. Kremposky

David R. Miller
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Matthew J. Austermann

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Gregg A. Montowski
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Cathy A. Jones
DIRECTORS
OFFICERS
Chairman Randy L. Brooks,
Temperature Engineering Corp.
Vice Chairman Thomas E. Doyle,
Plante & Moran, PLLC
Vice Chairman Nancy D. Marshall,
Aluminum Supply Co.
Treasurer Jeffrey W. Cohee,
Frank Rewold & Son, Inc.
President Kevin N. Koehler
DIRECTORS Brian J. Brunt,

Brunt Associates
Rick J. Cianek,
Fraco Products
Brian D. Kiley,
Edgewood Electric, Inc.
R. Andrew Martin,
F. H. Martin Constructors
Ted C. McGinley,
Gutherie Lumber Co.
Robert J. Michielutti Jr.,

Michielutti Bros., Inc.
John O’Neil, Sr.,

W. J. O’Neil Company
Glenn E. Parvin,
C.A.S.S.
2006
MARCOM International GRAPHIC DESIGN USA
Creative Awards Gallery of Fine Printing
AMERICAN INHOUSE
2005 Gold Award DESIGN AWARD 2002 Bronze Award
Michigan Society of The Communicator

Association Executives International
Print Media Competition
2002, 2004 & 2005
Diamond Award Overall Association Magazine
2003 Honorable Mention Magazine Writing
CAM Magazine (ISSN08837880) is published monthly by the Construction Association of Michigan, 43636 Woodward
Ave., P.O. Box 3204, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302-3204 (248) 972-1000. $24.00 of annual membership dues is allocated to a
subscription to CAM Magazine. Additional subscriptions $40.00 annually. Periodical postage paid at Bloomfield Hills, MI
and additional mailing offices.
For editorial comment or more information: magazine@cam-online.com.

For reprints or to sell CAM Magazine: 248-972-1000.
Copyright © 2006 Construction Association of Michigan. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without
permission is prohibited. CAM Magazine is a registered trademark of the Construction Association of Michigan.
6 CAM MAGAZINE JUNE 2007 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®

INDUSTRY NEWS
Department of State (Diplomatic and is an active member for National

Reception Room) as part of the 2-day Association of Women in Construction,
Aluminum Supply, Inc.
annual National Small Business Week Associated General Contractors, and the
is SBA’s National Winner
Family-Owned Small Business Celebration. National Association of Women Business
of the Year! Nancy Marshall’s uncle, Robert Owners. Aluminum Supply Company
Aluminum Supply Company, Inc. in Marshall, started Aluminum Supply was recognized by Inc. Magazine as a
Detroit has been named the 2007 National Company in 1948 as a wholesale distribu- 2006 Inner City 100 award winner as one
Jeffrey Butland Family-Owned Business tor of aluminum products. After the end of the 100 fastest growing companies in
of the Year by the U.S. Small Business of World War II, he had had a desire to inner cities in America.
Administration (SBA). Nancy D. become an entrepreneur as he saw a Marshall received her Michigan and
Marshall, president & CEO of Aluminum tremendous opportunity for business Midwest Region awards during the third
Supply Company, and a current vice growth in Detroit. Now, nearly 60 years annual Michigan Celebrates Small
chairman of CAM’s 2007 Board of later, Aluminum Supply Company has Business awards dinner at the Kellogg
Directors, is the second generation of the won national recognition, and it is a lead- Hotel & Conference Center in East
family to operate this business. ing distributor and fabricator of architec- Lansing on April 12, 2007.
“Michigan is home to many successful tural building products. The company’s
family-owned businesses, and I am very sales growth has increased by 151 percent
proud that this Detroit-based company from 2000 to 2004 and it employs 20 peo- Successful Safety Workshop
has received national recognition,” said ple. Attracts Nearly 90 Participants
Richard Temkin, SBA Michigan District The Marshall family believes in helping On March 20, 2007 the Southeast
Director. “Small businesses like their community as they support Michigan Residential & Commercial
Aluminum Supply Company will play a Alternatives for Girls, Block Kids Construction Safety Workshop was held
big role in the growth of Michigan’s econ- Building Program, and Habitat for at the Total Sports Complex in Wixom.
omy as we go forward.” Marshall Humanity. Additionally, Marshall is on The workshop was a success, with close
received her national award on April 23, the Board of Directors for the to 90 participants attending sessions on
2007 at an evening reception in the U.S. Construction Association of Michigan Fall Protection, Scaffolding, Asbestos
who’s helping you

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DETROIT CARPENTRY
JOINT APPRENTICESHIP
TRAINING COMMITTEE
DETROIT & SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN
Awareness, Pre-Task Analysis, and more.

Attendees were able to get “up close and
personal” with actual equipment such as
air monitors, scaffolds and portable
trench boxes. The facility proved to be
perfect for this type of event, with plenty
of room for the equipment but without
being so big that folks got lost. The
keynote speaker, Mr. Doug Kalinowski,
director of MIOSHA, got everyone
pumped up for safety with his usual
enthusiasm.
Feedback from attendees included:
“Loved the fall protection” and “I felt
very comfortable participating in class”.
We also had some good suggestions for
topics to add to next year’s workshop.
All in all, the day was a great success with STRENGTH THROUGH
folks taking away a lot of good, usable
safety information. We look forward to KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL
seeing you at next year’s workshop!
1401 Farrow • Ferndale, MI 48220

Phone: (248) 541-2740
Local Business Teams Up with
Florida Students to Promote
Web site: www.detcarpapp.org

Safety
Environmental Maintenance Engineers,
Inc. (EME) of Inkster has partnered with
Deanna DeRoo’s 5th grade class at
Lincoln Elementary School in Plant City,
Florida to promote “Get Down with
Safety,” a new campaign to promote Union Trustees Management Trustees
Worker Safety and Kids Safety Awareness
in 2007.
Don DeRoo, vice president of business Tim Kelley, Chairman Brian Sedik, Secretary
development for EME (and Deanna’s Michael Davis Gene Auger
dad), traveled to Lincoln Elementary to Charlie Jackson Art Hug
roll out the new program on February 23,
2007. During his visit, the students adopt- Edwin Nyhus Patrick Landry
ed an EME employee and a designated Dick Reynolds Rick Owen
safety theme. Don Stewart Chuck Raeder
The students participated in the pro-
gram by selecting a random envelope
Visit us at www.cam-online.com CAM MAGAZINE JUNE 2007 9

INDUSTRY NEWS
containing the name and picture of an EME employee and a employee. Upon completion, the posters were sent to EME’s
safety theme. Don DeRoo demonstrated the proper head, hear- corporate headquarters and displayed throughout the office and
ing, and respirator protection for the students, as well as eye, warehouse. The students’ posters will be a reminder for
hand, foot, driver and ladder safety. Each area represents one of employees to “Think Safety First” and follow “Safe Work
the safety themes adopted by the students. Practices” in the office and at jobsites. To thank the students for
Don DeRoo asked each student to create an original poster their hard work and participation, they each received a person-
illustrating his or her designated safety theme and adopted alized hard hat from EME.
12152 Merriman Rd. (South of I-96) . Livonia, Michigan

Phone: 734-513-5777 . Fax: 734-513-5785
gutherielumber.com

To be selected as a winner for a Best
WCA Announces 2007 Pyramid BEST PROJECT TEAM - PROJECTS OVER BEST SUBCONTRACTOR AWARDS
$25 MILLION
YPSILANTI WASTEWATER Subcontractor Award, the subcontractor
Award Winners
The Washtenaw Contractors Association TREATMENT PLANT EXPANSION must have provided an exceptional level
(WCA) announced the winners of its 10th (Ypsilanti, MI) of service that resulted in a significant
annual PYRAMID Awards on March 2nd Owner: Ypsilanti Community Utilities improvement in some critical aspect of the
before a group of the county’s leading con- Authority construction project (e.g. project quality,
tractors, architects, construction project Engineer: Tetra Tech design, budget, completion time, safety
owners, and labor leaders. Each of these Contractor: The Christman Company record etc.). The improvement must have
prestigious awards represents exceptional (Lansing; Ann Arbor Office) been documented, and the exceptional
effort in the areas of teamwork, service or
innovation. To be chosen as a winner of a
PYRAMID Award, a nomination had to be
truly outstanding. The winners were
selected by an independent jury composed How Can We Help You Build Your Project?
of industry experts in Atlanta, Georgia.
The winners of the 2007 PYRAMID
Awards are provided below.
To be selected as a winner for a Best

BEST PROJECT TEAM AWARDS
Project Team Award, the project had to

involve an extremely high level of cooper-
ation between the owner, architect and
contractor, resulting in true synergism
between these three entities. This cooper-
ation and synergism must have resulted in
an improvement in some critical aspect of
the construction project (e.g. quality, budg-
et, completion time, safety record etc.).
BEST PROJECT TEAM - PROJECTS IN

WASHTENAW COUNTY UNDER $3
MILLION
BURSLEY HALL BLUE APPLE CAFÉ
(Ann Arbor)
Owner: University of Michigan (Ann
Arbor)
Architect: University of Michigan (Ann
Arbor)
Contractors: Spence Brothers (Saginaw;
Ann Arbor Office)
BEST PROJECT TEAM - PROJECTS IN

WASHTENAW COUNTY BETWEEN $3 7 Locations To Serve You:
MILLION & $25 MILLION
ALBION COLLEGE SCIENCE COM- Farmington Hills Northville
PLEX (Albion) 248.488.9010 248.449.6500
Owner: Albion College (Albion)
Architect: MacLachlan, Cornelius &
Auburn Hills Sterling Heights
Filoni Architects (Pittsburgh, PA)
248.758.1572 586.446.0600
Contractor: The Christman Company

(Lansing; Ann Arbor Office)
Birmingham Dearborn
248.642.9911 313.561.0200
Ann Arbor
734.677.1500

INDUSTRY NEWS
level of service supported in writing by the struction process (e.g. administration,

project owner, architect, general contractor design, craftsmanship, equipment, labor
or construction manager. relations, materials, training etc.).
BEST SUBCONTRACTOR AWARD - BEST INNOVATION

POR 500 CHEMISTRY TUNNEL AND
Specializing in
CONTRACTS UNDER $500,000
E.I.F.S. CHARLEVOIX PUBLIC LIBRARY CHAMBER REPLACEMENT (Ann
(Charlevoix) Arbor)
United Mill & Cabinet (Willis) A. Z. Shmina, Inc. (Brighton)
Commercial Exterior
and Interior
Plastering BEST SUBCONTRACTOR AWARD - The PYRAMID Awards is a hallmark
evening, because it is the only event for
DETROIT COMMUNITY HIGH
CONTRACTS OVER $500,000
which virtually all sectors of the construc-
SCHOOL (Detroit) tion industry in Washtenaw County gather
Huron Valley Electric (Ann Arbor) together to celebrate the great achieve-
ments of the past year. Major sponsors of
this year’s event were IBEW/NECA 252
To be selected as a winner of the Best
BEST INNOVATION AWARD
(Union Contractors and Electricians
Innovation Award, the nomination must Alliance), Washtenaw County Laborers -
have represented a new and unique contri- Employers’ Cooperation and Education
bution to the construction industry. The Trust Fund, Michigan Regional Council of
innovation could have been a significant Carpenters, and the Washtenaw County
21750 Schmeman improvement to any aspect of the con- Industry Advancement Program.
Warren, Michigan 48089
(586) 775-8700
FAX (586) 775-7717
SAFETY TOOL KIT

I
want to expand could have done to prevent it. After all,
on my com- they were just sitting at the side of the
ments from last road repairing a flat tire, and another
month regarding driver caused the accident. But if we take
Masonry Anchors accident investiga- the blinders off and examine the situation
Foundation Bolts tions and the more closely, we could question the main-
Structural Bolts importance of not tenance of that company’s vehicles in an
looking for fault. I attempt to determine why the one truck
suggested that a broke down. And secondly, in this case, it
All Brands,
problem with hir- was determined that the terminated
All Types, Joseph M. Forgue
ing practices could employee was let go for failing a drug

Manager of Education
All Material,
be discovered test. Again, on the face of it, we may say,
& Safety Services
DETROIT’S
through an accident investigation. This “Good - we discovered a drug abuser and
comes from a true story. A company ter- terminated him.” However when looking
LARGEST STOCK
minated an employee who still had a into it further it was discovered that this
company truck at their home. Two man had been terminated before and the
Specials to your
employees were sent to recover the truck, company had rehired him. Do we need to
Specifications
and this was accomplished without inci- take a closer look at our drug policy as it
dent. While returning to the shop, one of relates to termination and rehiring? So
ISO 9002 Certified
QS-9000 Certified the trucks developed a flat tire so both even though the accident was not the
employees stopped on the shoulder of the “fault” of the employees, it gives us some
(800) 521-2207 freeway to fix it. It was then that they direction to look as a pro-active measure to
were involved in an accident that cost one possibly prevent the next one. If we keep
of the employees both of his legs when he digging and asking why, we may just get
FAX # (313) 862-0362
was struck by a passing car. On the face to the heart of the matter. As always, if I
of it, it would be easy to say that these can be of any assistance to your safety pro-
14471 LIVERNOIS AVE. employees were not at fault in this acci- gram, you can find me at the end of 248-
• DETROIT, MI 48238 • dent and there was nothing the company 972-1141 or at forgue@cam-online.com.

INSURANCE
& BONDING
General Insurance • Surety Bonds
1175 West Long Lake Rd. Suite 200 • Troy, MI 48098
248-828-3377
Fax 248-828-4290 - Bonding
248-828-3741 - Insurance
e-mail:mmiller@vtcins.com
www.vtcins.com
Del Valenti Rod Gawel Jason McLelland Ken Boland

Bob Trobec Tim O’Malley Jeff Chandler Teresa Casey
Al Chandler Joe McIntyre Jeff Lehnertz Tom Morris
Mike Miller Kathy Irelan Jim Boland Bill Orawski
Ian Donald Tom Skuza Julie Rourke
CONSTRUCTION QUOTE PAD
Construction
Quote
Pad
Pitch Revival
by E. Dewey Little
W
ithin the cost-conscious, bid- this year, based on targeting a broad
stressed construction market- range of markets. “With the downturn
place, there seems to be in the automotive sector,” he said,
renewed focus on qualifications and “we’ve had to look again at markets
presentations. One observer of that where we can best use our skills and
trend is Darren Murray, resources. One of the obvious markets
industrial/commercial is alternative energy. Plants where they
vice president for are producing bio-fuel, for example, is a
DeMaria Building Co., similar type of construction to what
Inc., Detroit. you’d see in automotive. For our com-
“We’re seeing a big mercial group, we’re into infrastructure
change in how projects improvements in the water and waste-
Murray are awarded,” he said. water market. It’s really one of the
“It’s not just where an owner gets a bid markets right now that is showing
and does a job anymore. It’s turned growth. There’s funding that’s in place.
more to a qualification-based letting of We’ve definitely seen an up-tick in the
a lot of the projects that we’re doing RFP’s and the bids, just for the first
now. So we’re putting together qualifi- quarter of this year. So we’re anticipat-
cation proposals. Also, more and more ing that to be a strong market. There
owners are requiring presentations and are a lot of environmental issues there,
using your presentations, and you bid when your systems are not up to date.
to put together more of a qualified bid. There are some mandates to get those
So presentations have been something systems up to government standards.”
we’ve really been focusing on, and edu- In another area of interest, Murray
cating our people on presentation noted DeMaria’s recent award of the
skills.” 25,000-square-foot Rosa Parks Transit
Murray sees this renewal of personal Center project in downtown Detroit.
contact in the bidding process as a ben- “As a transportation hub combined
efit to both the contractor and the with retail,” he said, “this project is
owner. “The owner wants to see the really going to be a showpiece for the
people they’re working with,” he said. Detroit Department of Transportation
“It’s not just based on low bid anymore. and the City of Detroit. It’s a very inter-
They’re looking for more of a team fit, esting project, dealing with Rosa Parks
and through these presentations the and the impact she had on public trans-
owners get a better feel for not only portation.”
your company, but the individuals that
are going to be performing on their
projects.” Another formula for keeping a steady
LOCAL/TRAVEL MIX
Along with the re-emphasis on pre- flow of projects involves seeking clients
sentations, Murray feels optimistic who have construction needs, both here
about the outlook for the remainder of and elsewhere. That’s the approach

taken by Mark Tomasik, tion front. While some older buildings and not tearing them
senior regional vice pres- get antsy about the econ- down, but making improvements and
ident for Clayco omy, Detroit-based reusing them.”
Construction Co., at the architect/urban planner One such project, the 84-year-old
firm’s Livonia office. Steven Flum sees contin- Iodent Building, now features the
“We’re striving to take uing opportunities in Centaur martini bar on the first floor.
clients who are based in Detroit’s future. Flum With the help of historic tax credits, he
Michigan, who have said, “Mixed-use devel- said, the upper seven floors will be
Tomasik Flum
operations in other states, and be their opments are going to be the key to the completely renovated for rental lofts.
builder,” he said. “That doesn’t mean revitalization of downtown...taking “Historic tax credits are pretty impor-
we don’t look toward the local econo-
my; we always do. We strive for about
50 percent of our work to be local. Last
year, we came very close to our goal.
We did a project for the Girl Scouts that
we’re finishing up right now; we did a
big FedEx job; we did a job for Crown;
and finished a job for First Industrial.
So we’re very active in the local market.
We are focused on four business units:
high-rise residential; corporate office;
industrial distribution; and private
institutional work. Our volume is pret-
ty well staggered between those sec-
tors. Our goal is to offer full turnkey
solutions, both nationally and locally.”
To accomplish this, Tomasik said,
“We often work with partners.
Sometimes we use in-house architects,
sometime out-of-house architects.
Sometimes we partner with developers.
It’s the understanding of the entire
process, more than anything. It’s the
understanding of how a big project
goes together and the importance of all
the partners or positions that need to be
played.”
Looking at local opportunities,
Tomasik said, “Hopefully, there are
going to be some emerging new sectors;
maybe medical offices, high-tech med-
ical components, or some bio-medical
sectors around Ann Arbor. A lot of
companies that are really good suppli-
ers will probably become more diverse.
Michiganders, in general, are savvy
business people. We’re not the only
ones who have gone through a transi-
tion; many states have had to re-think
how they are going to do business. But
we have to make it a friendly environ-
ment for new business to come here,
because other states are doing that. You
have to have a business environment
that’s friendly toward smaller, startup,
incubator businesses.”
Hopeful voices can be heard rising in

