MAF Grants and Awards

David Evans Memorial
DAVID EVANS, FAIA 1948-1998
Old Wayne County Building, Detroit, MI Lansing Capitol, Lansing, MI Bentley Historical Library The oldest known photograph of the Detroit Observatory. (1858) Patricia S. Whitesell David helping to hoist the newly restored, 1857 Henry Fitz refracting telescope tube back into its mount. D.C. Goings The UM Detroit Observatory as it looks today following its restoration.	David Evans, FAIA was a prominent member of the architectural profession and his community. His career passion was historic preservation architecture. He believed that the architectural treasures of the past must be valued and preserved for the generations to come. This award will made to a not-for-profit 501c3 organization that can demonstrate a creative and synergistic solution to a preservation problem consistent with David Evans’ values. The Clannad Foundation and the Michigan Architectural Foundation created the Evans Historic Preservation Award in David’s honor as an appropriate way to commemorate his outstanding work and the values that he espoused. The grant is aimed at small preservation projects. The application process is straightforward and does not require a professional to prepare. The applicant may use up to five pages, including the application form, to explain the project. Submit one copy of an electronic disk by the deadline. You include supplemental material; i.e, photographs, drawings or promotional brochures, that are clearly identified. If you wish the jury to see your project on the WEB, please include the address. You will be contacted if the jury needs additional information. A jury composed of representatives of the two Foundations, recognized preservation experts, and preservation architects will examine the submissions. The Michigan Architectural Foundation mission promotes "Increasing Public Appreciation of How Architecture Enriches Life" through educational, scientific and charitable activities. The Clannad Foundation was founded in 1995 by Jeanne and Ralph Graham of Bloomfield Hills. The aim of the Foundation is to support nonprofit organizations in the fields of social action, hunger, environmental acquisition and advocacy, cultural education, emergency housing and education. Clannad" is a Gaelic word for family. The spirit of David Evans lives on in the many buildings that he has helped to restore across Michigan. His presence is felt in dozens of small towns and a few important urban centers where his meticulously restored monuments stand. David earned his Masters of Architecture with High Distinction from the University of Michigan. He began his career with two pioneering preservation architectural firms. He spent two years with Kessler Associates under Edward Francis, FAIA followed by eight years at Preservation Urban Design with the late Richard Frank, FAIA. He and Michael Quinn, FAIA left PU/D in 1984 to set up their own firm, Quinn Evans/Architects, in Ann Arbor. Under David’s direction, the firm developed an expertise in preserving and adapting historic buildings. Many are historically important and highly recognizable at the state and national level. His larger contribution may well be in the many vernacular buildings in small towns that he has carefully restored. These buildings, dotted across the heart land of the mid-west, have often led to the revitalization of whole areas. His portfolio includes churches, schools, theaters, light houses, homes and at least two state capitol buildings, Michigan and Idaho. Many of these projects received awards for their design. David was on the team of architects that earned a national level award from The American Institute of Architects (AIA) for the Michigan Capitol Restoration. David was made a member of the College of Fellows of AIA in 1997. Only 3,000 architects, out of the 86,000 members of the Institute, are entitled to use FAIA after their names. He was a teacher at the University of Michigan School of Architecture and at Eastern Michigan University. He was also a frequent lecturer at meetings of state and national preservation organizations. He also helped many community groups untangle the maze of bureaucracy often required to prepare and submit grant applications for funds. He was president of the Michigan Historic Preservation Review Board and a member and treasurer of the Historic Preservation Network.