House Tour
(Please Note: No 2008 House Tour Planned)

 DETROIT CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS
PRESENTS
“THE 2007 ROYAL OAK HOME TOUR”

DETROIT – September 4, 2007 – The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Detroit chapter will host the “2007 Homes of Royal Oak Tour” on Sunday, October 7, 2007 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This walking tour, which is open to the public and begins at the Center Street Parking Garage (between Washington Ave. and Center St.), showcases six AIA architect-designed homes located near the downtown area and features intriguing design concepts of urban living including loft/townhome-style floor plans and contemporary amenities characteristic of the city.   AIA-member architects and other professionals will host each of the residential units.

Tickets will be available after Sept. 8 and are $15 in advance and $20 the day of the event and can be purchased at select locations in Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Detroit, Grosse Pointe Farms, Northville, Rochester, Royal Oak, Southfield and West Bloomfield and online at www.aiadetroit.org.  Limited shuttle transportation will run continuously from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m., with the tour lasting approximately three hours.

For more information on AIA Detroit’s “2007 Homes of Royal Oak Tour,” please call (313) 965-4103

The Grand Manhattan Penthouse at Metro Lofts,
Neumann/Smith Architecture

Customized for its owner, who is also the developer, this project contains 3,033 square feet of interior space on three levels. A 26-foot tall industrial metal stair connects the living and guest level with the more private upper levels.

The stair occupies a dramatic three-story high volume located beneath a vaulted metal roof, lined with translucent clerestory glazing. Outdoor roof terraces and balconies on each level total 2,102 square feet.

A commercial grade kitchen with European modular kitchen cabinetry, granite counters and stainless steel appliances is centrally located on the main level and anchors the plan. Low voltage cable light fixtures, industrial grade light fixtures and gallery quality track lighting showcase large-scaled art collections. The master suite with wet bar on the second level and a third-story home office are located under the vaulted ceiling with skyline views of downtown Royal Oak and Detroit.
 

Awarded the “2006 Detroit Home Design Award: Contemporary Interior Design,” this multi-story redevelopment of a former lumber warehouse has been transformed into an urban multi-loft space.

Preserving the building’s industrial character and introducing contemporary design elements, the architect has designed the 10,000 square foot space into eight, 66-feet deep residential loft units incorporating exposed duct-work, 21-foot high ceilings, metal-roof trusses, concrete flooring on the ground level, and open flexible spaces.

Abutting railroad tracks to its east, this suburban loft features exterior projecting balcony bay windows, insulated garage doors, and double-height glass walls. A custom-designed metal-and-wood staircase connects to the second level, which features mezzanine space overlooking the first floor. Parent Street Residences have been featured in the recent books (Living Together: Multi-Family Housing Today and The Modern Townhouse), magazines (Urban Land, Detroit Home, Multi-Housing News), and television (Fine Living Network-HGTV Television).

The Troy Street Lofts,
AZD Associates, Inc.

Troy Street Lofts is the first of four projects in Royal Oak and Ferndale designed from this owner/developer by AZD Architects, Inc. The building includes 18, one- and two-story loft units with covered parking, high ceilings, large balconies and expansive curtain walls of glazing to maximize natural light and panoramic views.

The desire to incorporate “loft style” materials allowed the use of split face block, ribbed metal siding and commercial aluminum windows to work within the progressive downtown fabric of Royal Oak and bring an upbeat industrial energy to the project. This 2,100 square foot, two-story loft unit includes an additional 700 square feet of attached office space with private elevator access for the owner.

The rugged commercial building materials used on this project were also utilized on the interior finish to emphasize that strength and character and blended with industrial lighting, fans and exposed structural components. The marriage of modern amenities and finishes fused with references to industrial loft conversion encouraged the use of steel stairs and railings,

European cabinetry with concrete countertops, retractable glass partitions, exposed brick interior walls, wood floors and large industrial fans. Exposed mechanical ducts, fire suppression piping and electrical conduits reinforce the look and feel of a converted warehouse now used as a residential space. Other features of this loft include two-story spaces with a mezzanine overlooking the unit along with large art walls and other unique details and materials used to create comfortable living spaces while maintaining the essence of true loft living.

