Lenox Township Hall is Michigan’s first LEED Certified township hall. The Public areas feature large windows carefully screened to reduce solar gain yet provide fabulous views of the rain garden. Each private office has an exterior window for natural light. Additional light floods the 4,000 sq. ft. Community Room via windows tucked under the triangular roof overhang and vertical windows in the exterior wall.

Forty-two geothermal wells under the parking lot provide the source for heating and cooling. This allows for 30% less energy use than office buildings of the same size and use. Another sustainable design feature is the reflective white roof, which absorbs less heat and avoids the creation of artificial hot zones. The project promotes storm water treatment, alternative transportation, reduced water consumption, low heat absorbing structures, energy efficiency, improved indoor air quality, improved thermal
comfort for occupants, maximum use of daylight and views, recycled and regionally manufactured materials and the careful management of construction waste.

Project Details:

Project Name:
Lenox Township Hall
Client:
Charter Township of Lenox
Location:
Lenox Township, MI
Cost:
$4,200,000
Sq Ft:
19,500
Completed:
2008

Project Summery:

The building design incorporates elements traditionally found on bridges, symbolic of the main building function; connecting the community.

Visitors are greeted in a two story lobby, with service counters located on either side. The lobby can be closed off by security gates during after-hour functions. All staff and non-public office spaces are located in the lower level. The grading of the build site allowed for a walk-out lower level at the south-west corner of the building. This walk-out features a landscaped plaza for use during outdoor community events. Administrative offices are located on the second level, accessible by a stairway located in the tower, a feature element of the building’s exterior. A suspension bridge spans the two-story lobby, connecting the offices with the Community Room on the opposite side of the tower. This community room is used for many of the township’s democratic functions.

Project Details:

Project Name:
Northville Municipal Building
Client:
Charter Township of Northville
Location:
Northville, MI
Cost:
$6,000,000
Sq Ft:
39,000
Completed:
2004

Project Summery:

The emphasis of this hallmark of senior activity centers was health and wellness for senior adults. Situated on a hilltop overlooking downtown Rochester, this traditional brick structure flows across the site, blending with the contours of the natural setting. Wood slat ceilings, metal roofing, stone accents and masonry in Earth tones give this facility a stately, sophisticated appearance.

Visitors can take advantage of over 37,000 square feet dedicated to health and wellness, including two pools, one for aerobic activity and another for therapeutic programs. A gymnasium, indoor walking track, aerobics room and exercise room add to the myriad of fitness opportunities. Nearly 9,000 sq ft is arranged into arts-and-crafts classrooms while an emphasis on nutrition is evidenced by a large commercial style kitchen and dining room.

Project Details:

Project Name:
Senior Activity Center
Client:
Older Persons Commission
Location:
Rochester, MI
Cost:
$11,000,000
Sq Ft:
89,900
Completed:
2004

Project Summery

French Associates was contracted by the government and public safety officials of the Charter Township of Northville to design a new fire station, police headquarters and township hall. Originally, the township offices were combined with the police and fire departments in a dated, cramped facility.

The fire station accommodates multiple fulltime fireman. One wing dedicated to living quarters includes a sleeping room, dayroom, kitchen, lockers and exercise area. The administration wing contains offices, a training room, and other administrative functions. The wings flank an apparatus bay, complete with underground exhaust system and an active training tower. The building’s design is reminiscent of traditional architecture found in the surrounding neighborhood. Pitched roofs, brick-and-stone exteriors and accented windows blend the facility harmoniously into its suburban setting.

