The Studio + The Expertise

As an urbanist, Mark has extensive insight into the creation of pedestrian-oriented built environments and structures utilizing innovative solutions, commonly incorporated into all of his
architectural and urban design projects. These include current smart growth policies, complete street planning and development of clear ordinance languages all with an enhanced emphasis on walkability.

Mark is currently beginning his third term as a City Commissioner and is the former Mayor of Birmingham, Michigan, noted as one of the most walkable small cities in North America. He has worked in Birmingham as an appointed or elected civic leader for over 20 years, including terms
as Planning Board Chairman and member. He has served on numerous boards and committees and is a Past President of the Detroit Chapter of the American Institute of Architects. Mark has presented and lectured on urban issues and city building strategies for various organizations and
municipalities, throughout North America. He has taught at the university level for over 25 years, having been on the faculty at Lawrence Technological University, Wayne State University and the
University of Detroit-Mercy.

Over the years, Mark has been awarded and recognized for his leadership in city building, architecture and urban design, specifically for his work to create better places for people. He was recently elevated to the national American Institute of Architects (AIA) College of Fellows, a distinction that only 3% of the over 90,000 AIA members hold. He was awarded with the AIA Detroit Gold Medal, two young architect awards, the Distinguished Alumni Award from his alma matter and numerous additional awards, recognitions and accolades.

With the goal of increasing his extensive expertise in creating and enhancing places for people, Mark has resided and traveled to over 400 major cities throughout the world, in 30 countries on 4 continents. This Global Urban Study has been a critical contributor in creating his unique perspective in regards to city building and the development of a greater understanding of solutions in architecture, design and urban issues. Additionally, Mark is a developer and an entrepreneur with
extensive knowledge of retail establishments. As a co-owner of multiple retail establishments and cafes in urban contexts, he is achieving his goal of enhancing and reestablishing people-oriented places in cities.

Mark's passion and enthusiasm for urban, walkable districts has led to a career focused on the redevelopment and enhancement of post-industrial cities and other vibrant built environments. He uses his diverse skill set as a city builder to create places for people that are worth caring about.

Dorian has a strong commitment to redeveloping and enhancing existing urban areas, particularly where physical as well as economic challenges exist. He advocates for a strategic approach to revitalizing cities, based in precedent research and sustainable practices aimed at the long-term viability of neighborhoods, districts, corridors, and downtowns.

Dorian’s expertise regarding the built environment has positioned him as a resource for the media and for researchers on urban issues. Dorian was featured in the PBS documentary Designing Healthy Cities and was consulted on the documentary Beyond the Motor City discussing the future of the Post-Industrial City. He was also featured on the public affairs television programs Spotlight on the News and Back to Back discussing architecture and urban design in Detroit. Dorian has lectured regionally on traditional urbanism applications in inner cities and has lectured at the University of Toronto to the Congress for the New Urbanism and at the University of Michigan and the University of Detroit-Mercy on the urban environment.

Dorian has been a recipient of the AIA Detroit Young Architect’s Award and has been involved in a wide range of large-scaled urban design and architecture projects. Recently, he was Project Urban Design Manager for the 180 acre Michigan State Fairgrounds mixed-use redevelopment. Dorian
was among a select group of architects and planners invited to Mississippi as part of the charrette planning team for 11 cities along the Gulf Coast that were ravaged by hurricane Katrina. He was a member of an international team of architects and urban designers invited to develop a vision for the underutilized “Port Lands” in Toronto, Canada. He was also a member of the Core Support Staff for the Mayor’s Detroit Land Use Master Plan Task Force in Detroit, Michigan, which developed the framework for the long-term evolution of the city.

Dorian graduated from the University of Michigan and also studied at the Technical University of Vienna, Austria. Dorian has taught urban design and architecture at many local universities including the University of Windsor, University of Detroit-Mercy, Lawrence Technological University, and Wayne State University focusing on research that advances urban discourse.

Dorian’s passion for city building has led him to spend many years traveling to and studying the urban character of more than 300 cities worldwide. Dorian uses this first-hand experience to aid in his mission of creating environments of great value and long-lasting appeal for people.

A proponent of re-introducing small-scale manufacturing in the city of Detroit, Kevin conceptualized and co-founded Workshop, a furniture manufacturer and retailer that designs, builds and sells modern furniture using lumber reclaimed from Detroit's vacant and abandoned building stock.

Kevin is an engineering graduate from Lawrence Technological University and has studied at the University of Detroit Mercy. He has travelled to more than 300 cities, studying and learning first-hand, a wide range of conditions and applications that contribute to the overall health and vitality of a region.

Shawn pioneered the national local culture movement when she founded the original Pure Detroit retail store and culture brand. Pure Detroit is a brand that highlights the value and importance of authentic local culture and its powerful connection to the community.

Shawn’s Pure Detroit concept inspired the tremendously successful advertising campaign - ‘Pure Michigan,’ one of North America’s most successful state branding initiatives.

Additionally, Shawn has conceptualized and successfully launched more than ten retail, food and beverage enterprises along with numerous cultural events.

The Detroit Economic Growth Corporation recruited Shawn to meet with executives of Detroit watchmaker, Shinola during its initial start up phase. She made recommendations that included emphasizing a ‘makers/manufacturing story,’ highlighting the ‘watchmaking process’ over a ’luxury concept,’ and pairing watches with Detroit’s emerging bicycle culture. Her site location suggestion, for the brand's first brick-&-mortar location on Canfield Street in Detroit's Midtown neighborhood, was also taken.

Shawn studied art and urban planning at Wayne State University. She is a guest lecturer on entrepreneurship at Wayne State University School of Business. Shawn has an extensive background in art direction, publishing, cultural arts event production, product design and product development. Her interest lies in the reactivation of historic and distressed properties.