Borum, Sauvé, and Unverzagt’s architecture firms receive 2026 AIA Michigan Awards

Projects by three architecture firms founded by Taubman College faculty members were recognized with AIA Michigan Design and Honor Awards at an event hosted earlier this month. The awards recognize the best architects, firms, and projects from across the state. This year, honorees were selected by a group of Arkansas-based architects for their creativity, dedication, and vision.

M1DTW, founded by Christian Unverzagt, professor of practice, and SYNECDOCHE, co-founded by Lisa Sauvé, assistant professor of practice and incoming faculty director of the urban technology program, were recognized with Interior Awards for their projects in Detroit and Grand Rapids. PLY+, founded by Craig Borum, professor of architecture, was recognized with a Community Impact Award for the firm’s design of a Detroit community center. More on the projects is below.

Bamboo Coworking

SYNECDOCHE

This 35,000-square-foot coworking and event space transforms a purpose-built downtown Grand Rapids art gallery into a dynamic workplace that embraces, rather than conceals, the building’s character. Exposed concrete, soaring volumes, and expansive spaces are paired with carefully crafted interventions that introduce warmth, identity, and flexibility. Features such as The Vault amphitheater and thoughtfully scaled work areas support collaboration, events, and individual focus. Through strategic planning, adaptive reuse, and partnerships with local creatives, the project prioritizes well-being, natural light, acoustic comfort, and community connection, positioning coworking as a vibrant form of civic infrastructure. 

Signal-Return at LANTERN

M1DTW

Signal-Return, a Detroit nonprofit dedicated to preserving and teaching traditional letterpress printing, expanded into a new 4,300-square-foot adaptive reuse space to support growing educational and production needs. The design reorganized key program areas to strengthen public engagement, placing educational presses near the storefront to showcase the craft to the community. Minimal interventions preserved the building’s character while introducing new architectural elements, including a plywood-wrapped core and bright yellow structural accents inspired by the organization’s former space. Through adaptive reuse and thoughtful material choices, the project creates a flexible, light-filled environment that celebrates creativity, collaboration, and the tradition of letterpress printing.

Helen Moore Community Center & Ed Davis Park

PLY+ Architecture

The Helen Moore Community Center and Ed Davis Park mark a significant investment in Detroit’s west side and honor two community pioneers. Guided by extensive public input, the project preserved key gathering spaces while introducing new amenities, including a STEM lab, reading room, art studio, learning kitchen, and flexible community spaces designed to serve a wide range of ages and interests. Renovations improved accessibility through reconfigured circulation and new ADA-compliant connections, while a central spine links interior spaces with the adjacent park. Community-selected materials and colors create a welcoming identity, supporting connection, learning, and long-term community growth.

Read more about this year’s award winners at the AIA Michigan website.