MIXED-USE GROWTH
the metro Detroit area on the construc-

CONSTRUCTION QUOTE PAD
tant to the revitalization process. We’ve historic tax credits, as well as the process, he said, “We’ve been doing a
done several projects using the tax design. Looking ahead, he said, “There little more retail. As part of a neighbor-
credit to great success and a lot of them are a number of buildings scheduled to hood revitalization group, we’ve done
are downtown. To get your building be renovated into lofts. We’re still several projects with owners to
designated for historic tax credits, it has attracting the young people to come improve their facade. This facade
to be architecturally or historically sig- downtown and that’s pretty exciting. rehab program is great because it’s con-
nificant.” That’s going to bring the rebirth of tagious. When you see one building
Among his services, Flum does build- downtown.” making improvements, you see other
ing evaluations and applications for the Participating in that rejuvenation people on the street, whether they go
into the program or not, at least clean
their place up. We’re redefining our
urban fabric and looking at our neigh-
borhoods...reaching out and bringing
the downtown to other areas, especially
with the River Walk on the East
Riverfront. That’s going to be a great
area, not only for architects, but for
builders, too. A lot of work will be
going on there to recreate a new neigh-
borhood.”
Following industry activity trends,

DEVELOPMENT SHIFT
Talon Development Group finds newly

emerging opportunities in health and
specialty retail sectors.
“Right now we’re pursu-
ing medical offices,” said
Michael Posinelli, presi-
dent and CEO of the
Bloomfield Hills-based
firm. “We find the prop-
Posinelli erty, create the value-
added condition, and then locate the
physicians who want to own and oper-
ate it.”
As a small developer, he believes that
it’s especially important to seek special-
ty development opportunities until the
economy recovers. “We’ve actually
picked up some single-tenant busi-
ness,” Posinelli said. “We’re doing a
chain of childcare centers called The
Learning Experience. They are being
developed, owned, and leased by us as
franchises.”
In seeking specialty development
opportunities, Posinelli has discovered
growth potential in several smaller
communities and township areas.
“We’re focusing a fair amount of our
time and effort on the outer communi-
ties and counties,” he said. “Beyond the
tri-county area...growth areas that have
seen a big spurt in the last few years. As
those areas continue to grow, we’re try-
ing to position ourselves to be there
and supply most of the retail needs in
those areas.”

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BOSTON BUFFALO CHICAGO CLEVELAND DETROIT MILWAUKEE NEW YORK PHILADELPHIA TORONTO
On
The Jobsite
Putting Faith
in a Contractor
C
By David R. Miller, Associate Editor Photos courtesy of Frank Rewold and Son, Inc.
hurches frequently grow with

The church's garage and maintenance bay is seen under construction their congregations, but they
in the foreground of this photograph. The higher walls of the social must first find contractors who
hall are also visible in the background. are able to meet the unique
demands associated with this type of
work. Projects are usually completed on
accelerated schedules because fundrais-
ing precedes new facilities. By the time
construction starts, the need for a new
building may be critical. Saints Cyril and
Methodius Church, at the corner of Ryan
and 18 Mile Road in Sterling Heights,
provides an excellent example. In order
to complete the 23,000-square-foot social
hall addition and 20,000-square-foot sanc-
tuary renovation as quickly as possible,
construction manager Frank Rewold and
Son, Inc., Rochester, and project architect
Stucky + Vitale Architects, Royal Oak,
developed a project schedule that forced
Masons working at this mixing station fought freezing temperatures Soils were heated and upturned with a backhoe to ensure complete
as they placed masonry block from October to December of 2006. thawing and to prepare the site for the concrete being installed here.

contractors to maintain productivity in
less than ideal weather conditions.
For example, The Gilardone Co., Novi,
poured 360 cubic yards of concrete for
floor slabs in February of 2007. To pre-
pare the site for the concrete, soils needed
to be heated and upturned with a back-
hoe to ensure complete thawing. Dunn
Masonry, Inc., Rochester Hills, also
placed masonry block from October to
December of 2006. Since freezing temper-
atures would result in insufficient mortar
strength, the project team utilized
portable heaters with Visqueen tents to
trap the heat. Masonry operations were
suspended on the coldest days, when the
cost of heating the tents would exceed the
value of the labor performed.
“We knew when the project was going
to start, so we had about an extra week-
and-a-half built into the schedule,” said
Top: The Gilardone Co. poured 360 cubic

yards of concrete for floor slabs in
February 2007. The slab in the garage and
maintenance bay is being finished here.
Middle: This area will eventually be made

into a gallery space that will tie the social
hall to the main church building.
Bottom: The quality of workmanship in

this newly finished concrete is easy to see.
Interior walls will be placed along the blue
lines on the floor.
Richard Scheck, project manager for

Frank Rewold. “We didn’t really know
how the weather might affect the time-
line.”
Despite the abbreviated schedule, the
completed project will stand out as a dis-
tinctive area landmark instead of a cook-
ie-cutter production. Attractive masonry
and soffits featuring durable phenolic
resin-bonded wood panel products will
provide an attracive experior, while the
sanctuary will include attractive cherry-
wood ceiling panels and additional phe-
nolic wood panels. Painted CMU and
sealed concrete floors in the social hall are
more basic in nature, but they can be
upgraded easily in the future.
At press time, Saints Cyril and
Methodius was slated for completion in
December 2007.

CARPENTRY
E
By David R. Miller, Associate Editor Photography by Matthew Austermann
veryone likes a piece of gingerbread now and then, helped to devour the gingerbread buffet at Sunrise of Bloomfield
whether the term is used to describe a dessert option or included general contractor Frank Rewold and Son, Inc.,
the ornamental trim found on high-end homes. Rochester, and architect Beery/Rio Associates, Springfield, VA.
Assisted living facilities usually strive for a home-like
feel, so gingerbread ornamentation is a common fea-
ture. What sets these facilities apart from residential applica- As the old saying goes, one never gets a second chance to
IN THE DETAILS
tions is the sheer scope of the work. Sunrise of Bloomfield in make a first impression. No second chance is needed at Sunrise
Bloomfield Township, a facility operated by Sunrise Senior of Bloomfield. Elaborate architectural details are evident from
Living, provides an excellent example. The size of the building, the street, but visitors must step inside to fully appreciate the
with only three floors and 58,620 square feet, is unremarkable charm of the building. A receptionist greets guests as they enter
but the level of detail is reminiscent of a much larger facility. the two-story grand foyer. Eateries, including two formal dining
In addition to exterior and interior framing and Hardiplank™ rooms, a less formal bistro and a private dining room are off to
siding, Cedar Creek Carpentry, Inc., New Baltimore, installed 152 the left, while a glance to the right offers a view of a sizeable, yet
doors and frames, 138 windows, 9,600 lineal feet of door and win- cozy, living room complete with a fireplace. All of these spaces
dow casing, 7,950 lineal feet of base molding, 3,500 lineal feet of are decked out with ornamental woodwork including elaborate
crown molding and 1,275 lineal feet of chair rail. Dessert ginger- moldings, coffered ceilings and beefy chair rails. Cedar Creek
bread tends to expand waistlines, but large amounts of ornamen- Carpentry was tasked with making sure that the myriad pieces
tal gingerbread can have the opposite effect on a carpenter’s bot- fit together properly.
tom line without careful project management. Fortunately, Cedar “Delivering the fit and finish that the owner was looking for
Creek Carpentry had the knowledge and experience to success- was the biggest challenge,” said Stan Jesionowski, general fore-
fully navigate the potential pitfalls. Other key players who man for Cedar Creek Carpentry. “A lot of work goes in behind

the finish, but the finish portion is what
everyone sees in the end, so we really try
to impress owners and general contractors
with the fit and finish.”
There were numerous obstacles to be
overcome before the quality of the finish
work could make an impression. The
cold-formed metal framing on the exterior
walls, for example, is only about 7’-10”
tall, which created a void between the
framing of the third floor and the wood
roof trusses. Any misalignment of the
building materials that filled this void
CC
would be visible on the overhangs. Given
the number of individual trim pieces, it
would also be very easy for a worker to
install them in incorrect locations without
careful scrutiny of the plans. Fortunately,
Cedar Creek Carpentry has gained valu-
able experience from doing work at four
separate Sunrise facilities in Grosse
Pointe, Grosse Pointe Woods, Rochester
and Bloomfield Township.
“The details in each building are pretty
similar,” said Jesionowski. “After you do
one, you know a lot of the details of the
Cedar Creek Carpentry crafted the attractive mantle for the fireplace seen here in Sunrise of
C
Bloomfield's cozy living room.
Cedar Creek Carpentry, Inc.

51537 Industrial Dr., New Baltimore, MI 48047
Supplying Material and Labor for a complete
carpentry package:
Cold-Formed Metal & Light-Gage Metal Studs

Rough Carpentry & Finish Carpentry
Drywall
Acoustical Ceilings
Commercial Carpentry Contractor
• since 1977•
Ask For
Bill Martin or
Brent Bock!
phone: (586) 716-0230 • fax: (586) 716-0236
W W W . C E D A R C R E E K C A R P E N T R Y. C O M

CARPENTRY
Elaborate carpentry details get easier with each application. Cedar

Creek Carpentry has gained valuable experience at four similar Sunrise
facilities.
second one. The facades are different, but the rooms and the
layouts are pretty much the same. The only real differences
come from the shape of the building and what is done to fit it
onto the site.”
In addition to delivering an attractive finished product, Cedar
Creek Carpentry also took steps to preserve the beauty of their
work. Chair rails were fashioned out of two substantial wood
pieces, thereby providing ample protection from wheelchairs,
walkers and other items for the drywall underneath. Chair rails
in some corridors also feature a small shelf that intrudes farther
away from the wall for additional protection. Painted poplar
was selected for all of these pieces because it is much more
durable than pine, but still inexpensive enough that it can
replaced without undue financial hardship. Cedar Creek
Carpentry cooperated with everyone on the site to make the ini-
tial installation as painless as the inevitable repair work that will
be needed over the life of the facility.

Coordination between trades was criti-
TEAMWORK
cal at Sunrise of Bloomfield. Since

mechanical service was needed for each of
the 76 suites at the facility, mechanical sys-
tems ate away at much of the interstitial
space within the structure. These suites
are stacked to facilitate easy access
between floors, but all systems were
As a full service Carpentry &
installed below the steel pan deck that Architectural millwork company we
separated the third floor from the attic utilize integrated technology to deliver
space and wood roof trusses. higher value to our clients. Estimating,
“Everyone needed to come in below the
steel,” said Jesionowski. “There were a lot
Shop Drawings and Real Time Scheduling
of HVAC ducts, plumbing pipes and
are linked to state-of-the-art woodworking
sprinkler pipes, and they all needed to machinery. Our technology investment
clear each other or be worked in between reflects our commitment to clients;
each other. Once all of that was in place, quality and value you can depend on.
we needed to install our stuff at the prop-
er heights.”
Contractors needed to work together to
keep from encroaching on the space of
others.
“Most of the coordination work was custom veneer work
done in the field between the foremen of
all the individual companies,” said
custom veneer work
wood doors&& frames
Jesionowski. “We had meetings where we wood doors frames
went over schedules, and coordination
custom
custom veneer
veneer work work
laminate/post forming
was touched on at those meetings, but the
laminate/post forming
wood doors & frames
wood doors & frames
foremen still needed to work together in laminate/post forming
the field. When the foremen work togeth- laminate/post forming
er, the job goes much easier.”
Brunt Associates, Inc.

48953 Wixom Tech Drive,
Wixom, MI 48393
(248) 960-8295
Fax: (248) 960-8296
www.BruntAssociates.com
Jeff Gantz
Raplh Rexroat
Jeff Gantz
Raplh Rexroat
Jeff Gantz
Raplh Rexroat
Jeff Gantz
Raplh Rexroat
Painted poplar was selected for these columns

because it is much more durable than pine, but
is still inexpensive enough that it can be
replaced without financial hardship.

CARPENTRY
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Phone: 586-247-5356
Fax: 586-247-5346
This bistro is outfitted with elaborate moldings, coffered ceilings and chair rails. Cedar Creek
Carpentry was tasked with making sure that all of the pieces fit together properly.
Although individual foremen were an Jesionowski. “You can’t start working

important element in the success of the with drywall until you can hold a decent
FLAG POLE project, leadership from the general con-

tractor was also a key factor. Fortunately,
Frank Rewold and Son, Inc. has a well-
temperature inside the building.”
Other trades also depend on an
enclosed building in which to perform
SALES & SERVICE earned reputation for excellence in this
regard.
their work, so they took a keen interest in
Cedar Creek Carpentry’s progress.
“Rewold is a good general contractor to “As soon as we hit the site, we started
COMMERCIAL • RESIDENTIAL
work with,” said Jesionowski. “If you hearing, ‘You’re not done yet?’ We always
Rocket Advantages:
have questions, and you do on almost any try to meet or exceed the schedule, but
• Free on-site recommendations
job, they get answers for you as quickly as especially when we start in the winter-
• Large stock of flags and flag poles
they can. When you can’t get answers, time,” said Jesionowski. “The faster we
• U.S., State, foreign and custom flags
that really slows up the whole process, can get the building enclosed, the faster
• Flag maintenance programs
then you start losing days.” everyone can start working inside. We get
• Patented flag locking system
Losing days, or even hours, was not an in, get it done, and move on.”
• All flag pole repairs
option on this precisely scheduled project. A number of logistical factors compli-

• Fast, friendly service
Every minute of the day and every inch of cated efforts to stay on schedule. The con-
om y!
e.c an
space on the site were accounted for. struction site was fairly large, but curbs
ris omp
needed to be completed as soon as the

facility was complete, so curb construc-
nte g C
Sunrise of Bloomfield was a six-month tion ate into a significant portion of the
LOGISTICS
etE Fla
rp
project for Cedar Creek Carpentry, with useable space. The north side of the site
ck ice
their portion of work beginning in offered some space for stockpiling materi-
v
November 2005 and wrapping up in April als, but the large footprint of the building
w. Ser
2006. The winter start created a lot of made it difficult to deliver these items
Ro
ww Full
pressure to get the building enclosed as over to the opposite side. Mechanical con-
ur
quickly as possible. tractors typically bring the most materials

Yo
“The key to getting the building done to any site, but this effect is multiplied on
on time is to get the building enclosed and any type of facility, such as hotels or
get all the windows in so we can put in assisted living facilities, where individual
(586) 751-7600 some temporary heat and start working rooms have separate mechanical hook-
30660 Ryan, Warren MI 48092 with metal studs and drywall,” said ups.

