Neumann/Smith firm: Architects of the Detroit dream

Founded in 1969 by the late Ken Neumann, the Neumann/Smith architecture firm is intimately involved with a revival under way in downtown Detroit. The firm is opening a Detroit studio. Partner Joel Smith, who joined the firm in 1980, talked with the Free Press last week about the firms long-term success.

Whats it like to be one of Dan Gilberts architects?

Theyve been great. Theyre always looking to do something creative and thats really based in their culture. All this work weve done over the years talking to people about building a culture and then finally you get a client who really wants to embrace that and see it through. You see that in a lot of their work thats really built around the culture of the environment theyre trying to set up for their employees. Its great.

Youre also working with the advertising firm Campbell Ewald to design their new home in the old Hudsons warehouse in the Ford Field complex.

Yes, right now were working with Campbell Ewald. They have a design sense, and its a pleasure to work with a client whos a designer. That doesnt come often. Usually youre trying to educate your clients and thats a little more difficult.

Whats the bulk of the work youre doing right now?

We do a lot of university housing work. We do work for (mall developer) Taubman all around the country. Weve always had our philanthropic work in the Jewish community. We have done a lot for (Dan) Gilbert starting with the M@dison Building. And now (for Gilbert) were doing nine floors in the (Minoru) Yamasaki building 1Woodward, and we did 11 floors in the Dime Building, which is now the Chrysler House. Were renovating the First National Building lobby. And were doing the Z deck (a parking deck with first-floor retail for Gilbert).

Ken Neumann, who died in 2007, was your founder and guiding force for so many years. His signature style was buildings with big, bold geometry and dramatic colors. Is his spirit still a presence at the firm?

We constantly have Kens thoughts in our minds, and hes still with us in a very strong way. Most of my employees have been with me for 20-plus years so they were all here during the Ken era, and (with) the younger employees who didnt know Ken its fun to talk to them about what he was about. Hes still a very strong force around here. If the client didnt like (a design) Ken would always say, Well, we can make an equally beautiful solution. Time and time again he would say things like that. He had so many wonderful things to say.

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Neumann/Smith firm: Architects of the Detroit dream