I wanted to share this image taken at Hill Auditorium for the annual University of Michigan, University Musical Society Ford Honors concert which matches the photo taken at the original opening of Hill Auditorium 100 years ago (below).  This kicks off the 2012-2013, 100th Anniversary Season for UMS at Hill Auditorium and I was lucky enough to be in this anniversary photo.  The Academy of Saint Martin in the Fields and Joshua Bell gave a terrific concert and the atmosphere and acoustics made it a sp

One of my favorite National Parks to work in (I have many), is the Keweenaw National Historical Park in Calumet, Michigan. The park was established to preserve and interpret the history of copper mining on the Keweenaw Peninsula through partnerships with both public and private organizations.

I am a fair weather sustainable commuter. I not ashamed to admit that biking or walking to work in the snow is just not my thing. It may have to do with the fact that I have to drop off a little one at daycare on my way to work or it may just be I don’t like the cold.

Spring in Michigan is a great time of year.  Trees and flowers are blooming, birds are chirping and people get outdoors after winter.  2012 is no exception, but with record breaking temperatures across the region, the first week of spring felt like summer.  I’m not complaining about the beautiful weather, but I’ve lived here most of my 50 years and have never seen a spring so early and hot.  I wonder if this is due to climate change and have a sense that this weather may have other effects that we don’t yet realize, but will need to address.

The cans were stacked and have probably already been distributed by Gleaners Community Food Bank…but did you know – QEA CANstructed this fall?

Art may imitate life as the saying goes, but the fountain and sculpture at the public plaza in front of the Ann Arbor Municipal Center jumps in with both feet and engages the community. This water sculpture, by renowned artist and engineer, Herbert Dreiseitl, was a big hit with adults and kids too. Hundreds turned out to see the light and water show, but when the younger crowd got involved, it was clear this isn’t about aesthetics or politics, but about a great new and fun place in our town.

Monday, September 12^th, was such a great day in the awesome Wisconsin hamlet of Genessee Depot! A fantastic group of 39 professionals and individuals interested in conserving significant historic landscapes in Wisconsin gathered at Ten Chimneys for a full day of cultural landscape immersion. Ten Chimneys is a National Historic Landmark created by theatre legends Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne as a working farm, retreat and rehearsal forum for themselves and their friends.

As Hurricane Irene lumbered up the East Coast, we were naturally concerned about the fate of our projects, completed and still underway. Thankfully, so far it appears that most of them weathered the storm in good shape.

We were particularly pleased to hear from our friends at QEA’s new North Carolina History Center at Tryon Palace. Located in coastal North Carolina, the community of New Bern was hit hard by Irene. The North Carolina History Center stood the test of the hurricane and shows the results of good planning and ten years of investment.

"It’s the Architects”

A few years ago, my husband and I were visiting a friend from college while on vacation. This friend also happened to be an architect, and when we arrived in town she informed us that we would find her at the public library because people from her office were attending the opening reception and awards ceremony for Canstruction®. Can-WHAT?!