“Mechanical contractors eat up a lot of
space because their materials are so
bulky,” said Jesionowski. “Once they start
bringing in ductwork, its unbelievable
how much space they can take up.”
In addition to mechanical equipment,
the need to show the building to potential
guests further complicated movement
around the site. A total of six units were
finished early in the project to be used as
models. A temporary wall separated these
units from the rest of the facility and a tem-
porary door facilitated access from the out-
side. Once contractors had this part of the
building buttoned-up, the entire area was
essentially sealed off to them.
“We had to stay away from that part of
the site,” said Jesionowski. “Once we
were done over there, they [the owner]
didn’t want us anywhere nearby.”
Despite the difficulties, the end result is
a beautiful facility that is well suited for
its intended purpose. No matter how
much gingerbread a project entails, Cedar
Creek Carpentry can always be counted
on to clean off the plate.
In addition to the bistro, the facility includes two formal dining rooms like the one seen here, and a
private dining room. All eateries added to the complexity of the carpentry.

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TIMELESS
T
C R A F T S M A N S H I P
By David R. Miller, Associate Editor
he corner of State and Hill Streets, a major entry point for the University of
Michigan’s picturesque grounds, was recently transformed by the addition of
Joan and Sanford Weill Hall. The stately building, which houses the Gerald R.
Ford School of Public Policy, will undoubtedly make an impression on first time
visitors to the campus with its decorative red brickwork and bright stone. Weill Hall is
a showcase of excellence where the craftsmanship of an earlier era in many trades is
proudly displayed. Carpentry, performed by Wally Kosorski and Co., Inc., Clinton
Township, played a vital role in creating the dignified feel that permeates the facility.
General contractor Clark Construction Co., Lansing, principal and design architect
Robert A.M. Stern Architects, New York, and architect of record Albert Kahn Associates,
Inc., Detroit, were also key members of the project team.

Millwork & Carpentry
Specialists
33500 Kelly Road
Clinton Twp., MI 48035
(586) 791-1100 Fax (586) 791-1272
The talents of many trades were used

OLD FASHIONED CRAFTSMANSHIP
to elevate Weill Hall above expectations

for a modern facility. Wood used
throughout the building harkens back to
an earlier time.
“It reminds me of the old, ivy-league
colleges because of all of the stile and rail
paneling, trim, large base and crown
moldings, casings and 2-1/4” doors,”
said David Eschner, president of Wally
Kosorski and Co. “You don’t see this
type of style and rail design any more
because it’s labor intensive. Most people
also don’t buy 2-1/4” doors for a job any
more either. Sometimes you will see
them as entrance doors for a church, but
they won’t be used for the interior of a
building.”
The end result of all the painstaking

work is breathtaking. Wainscot paneling
extends up four flights of stairs at Weill
Hall, with ornate wood railing on both
sides. Paneling on the ground floor was
designed with a radius pattern that com-
plicated fabrication and installation
somewhat, but the final product conveys
a feeling of simple elegance. Large
crown moldings in the Great Hall draw
the eye upward, forcing visitors to appre-
ciate the open feel of the space as they
experience the beauty of the chandeliers
above. White oak was used for all of the
finish work.
“You don’t see white oak very often,”
said Eschner. “You’ll see a lot more
maple, cherry and red oak, because they
are all more available than white oak.”
Although the workmanship of Weill
Hall might remind visitors of an earlier
era, finding a supplier who could provide
detailed white oak millwork in a timely
fashion was one of the many modern
problems to be overcome during con-
struction.
Supplying custom millwork as needed

MODERN PROBLEMS
was crucial on the Weill Hall project, so

Wally Kosorski and Co. turned to
Iannuzzi Millwork, Inc., Fraser, a supplier
on many previous high-end projects, for
help. The supplier’s reputation for quali-
ty, which was already exemplary, was fur-
ther enhanced by the successful comple-
tion of the job.
“You couldn’t go down to the corner
hardware store and buy the type of trim
that was used in this building,” explained
Eschner. “There are a variety of casings
and crown moldings that are all standard,
but this was all custom. If we came up
100 feet short, they [Iannuzzi Millwork]
needed to set the machine up again.”
The wood trim was so unusual that
even the knives made to cut the pattern
into the wood were custom fabricated.
The knives could be used again, if anoth-
er project called for identical wood pieces,
but they will likely never again see the
light of day given the rarity of this type of
work. Despite the level of artistic detail,
everyone involved with the project was
under constant deadline pressure.
“Once we started the trim process, it
was overtime seven days a week from
then on,” said Eschner. “We ran two

A Great Reputation
Speaks For Itself
Since 1891 the members of the Carpenter Contractors’
Association of Detroit have been establishing and
upholding the highest quality standards for our trade.
Integrity and craftsmanship are the foundation from
which we’ve built the longest operating carpenter
contractor group in the area.
Call Us Today For Membership Information.
CARPENTER CONTRACTORS’ ASSOCIATION - 2007 ROSTER

B & H Construction Co. Huron Acoustic Tile
Utica Mt. Clemens
(586) 731-6266 (586) 783-1625
B.R.D., Inc. R.E. Leggette Co.

Brighton Dearborn
(248) 486-4110 (313) 584-2000
Conquest Construction Russell Plastering Co.

Livonia Detroit
(734) 458-1800 (248) 543-6575
Edrick M. Owen, Inc. W-3 Construction Co.

Clinton Twp. Detroit
(586) 778-9180 (313) 875-8000
F.B.K. Associates, Inc. Wally Kosorski & Co.

Rochester Hills Clinton Twp.
(248) 853-9530 (586) 791-1100
Gardiner C. Vose, Inc. Westwood Carpentry

Bloomfield Hills Birmingham
(248) 332-7000 (248) 647-0231
Carpenter Contractors’ Association of Detroit

14801 West 8 Mile Road • Detroit, MI 48235
313-341-2629 • Fax: 313-341-1007
www.ccadetroit.org
CARPENTRY
Unpatriotic!
Imported Millwork:
Imitation!
Plastic or Foam Mouldings:
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Manufactured from
“REAL WOOD” by
Patterson-Buck Hardwood:
WORLD CLASS
Stile and rail paneling, trim, large base and crown moldings, castings
and 2-1/4” doors at Weill Hall are reminiscent of old, ivy-league colleges.
shifts for a while. We had people start at about 6:00 a.m. and
work until 2:30 or 3:00 p.m. The second crew came in at 3:00 and
worked until midnight or 1:00 a.m.”
The building was granted a certificate of occupancy during
MANUFACTURERS this process, which further complicated efforts as the office staff
began working on the third, fourth and fifth floors of the build-
OF CUSTOM TRIM ing.
“We were stuck in one spot until we got it done,” said
Eschner. “We had to work around the University’s schedule,
& HARDWOOD
SINCE 1930 but we didn’t have anyone in our way at night.”
After many long days and sleepless nights, carpenters and
other skilled artisans crafted a majestic building with ageless
appeal. Although the work is reminiscent of a bygone era, the
313-581-6000 • FAX 313-584-6373 beauty of the final product is timeless.
For a complete overview of this unique project, please see the

14311 W. WARREN AVE. • D EARBORN , MI 48126
Construction Highlight on page 48.
W W W. P B H A R D W O O D . C O M

June 32-47 Glass 5/15/07 9:49 PM Page 32
GLASS/GLAZING
Cass Tech:
A “Light-tastic” Building in
the Heart of Detroit
PHOTO BY BALTHAZAR KORAB, LTD.

By Mary E. Kremposky Panoramic views of Detroit pour into the interior
Associate Editor through the Media Center’s glass walls.
With the third building in its long history, in 1907 that once stood on this very section
T he new Cass Technical High School

is a light-filled aerie rising 7 stories
into the Detroit skyline. Designed
by TMP/TYJT, a joint venture of TMP
Associates, Inc., Bloomfield Hills, and
Cass Tech has shed its heavy skin of brick
and emerged with the lightest of shells: an
exterior façade with extensive expanses of
tinted glass. Universal Glass & Metals,
Inc., a Detroit-based MBE glass and glaz-
of I-75. The first phase of Cass Technical
High School towered over the site of the
old school by 1917. The emerging auto
industry’s need for a technically proficient
workforce drove the school’s construction;
Detroit-based Tucker, Young, Jackson, Tull, ing contractor and a member of the World War I delayed its completion until
Inc., this visionary building of glass is Brinker Group responsible for Ford Field, 1922. The brick edifice was then the
flooded with natural light and filled with Comerica Park and other signature build- largest high school in the United States
stunning panoramas of the city stretching ings in Detroit, installed this wonderful and today remains Detroit’s premier edu-
to the horizon. These living postcards of carapace of glass, fabricating the framing cational institution.
the city infuse the building with an indeli- systems in its own shop. The Cass Tech facility of the 21st century
ble sense of place and celebrate the welcomes a new era into the school’s light-
school’s urban location just northwest of A TALE OF THREE BUILDINGS washed interior. Cass Tech Principal
downtown Detroit. If a camera was perched near Grand Lenora Ashford, who describes herself as a
Built by Jenkins Construction, Inc., River and I-75, time-lapse photography of light-sensitive person, calls the building
Detroit, this jewel of a building is another the last 100 years would tell the tale of “gorgeous” and is pleased to work in a
milestone for Detroit’s flagship school three school buildings, beginning with building that banishes the winter dol-
marking its centennial in August 2007. Cass Union, a brick building constructed drums. The balm of natural light and the

building’s quality spaces seem to have

shaped student behavior. Comparing it to M O R E T H A N
the old Cass Tech, Ashford says, “There is
a calmer feeling to the building, and the
children behave differently as shown by
their overall air and attitude.”
OF E X C E L L E N C E
Beyond its glass shell, the building’s
sense of lightness is a product of its mass-
ing and its thin structural members. For
its size, the building has a small 400 x 400-
feet footprint, rising vertically and con-
suming virtually the entire 8-acre site. The
building is elevated over both the north
and south lobbies as one strategy to light-
en the massive building’s presence. “We
made a deliberate attempt to elevate and
lighten the building through these lifted
areas, the building’s massing, and the use
of glass,” said Jeffrey P. Boes, AIA, LEED
AP, project designer for TMP/TYJT.
The mass of the building is broken down
by function: a tall, linear tower houses
classrooms and administrative offices; a
three-story commons links the tower with
the so-called “big-box” elements housing
the gymnasium, pool and theater. Each
element is broken down further and can be
clearly “read” from the street. A two-story
greenhouse is the signature element in the
upper reaches of the tower’s southeast cor-
ner, while a 45-foot-high glass wall of the
breathtaking Media Center begins its rise 313•531•2700
on the 6th floor of the tower’s northeast
corner.
CONNELLY CRANE
TMP/TYJT kept exposed structural
Complete Crane Rental RENTAL CORP.
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possible to preserve the building’s stellar
views and to maintain the light, airy char-
acter of this award-winning building. In
particular, TMP/TYJT carefully detailed
the thin, structural systems of the Media One Of Michigan’s Largest
Center and the stair towers, all spaces Also Serving the Lansing Area
completely visible to the exterior through
their tinted glass skins. “We wanted to
give the building a lightness and trans-
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parency by avoiding any bulky or heavy NOW AVAILABLE:
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Beyond massing and structure, the
building’s generous expanses of greenish
blue-tinted glass lend this massive build-
ing its paradoxical sense of lightness. With
its glass skin, the building’s transparency
CONNELLY
12635 MARION • DETROIT (REDFORD)
creates a dialogue between the street and 1-96 & TELEGRAPH AREA

GLASS/GLAZING
the school: the life of the city pours into

the building interior, and the energy of the
student population, walking the 7-story
stair towers and jogging on the running
track, is visible to the surrounding streets.
At night, the building glows and adds
vitality to the neighborhood.
Over 15 different types of glass make
this building possible, including transpar-
ent, laminated glass installed on the lower
levels for security, and glass with three dif-
ferent ceramic frit patterns installed to
reduce heat gain, soften glare, and lend the
building its night glow. The tinted glass
blanketing much of the building reduces
heat gain but maintains visibility into and
out of a building resembling one, vast win-
dow on the world.
TMP/TYJT carefully selected the exact
blue-green tint of this high-performance,
insulated, low-E glass by Pilkington. “The
blue green color was critical,” said Boes.

“Sometimes the blue green tint differs
from manufacturer to manufacturer. We
With its ceramic frit patterns and varied glass zeroed in on one that would blend well
palette, the glass stair towers and ribbon windows with the other building materials.”
emit a quiet glow as dusk falls over the city. Aluminum composite metal panels,
North American Dismantling Corp.

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gray glazed brick, and precast brick panels

complete the building skin. “We used
brick precast panels as a lightweight
expression of brick that recalls the history
of Detroit where brick is prominent on
many old buildings,” said Boes.
Universal Glass and Metals was
assigned the mission of piecing together
the building’s glass skin, properly aligning
the framing with other components of the
exterior façade. “TMP/TYJT’s project
architect, Andy Karow, and I spent a long
time in the very early stages of the job try-
ing to make sure all the curtain wall mul-
lions lined up with the joints in the metal
panels to create the right end result,” said
Thomas J. Kesler, PE, project manager for
Universal Glass & Metals
Added Andrew G. Karow, AIA, project
architect and senior associate at
TMP/TYJT, “Universal Glass did a great
deal of adjusting and tweaking to line up
the glass with the other diverse compo-
nents and coordinate with the other trades.
We detailed the different components of
the exterior – the precast and the metal –
with greater tolerances than normal to
give them a little bit of play, so by more
shimming and more caulking they could
better align the glass with the rest of the
exterior components.”
Universal Glass fabricated the mullions
and framing in its Highland Park and
Southwest Detroit shops. “We bought all
the metal in stock lengths and had them
delivered to our shop,” said Kesler. “We
used the reviewed shop drawings and fab-
ricated all the pieces, preassembling what
we could. The mullions for the 45-foot-tall
Media Center were fabricated in two sepa-
rate pieces and assembled on site like an
erector set.”
Universal Glass spent hours on the job-
site with a vital piece of equipment: a tape
measure. Taking measurements directly in
the field versus ordering prefabricated
frames produced a tight fit with other exte-
rior pieces of the building skin.
Responding directly to actual field condi-
tions was vital to installing this intricate
building façade. “We worked with many
other contractors, and with TMP/TYJT
Distributed by:
and Jenkins, to agree to work within cer-
Frames, Doors & Hardware, Inc.
tain tolerances, so that, once assembled, all 33026 Capitol
the pieces and parts would function prop- Livonia, Michigan 48150
erly,” said Kesler. “We measured every (734) 422-5400 • FAX (734) 422-6335
opening and adjusted for each one, detail-
ing the building with a little bit of extra tol- 118 Rosehill, Suite 1
erance. That was one of the reasons we Jackson, Michigan 49202
(517) 787-5800 Fax (517) 787-3034
fabricated the framing ourselves. We

GLASS/GLAZING
could react more quickly than if the whole

job would have been prefabricated. In the
end, we were able to keep the joints tighter
and achieve a better fit.”
The fabricated pieces were delivered to
the site on an as-needed basis, because of
the limited laydown areas on this tight,
urban site, Kesler added. He ranks the
project’s difficulty of installation as a 9 or
SALES RENTALS 10, on a scale with 10 being the highest.
For comparison, even Universal Glass’
DELIVERY
work at Ford Field was not as demanding.
ERECTIONS
SCAFFOLDING “The curtain walls at Ford Field were large
SHORING
TRASH CHUTES but generally straight forward, and they
SWING STAGING
EXPERT DESIGN started on the ground,” said Kesler. “At
SCAFFOLD PLANKS Since 1952 Cass Tech, the Media Center’s massive
FALL PROTECTION AND
curtain wall starts on the 6th floor.”
TRAINING 1-800-693-1800 SAFETY SERVICES
“THE MOST CHALLENGING WALL IN