Project Details:

Project Name:
Northville Fire Department
Client:
Charter Township of Northville
Location:
Northville, MI
Cost:
$4,000,000
Sq Ft:
24,000
Completed:
2004

Project Summery

The new Grand Blanc Township Police Headquarters building is the first construction project on a planned municipal campus. The traditional design of the Police Headquarters includes a brick-and-stone faÁade and is reminiscent of days past, yet it houses some of the most advanced computer, security and surveillance technology available. The main level features a multi-purpose Public Meeting Room, dispatch office, five individual holding cells, a group holding cell and detoxification cells. The Detective Bureau accommodates eight detectives and two D.A.R.E. officers in a mix of work stations and enclosed offices. The Patrol Department includes an officer roll-call room, ten officer work stations and enclosed offices. Conference and interview spaces, an enclosed Sally-port and forensic evidence garages are also located on the main level.

The 16,100 square foot lower level of the building houses locker rooms, a unisex training room, an evidence processing area, enclosed six -lane gun range, and storage rooms.

Project Details:

Project Name:
Grand Blanc Police HQ
Client:
Grand Blanc Township
Location:
Grand Blanc, MI
Cost:
$11,500.000
Sq Ft:
41,190
Completed:
2008

Project Summery:

This court facility is situated on a 9.2-acre parcel and houses two separate county functions; The courthouse and Sheriff’s substation. It is designed to allow a future property division between those two functions. It is a distinctive two-story classic brick-andstone structure reminiscent of historic judicial architecture. The major difference is, of course, the addition of state-of-the-art technology and security systems.

The 52-3 District Court houses four Court Rooms with additional areas for Administrative Support, Clerk, Detention, and Probation functions. The Sheriff’s Substation is connected through a secure corridor for easy transfer of detainees.

The Substation has a separate public entrance. Significant measures have been taken to keep the functions of these facilities operating separately yet able to enjoy the benefits of being adjacent.

Project Details:

Project Name:
52-3rd District Court
Client:
Oakland County
Location:
Rochester Hills, MI
Cost:
$11,573,000
Sq Ft:
53,344
Completed:
2004

Project Summery:

GOV-52-3rdDC

When the 47th District Court, serving Farmington and Farmington Hills, outgrew their existing facility, they chose the architectural team of French Associates Inc., in association with Washington D.C. based Spillis/Candela DMJM, to design their new facility.

Located on the existing Farmington Hills Municipal Campus, the 40,000 square foot, two story building houses three court rooms, a Magistrate’ s hearing room, court administration, probation and related spaces. The Courthouse shares the campus with the Farmington Municipal Building and Fire Station. It has a vehicle ramp which allows access to the lower level sally port adjoining the Police Station. The project also included the redesign of the auto circulation and parking areas for the entire campus.

Project Details:

Project Name:
47th District Court
Client:
City of Farmington Hills
Location:
Farmington Hills, MI
Cost:
$11,712,824
Sq Ft:
43,640
Completed:
2003

Project Summery:

The 41-B District Court was formerly housed in two separate facilities. The three communities in the court’s jurisdiction consolidated operations into one facility. The classically inspired exterior of the new building pulls materials from the nearby Fire Station and will create a common language for municipal facilities in the area.

The two story, 46,000 square foot facility includes a ground-level sally port, basementlevel holding cells, three courtrooms, a magistrate hearing room, probation department, court administration and ancillary support spaces. Separation of the public, private and prisoner circulation systems is integral to the physical plan. This is merely one component of the security and technology systems.

The building also utilizes an energy-efficient ground source geothermal loop for heating and cooling, which will provide superior control and comfort for the occupants while consuming less energy. This ultimately saves operating costs for the life of the building.

Project Details:

Project Name:
41-B District Courthouse
Client:
41-B District Court Management Council
Location:
Clinton Township, MI
Cost:
$13,500,000
Sq Ft:
46,000
Completed:
2008

Project Summery:

The 16th District Court, located in the Civic Center complex of the City of Livonia, will complement the existing municipal buildings while improving the functionality of the court for all users. The court will have two full courtrooms, one 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.

Project Details:

Project Name:
16th District Court
Client:
City of Livonia
Location:
Livonia, MI
Cost:
$10,000,000
Sq Ft:
38,944
Completed:
2010

Project Summery: