HASTINGS 2024 Detroit Firm Trip

Each year, our entire staff embarks on a one-day field trip to a dynamic city to explore significant works of architecture, interior design, and urban design. It’s a day dedicated to travel, learning, and building connections with one another. Firms across the country have graciously provided guided tours of their projects, offering firsthand insights and lessons learned. The Firm Trip is a unique opportunity to foster shared experiences that not only strengthen our relationships but also inspire our design work.

This year, our journey took us to Detroit, where we toured the city’s design highlights aboard vibrant, multi-colored school buses. One group visited Michigan Central Station, where Bailey from Detroit History Tours guided us through the station's past, present, and future. We marveled at how modern design elements preserve the station’s rich history while shaping a space that can continue to tell its story for generations to come.

Another group began their day with a walking tour led by Jessie Zeiter and Jonathan Mueller from Bedrock, exploring Hudson’s, a decade-in-the-making project that will become Detroit’s first 21st-century skyscraper. The group also toured the iconic Book Tower, where we learned about its historic architect and the meticulous design decisions that shaped the exterior façade. Just around the corner from both projects lies Capital Park. A small triangle of public space activated by a dog park, outdoor lounge seating, and programmed activities that is a successful example of a private public partnership between the adjoining landowners and the city of Detroit.

By lunchtime, both groups reunited at Buddy’s Pizza, where we savored Detroit-style pizza before continuing our architectural journey.

The afternoon took us to Wayne State University, where we explored remarkable architecture by Minoru Yamasaki, the designer of the World Trade Center. Yamasaki’s office provided the masterplan for the university as well as four prime examples of his early work. We even encountered some Eastern Gray Squirrels—an unexpected sight for those of us from Tennessee!

From there, we headed to the Brush Park neighborhood, where we explored an urban infill success spurred by four multi-family buildings designed by LOHA. This section of the neighborhood successfully meshes historic and contemporary structures. We enjoyed meandering through the midblock pedestrian connections while waiting for our transportation to the docks.

Our final stop was the Port of Detroit, where we enjoyed a happy hour boat cruise, taking in the city’s skyline from the water. It was the perfect way to end an incredible day of learning and inspiration!