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The Media Center is the ultimate study
hall. The glass walls rise in 15-foot incre-
ments to a height of 45 feet, filling the cen-
ter with views of the city unfolding to the
horizon like a Google Earth satellite image.
To the east, the Lion’s logo on the rooftop
of Ford Field dominates the foreground,
while church steeples and office towers
rise in the hazy distance. To the north, the
Fisher Building rises at the end of a por-
tion of Second Avenue, a street clearly vis-
ible along its entire length from this lofty
perch. “It feels like hovering in an airplane
rather than standing in a building,” said
Boes.
Creating this stunning space required
some serious homework. Study questions
included: “How do we keep the center
resistant to strong wind loads, how do we
reduce heat gain, how do we prevent
water penetration, and how do we retain
the spectacular views?” summarized Boes.
The project team creatively tackled each
issue, working diligently on “the most
challenging wall in all of Detroit,” said
Boes. To resist strong lateral wind loads,
the glass walls are reinforced with a wind
frame composed of vertical trusses on the
interior and exterior. “The trusses basical-
ly support and brace the curtain wall mul-
lions,” said Kesler. Plus, the curtain wall
uses the strongest mullions available to
hold the glass in place. “This is the
strongest mullion you can get in a curtain
wall system without going to a custom
engineered product,” said Boes.
In keeping with the building’s incredi-
ble sense of lightness, a system of thin
structural members supports the curved
roof. The unobtrusive structural members

march down the middle of the Media to its full height. different stripe patterns directly below,
Center without dominating the space or Three different ceramic frit patterns – a tumbling the opacity from “100 percent at
blocking the urban panorama unfolding coating blasted into the glass to block heat the top of the tower to 66 percent, then 33
beyond the glass walls. “We wanted the gain and glare – produce this modulation. percent, and finally zero percent at the
trusses holding up the roof to be as light as “The ceramic frit allows light to penetrate, transparent lower levels,” said Boes.
possible,” said Boes. “Rather than a heavy but blocks the hot rays of the sun,” said Universal Glass paid meticulous atten-
truss, these structural members are held in Boes. “By casting a shadow, it cools the tion to the proper alignment of the frit pat-
tension at the bottom. We have a com- space.” The stair towers have a full frit at terns from pane to pane. “The glass with
pression post, and then tension on the bot- the top for 100 percent opacity and two the frit patterns is by far the most atypical
tom chord.”
For heat and glare reduction, external
sun louvers are installed on the mid to
upper reaches of the eastern wall. “We did
not use fritted (opaque) glass anywhere on
the Media Center’s walls, because we did
not want to block the spectacular views,”
said Boes. At eye-level, the east wall is free
of external louvers. The north wall is total- “We’ve been renting
ly open to the light and the vista of Cass
Park and the Masonic Temple six stories Allingham cranes
below. Despite this web of cross bracing, for 20 years.”
louvers, mullions, beams and trusses, the
wide panorama of the city is never
obscured, to the credit of the design and
construction team and for the benefit of
Cass Tech’s 2,200 students. “And it’s been a great
Another difficult homework assignment experience every time. I keep
was preventing water penetration. Some going back to Allingham
of the thin 1.5-inch diameter rods of the because they give us great
structural system supporting the roof actu-
service and they go out of
ally penetrate the vertical members of the
their way to accommodate us.
curtain wall and connect with exterior
steel columns. “That detail was probably I consider Allingham part of
the most challenging detail of the job for
our team. In addition to giving
Universal Glass,” said Karow. “The struc-
ture was already in place, and Universal us accurate, competitive bids,
Glass had to work around it. They had to they help us with pre-task
keep the water, heat and cold from enter- planning, permits, crane
ing the Media Center.” staging and most important,
Perched far above the street, the Media making sure every lift is done
Center was one of the core installation in a safe efficient manner.
challenges for Universal Glass and Metals.
Next time you need a crane,
The roof’s large overhang eliminated the
go with the pros,call Allingham.”
possibility of working off a swing stage
attached to the roof. “As a solution, we Brent C. Gatecliff
had to rig up special scaffolding on the Pipe System. Inc.
inside, and basically work off of outriggers
that poked through to the outside of the
building,” said Kesler.
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gible design elements shaping the Media allinghamcorp.com.
Center and every corridor, classroom, and
stair of this luminous high school. The ALLINGHAM
building drinks in daylight through its CRANE COMPANY
varied palette of glass. For example, each 21250 West 8 Mile Road
stair tower is an immense canvas of glass Southfield, MI 48075
shifting from transparent to completely
opaque glass as the seven-story tower rises

GLASS/GLAZING
The building exterior is a map to the spaces

within. Vertical expanses of glass mark the
stair towers; a two-story greenhouse is the
signature element in the upper reaches of
the building’s southeast corner.

type of glass used in the building,” said even avoided placing the horizontal mul- building, there is bound to be some glass
Kesler. “We had to properly align all the lions at eye-level to preserve these fantas- that is wavier than others and that is often
frit patterns, especially the striped ceramic tic sight lines of Detroit,” added Boes. challenging to control.”
frit patterns.” Beyond the stair towers, the diversity and
The stripes of fritted glass add to the won- quantity of glass in the building places this LET THE SUNSHINE IN
derful play of light animating this remark- urban high school in a class by itself. The wonderful alchemy of daylight fills
able facility by casting different patterns of “With all the different glass types, we had the building’s open and spacious interior.
light and shadow throughout the day. At to make sure that we had each glass pane Moving through the lobby and walking up
night, the opaque fritted glass makes the slated for the right location,” said Kesler. the first flight of stairs to the second level
stair tower and other fritted areas glow He mentions a few of the types of glass reveals a light-filled and expansive atrium
with the softness of a full moon. “When supplied by Oldcastle Glass in Perrysburg, gallery, a 28-foot-wide corridor or grand
viewed from the outside, the glow of the Ohio: “A full ceramic frit glass was used avenue as broad as an airport concourse
building at night reinforces the concept of in the upper windows of the gymnasium linking the classroom tower with the gym,
lightness that drove the whole design,” to reduce glare during athletic and other pool and theater. The main stair continues
said Boes. events; the two-story greenhouse has a on to the third level but covers only half of
The stair towers’ modulation from one-hour, fire-rated glass separating the the wide avenue, opening up a split-view
transparent to opaque is broken by sec- greenhouse from the classrooms; and tem- of both the second and third levels and
tions of transparent glass at each stair pered, laminated glass is installed in win- adding to the sense of space in this light,
landing as a means of preserving the dows near the running track.” open and airy interior.
expansive vistas of the city. Climbing the The sheer quantity of glass – Cass Tech Natural light pours into the atrium
south stair tower, the city unfolds before has almost twice as much glass as a typical gallery from skylights of translucent insu-
the eye, revealing the arc of the school - presented another core challenge. lated panels lining the length of this grand
Ambassador Bridge in the distance. The “Unlike the punched windows in a typical avenue. Abbott K. Schlain Co., Livonia,
north stair tower brings into focus the school, we had glass that went from 3 feet installed the translucent insulated panels.
Masonic Temple, the Center for Innovative to 10 feet high by 30 feet wide,” said Boes. “Light patterns activate and animate the
Technology, and the Fisher Building. “We “When working with any large glass building’s public spaces,” said Boes. “The

GLAZING
GCA CONTRACTORS
ASSOCIATION
“A Continued Search for Industry Excellence”
AN ASSOCIATION OF QUALIFIED, KNOWLEDGEABLE,

DEPENDABLE AND RESPONSIBLE CONTRACTORS,
OUR MEMBERS STAND COMMITTED:
• To maintain the highest industry-wide standards

of personal and professional conduct
• To promote and provide dialogue among other

construction professionals
• To advise the membership with important information

and changes within the industry
• To hold training seminars on products, techniques

and application
• To provide social gatherings for members to

exchange informal ideas and questions related to
the industry
• To promote the advancement of the association at

local and state levels, supporting its goals and
objectives
GCA MEMBERS
American Glass & Huron Valley Glass Co.
Metals Corp.
Icon Glass Systems
Armor Glass & Metals Madison Heights Glass
Curtis Glass Modern Mirror & Glass
Edwards Glass Co. Peterson Glass Co.
Glasco Corp. Abbott K. Schlain Co.
Harmon, Inc. Universal Glass & Metals
Hess Glass Co.
GLAZING
GCA CONTRACTORS
ASSOCIATION
43636 Woodward Ave.

Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
(248) 972-1032
GLASS/GLAZING
light falls at different times of the day on
PHOTO BY CHRISTOPHER LARK PHOTOGRAPHY

different steps of the main staircase, turn-
ing this circulation route from the second
to the third floor into a type of contempo-
rary sun dial.”
Like the atrium gallery, glass windows
at the end of every corridor “create a light-
at-the-end-of-the-tunnel effect,” said Boes.
“One of our goals is to bring light into all
of the school’s spaces, except for inappro-
priate areas like the main theater and the
black-box theater in the round.” The pro-
ject team has definitely achieved its goal.
Whether through insulated glass units on
the exterior or single-pane windows on the
interior, light is drawn and channeled into
practically every nook and cranny of this
massive high school.
The same greenish blue tinted glass
used on the exterior overlooks the atrium
A light-filled and and is found throughout the building inte-
expansive atrium rior. “Interior windows carry the tint for
gallery links the continuity, maintaining a seamless look
classroom tower with from outside to inside,” said Boes. The
the gym, pool, glazed gray brick and metal panels of the
and theater.
exterior are also carried into the building
interior for continuity and durability.
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THE MAGIC OF GLASS American School Board’s Learning By centennial; plus, the museum will present
Walking through this light and airy Design 2007 Grand Prize and the Council a one-month exhibit telling the story of
structure is almost like moving through an of Educational Facility Planners this school near the heart of downtown
invisible building. The glass palette, the International’s 2006 Impact on Learning Detroit. Thanks to the vision and skill of
neutral gray finishes, and mostly thin Award. This singular structure has also the entire project team, Cass Tech moves
structural members in a sense “dissolve” earned a Michigan AIA Honor Award. into the 21st century with a fantastic facili-
the building and turn attention to the wide Locally, a black-tie event at the Detroit ty sparkling with natural light and seem-
diorama of the city pouring in through Historical Museum on Aug. 11, 2007 will ingly floating above the streets below.
every window. Ribbon windows in the celebrate Cass Technical High School’s
classroom offer spectacular, panoramic
views. Dance students must feel like they
are dancing on the rooftops of the city
given the dance studio’s dazzling view to
the east and north. True to its goal of
bringing light into every quadrant,
TMP/TYJT placed sizeable clerestory win-
dows in the auxiliary gym, drawing in
daylight and the never-absent vista of the
city. Even the centrally located pool bor-
rows light from internal windows border-
ing the track and weight room.
Beyond wonderful vistas and natural
light, the glass offers security and safety.
“There are no dark corners in this build-
ing,” said Boes. “If you are in the stair
tower for example, everybody can see you
from outside, because the tower is lit up
and visible from all angles.” The extensive
use of glass and sight lines into key spaces
improves the staff’s ability to monitor and
supervise students, added Ashford.
Ashford also praises the functionality of
the educational spaces in this wireless high
school with state-of-the-art computer sys-
tems. From science labs to a harp studio,
each space was designed for its specific
function and with input from building
users. “It was exciting to have input into
the building,” said Ashford. “Cass Tech is
a curriculum-based school, and it is won-
derful to have spaces designed for specific
uses rather than having to make a room fit
a particular use.”
TMP/TYJT conducted a series of vision
planning sessions with teachers, staff,
administrators, students and the commu-
nity before launching its design. The ses-
sions turned the reins of control over to the
school in ways large and small. “For
instance, our school bell sounds like
Westminster chimes instead of the fire-
alarm clang of a traditional school bell,”
said Ashford.
This facility is filled with remarkable
places to study, learn, recreate and dine.
The Dining Commons on the third-level of
the atrium extends into an actual outdoor
terrace perched high above Second
Avenue. The facility has already earned
two national awards, including the

GLASS/GLAZING
A Garden Under Glass

By Mary E. Kremposky,
Associate Editor
T he Anna Scripps Whitcomb

Conservatory on Belle Isle has
been bringing its tropical warmth
to our chilled, midwestern bones for over
100 years. More than warmth, this
PHOTOS THIS PAGE BY MARCI CHRISTIAN
immense urban terrarium relieves a cer-

tain weariness of soul with a giant dose of
green. Thanks to a grant secured by the
City of Detroit Recreation Department,
this rarefied environment recently under-
went repairs that will help hold together
this gracious house of glass designed by we had enough resources to do all the Room. Livonia-based Edwards Glass Co.
Albert Kahn in 1902. repairs needed on this building it would worked above the leafy “arches” of tow-
“It is a good educational resource for rank in the top five conservatories in the ering tropical trees, replacing 488 panes of
the community,” said Vincent Anwunah, country.” glass out of the approximately 2,200
AICP, general manager, Planning, Design Working under a grant from Save panes forming this signature 85-foot-high
and Construction Management Division, America’s Treasures, DeMaria Building dome.
Detroit Recreation Department. “If you Co., Detroit, managed the repair of the The Detroit-based architectural firm,
walk into the conservatory, you can feel conservatory in 2006, primarily focusing Frank, McCormick & Khalaf LLC, first
the relaxing effect it has on individuals. If on the main dome known as the Palm identified the specific panes to be

EDWARDS GLASS CO.

removed and replaced. “The architect
conducted research upfront to identify
each piece that was cracked, broken or FIFTY YEARS OF EXCELLENCE
chipped,” said Robert Kakoczki,
DeMaria’s project manager. The architect
created a map dividing the dome into 20 Fabricators And Installers Of All
different sectors, breaking down the loca- Nationally Recognized Glass And
tion of each pane by row and number.
“The drawings were very detailed and Aluminum Products
user-friendly,” said Ross Winiemko, pro-
ject manager, Edwards Glass. “We were
able to go directly to a specific pane, Aluminum Windows • Aluminum Curtain Walls • Entrances
clearly identified by, for example, sector
Glass Doors • Mirrors • Shower Doors • Storefronts
20, row F, lite 3.”
WISE DECISIONS
Not every facet of the project was as 734-422-7540 • Fax: 734-422-0858
clear-cut, for working on a structure built
in 1904 is bound to hold a few surprises. 32000 PLYMOUTH RD. • LIVONIA, MI 48150
Edwards Glass took a sample pane from E-mail: sales@edwardsglass.com
the dome, and with the help of a comput-
er-aided design program, discovered the
pane had a double axis or two directions
MEMBERS OF: GLAZING CONTRACTORS ASSOC.
of curvature. “This raised a major issue,
because cutting the glass on a double axis DETROIT GLASS DEALERS ASSOC. • MICHIGAN GLASS ASSOC.
would have probably tripled the cost,”
said Winiemko.
Working with its vendor, Precision
Glass Bending of Greenwood, Arkansas,
Edwards Glass researched and resolved
this dilemma. The double axis was the
product of the imperfect sand casting
technology of the 1900s. “They would
heat the sand, lay the glass on top, and it
would actually curve to that sand,”
explained Winiemko. “The first piece cast
will be perfect, but the sand will become
depleted and deformed over the course of
casting 2,200 panes of glass. The deple-
tion of the sand then produces two differ-
ent directions of curvature or a double
axis.”
Conversely, modern casting methods
use a rolled metal form to produce a uni-
form and consistent curvature or axis on
each and every pane of bent glass.
Confident that the double axis discovered
in the sample pane was an unintended
variation and not the type of glass needed
for the job, Edwards Glass proceeded to
order 600 pieces of replacement glass bent
on a single axis.
The second crucial decision was the
selection of annealed rather than tem-
pered glass to avoid scheduling delays.
Annealed glass can be cut in the field or
shop, meaning Edwards Glass could
swiftly produce any additional panes
needed during the course of the job in
only 24 hours. Additional panes of tem-

GLASS/GLAZING
DeMaria Building Company and

Edwards Glass helped restore this
fragile house of glass, home to
palm trees and prayer plants for
over a century. Altogether, the
project replaced about a quarter
of the 2,200 panes of glass
forming this 85-foot-high dome.
PHOTO BY MARCI CHRISTIAN

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pered glass would have to be ordered Basically, all tasks for the glass replace- With limited access, a tightly coordinat-
from the manufacturer, a process that ment converged at the bottom rung of ed project was essential. Basically, the
could take two to three weeks and would this ladder – the single access point to the demolition crew removed the glass in the
delay the schedule. dome. “Demolition of the glass, abate- evening and Edwards Glass replaced the
“We were able to maximize our pro- ment of existing caulking, and the glass in the morning. “We would work
ductivity and efficiency by buying the replacement and final cleaning of the from 7 am to 3 pm and the demolition
bent annealed glass in block sizes,” said glass were all performed with the aid of crew would come in directly after and
Winiemko. “If we had a breakage in say this single ladder,” said Kakoczki. work til night,” said Winiemko.
sector 5, row b, lite 2, we would merely
call it into the shop where they already
had the glass size and just had to cut it.”
Under Edwards Glass’ direction,
Precision Glass Bending created a custom
jig to cut the bent glass, a much different
undertaking than simply cutting flat
glass. Most of the glass panes are 2-feet-
wide x 3-feet-tall. Irregular triangular
pieces are clustered around the steel web
of the dome and range in size from 4 inch-
es down to half-an-inch, said Winiemko.
Once on the jobsite, Edwards Glass
established a little glass workshop in a
backroom of the conservatory where the
crew hand applied two different films to
the glass. “The first film is a security
glazing film in case there is a breakage or
a bird hits the dome,” said Winiemko.
“The 4-mil-thick film will allow the glass
to stay in place if the glass is damaged.
The second film creates a tint.”
Winiemko has fond memories of the
conservatory, having attended an uncle’s
wedding inside the dome. “I think that
working on a building like this is the rea-
son I like my job in construction. I am
genuinely excited to have had a hand in
this,” he said.
TIGHT TEAMWORK
DeMaria began the actual repair of ele-
ments of the conservatory on Aug. 9,
2006. As general contractor, DeMaria
coordinated glass replacement, repair or
replacement of the limestone panels
around the exterior base of the dome, and
replacement of the hot water heating sys-
tem throughout the conservatory, said
Kakoczki.
The first order of business was repair-
ing the service ladder anchored to the
base platform of the main dome. The lad-
der could be viewed as Belle Isle’s unoffi-
cial amusement park ride. Two workers –
one at the top and the other at the bottom
of the ladder – release the red brake and
pull on the mullions of the glass to propel
the ladder around the dome. A tempo-
rary lift on site hoisted the day’s supply
of glass to the platform and ladder at the
base of the dome.

