The practice manages to attract clients willing to take risks.
The practice has a track record of delivering projects to clients that allow them to thrive.
The practice does not engage in unpaid ‘spec’ work in hopes of getting the job.
The practice does not engage in the use of unpaid design interns.
The practice is fond of opportunities to design things for the first time.
The practice is fond of opportunities to design things again.
The practice is based in Detroit.
The practice contends that being based in Detroit is many things: Today it’s Mythic, Inspiring, & Prescient.
The practice values its time by tracking its time.
The practice pays its staff for every hour of work.
The practice employs practices of a larger firm, which allows it to deliver as if it’s a larger firm.
The practice currently employs five, who have been with the studio for 4, 8, 9, 10, & 25 years.
The practice is not interested in disciplinary silos.
The practice strives to find a balance between expertise and naivety.
The practice refrains from clients where design is an unacknowledged investment in the project by the practice.
Early on, Clark Stevens (architect and conservationist) told us “keep doing what you’re doing...” followed by Michael Rotondi (architect and educator) who added: “...keep doing what you’re not doing.”
The practice is a project too.