Megan had the pleasure of being a guest critic at the thesis final reviews for the first cohort of students to graduate from Kendall College of Art and Design's new Master of Architecture program. Five women and men presented their work to a guest panel, their thesis advisers, and fellow classmates. Megan was impressed by the level of exploration into how architecture can impact community as the projects addressed a number of pressing social concerns.
The work is currently on display through May 21st, 2016 in the Fed Gallery (a former project of Tom's) as part of the 2016 KCAD Annual Student Exhibition. Says Megan, "Three or four years ago we were only talking and dreaming about what a MArch program in West Michigan could look like, and…
The Western Michigan Federal District Court was created by act of Congress in late 1863. But it was not until 1872 that efforts to build a federal courthouse started. Site selection was in 1873, and Congress appropriated $70,000 for the site. The site required a lot of filling because it was partially in a low, swampy area. Excavation for the foundation was finally completed in 1876, and the building was completed in 1879 for $212,000. The first court session was held on October 7 of that year. This courthouse served well for about twenty years, when the growth of the district and the growth of the agency staffs in the building demanded more space. Finally, in 1909, the red brick building was demolished. …/p>