GLASS/GLAZING
The project team removed only a small Edwards Glass began work in the dome
section of glass at any given time to pro- sector requiring the greatest number of
tect the structure and the plants. The replacement panels, namely the area arch-
balmy weather of early autumn also ing above the entry doors to the Palm
aided the effort. “We began in August Room. “Because of the possibility of cold-
and we finished replacing the glass at the er weather, we began in the area requiring
end of September before the weather the most replacements and then worked
turned,” said Winiemko. our way around the dome to the areas
Trying to beat the coming cold, requiring the least amount of replace-
PHOTO COURTESY OF DEMARIA BUILDING COMPANY

DeMaria repaired the service ladder used to
access the entire dome. Releasing a brake and
pulling on the mullions propelled the ladder
around the dome.
ments to provide maximum protection

from the elements for the tropical plants,”
said Winiemko.
Cleaning the glass was the last step in
helping to preserve this rare structure. “A
biodegradable cleaning solution was used
to avoid harming the plants,” said Joe
Kersanty, DeMaria’s project superinten-
dent. The glass was scrubbed on the exte-
rior and interior; exterior access was via
the service ladder, while a system of safe-
ty boards spanning the steel beams was
used for interior access. “Being part of the
project was an indescribable honor for
me, as the conservatory and the island
itself are notable pieces of history for the
City of Detroit,” said Kersanty. “It was an
amazing experience for us all to have the
opportunity to work on such a beautiful
structure.”
DeMaria completed the project Nov. 7,
2006, helping to preserve this beleaguered
jewel whose design is patterned after
Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Save
America’s Treasures provided a $360,000
grant matched by the City of Detroit for a
total project cost of about $720,000.
Anwunah estimates it would cost
between $5 million and $15 million dol-
lars for a major repair of the conservatory.
“It’s a jewel,” said Anwunah. “If we had
the resources to turn this around, it
would be fantastic.”

June 48-55 5/15/07 9:36 PM Page 48
Weill Hall: PHOTOGRAPH @ PETER AARON/ESTO
An Advanced Degree in Craftsmanship

By Mary E. Kremposky, Associate Editor
C
lark Construction Co. of Lansing stately building draped in variegated brick as the 38th president of the United States.
joins the ranks of one of the few and cast stone that now houses his name- The construction photographs docu-
general contractors in America who sake school: the Gerald R. Ford School of mented the rise of a building whose regal
have labored under the watchful eye of a Public Policy. Over the course of two massing and beauty of detail has earned it
former U.S. president. The late President years, a site camera beamed a continual a place in The University of Michigan’s
Gerald R. Ford took a keen interest in the stream of construction photos directly to architectural pantheon. Weill Hall’s tap-
development of The University of Michigan’s native son, who helped heal a estry of materials and its building forms
Michigan’s Joan and Sanford Weill Hall, a nation’s wounds in the post-Watergate era weave this U-shaped building into the
June 48-55 5/15/07 9:36 PM Page 49
existing fabric of the Central Campus, the academic heart of The was devoted to public service.
University of Michigan and the host to such iconic campus build- The Ford School and the late president share another commonal-
ings as the Michigan Union and the Michigan League. Weill Hall’s ity: humble roots. According to a U-M obituary, Ford arrived on
building façades are a beautiful procession of materials, “beginning the University of Michigan campus in 1931 with $200 dollars in his
with a flame-finished granite water table base, followed by brick pocket - $100 for tuition and the rest for living expenses. In 1914,
with bright cast stone accents, and terminating in the Vermont slate The University of Michigan became one of the first state universi-
tiles of its gabled roof,” said John R. Callas, AIA, project manager ties to offer a public administration program. Then called the
and senior associate at Detroit-based Albert Kahn Associates, Inc. Institute of Public Administration, the small interdisciplinary pro-
(AKA), the architect of record and a consultant to New York-based gram did not have its own space and it did not become a school
Robert A.M. Stern Architects (RAMSA), both principal and design until the mid 1990s, said Rebecca Blank, the Joan and Sanford Weill
architect under contract to The University of Michigan. Dean of the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy. Dean Blank and
RAMSA selected a material palette complementing the older, her predecessors have shepherded this fledging school into a
beloved buildings within this historic part of campus. “Special mature institution by hiring faculty, beginning new research cen-
attention to color and texture was given to the selection of every ters, and expanding educational programs.
material visible on this project,” said Preston J. Gumberich, AIA, Physically, this growing and vibrant school was confined to a
associate partner at RAMSA. “For example, we selected a custom small corner of Lorch Hall and two other locations scattered across
blend of brick that, while campus. “We just weren’t visible
machine-made, still retains a sub- at all on campus,” said Dean
tle texture and range of color that Blank. “We had no access to
is in keeping with the brick used classrooms, we had no public
on the Union, the League, Lorch space, and our student lounge
Hall, among other buildings on consisted of two couches at the
campus.” end of a hallway. … Our former
Yankee Hill Brick Co. of computer space was essentially a
Nebraska fired these wonderful- few computers in a small room.”
ly variegated bricks brightening The School’s change in fortune
the building facade. Both brick began with a pivotal phone call
and slate were scrupulously in 2001. Then-U-M President Lee
selected. “The successful range of Bolinger called Dean Blank, and
color used on this project was the said, “You need a building.”
direct result of painstaking trial A school deeply engaged in
and error in the production and research, education and outreach
review of sample panels and into the arena of public policy
mock-ups created alongside the and public affairs needs to be vis-
Union and on-site. The local ible and accessible. “Because the
supplier, Brick Tech, truly went Ford School hosts so many public
the distance to satisfy not only events on campus, we needed a
our stringent demands but those building with enormous visibili-
of the University Architect,” said ty and accessibility,” said Blank.
Gumberich. “A similar process “We regularly have major speak-
was used in the selection of the ers from all around the world
slate roof shingles. Photographs who are in leadership positions
of neighboring slate roofs were or in elected political positions.
taken and then analyzed so that a These events are open to the
proportional custom blend of whole campus and often to the
gray, green, and purple slates entire community.”
could be created here to be in The University granted the
harmony with the other older School a site for its first official
roofs.” home at the corner of State and
Hill. “I was given this site and
HUMBLE ROOTS given the challenge of raising the
With its gabled rooflines and money in part,” said Blank. As
its main tower echoing the tower the building’s largest donor, Joan
of the Michigan Union built in and Sanford Weill (the ex-chair of
1919, Weill Hall takes its place Citigroup, Inc.) are close friends
among the venerable old build- of Betty and the late Gerald Ford.
ings of the Central Campus. This The astute project team began
PHOTO BY DIETRICH FLOETER
new home of the Ford School is a converting these fundraising dol-

A procession of arches, coupled with slate and nat-
fitting tribute to the late lars into a distinctive structure
ural terra cotta tile flooring, lend the corridors of
President Ford, whose life was Weill Hall its stately form and material warmth. that now houses one of the
deeply entwined with his maize nation’s top-ranked master’s
and blue alma mater and who programs in public policy.

June 48-55 5/15/07 9:36 PM Page 50

Fabric-wrapped fiberglass panels set in an oak
framework reduce the amount of acoustic reflection
in one of Weill Hall’s main teaching spaces. The
stepped and coffered ceilings are an attractive
alternative to standard acoustic tile.
THE CONSTRUCTION CHRONICLES sloped site, creating a building as complex ported on a heavy structural steel moment
With the creation of Weill Hall, the cor- below grade as it is intricate above. “It frame. Cross bracing is typically used to
ner of State and Hill has undergone a star- was quite an operation to get the project resist lateral wind loads, but the size and
tling transformation, giving the Ford started,” said Mary Kane Butkovich, proj- amount of Weill Hall’s wall openings and
School a public face and the University a ect director for Clark Construction. its overall design aesthetic prevented the
stunning gateway. This once nondescript This “operation” entailed drilling 300 use of these large X-shaped beams. “The
corner at the entrance of the central cam- augered cast-in-place piles to hold the moment steel frame itself takes up the load
pus housed a modest white, wood-framed earth back and allow excavation of an of the structure,” said Callas. “The moment
house the University rented for office opening down to the basement level, said connections between beams and columns
space. The University demolished the John R. DeBrabander, project manager and are all welded in an engineered fashion to
house and rerouted power lines from over- field representative for Clark. “The con- resist the lateral wind load.”
head to underground to make way for the crete-filled piles or caissons are drilled to a Students pondering public policy in the
new 5-story home of the Ford School. The depth of 28 to 32 feet, and a steel beam is scholarly confines of Weill Hall probably
transformation from modest house to regal embedded in every other caisson drilled. have no idea of the level of effort and pro-
hall took 260,000 man-hours of labor span- At engineered locations, the earth reten- fessional expertise poured into the seem-
ning the course of almost two years. tion wall is tied back to undisturbed earth ingly basic task of keeping soil and wind at
Clark Construction arrived on site in with an engineered tieback rod to these bay. Scholars are probably also unaware of
November 2004, clearing the site and embedded beams,” added Robert Mowry, the intricate steel structure giving shape to
sweeping away the last vestige of infra- AKA project field representative. the varied planes of this distinctive build-
structure, namely a two-level parking lot Clark labored on installation of the earth ing. The steel detailing of the central
with its levels linked by a steep ramp. The retention system from January through tower was a particular challenging facet of
ramp clearly showed the steep lay of the March of 2005. Both in design and con- erecting the building’s inner steel struc-
land and the first order of difficulty in construction, bringing the building out of the ture. Gabled roofs intersect with the
structing this demanding building. As the ground was no easier than anchoring it to square core of the tower in the building’s
first phase, an elaborate earth retention the ground. The building rests on concrete upper reaches. “The tower also tapers at
system anchored the building into the footings and foundation walls and is sup- the point of intersection with the gabled

June 48-55 5/15/07 9:37 PM Page 51
PHOTOGRAPH @ PETER AARON/ESTO

The project team earns high marks for creating a building
with innumerable setbacks, planes, and projections
varying across every building elevation.
roof line,” said Mowry. “Plus, the tapered entrance opens onto a broad stone paved
tower has beveled corners and angles. At terrace, welcoming the world to the front
one point of connection, the gabled roof
actually dives directly into one of these
door of Weill Hall.
The main tower’s two-story bay win-
State Building
beveled corners. Making the structure
work and building the inner structure of
dow turns the building into a welcoming
beacon at night and breaks down the
Products, Inc.
the steel was very challenging.” tower’s scale. The same variations add
In this project without a learning curve, character and detail to every building ele-
We deliver the
the first steel task was detailing the chal- vation of this finely crafted edifice. Best Quality
lenging central tower. “The most difficult Carefully placed details “breakdown the drywall studs,
piece to detail was the tower, and it was scale of what might otherwise be large and
also the place we had to start the project cumbersome building facades,” said track and structrual
because of the grade changes of the site,” Gumberich. RAMSA relentlessly softened steel studs with
said Butkovich. any sense of monolithic sameness with bay accesories for framing.
Adding to the level of difficulty, con- windows, setbacks and innumerable var-
struction access and deliveries were only ied planes, all beautiful to behold but diffi- • Furring Channel
allowed on a street directly north of the cult to build.
site. As a major truck thoroughfare, Hill This complex structure demanded
• CRC
Street on the southern edges of the project drawing together the expertise of the • Angle
could not be used for construction access. architect, general contractor and the sub- • Clips
As the project progressed, limited lay- contracting team. “The building’s highly
Delivery Available
down and storage areas on this tight site ornate and detailed architectural design
mandated just-in-time delivery for many meant that virtually not one wall, not one Contact Us At:
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June 48-55 5/15/07 9:37 PM Page 52
a harmony of wood and metal, complete with oak paneling, orna-

mental steel, and a double wood rail.
“Mowry, DeBrabander and the carpentry contractor, Wally
Kosorski and Co., Inc., would be at the stairwell literally sketch-
ing details out, so that they could continue building the stair-
case,” said Butkovich. “It was very labor intensive, but it is a
work of art.”
The same scenario was repeated throughout the project. Many
of the unique details had to be sketched and resolved in the field
on a daily and even hourly basis. “One can’t create all the tech-
nical details on such a job as this,” said DeBrabander. “There are
so many interactions between different materials and different
plane changes, making it impossible to account for every unique
situation until you physically try to build these in the field.” This
university-level design and construction “class” was certainly no
easy A. “The only easy part of the project was eating lunch,”
quipped Mowry.
As another key assignment, the project team had to thread or
route the building’s infrastructure through long sections of the
interior. “The pieces of equipment are in widely separate areas of
the building,” said Mowry. “The emergency generator, the fire
pump room, and the heat exchangers are in the basement, while
the upper reaches of the central tower houses the cooling equip-
ment, chiller, air handling units, and the exhaust fans. All the
daily infrastructure that makes a building go – piping, mechani-
cal ductwork, electrical fixtures, and cable trays - had to be care-
fully integrated into the structure and with the finishes to pre-
serve the building’s appearance.” Working hand-in-hand with
AKA, Clark began “holding coordination meetings with mechan-
ical, electrical, and fire protection trades the day we arrived on
site.”
PHOTOGRAPH @ PETER AARON/ESTO
PRESIDENTIAL PRESSURE
This intricate project consumed two years of intense effort.
Special birthday cards to former President Ford chronicled each
year’s progress on a building whose inhabitants carry on his faith
in public service. “For his 91st birthday we took a picture of a
Weill Hall is a glory of cast stone and wonderfully variegated brick. whole crowd of faculty, students and construction workers
Beveled corners and angled tiers of cast stone cascade from the around a Happy Birthday banner with the construction site in the
tower, adding to the richness of detail of this background,” recalled Blank. “The next year – his 92nd birthday
exquisitely crafted building exterior. - we took a photo with everyone on the staircase, because by then
we were close to occupying the building. He was also delighted
all massing was carefully modulated with the tallest, central wing when we showed him photos from the fifth floor stairway that
fronting State Street, while the two wings perpendicular to it step showed the scoreboard at the football stadium.” Ford played cen-
down a full story,” said Gumberich. Mowry and DeBrabander ter on the Maize and Blue’s national championship football teams
were on site as field representatives on a full-time basis managing in 1932 and 1933, and was voted the Wolverine’s most valuable
both exterior and interior details. player in 1934.
A taxing exterior detail was the main tower’s bay window Gentle prodding by the former president and by Dean Blank
framed in cast stone and cantilevering from the building wall. probably inspired the project team. “President Ford was very
This hefty “window frame” is formed of many pieces of cast interested and engaged in the building,” said Blank. “He called
stone, some weighing as much as 5,000 pounds. “The structural me regularly, and sometimes said, ‘I am not getting any younger
engineer, Larry Chute of Desai/Nasr Consulting Engineers, had you know.’”
to design the steel to support this heavy load of cantilevered Thanks to a concerted effort and overtime, the well-crafted
stone, which is another unique challenge not seen on most con- wood doors of this new institution opened on time in September
temporary buildings,” said DeBrabander. 2006. “People were working every weekend from the beginning
The Grand Staircase is a prominent example of a challenging of March up until substantial completion on September 5, 2006 –
level of interior detail. The landings on the second and third the first day of classes,” said DeBrabander. “Many trades worked
floors are at different depths, creating a dramatic sight line in the seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with some
lobby of staggered flights of stairs spiraling upward. This vari- trades working double shifts toward the end.” Administration
ability in landing depth slightly altered the angles and geometry and faculty had moved into the building’s third, fourth and fifth
of the staircase from floor to floor and added another layer of floors in mid-August, while the construction team finished the
intricacy to the project, said DeBrabander. The staircase, itself, is first two floors.

