2007 AIA Michigan Design Honor Award

Pozios Retail Center
Macomb Township, Michigan

Jury Comment:
A rigorous rectilinear geometric system has taken advantage of steel’s inherent qualities for structure and ornamentation.

Project Description:

2007 AIA Michigan Steel Award
To recognize steel design excellence and innovation.

The Site
The site is traveled by about 50,000 cars per day, with excellent street exposure. A menagerie of typical suburban retail spaces along the street complicates competition of retail centers trying to draw attention to car travelers.

Retail Center and Restaurant
The design of the retail center is based on the use of structural steel as a method of forming a series of entry canopies for each space. The canopy also allows for the integration of signage in a controlled method. Steel canopies float in front of each entry creating a layering of materials and a defined rhythm to the center.
The Restaurant is designed to be completely transparent to the street, allowing views into the restaurant and showing ongoing restaurant activity. Pure in its detailing, all steel is exposed and highlighted as the dominate feature throughout the building. The use of steel frames, overlaid with steel pipes form a trellised canopy over the dining areas of the restaurant. The repetition of steel framed columns and glass inserts direct vistas to the outside from both booth and chair seating. As detailed throughout the retail center, the main entrance to the restaurant is also articulated with a steel grid canopy, signifying entry.

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