A conceptual plan for the Detroit Book and Tower Building: Exploration of the conjunction of historic preservation and sustainable design concepts

<p>This conceptual project generated an adaptive reuse proposal for the Book and Tower Building in a registered historic district. Louis Kamper designed the thirteen-story Book Building in 1917, in the Beaux Arts style, to create elite shops and offices. In 1926 the thirty-six-story Tower Building extended the leaseable space. This proposal preserved and rehabilitated the historic features in the lobby area and renovated the retail spaces. An Asian Café was designed to contrast, but blend with, the Beaux Arts style. The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Rehabilitation were followed in the lobby area so as to make the renovation eligible for federal and state tax credits. LEED for New Construction & Major Renovation Criteria grounded the proposal so as to reduce the potentially negative environmental impact associated with renovation of urban high-rise buildings. The contrast of new and old, East and West, created an intriguing tension in this Detroit landmark.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science (MS)

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Engineering Technology

Year

2006

Author dc:creator

• Luo, Chi-Ying

Contributors dc:contributor

• Louise Jones, ArchD, Chair
• Jiang Lu, MArch, MA
• Norman Tyler, PhD

• Eclecticism in architecture Michigan Detroit
• Book and Tower Building Conservation and restoration Michigan Detroit
• Environmental Design
• Historic Preservation and Conservation
• Interior Architecture

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.emich.edu/theses/106

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-1105