June 48-55 5/15/07 9:37 PM Page 53
HOME SWEET HOME

The Gerald R. Ford School of Public
Policy at last has a home. “It’s a stately
Licensed • Insured • Bonded
and beautiful professional building,” said
Specializing in Commercial Landscape Construction

Blank. “It gives the sense that we are here
and that the School has come into its own.”
BioSwales
The new building gives the School space
Fences
for expansion of its academic and research
Green Roofs
programs. The School has added a doctor-
Hydroseed
al program and will soon unveil a new
Irrigation
undergraduate program in public policy.
Landscape Lighting
“The building has provided programming
Mulching
options that we otherwise could not have
pursued,” said Blank. This new building
now houses the Ford School’s three Native Plantings
research centers: the International Policy Ornamental Plantings
Center, the National Poverty Center, and
Pavers
Playgrounds
the Center for Local, State and Urban
Putting Greens
Policy.
Weill Hall East Terrace
Retaining Walls
Faculty, staff, students, and visitors wel-
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ty, staff and students, as well as an inviting
space for receptions. The building’s gor-
geous facade surrounds the terrace with its
“three-story brick pilasters punctuated by
a horizontal cast stone and brick entabla-
ture that girds the entire building, while
the top floor is treated as an attic story
with its own slightly projecting buttresses
and cornice line terminated only at the
steeply pitched gables of the roof,” said
Gumberich.
The Great Hall is another space fostering
interaction and inspiring relaxation. “The
double-story Great Hall is the heart of the
School and serves, at nearly all hours of
the day, as the School’s living room for
both students and faculty,” said
Gumberich. With its wood paneling and
chandeliers, the Great Hall has the aura of
a traditional Ivy-League study hall blend-
ed with the comforts of home. Plush seat-
ing and a large wool rug woven in pleas-
ing floral brocade are custom designed by
the University’s interior designer Renee
Cruse. The wool rug is manufactured by
the same Grand Rapids firm that produces
rugs for the Oval Office in the White
House.
Small alcoves and spaces for study and
conversation build a sense of community
within the school. “Having space for inter-
action and having all the school’s staff and
faculty under one roof makes the school a
closer community,” said Blank.
The five teaching spaces on the first floor

June 48-55 5/15/07 9:37 PM Page 54
The Great Hall has the aura of a traditional Ivy-

League hall blended with the comforts of home.
The woven wool rug was custom designed by the
University and manufactured by the same firm that
produces rugs for the White House’s Oval Office.
are wired for technology but retain a clas- height, voluminous room bathed in natu- to a University of Michigan obituary, Ford
sical academic appearance. Classrooms ral light. This formal space for individual kicked off his presidential re-election cam-
have traditional black slate chalkboards, as quiet study contains the massive bay win- paign at U-M’s Crisler Arena in 1976,
well as video conferencing and distance dow projecting out of the main tower. taught several political science and policy-
learning capabilities, a data port at nearly “The reading room is part of a suite of making courses as a visiting professor after
every desk, and wireless technology spaces that includes a more informal study leaving public office, and made regular vis-
throughout the building. lounge, smaller group study rooms, and a its to campus, especially to the Gerald R.
In larger teaching spaces, RAMSA paid fully equipped computer lab,” said Ford Presidential Library and the Gerald R.
acute attention to proper acoustics. “The Gumberich. Ford School of Public Policy officially
rooms’ walls were sheathed in fabric- Even corridors and staircases in this named after the president in 1999.
wrapped fiberglass panels set into an oak magnificent building are beautifully The Gerald R. Ford School of Public
framework to reduce the amount of detailed and crafted. “In the public corri- Policy celebrated the official dedication of
acoustic reflection and increase voice intel- dors, the expanses of slate paving were Weill Hall on Oct. 13, 2006. Although he
ligibility,” said Gumberich. “The ceilings broken up by panels of natural terra cotta had attended the ceremonial groundbreak-
were stepped and coffered to provide an tile in a basket-weave pattern, with small ing and site dedication, unfortunately the
attractive alternative to the ubiquitous decorative inset tiles in Michigan blue,” former president was not well enough to
two-by-two acoustic tile.” said Gumberich. “While relatively inex- attend the dedication ceremony. “He was
Given the slope of the site, the teaching pensive to achieve, this selection, together not well over the last 6 months of his life,
spaces include a 200-seat auditorium and a with periodically spaced arched openings, and I understand he was very upset when
100-seat lecture hall located directly below creates a lively and rhythmic rather than a he was told that he would not be able to
the courtyard terrace. “Because of the full static corridor.” attend the dedication ceremony,” said
story height difference between the points From its white oak panels and slate Dean Blank. “All of his children and a
of entry at the north and south of the treads and risers on the grand staircase to number of his grandchildren were here on
building,” said Gumberich, “we were able the slate on its rooftops, Weill Hall is indeli- that cold and blustery day.”
to tuck some of the classrooms and service bly a part of the fabric of The University of Certainly, Weill Hall would meet with
spaces, which do not require natural light, Michigan’s campus. The design of the the late president’s seal of approval. “We
into the slope of the hill, while allowing grand staircase’s painted steel railing even love the outcome,” said Dean Blank. “If
the public spaces, such as the double- incorporates The University of Michigan’s you look and see the design elements and
height Great Hall to be exposed to the capital “M” into the design. The late the details of which this building is craft-
exterior.” Gerald Ford remained a part of the ed, you can tell it was done with skill and
The Reading Room is another double- University throughout his life. According with love.”

June 48-55 5/15/07 9:37 PM Page 55
THE FOLLOWING SUBCONTRACTORS • Electrical & Fire Alarm - Shaw Electric, Ann • Surveying & Layout - Washtenaw
CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROJECT: Arbor Engineering, Ann Arbor
• Misc. Steel Fabricator - H & G Steel • Insulation - Stoney Creek Services, Ypsilanti • Structural Engineer - Desai/NASR
Fabrication Co., Grand Ledge • Window Coverings & Blinds - The Sheer Consulting Engineers, West Bloomfield
• Access Flooring - Data Supplies Company, Shop, Shelby Township • Landscape Architect - Ann P. Stokes
Plymouth • Fireproofing - Valley Painting, Inc. Landscape Architects, Norfolk, VA
• Sheet Metal - Applegate, Inc., Jackson • Carpentry & Millwork - Wally Kosorski and • Acoustical Consultant - Shen Milsom Wilke,
• Toilet Partitions & Accessories - Payne-Rosso Co., Inc., Clinton Township New York, NY
Company, Lansing • CTI & Associates, Brighton
• Misc. Steel Erector - R & B Steel, Grand Ledge THE FOLLOWING CONSULTANTS CON- • Testing Consultant - Soils and Material
• Concrete Flatwork - Albanelli Cement TRIBUTED TO THE PROJECT: Engineers, Plymouth
Contractors, Inc., Livonia • MEP - Bard, Rao + Athanas, Philadelphia, PA
• Masonry, Cast Stone & Granite - Schiffer • Commissioning - Toombs & Associates Subcontractors and professional consultants listed
Mason Contractors, Inc., Holt Engineering Specialist, Inc., Ann Arbor in the Construction Highlight are identified by the
• Elevators - Schindler Elevator Corporation, general contractor, architect or owner.
Ann Arbor
• Metal Studs, Drywall, & Acoustical - Barton
Malow Interiors, Oak Park
• Structural Steel Fabricator - Steel Supply &
Engineering/KFM, Grand Rapids
• Doors, Frames & Hardware Supplier - Atlas
Companies, Louisville, KY
• Ceramic Tile & Slate Flooring - Wolverine
Stone Company, Warren
• Auditorium Seating - American Seating,
Grand Rapids
• Waterproofing & Joint Sealants - Western
Waterproofing Company, Livonia
• Asphalt Paving - ABC Paving, Trenton
• Fire Protection - Dynamic Piping Co., Inc.,
Hemlock
• Auger Cast Piles - Hardman Construction,
Ludington
• Painting - A & S Industrial Coating, Warren
• Structural Steel Erector - Ace Steel Erectors,
Shelbyville
• Projection Screens & Marker Boards -
Advanced Specialties, Inc., Birmingham
• Windows & Aluminum Entrances -
American Glass and Metals Corporation,
Plymouth
• Vinyl Flooring & Carpet - Continental
Interiors, Inc., Troy
• Fireproofing - Commercial Interior Systems,
Inc., Redford
• Site Fencing - Future Fence Company,
Warren
• Lecture Hall Desks - Irwin Seating, Grand
Rapids
• Temperature Controls - Johnson Controls,
Saginaw
• Piping, Plumbing, & HVAC - John Darr
Mechanical, Ann Arbor
• Landscaping, Brick and Concrete Pavers -
LaVant Landscape Inc., Linden
• Excavation & Site Utilities - Merlyn
Contractors, Inc., Novi
• Louvers & Metal Wall Panels - Michigan
Metal Walls, Inc., Wyandotte
• Fire Door - Overhead Door West
Commercial, Inc., Waterford
• Footings & Foundation Walls - R.L. Shekell,
Inc., Wayne
• Slate Roof & EPDM Roofing - Royal Roofing
Company, Lake Orion

June 56-72 5/15/07 9:25 PM Page 56
PRODUCT SHOWCASE
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June 56-72 5/15/07 9:25 PM Page 57
June 56-72 5/15/07 9:25 PM Page 58
PRODUCT SHOWCASE
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June 56-72 5/15/07 9:25 PM Page 59
Xi wall panels meet or exceed energy conser- position while not in operation. This configu- Series hole diggers. Augers are available in 2-
vation requirements from both the IECC and ration lowers the operator handle to a more to 18-inch diameter formats with standard
the IRC. One-inch foam insulated concrete ergonomically correct height, maximizing digging lengths. A full-line of non-flighted
studs and one-inch foam insulation on the leverage and strength while reducing overall and continuous-flighted auger extensions is
bond beams help ensure energy efficiency in operator fatigue. Also, a separate tow-bar available to extend the digging depth.
the home. Facing against the environment, quickly attaches to the mainframe and allows For more information, contact General
the panels concrete face shell is backed by 2- the unit to be towed at conventional highway Equipment Company, 620 Alexander Drive
1/2 inches of DOW extruded polystyrene speeds. An integral shock absorber provides S.W., Owatonna, MN 55060; call 507-451-5510
insulation. increased towing stability. or 800-533-0524; fax 507-451-5511 or (877) 344-
The Superior Walls panels always arrive The 660 DIG-R-MOBILE utilizes the same 4375(DIGGER5); or visit the website at
“damp proof” from the factory and also allow 4400 Series augers found on General's 310/330 www.generalequip.com.
for increasing the amount of insulation with-
out the need for additional framing. The
patented wall systems from Superior Walls are
custom built to a project’s specification in
nearly any home style, allowing homeowners
to save on energy bills while gaining addition-
al living space in the home.
For more information, call 1-800-452-9255
or visit www.superiorwalls.com.
General Equipment's 660 DIG-R-

MOBILE® Towable Hydraulic
Earth Auger
Featuring total hydraulic operation,
General Equipment Company’s 660 DIG-R-
MOBILE® is an effective solution for a wide
variety of fence placement, sign installation
and general homeowner and construction
#ONSTRUCTION ,AWYERS
projects. 2EPRESENTING CLIENTS IN
The 660 DIG-R-MOBILE’s hydraulic system
q #ONTRACT $RAFTING AND .EGOTIATION q "ID )SSUES q #ONTRACT !DMINISTRATION q
is designed to rotate augers at the same speeds
found with General’s 300 Series portable hole- q ,ABOR 5NION AND /3(! )SSUES q )NSURANCE AND "OND -ATTERS q
digging units. This design parameter quickly q $EFECT #LAIMS q #OST /VERRUN #LAIMS q ,IENS q
produces clean, usable holes in a wide range q %NVIRONMENTAL )SSUES q $ISPUTE 2ESOLUTION q
of soil classifications. Additionally, the high-
performance, 13-horsepower Honda gasoline
q *OHN % "ERG q $AVID $ 'RANDE #ASSELL q $AVID - (AYES q
engine allows operation at reduced speeds,
thereby increasing component life and pro- q +EVIN 3 (ENDRICK q %DWARD * (OOD q 2ONALD ! +ING q
ducing less noise impact upon congested q 4IMOTHY - +OLTUN q $ANIEL ( -INKUS q 2ICHARD ! 3UNDQUIST q
neighborhoods. q 2EGINALD - 4URNER q 4IMOTHY $ 7ITTLINGER q
Incorporating an auxiliary tool circuit, the
660 DIG-R-MOBILE offers expanded utility
and productivity on jobsites. The HTM Class
II flow (8 GPM @ 2000 PSI) allows the 660 to
use popular hydraulically powered tools, _ ZZZFODUNKLOOFRP
including small breakers, post pullers and
drills.
The exclusive Snap-Lok™ system allows
the auger to be quickly stored in the travel

June 56-72 5/15/07 9:25 PM Page 60
PRODUCT SHOWCASE
Hickory Hardware Introduces call Raymond Perron, sales and marketing

manager, Hickory Hardware (Madico), at
Madico Super Feltac Leg Tips
(418) 835-0825 or e-mail
and Glides rayperron@madicoinc.com.
Hickory Hardware™ has introduced
Madico Super Feltac leg tips and glides. New Holland TT-A Series “Lean
Excellent for use on linoleum, ceramic, tile,
laminate and hardwood floors in homes,
and Mean” Economy Tractor
offices, or commercial buildings, Super Feltac Line Expanded
leg tips and glides protect floors from every- New Holland has introduced two new interfere with getting on and off the tractor.
TM
day scratches and wear and provide more models to its LEAN & MEAN value-priced The comfortable, open operator station is
soundproofing than standard vinyl or plastic TT-A Series tractor line. designed for operator convenience with plenty
leg tips. Super Feltac leg tips and glides also The 40-hp TT45A and 48-hp TT50A feature of leg and foot room. Controls are intuitive; the
help easily move furniture and large appli- strong, reliable, simple features. They are large, clear instrument gauges are easy to read.
ances over most flooring surfaces. available in 2WD with an open operator’s Sturdy full-length fenders protect the operator
Super Feltac products are available in white platform and are powered by proven, fuel- and the sloped hood provides outstanding vis-
and black leg tips; round, straight and angle efficient four-cylinder engines that can be ibility, especially important when working
internal glides; and swivel operated with environmentally friendly B5 with a loader. The adjustable seat is the same
brass glides to fit biodiesel fuel (meeting ASTM 6751 stan- comfortable, deluxe seat used on New
metal furniture legs. dards) or traditional diesel fuel. Holland’s popular Boomer(TM) compact trac-
Super Feltac felt As with all TT-A Series tractors, an uncom- tor line.
pads are fused onto plicated 8 x 2 gearbox features eight forward Daily maintenance is simple for even the
their vinyl bases, guar- and two reverse gears that is simple to use, inexperienced tractor owner. The engine oil
anteeing that the pad will never slide off. even for the novice tractor operator. Large can be checked without raising the hood.
Hickory Hardware's Madico Super Feltac leg grab handles and a wide step make entering With the flip of a latch, the one-piece hood rises
tips and glides range in MSRP from $2.99 to or exiting the tractor effortless. Shift levers are up completely with the help of a gas strut to
$5.02 CAD ($2.56 to $4.30 USD). conveniently located to the sides of the oper- provide easy access to the battery, air cleaner
For sales or marketing information, please ator, where they are easy to reach, but do not and radiator.

