Click on Image to read full article.
On hand for the recent ribbon cutting of the new Star Academy athletic field are: Dearborn Heights Mayor Dan Paletko (left), Wayne County Exec Robert Ficano, CEO of Hamadeh Educational Services Nawal Hamadeh, Star International Academy Board President Jumana Ferencz, Oakland University's Mildred Taylor, Michigan Association of Public School Academies President Dan Quisenberry, Sir Michael Berry, Cyndi Berry and Michigan Department of Human Services Director Ismael Ahmed.
French Associates, Architects worked with Foresite Design Inc. in design and completion of this project.
Cros-Lex community schools will celebrate the ground breaking for Cros-Lex Highschool on June 2, 2010.
Croswell-Lexington High School, located near the shores of Lake Huron, had outgrown it's gymnasium, cafeteria and science laboratories. French Associates assisted the District with passing a financial bond issue, providing funds to begin additions and remodeling.
Major projects include the construction of a new, 1,400 seat competition gymnasium and a pair of state-of-the-art science labs. A new cafetorium can serve 400 for meals, seat 500 for performances, and improves the class schedule by halving the number of lunch periods.
A dramatic new events hall will act as a link between a new 200-car parking area/student drop-off and a new outdoor commons that serves the cafeteria and existing football field/track. The existing cafeteria and shop areas will become a new music room, general classrooms and computer labs. The final piece of the project adds a new roof line and a secured vestibule to the main entrance, controlling access to the building during the school day.
The James R. McCann Hall of Justice 16th District Court Dedication Ceremony was held on April 30th 2010. This new courthouse was designed in collaboration with French Associates, and Neumann Smith.
The 16th District Court, designed by French Associates and Neumann Smith, is located in the Civic Center complex of the City of Livonia. The facility complements the existing municipal buildings while improving the functionality of the court for all users. The design features two courtrooms, a magistrate hearing room, court clerk support space and an active probation department. Courtroom technology will be state of the art, improving security and efficiency of court operations.
The 38,600 sf facility is a two story building with security features inherent to the plan of the building. Circulation paths of users, including staff, public and in-custody persons are distinct and separate, while providing a strong sense of the transparency of the judicial process for all. The building is sited purposefully to enhance the frontage of the municipal complex and the architectural character will establish a sense of importance of the proceedings within.
The Shelby Township Board of Trustees opted unanimously to award the design of the new police station to French Associates, Inc. architects.
The project, which is expected to include renovations to the lower level of the municipal building - where the current police station is located - and a stand-alone building. The proposed 8,000-square-foot area in the municipal building is expected to be used for training and meeting space. An 18,000-square-foot stand-alone building is expected to house the police station next to the train at the township's municipal building at 24 Mile Road and Van Dyke.
MSD Washington Township scored big at the polls on May 4. The school corporation passed its referendum by more than 70%.
French Associates, Architectural design firm's strategic alliance partner-Banach, Banach & Cassidy-worked on the campaign with Washington Township citizens and school officials. BB&C conducted a pre-election telephone survey in the community, managed the voter data base, and provided strategic counsel during the referendum campaign. Washington Township's citizen committee leadership graduated from the Campaign College conducted in Indianapolis by French Associates and BB&C.
To better serve its educational clients,
French Associates, AIA has formed a strategic alliance with
Banach, Banach & Cassidy, a campaign strategy firm.
French Associates is a full-service architectural firm specializing in educational facility design. Banach, Banach & Cassidy is a national leader in educational marketing, survey research, and election campaign planning. The alliance enables French Associates to provide its educational clients with comprehensive pre-bond communication, research, and strategy services.
"The alliance will enable us to provide school districts with a full array of services, from pre-bond and election planning to architectural design and construction administration," said Chris Schmidt, French Associates' Director of Client Services. "Now we can provide our educational clients with communication and marketing counsel before a project begins and continue to be of service after their project is completed," he continued.
Banach Banach & Cassidy will continue to market the new, research-based ABC Pre-Election Audit directly to school districts. This survey relies on massive demographic and psychographic database information combined with comprehensive voter analysis to generate a specialized campaign plan. Additionally, the ABC Pre-election Audit software can predict the probability of winning a bond issue, even when the survey is administered up to three years before the vote.
