A3C - Collaborative Architecture

Last Tuesday morning, we gathered with various community members, firefighters, elected officials, and project partners to celebrate the groundbreaking of Ann Arbor Fire Station No. 4. Designed by A3C Collaborative Architecture, this fire station will be the first Net Zero Energy fire station in the State of Michigan, aligning with the city’s A2ZERO carbon neutrality goals. We thank Fire Chief Mike Kennedy, Mayor Christopher Taylor, and Office of Sustainability and Innovations Director Missy Stults for leading the charge on this exceptional project.

Affectionately coined “The Box,” the 1966 fire station has had near constant maintenance issues and a failing sewer. The new station will be the city's first carbon-neutral facility with geothermal heating and cooling, solar panels, and other energy-efficient actions, and will also feature gender-inclusive accommodations that are currently lacking.

We look forward to working in the months ahead with our project partners PEA, TYLin, InSite, PBA, and Granger Construction, and our clients in the City of Ann Arbor to realize this feat of municipal design and construction and to inspire communities far and wide by what can be accomplished with expert collaboration.

Last Friday night, Anne Cox and Helen Brooks donned their red shoes in support of the Ronald McDonald House Charities Ann Arbor (RMHCAA). Held at Michigan’s Big House, the is an annual fundraising event that supports the mission of RMHCAA to keep families close and supported when children need ongoing healthcare.

Most folks in Ann Arbor can’t imagine wearing red in the Big House, but if it’s not football season, and if it means raising money and awareness for an organization that aims to ease the stress for families navigating a most difficult time, then will sport red over maize and blue every time.

For more than 40 years, our architects, project managers, and designers have actively aimed to be stewards and leaders of sustainability. We believe solutions abound when we work collaboratively and responsibly. This 55th year of Earth Day, we celebrate the importance of integrating the built and natural environments to preserve and protect what we can, while we can.

HAPPY EARTH DAY from all of us at A3C!

Last week, A3C had the honor of hosting an MS candidate from U-M Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning for a Spring Break Externship. We welcomed Krzysztof Lower to job shadow our various team members and visit one of our current work sites at the First United Methodist Church of Ann Arbor. Thank you, Krzysztof, for joining us—it was a pleasure having you here!

We remain thankful year in and year out for the opportunities we've had to partner with clients, colleagues, and collaborators who for more than 40 years have entrusted us to meet their architectural needs. In addition, we are thankful for much more:

A winning 🙌 Lions season? ✔
Pumpkin pie🥧? ✔
Friends + Family? ✔

Find out what each of our team members is thankful for this holiday season in our pictures below.

Regardless of where you spend it or who you are with, may this Thanksgiving fill your heart with joy and gratitude.

With thanks,
A3C Collaborative Architecture

Happy 🌎 from all of us at A3C - Collaborative Architecture!