June 56-72 5/15/07 9:25 PM Page 61
The three-point hitch on these TT-A Series tractor models will lift
2,500 pounds – plenty of muscle to handle a rotary mower, tiller or
many other implements. For maximum productivity when working
with implements, TT-A models incorporate two hydraulic pumps: one
dedicated pump delivers 9.8 gpm flow to the optional rear remotes to
operate the front-end loader or other implements, while the dedicated
steering pump delivers 5.1 gpm of oil flow for quick steering response.
Visit www.newholland.com for more information.
Honeywell Analytics Launches Industrial Gas

Detector for Two-Wire Systems in Flammable
Environments
Honeywell Analytics has introduced the Series 3000 XPIS (Explosion
Proof, Intrinsically Safe) gas detector for industrial applications. The
Series 3000 XPIS is a robust gas detector that utilizes existing two-wire
systems to monitor for toxic and oxygen gas hazards in potentially
flammable environments.
The device's Intrinsic Safety (IS) and Explosion Proof hazardous area
approval allows the Series 3000 XPIS to be wired alongside other field
wiring without IS certification. This removes the need for cable segrega-
tion as required by IS certified detectors, making
the Series 3000 XPIS both a cost-effective and
versatile device. Operating on a standard 2-wire
4-20mA loop that makes it suitable for new and
retrofit applications, including the Sieger Series
2000 range of two-wire toxic gas detectors, the Series
3000 serves a variety of demanding industrial environ-
ments: exploration and drilling platforms, production It’s easy...
platforms, onshore oil and gas terminals, refineries and
chemical plants; power plants, waste water facilities, util-
ities and others. REFER AN ASSOCIATE TO
The Series 3000 XPIS requires minimal sensor replacement/down-
time. Its IS transmitter/sensor connection allows the "hot swap" of sen- BECOME A MEMBER OF OF.
sors without needing to power down the device itself. Series 3000 XPIS
also utilizes a magnetic user interface, permitting configuration and cal- Help us increase our membership base, which will
ibration without needing to open the enclosure or having to obtain a hot
enable us to expand our range of services, keep pricing
work permit. The gas sensors available for the Series 3000 XPIS include
Oxygen, Hydrogen Sulfide, Carbon Monoxide, Ammonia and Sulfur consistent and better serve the membership.
Dioxide. Future releases will include Chlorine, Chlorine Dioxide,
Nitrogen Monoxide, Nitrogen Dioxide, Hydrogen, Hydrogen Chloride, Think of people and firms that you do business
Hydrogen Cyanide, Hydrogen Fluoride, Ozone and Phosphine, which
with that are not listed in the Construction Buyers Guide.
will follow after the initial product launch.
Series 3000 XPIS uses smart gas sensors that configure automatically These people are not members of your association.
when they are plugged into the device. Onboard diagnostics also pro- Sign these firms up for membership in CAM and you will receive
vide a wealth of useful information during operation and faultfinding
routines, plus the patented "Reflex" sensors test algorithms to ensure
$50 toward renewal of your MEMBERSHIP,
sensing elements are fitted and operational at all times. CONSTRUCTION PROJECT NEWS subscription
The remote sensor can actually be mounted up to 50 feet away from OR
the detector making the Series 3000 XPIS a good choice for applications
where the point of detection is in an area that is not easily accessible or a $50 HOME DEPOT Gift Card
where the detector would not be visible, e.g. in high or low level con- or a $50 SPEEDWAY Gas Card
cealed areas or outside a room being monitored. The Series 3000 XPIS
for each member firm you sign up!
is UL and CSA certified. It is available through the Honeywell Analytics
representative network.
For additional information, please call toll-free 800-538-0363 or visit
www.honeywellanalytics.com, e-mail detectgas@honeywell.com.
Call the CAM Membership Dept. today
(248) 972-1000 or (616) 771-0009
Also visit us at www.cam-online.com
Annual Dues to CAM are $295 with a first time $90 initiation fee

June 56-72 5/15/07 9:25 PM Page 62
PEOPLE IN CONSTRUCTION
The Mannik & Smith Detroit-based Carter &

Group, a consulting engi- Burgess Consultants, Inc.
neering firm with four has hired John Varley, PE,
offices in Michigan and LEED AP, as a lead mechan-
two in Ohio, announced ical engineer for the
that David A. Ryzyi, PE has Detroit office. Varley is a
joined their group. Also, registered professional
Ryzyi Wendy Fry, ALSA, CLARB, Sharba Bliss Martens Bakkegard Varley engineer in Michigan,
director of sustainability Ohio, Georgia, and Florida.
and landscape architecture
for the firm, has achieved Ruby + Associates,
the status of LEED AP structural engineers based
(Leadership in Energy and in Farmington Hills, made
Environmental Design the following announce-
Accredited Professional) ments: Andy Kauffman
Fry
with the United States Duddles Winslow Bates and Jason Dimaria have
Green Building Council’s accreditation been hired as engineers;
Architectural firm Hobbs + Black Kauffman
program. Brian Volpe, PE, SE was
Associates, Inc. is pleased to announced selected as the 2006 Young
several promotions in their Ann Arbor and Engineer of the Year by the
Southfield-based Siegal/Tuomaala Lansing Regional Offices: James Sharba to Michigan Section of the
Associates Architects and Planners, Inc., director of design; Lori Bliss Martens to American Society of Civil
announced that project architect Earl senior associate; Staci Bakkegard to associ- Engineers (ASCE); and
Randell, Jr. recently passed licensing ate; John Duddles to associate; Jeffrey Pierre Fuller, a student
requirements as a registered architect in Winslow, AIA, NCRB to associate; and Brian intern from LTU, received
the State of Michigan. Bates, PE, LEED AP to associate. Dimaria the top ACEC/Michigan
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June 56-72 5/15/07 9:26 PM Page 63
scholarship
from the
o rg a n i z a -
tion at their
a n n u a l
awards
banquet in
Volpe Fuller February.
NAWIC, the National

Association of Women in
Construction, has
announced the 2007 New
Leader and 4-Most Leader
Award recipients. The 2007
Alamo New Leader award has
been given to Michelle
Alamo, CIT, an employee
of Dickinson Wright PLLC,
where she practices law in
the areas of Construction
and Commercial
Litigation. The 4-Most
Wunderlich Leader Award has been
given to Donielle
Wunderlich, CDT, a project
manager for the George W.
Auch Company.
Granger Construction
Company, Lansing, recent-
Rogers ly announced the appoint-
ments of George A. Rogers
Jr., AIA, and Joe Cavasin to
the firm’s staff. Rogers will
be responsible for further
RESIDENTIAL
developing Granger’s
healthcare market seg-
AND
Cavasin
ment. Cavasin will serve
as a project engineer. COMMERICAL
Rochester-based French Associates, Inc.,
an architectural design firm, is pleased to
announce the addition of Steven Professionals Serving
Branstner, AIA, NCARB. Steven will serve
as the director of health facilities.
the Electrical Industry
The American Institute

of Architects Detroit (AIA
Detroit) announced the
election of Detroit architect
Cynthia K. Pozolo, AIA,
NCARB, LEED AP, as its 2007
president. Pozolo is vice
Pozolo president and director of
architectural development at Albert Kahn 2550 Hilton Rd.
Associates, Inc., Detroit. Other newly
elected AIA Detroit Officers include: Mark Ferndale, MI 48220-1544
Nickita, AIA, of Archive Design Studio Ph: (248) 543-9609 • Fax: (248) 543-0404
(Detroit) as vice president; Jacquelyn
Arredondo, AIA, of Fanning/Howey

June 56-72 5/15/07 9:26 PM Page 64
P EOP LE I N CONSTR UCTION
Associates, Inc. (Novi) as secretary; and

Jeffrey Zokas, AIA, of Harley Ellis
Devereaux Corporation (Southfield) as
treasurer. Victor Saroki, FAIA, of Victor
Saroki & Associates Architects, PC
(Birmingham) sits on the Board as past
president. Several members from AIA
THICK
Detroit also serve on the AIA Michigan
Board of Directors, including: Saroki; Alan
Cobb, FAIA, of Albert Kahn Associates Inc.
(Detroit); Benedetto Tiseo, AIA, of Tiseo
Architects Inc. (Livonia); Paul Tonti, AIA, of
SmithGroup, Inc. (Detroit) and Beth Yorke,
AIA, of Barton Malow Company
OR THIN
(Southfield). Raimundas Cekauskas, AIA,
of Harley Ellis Devereaux Corporation
(Southfield); Kimberly Nelson Montague,
AIA, of Albert Kahn Associates (Detroit)
and Gina Van Tine, AIA, of Van Tine/Guthrie
Studio of Architecture (Northville) are AIA
chapter directors. Derek Roberts, Associate
TERRAZZO can be thick or thin,
DETROIT TERRAZZO heavy or light, textured or smooth,
AIA, of Albert Kahn Associates (Detroit) is
associate director.
CONTRACTORS exotic or conservative, plain or col-
orful, interior or exterior. No matter Mechanical and electrical engineering
ASSOCIATION what your flooring requirement is firm Peter Basso Associates, Troy, is
pleased to announce the following hires:
313-535-7700 TERRAZZO has the answer.
Phil DeSantes, Bill Edgerton, Andrew
Yonka, Catie Rogers, Joey Godfryd, Chris
Young and Ryan McCourt as mechanical
engineers; Scott McCullough as mechanical
designer and construction contract admin-
istrator; Mike Wysocki as electrical design-
er; Jeanne Edwards as CAD Specialist; and
Tom Boersma as part-time designer.
The Washtenaw
Contractors Association
(WCA) presented the 2007
W. Nelson Vander Hyden
Award to Lawrence J. Hill,
vice president and chief
estimator for O’Neal
Hill Construction, Ann Arbor.
Award recipients exemplify the high stan-
dards of professionalism and commitment
to the improvement of the construction
industry in Washtenaw County that were
characteristic of Mr. Vander Hyden.
Detroit-based SmithGroup, Inc., an archi-

tecture and engineering firm, is pleased to
make thefollowing announcements: Paul
Johnson of its Building Technology Studio
Johnson Petras Cleveland

June 56-72 5/15/07 9:26 PM Page 65
in Detroit has been elevated to Fellow of Companies of Michigan (ACEC/M) and the summer months. Completion is expected
the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Michigan Society of Professional in spring 2007.
the only AIA Detroit Chapter member to be Engineers (MSPE) at their annual banquet.
honored with this award for 2007; and that Hobbs + Black Associates, Inc., an archi-
James Petras and Taft Cleveland have been Lake Orion-based Stephen Auger + tecture firm with offices in Ann Arbor,
hired by the firm as architects. Associates Architects (SA+A) is pleased to Lansing, and Toledo, Ohio, has expanded
announce its firm has been retained to pro- its practice by opening a Phoenix, Arizona
Environmental vide Master Planning & Architectural Regional Office, the fourth location for the
Maintenance Engineers, Design services for St. Andrew Catholic firm.
Inc., Inkster, has hired Beth Church in Rochester. The church is
Bushey as marketing & expanding and renovating their facilities Architectural/Engineering firm
special projects coordina- to reflect the parish’s needs and to accom- Bergmann Associates, Plymouth, has
tor. Bushey is a graduate modate their thriving student enrollment. awarded the Lansing office of Soil and
of Western Michigan Materials Engineers, Inc. (SME) a contract
Bushey
University and previously Detroit-headquartered Albert Kahn to provide geotechnical engineering serv-
worked as a marketing intern with The Associates, Inc. (AKA) has been selected by ices and pavement design recommenda-
Somerset Collection. Elmhurst Memorial Healthcare (EMHC) as tions for the grade separation of Farm
the Architect of Record for its new, inte- Lane on the campus of Michigan State
grated hospital campus in Elmhurst, University in East Lansing.
C O R P O R AT E N E W S Illinois.
Royal Oak-based Milestone Realty
Spalding DeDecker Associates (SDA), a North Point Steak & Seafood Services, Inc. represented the owner and
Detroit-based civil engineering firm, Restaurant, located in Dexter, is being con- negotiated the sale of the ownership’s
received a Surveying Honorable structed by A.R. Brouwer Company, also of interest in the Noble International
Conceptor Award for their work on the Dexter. Located on the first floor of the Technical Center (NITC) in Warren. The
Maumee River East Side Watermain Phase city’s Monument Park Building, the 65-acre Center is the former Detroit
II Project. The award was presented by the restaurant will also offer outdoor seating Arsenal Tank Plant.
American Council of Engineering overlooking Monument Park during the
CAM Half Page Ad.qxd 4/17/2006 4:42 PM Page 1
Detroit Door & Hardware Company

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SINCE 1952
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Sales • Service • Installation

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Electronic Safety and Ann Arbor: (734) 424-9000 Industrial Doors
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Flint: (810) 733-6200
Automated Entrance
Commercial Door
Door Systems
Hardware Authorized IR Security Center

June 56-72 5/15/07 9:26 PM Page 66
UPDATE
CAM BUYERS GUIDE U P DATES
Hilti. Outperform. Outlast.
Hilti systems and solutions are

designed for professionals like you –
to help you finish jobs on time
and on budget.
A
s you all are probably aware, the 2007 Construction
At your local Hilti Center, you Buyers Guide is out on the street. In an effort to keep our
can check out the latest in Hilti information as accurate as possible, we’re including
innovation, participate in hands-on here all the changes and corrections we have received for members’
product demonstrations, get tools company listings as of April 15. Changes from the book are in bold.
serviced, and, of course, buy To see continual, up-to-date, complete company listings,
Hilti products.
check out the Buyers Guide Online at www.cam-online.com, updat-
There are 3 full service Hilti ed monthly.
Center locations in Michigan Check back to this section every month in CAM Magazine to
to serve you: get heads-up information and news involving the Construction Buyers
Guide. Questions? Contact Mary Carabott at 248-972-1000 for answers
and to find out how to add to your online listings.
6 Mile Rd
28190 Schoolcraft Rd
Livonia, MI 48150
To obtain additional copies of the Guide, stop by the CAM office and pick them up at no
5 Mile Rd additional charge, or send $5 per book for shipping to have the books sent to your company via UPS.
Schoolcraft Rd One Way Please call ahead of time for authorization if you want a substantial number of copies.
Exit 176 Exit 177
I-96 Exit 176 Exit 177
Schoolcraft Rd One Way Overpass Invoices for the listings have been generated and mailed. If you have questions regarding your
invoice, call the CAM office.
Inkster
Middlebelt
Merriman
Farmington
Newburgh
Plymouth
I-275
Joy Rd
Accu-Clean Division Nine Products, Inc. In The Loop Satellite
1437 E. Eight Mile Rd. 24743 Crestview Cr. 33117 Groesbeck Hwy.
Dertoit Hazel Park, MI 48030 Farmington Hills, MI 48335 Fraser, MI 48026
28190 Schoolcraft Road Phone: 248-744-5250 Phone: 248-426-7771 586-415-1988
Livonia, MI 48150 Fax: 248-744-5242 Fax: 248-426-7773 Fax: 586-285-1903
I-475
Advanced Specialties, Inc. Elcon Construction, LLC Larsen’s Landscaping, LLC

Exit 7
E Court St
3433 Lapeer Rd
Exit 139 1020 W. Fourteen Mile Rd. 400 Ann Arbor Rd. W., 3091 North U.S. 31
Exit
Flint, MI 48503
6
Exit 138
I-69 Exit 138

Exit 139
Clawson, MI 48017 Suite 181 Scottville, MI 49454
Lapeer Road Phone: 248-658-6750 Plymouth, MI 48170 Phone: 231-757-3850
S Center Rd
St
Exit
S Averill Ave
S Dort Hwy
2th
E1
7
Fax: 248-658-6751 Phone: 734-422-1702 Fax: 231-757-3850