311/313 North Washington Town(house),
H&F Architecture

This modern two-family dwelling is located on a city lot within walking distance of vibrant downtown Royal Oak.

The design evolved from the simple notion of offsetting (capturing the most natural daylight for each house) two overlapping volumes each addressing the street/sidewalk/neighbor with its own character and individuality.

The layering of each house is established with the exterior material differences (burnished concrete block vs. white siding) along with the composition of the solid (walls), the void (fenestrations), the vertical anchor (chimney) and the response to the street though harmonious massing.

The interior organization starts with the common (demising) wall, as the open stairway (sculpture) creating a seamless connection to the second level. The continuous movement throughout the main level extends to the rear yard, an urban courtyard. The second level master suite has a balcony, an extension of the room, with western/evening sun overlooking the courtyard below.

Grant Park Lofts,

Located adjacent to vibrant downtown Royal Oak and Grant Park, these multi-use zoned sophisticated residences are designed to create dramatic spaces for expressive urban living. 

The concept of these upscale townlofts embraces the industrial heritage of the site creating a unique juxtaposition of use and history within a civic context.  The building facades feature matte and smooth finish brick, stone accents and expansive windows providing a distinguished traditional aesthetic within a modern context. 

Seventeen exclusive multi-level residences feature the utmost in interior design and amenities including: 13 - foot ceiling heights, stained concrete and hardwood floors, polished masonry walls, exposed heavy timber structure, gourmet kitchens with custom cabinets and dramatic architectural staircases.  Private rooftop terraces provide a relaxing setting to accent casual modern living.

The Architect’s Residence,
by FX Architecture

Awarded the ‘2003 AIA Honor Award for Design Excellence’, the heart of this 2,800 sf in-town residence and studio is a central courtyard.

This private outdoor oasis connects the living room and dining room and is the home’s primary entertaining center during temperate months. Hard-edged industrial materials including poured in place concrete walls and galvanized metal roofs and siding, are softened by wood doors and windows, traditional roof shapes, and the size and setback of the front façade that respect the neighborhood’s craftsman bungalows.

This home features a private first floor guest suite, work by New York and local artists, custom Pewabic tiles and light fixtures made by the owners, iridescent glass tiles, cherry cabinets, granite counters and stainless appliances. Radiant heat in polished concrete and stained MDF plank floors warm the house.

The second floor studio captures the North light and provides a view of Royal Oak Street activity as well as a serene view of the courtyard. A small green roof runs above the central hall. An industrial grate bridge provides access to the master suite and reinforces the separation of home and office. Low windows in the master bedroom draw attention to the courtyard below and provide a from-the-bed view of the Red Run Fireworks each year.

Tickets Available after August 25th at the following Michigan Businesses: (call first for availability)

553 East Jefferson Ave.
Detroit, 48226
(313) 965-4100

474 N. Old Woodward Ave.
Birmingham, 48009
248-646-0097

33866 Woodward Ave.
Birmingham, 48009
248-644-4411 

220 S. Main St,
Royal Oak, 48067
248-541-9940

22110 Telegraph Road
Southfield, 48034
248-352-5811

7001 Orchard Lake Road, Suite 110
West Bloomfield
248.851.7540

607 Woodward Street
Rochester, 48307
248.651.9411

215 Peabody Street,
Birmingham, 48009
248-540-2555

850 South Old Woodward Ave
Birmingham, 48009
248-646-7847

72 Kercherval,
Grosse Pointe Farms,
48236
313-882-6880

4066 W. Maple Rd.
Bloomfield Hills, 48301
248.647.5250

1700 Stutz Drive Suite #25
Troy, MI 48084
248.649.4772

36280 Woodward Ave.
Bloomfield Hills, 48304
248.644.0100

235 East Main Street
Suite 102B
Northville, 48167
248-449-3564

241 East Merrill Street
Birmingham, MI 48009
248-593-9485