Schmidt believes French's alliance with Banach, Banach & Cassidy will help more school districts find success at the polls. "When school districts follow BB&C's recommendations, they usually win their election," he said. "That was the driving force behind the alliance - working together to make every school a winner."
French Associates and Banach, Banach & Cassidy offer free consultations to all school districts, especially those considering an election in the near future. Please contact Chris Schmidt (248/656-1377) for more information or to schedule an appointment.
About French Associates, Inc.
French Associates is a nationally recognized leader in educational facility planning. Winners of the prestigious Crow Island Award, French Associates' education projects -ranging from renovations to new construction - have been "on time and under budget" for 37 years.
French Associates provides up-to-date services related to all state and national codes and requirements. French's president, Dale Jerome, AIA, is one of the few Registered Certified Educational Facility Planners in Michigan.
French Associates takes pride in the comprehensive services it provides to school districts. French is unique because the firm works with clients before, during and after every project.
About Banach, Banach & Cassidy
BB&C is in the business of creating strategic advantage. The firm tracks societal trends, conducts survey research, and designs marketing programs and campaign strategies. BB&C provides outside insight to a client list ranging from education institutions to state and national associations to members of the Fortune 100.
Dr. William Banach is CEO of Banach, Banach & Cassidy. Cynthia Banach is the firm's President. Bill & Cynthia have more than 60 years of experience helping school districts conduct survey research and develop marketing plans. Their campaigns have generated over $3 billion in revenue for schools.
French Associates is dedicated to guiding clients toward greater efforts at sustainability and energy efficiency. The US Green Building Council (USGBC) has a process for designers and architects to achieve LEED Accreditation, an advanced level of training in the area of "green" principles. The study and testing portion of the LEED Accreditation is exhaustive, insuring that all accredited members are well-versed and highly knowledgeable. As of 2009, French Associates has 7 staff members holding a LEED accreditation.
|
Dale C. Jerome, AIA, REFP, LEED AP
President |
Dan W. Jerome, AIA, LEED AP
Senior Associate |
Tricia A. Beck, AIA, LEED AP
Senior Associate |
Suzanne Carlson, AIA, LEED AP
Associate |
Keti Mitevska, AIA, LEED AP
Associate |
John Waldrop, AIA, LEED AP
Associate |
David Payne, LEED AP
Intern Architect |
|
French Associates is pleased to announce a new partnership with Energy Star, a testament to our fundamental commitment to protect the environment. This exciting, voluntary partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star means that French Associates will be working toward helping our clients improve the energy efficiency and performance of their facilities. We believe that an organization-wide energy management approach will help our clients enhance their financial health and aid in preserving the environment for future generations.
In partnership with Energy Star, we will help our clients to:
- Measure and track the energy performance of their facilities at all locations.
- Set a goal to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings by 10% or more, in support of the Energy Star Challenge
We will also:
- Encourage our staff and community to learn about the benefits of energy efficiency and to implement appropriate energy efficiency measures
- Encourage other architects, engineers and developers with whom we work to join Energy Star and take the Energy Star Challenge
Suzanne S. Carlson, AIA, was promoted to the position of Associate. Suzanne is one of French Associates' in-house experts in courthouse and municipal facility design. She recently completed the new 41B District Court in Clinton Township, and she is now working on the design for the new 16th District Court in Livonia. Some of Suzanne's recent projects include the 52-3rd District Court & Oakland County Sheriff Substation in Rochester, the 47th District Court in Farmington Hills, and the Northville Township Fire and Police Stations.
Stephen M. Lodge, AIA, was promoted to the position of Senior Associate. Steve has been with French Associates for 14 years, and in that time he has contributed to many types of projects. Steve's most recently completed projects include the Grand Blanc Township Police Headquarters in Grand Blanc, Brandon High School in Ortonville, and Waterford's Kettering and Mott High Schools. He is currently involved as Project Manager for renovations in South Lake Schools, Waterford Schools, and Lapeer Community Schools.