Cliff
Exit
ord
Fax: 734-422-1802
6
St
Lippincott Blvd
S Saginaw St
I-475
AZTEC Painting, Inc. Marelco Power Systems, Inc.
3890 S. Blue Star Dr., Suite B Enterprise Fleet Management P.O. Box 440
Traverse City, MI 49684 29301 Grand River Ave. Howell, MI 48443
Flint Phone: 231-946-4628 Farmington Hills, MI 48336 Phone: 517-546-6330
3433 Lapeer Road Fax: 231-946-7162 Phone: 248-426-1949 Fax: 517-546-9565
Flint, MI 48503 Fax: 866-890-9636
Big Foot Construction, LLC Midtown Aggregate, Inc.
36th St. SW 36th St. SW
49472 Yale Dr. R.E. Fraley Co., Inc. 11825 Green Oak Industrial Dr.
Macomb, MI 48044 P.O. Box 195 Whitmore Lake, MI 48189
Clyde Park Ave. SW
131 40th St. SW

Phone: 586-610-1550 St. Clair Shores, MI 48079 Phone: 734-994-0001
Fax: 586-421-5368 Phone: 586-954-1060 Fax: 734-213-8282
S. Division Ave.
Buchanan Ave. SW
Clay Ave. SW
Stafford Ave. SW
640 44th St. SW

Fax: 586-954-1073
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
Contracting Management Morse Moving & Storage
44 St. SW US 131 Exit 79 44 St. SW
Corp. Goddard Coatings Co. 27615 Hildebrandt Rd.,

26 Summit St., Suite 100 15045 Dixie Hwy., Suite C Suite 100
Brighton, MI 48116 Holly, MI 48442 Macomb, MI 48044
Grand Rapids Phone: 810-225-4444 Phone: 248-338-0332 Phone: 313-300-9027
640 44th Street SW Fax: 810-225-4488 Fax: 248-634-3122 Fax: 734-485-0640
Grand Rapids, MI 49508
Custom Mason Contractors, HD Supply Waterworks Precision Development, Inc.,
1-800-879-8000 Inc. (Formerly National Waterworks) MBE
en Español 1-800-879-5000 21665 Roughwood Dr. 6575 – 23 Mile Rd. 42433 Tessner Dr.
www.us.hilti.com Southfield, MI 48034 Shelby Twp., MI 48316 Sterling Hts., MI 48314
Phone: 313-864-0008 Phone: 586-323-8800 Phone: 866-994-0400
Fax: 248-355-4326 Fax: 586-323-8812 Fax: 586-997-2804
Hilti. Outperform. Outlast.

June 56-72 5/15/07 9:26 PM Page 67
R
DANGE
Since 1968
“SPECIALTY CLEANING”
www.acmemaint.com
24236 Mound Road, Warren, Michigan 48091
HIGH
Commercial • Industrial • Institutional
Cleaning Services
PROFESSIONAL DUCT CLEANING
Cleaning & Sanitizing • Complete HVAC Systems
EXPOSURE Restroom/Laboratory/Paint • Exhaust Systems
EXTERIOR BUILDING CLEANING
Architectural Metal • Precast • Brick • Stone
INTERIOR BUILDING CLEANING
When You Degreasing • Prep for Paint • Exhaust Fans • Floor Cleaning
Advertise In DEEP CLEANING
CAM Magazine! Machinery De-greasing • Kitchen Facilities
Parking Deck Cleaning • Warehouses
Loading Docks • Compactors
(248) 969-2171 37 Years In Business
Fax (248) 969-2338
(586) 759-3000 Fax (586) 759-3277

June 56-72 5/15/07 9:26 PM Page 68
B U Y E R S G U I D E U P DAT E S
Select/National System Installers

3155 Dalavo Ct.
Walled Lake, MI 48390
Phone: 248-624-8301
Fax: 248-624-5667
Somat Engineering, Inc.

660 Woodward Ave., Suite 2430
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: 313-963-2721
Fax: 313-963-2736
Star Construction & Development, LLC

(Formerly Griffith Construction &
Investment, LLC)
17800 Woodward Ave., Suite 200
Detroit, MI 48203
Phone: 313-279-0449
Fax: 313-279-0519
Steffan Builders, Inc.

3207 B Haggerty
Walled Lake, MI 48390
Phone: 248-960-1690
Fax: 248-960-1693
ThyssenKrupp Safway, Inc.

(Formerly Safway Services, Inc.)
55 Rivard St.
G2_CAM_v1_06 8/28/06 9:48 AM Page 1 Detroit, MI 48211
Phone: 313-872-8500
Fax: 313-872-6719
WE'RE
GEOTECHNICAL Tice Communications, Inc.
7111 Dixie Hwy.
ENVIRONMENTAL Clarkston, MI 48346
Phone: 248-388-2711
CONSTRUCTION
ENGINEERS.
ENGINEERING Wausau Insurance Companies/
Wausau Signature Agency
26100 Norhtwetern Hwy., Suite 370
Southfielf, MI 48076
WE HATE
Phone: 248-352-1500, ext. 614
Fax: 248-353-6921
Wieland-Davco Corp.
SURPRISES.
4162 English Oak Dr.
Lansing, MI 48911
Phone: 517-372-8650
Fax: 517-372-8962
All of us at G2 share a single-minded obsession with unearthing every obstacle
and opportunity on your site. We design precise solutions that make it all Wells Cargo Insurance Agency of MI, Inc.
(Formerly Acordia of MI, Inc.)
work – before you’re in too deep.
3000 Town Center, Suite 1900
Southfeild, MI 48075
Troy, MI: 248.680.0400
Phone: 248-353-5800
Brighton, MI: 810.224.4330 Fax: 248-353-0185
Chicago, IL: 847.353.8740
www.g2consultinggroup.com
UNEARTHING POSSIBILITIES

June 56-72 5/15/07 9:26 PM Page 69
S CONSTRUCTION CALENDAR
CONSTRUCTION
CALENDAR
Jun. 28-Jul. 1 – CEO Forum – The American
Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC) will
hold this event at the Grove Park Inn in
Asheville, NC. Participants in this industry
forum include CEOs, presidents, owners,
CFOs and other top managers of concrete
contracting firms.
Please submit all calendar items no less than six weeks For more information, call 866-788-2722 or
prior to the event to: Calendar Editor, CAM Magazine, visit www.ascconline.org.
P.O. Box 3204, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302-3204.
TRAINING CALENDAR
INDUSTRY EVENTS
Awards™, and the ESD Leadership Awards
will be held at the Detroit Science Center. CAMTEC Class Schedule
Jun. 13-Sep. 18 – CAM Golf Outings CAMTEC, the training & education center
For more information, or to register, con-
Jun. 13 – Devil’s Ridge Golf Club, Oxford of the Construction Association of Michigan,
tact Tim Walker at 248-353-0725, ext. 4115 or
July 19 - Dunham Hills Golf Club, has announced its winter/spring class sched-
twalker@esd.org.
Hartland ule. For registration information, or to obtain
Aug. 14 – Fieldstone Golf Club, a catalog, call (248) 972-1133.
Jun.25-Dec.14 – Cooper Lighting 2007
Auburn Hills
Class Schedule – The SOURCE, the training
Sep. 18 – Graystone Golf Club, Romeo
facility located at the Cooper Lighting head-
Reserve a spot or sponsorship in one or all June 12 – Asbestos Awareness Training
quarters in Peachtree City Georgia, has
of these outings by calling Diana Brown at
released a 2007 calendar of classes for the
248-972-1000.
lighting and design community.
Additional information and registration
Jun. 21 – ESD Annual Dinner – The 2007
can be completed online at www.coop-
ESD Annual Dinner featuring the 33rd
erlighting.com/education.
Annual ESD C&D Awards, the ESD Alpha
THE FUTURE OF CORDLESS IS NOW.

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June 56-72 5/15/07 9:27 PM Page 70
ADVERTISER INDEX
BIDDING
A & S Industrial Coating ............................................................................................................................................51
Acme Maintenance Service, Inc. ............................................................................................................................67
Allingham Corporation ..............................................................................................................................................37
Aluminum Supply Co. ................................................................................................................................................14
American Pipe Lining..................................................................................................................................................16
MADE Brunt Associates, Inc. ..................................................................................................................................................23

CAM Administrative Services ....................................................................................................................................3
EASY!
CAM Affinity Program ..............................................................................................................................................IBC
CAM Membership ........................................................................................................................................................61
C.A.S.S. ..............................................................................................................................................................................45
Carpenter Contractors' Association ......................................................................................................................29
Cedar Creek Carpentry, Inc. ......................................................................................................................................21
Clark Hill, PLC ..................................................................................................................................................................59
Commercial Contracting Group ..............................................................................................................................5
Connelly Crane Rental Corp.....................................................................................................................................33
Curran Crane Co., J.J.....................................................................................................................................................28
Daiek Woodworks ........................................................................................................................................................25
Danboise Mechanical ................................................................................................................................................26
DeBaker & Sons Inc. ....................................................................................................................................................12
Detroit Carpentry JATC ................................................................................................................................................9
Detroit Door & Hardware Co. ..................................................................................................................................65
Detroit Terrazzo Contractors Association ..........................................................................................................64
Doeren Mayhew............................................................................................................................................................63
Edwards Glass Co. ........................................................................................................................................................43
Environmental Maintenance Engineers..............................................................................................................22
Fast Signs ........................................................................................................................................................................11
Fishbeck,Thompson, Carr & Huber ......................................................................................................................64
Frames, Doors & Hardware, Inc. ..............................................................................................................................35
G2 Consulting Group ..................................................................................................................................................68
Glazing Contractors Association ............................................................................................................................39
Gutherie Lumber ..........................................................................................................................................................10
H. A. Smith Lumber ......................................................................................................................................................58
Hartland Insurance Group, Inc...................................................................................................................................6
Hilti, Inc. ............................................................................................................................................................................66
Jeffers Crane Service Inc. ..........................................................................................................................................62
Kem-Tec............................................................................................................................................................................36
Laramie Crane................................................................................................................................................................53
LaVant Landscape Inc.................................................................................................................................................53
Madison Heights Glass ..............................................................................................................................................33
Makita Tools ....................................................................................................................................................................69
Mans Lumber & Millwork ..........................................................................................................................................40
MasonPro Inc. ................................................................................................................................................................27
WITH -ONLINE’S Michigan CAT ................................................................................................................................................................46

Michigan Propane Gas Association ........................................................................................................................7
Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters........................................................................................................IFC
NEW SOFTWARE! Midwest Vibro................................................................................................................................................................58

Navigant Consulting ..................................................................................................................................................67
Nicholson Construction Company........................................................................................................................47
North American Dismantling Corp. ......................................................................................................................34
Oakland Companies....................................................................................................................................................44
Osborne Trucking & Osborne Concrete, John D. ............................................................................................60
CAM-ONLINE CONSTRUCTION PROJECT NEWS - Patterson-Buck Hardwood ......................................................................................................................................30
View, sort, track and print projects Plante & Moran, LLC ....................................................................................................................................................41
Premier Electronic, Inc. ..............................................................................................................................................24
instantly, for less than printed versions. Premium Electric Company, Inc. ............................................................................................................................63
OR CAM-ONLINE PLANROOM -
Rinke GMC Truck ..........................................................................................................................................................BC
Rocket Enterprise, Inc. ................................................................................................................................................24
Ronald B. Rich ................................................................................................................................................................15
Featuring Online Construction Project News Rooter, MD ................................................................................................................................................................34, 67
SMRCA ..............................................................................................................................................................................56
PLUS - Online plans, specs, addenda and STIHL Dealers..................................................................................................................................................................57
bid documents. Safway Services, Inc. ....................................................................................................................................................31
Scaffolding Inc. ..............................................................................................................................................................36
Seedguy Hydroseeding ............................................................................................................................................26
Shelving, Inc. ..................................................................................................................................................................28
Spider - A Division of SafeWorks LLC ..................................................................................................................68
State Building Products ............................................................................................................................................51
CALL THE CAM MARKETING DEPT. & SUBSCRIBE NOW! Sunset Excavating ........................................................................................................................................................43
Superior Materials/US Concrete ............................................................................................................................55
(248) 972-1000 or (616) 771-0009 Unilock ..............................................................................................................................................................................17

Valenti Trobec Chandler, Inc.....................................................................................................................................13
Virchow Krause ................................................................................................................................................................8
Wally Kosorski & Co., Inc.............................................................................................................................................27
Wayne Bolt & Nut Co...................................................................................................................................................12

June 56-72 5/15/07 9:27 PM Page 71
June 56-72 5/15/07 9:28 PM Page 72
4 COMPETITIVE PRICING
4 SELECTION
4 SPECIAL EQUIPMENT
4 CUSTOM ORDERING
4 IMMEDIATE DELIVERY
4 CONVENIENT LOCATION
COMMERCIAL VEHICLE HEADQUARTERS
866-471-5785
VAN DYKE AT I-696, WARREN
www.rinkepontiacgmc.com

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JUNE 2007 VOL. 28 • NO. 6 • $4.

and Solid protection

Medical PPO RX Drug Card Dental PPO Life

A New Carrier Means New Rates!

Jerry Rutkowski • CAM Administrative Services

FEATURES GLASS / GLAZING

14 Construction Quote Pad 32 Cass Tech

18 On the Jobsite: 42 A Garden Under Glass

ASSOCIATE EDITORS Mary E. Kremposky

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Matthew J. Austermann

DIRECTORS Brian J. Brunt,

Robert J. Michielutti Jr.,

John O’Neil, Sr.,

Michigan Society of The Communicator

For editorial comment or more information: magazine@cam-online.com.

6 CAM MAGAZINE JUNE 2007 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®

Department of State (Diplomatic and is an active member for National

who’s helping you

Virchow Krause. Just the Right Fit.

Certified Public Accountants & Consultants

8 CAM MAGAZINE JUNE 2007 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®

DETROIT & SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN

Awareness, Pre-Task Analysis, and more.

1401 Farrow • Ferndale, MI 48220

Web site: www.detcarpapp.org

Visit us at www.cam-online.com CAM MAGAZINE JUNE 2007 9

12152 Merriman Rd. (South of I-96) . Livonia, Michigan

10 CAM MAGAZINE JUNE 2007 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®

To be selected as a winner for a Best

Project Team Award, the project had to

BEST PROJECT TEAM - PROJECTS IN

BEST PROJECT TEAM - PROJECTS IN

Contractor: The Christman Company

Visit us at www.cam-online.com CAM MAGAZINE JUNE 2007 11

level of service supported in writing by the struction process (e.g. administration,

BEST SUBCONTRACTOR AWARD - BEST INNOVATION

SAFETY TOOL KIT

ing practices could employee was let go for failing a drug

12 CAM MAGAZINE JUNE 2007 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®

1175 West Long Lake Rd. Suite 200 • Troy, MI 48098

Del Valenti Rod Gawel Jason McLelland Ken Boland

14 CAM MAGAZINE JUNE 2007 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®

Hopeful voices can be heard rising in

the metro Detroit area on the construc-

Visit us at www.cam-online.com CAM MAGAZINE JUNE 2007 15

Following industry activity trends,

Talon Development Group finds newly

16 CAM MAGAZINE JUNE 2007 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®

hurches frequently grow with

18 CAM MAGAZINE JUNE 2007 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®

Top: The Gilardone Co. poured 360 cubic

Middle: This area will eventually be made

Bottom: The quality of workmanship in

Richard Scheck, project manager for

Visit us at www.cam-online.com CAM MAGAZINE JUNE 2007 19

20 CAM MAGAZINE JUNE 2007 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®

Cedar Creek Carpentry, Inc.

Cold-Formed Metal & Light-Gage Metal Studs

Visit us at www.cam-online.com CAM MAGAZINE JUNE 2007 21

Elaborate carpentry details get easier with each application. Cedar

22 CAM MAGAZINE JUNE 2007 “Voice Of The Construction Industry”®

cal at Sunrise of Bloomfield. Since

Brunt Associates, Inc.

Painted poplar was selected for these columns

Visit us at www.cam-online.com CAM MAGAZINE JUNE 2007 23

Servicing the fire alarm

Although individual foremen were an Jesionowski. “You can’t start working