McIntosh Poris Architects (MPA) was recently named the 2024 Firm of the Year by the American Institute of Architects, Michigan. With the Firm of the Year Award, AIA Michigan selects an architecture office “that has consistently produced distinguished architecture.”
AIA Michigan’s awards jury highlighted MPA’s longstanding contributions to Detroit’s revival as a persuasive consideration in the selection process: “McIntosh Poris Architects was selected due to the firm’s commitment to equity in remarkable and bold designs that serve multiple communities,” said the jury. “MPA is also outstanding for their work culture, providing opportunities in career development and professional participation.”
Founded in 1994 by childhood friends Michael Poris, AIA, and the late Douglas McIntosh, MPA has been at the forefront of Detroit’s continuing architectural and cultural resurgence. “When we started in ’94, people were tearing down Detroit’s architectural treasures,” remembers Poris. “We saw the potential in these buildings and fought to save them. This award validates our belief that preservation and innovation can coexist to create vibrant, livable places that respect our city’s rich history.”
MPA’s “modern contextual” approach has shaped transformative projects across Michigan. Among them are the Detroit Foundation Hotel, which breathed new life into the former Detroit Fire Department headquarters; early feasibility plans for Michigan Central Depot; numerous restaurants and hotspots, including the new Gilly’s; custom homes; Broadway District, North Corktown, and East Riverfront urban plans; historic country clubs; and several thousand apartments and condos in both historic and ground-up buildings. Each project demonstrates the firm’s commitment to listening to clients and understanding each site’s distinctive context.
