airport

March 19, 2019

Airport Pavilion Featured in The Golf Explorer Magazine!

Thanks to “The Golf Explorer” Magazine for featuring the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GFIA) and its Viewing Park, which was designed by MMA, in their 2019 edition! ## The GFIA Viewing Park, owned by the airport and located at 4820 KraftAvenue SE in Grand Rapids, has served as a popular place for local residents, families, visitors, and aviation enthusiasts alike since it first opened in 1995. Initially a park featuring a long, serpentine-shaped parking lot and cul-de-sac with picnic tables where visitors could capture the drama of flight as planes roared down the East-West runway, the site has been transformed and elevated with a simple, yet carefully detailed structure designed by Mathison | Mathison Architects, or MMA, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. “This goes back to the primary kind of architecture: it is shelter. It has columns, the building is telling you what it is doing, it is directing rain, and it has this kind of purity as a structure,” said Ben Franceschi, architect at MMA. MMA, a full-service architectural firm grounded in modernism, is a practice striving to deliver projects that embrace its site, enrich its surrounding environment, and provide meaningful authentic experiences. Thomas R. Mathison, FAIA, principal and […]

October 11, 2018

MMA Celebrates 5 Years!

MMA celebrates 5 years in business with their team, family, friends, clients and partners.

"Five years has flown by. We are thankful to our team, our amazing clients, our partners and vendors for your support." - Co-founders, Tom & Evan Mathison

September 2, 2018

Muskegon ISD: Design Insights

MMA was thrilled to work with the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District (MAISD) to renovate, refresh, and add new space to the existing building.

The goals for this renovation project at MAISD included:

Better use of ineffective space.
Additional conference space and a variety of conference space sizes.
Clearer circulation paths throughout the building.
Additional storage capacity.
Centralized resources.
Provision for future growth.
Infrastructure upgrades.

View the process and results

August 15, 2018

Airport Park & Pavilion Featured in “Airport World”

Thanks to "Airport World" for featuring our Gerald R Ford International Airport park & pavilion project! Gerald R Ford International Airport's renovated 'viewing park' where people can come and watch aircraft landing and taking off has quickly become one of the most popular attractions in the county.

Gerald R Ford International Airport's renovated 'viewing park' where people can come and watch aircraft landing and taking off has quickly become one of the most popular attractions in the county.

Indeed, the Mathison I Mathison Architects (MMA) designed park is already a magnet for aviation enthusiats, families and photographers either living in or visiting the Michigan city of Grand Rapids.

Prior to the renovation, there was only a parking lot, picnic tables and a grassy strip.

June 20, 2018

AIA of Michigan Awards Airport Park & Pavilion

The viewing park and pavilion at Gerald R. Ford International Airport is the latest recipient of a statewide architecture design award. The architect of the park and pavilion, Mathison | Mathison Architects (MMA), from Grand Rapids, received the recognition.

The American Institute of Architects – Michigan awards Mathison | Mathison Architects (MMA), from Grand Rapids, received the recognition.

MMA received the “Small Budget Award” from the Michigan Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). The award, according to AIA, is given “in recognition of design excellence within the constraints of a small budget (under $2 million), scale, and size”. The design award jury commented: “This simple and expressive pavilion provides a serene viewing platform beneath a soaring dynamic form.”

This community-focused project was funded by both the Cascade Community Foundation and the Gerald R. Ford International Airport, and it included the addition of a shelter with restrooms and a gathering plaza, a…

March 30, 2017

MMA Airport Tour Photos

Thanks to everyone who attended the West Michigan Design Week tour of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Viewing Park & Pavilion!

Thanks to Owen-Ames-Kimball and the Cascade Community Foundation for your participation.

It was exciting to be able to share our design inspiration and thought process around the project.

Look for the grand opening in May! Read more about the project.