Belle Isle in wildfire smoke

Another summer, another stretch of time being impacted by wildfire smoke. This semi annual occurrence provides some incredible images but this year in particular impacted my physical health. In past years the AQI would reach levels of 200-300, which can be detrimental to respiratory health, but this year we were consistently over 400-500 and after a few days of that I became physically sick from being in the elements. I love the images but I think in order to keep documenting the conditions I will have to invest in some more substantial masks and filters for the home. Enjoy these images of Belle Isle.

Wildfire smoke creates a hazy view across Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan, during summer air quality conditions.
Photograph of Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan, showing reduced visibility from summer wildfire smoke.
Landscape view of Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan, with wildfire smoke softening the Detroit skyline.
Hazy summer conditions at Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan, caused by wildfire smoke affecting the region.
Belle Isle landscape in Detroit, Michigan, photographed during a period of wildfire smoke and reduced visibility.
View across Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan, as wildfire smoke creates muted skies and distant haze.
Photograph of Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan, documenting the effects of wildfire smoke on the summer landscape.
Wildfire smoke blankets the sky above Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan, creating subdued light and hazy conditions.
Scenic view of Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan, photographed during summer wildfire smoke affecting southeastern Michigan.
Belle Isle park in Detroit, Michigan, with the landscape viewed through lingering wildfire smoke during the summer.
Atmospheric photograph of Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan, showing hazy skies from regional wildfire smoke during the summer.

Dorothy G. Turkel House - Frank Lloyd Wright - Detroit, Michigan

I had the pleasure of touring the Dorothy G. Turkel House through an open house that the Garden Conservancy was putting on. While the tour was for the immaculate grounds of the estate, my focus naturally went to Frank Lloyd Wright’s beautifully designed home. The Turkel House is the only FLW within Detroit proper and is one of the more unique designs of his that I have had the pleasure of seeing. The owners bought the building back in 2006 and have painstakingly renovated the structure and grounds to the glorious state that it is in today.

Photograph of the Dorothy G. Turkel House in Detroit, Michigan, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Exterior view of the Dorothy G. Turkel House, a Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home in Detroit, Michigan.
Architectural photograph of the Dorothy G. Turkel House in Detroit, Michigan, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.
Detail photograph of the Dorothy G. Turkel House by Frank Lloyd Wright in Detroit, Michigan.
View of the Dorothy G. Turkel House, the only Frank Lloyd Wright-designed home in Detroit, Michigan.
Photograph highlighting the architecture of the Dorothy G. Turkel House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Detroit, Michigan.
Exterior architectural image of the Dorothy G. Turkel House by Frank Lloyd Wright in Detroit, Michigan.
Photograph of the historic Dorothy G. Turkel House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Detroit, Michigan.
Architectural detail at the Dorothy G. Turkel House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Detroit, Michigan.
Photograph of the Dorothy G. Turkel House in Detroit, Michigan, showcasing the design of Frank Lloyd Wright.
View of the Dorothy G. Turkel House, a landmark designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Detroit, Michigan.
Photograph documenting the Dorothy G. Turkel House by Frank Lloyd Wright in Detroit, Michigan.
Architectural perspective of the Dorothy G. Turkel House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Detroit, Michigan.
Exterior photograph of the Dorothy G. Turkel House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Detroit, Michigan.
Photograph of the Dorothy G. Turkel House in Detroit, Michigan, featuring Frank Lloyd Wright's residential design.
Architectural image of the Dorothy G. Turkel House by Frank Lloyd Wright in Detroit, Michigan.
Photograph of the Dorothy G. Turkel House in Detroit, Michigan, emphasizing the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright.
Exterior view of the Dorothy G. Turkel House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Detroit, Michigan.
Architectural photograph capturing the Dorothy G. Turkel House by Frank Lloyd Wright in Detroit, Michigan.
Photograph of the Dorothy G. Turkel House, a Frank Lloyd Wright masterpiece in Detroit, Michigan.
Detailed view of the Dorothy G. Turkel House designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Detroit, Michigan.
Architectural documentation of the Dorothy G. Turkel House by Frank Lloyd Wright in Detroit, Michigan.

Ford Headquarters tour with Daily Detroit - Employee Spaces + Showroom

Daily Detroit was kind enough to invite me to tour Ford’s new headquarters building in Dearborn to document the monumental structure and then discuss the experience on the podcast. If you don’t already follow Daily Detroit I suggest subscribing or joining their Patreon. Independent journalism is more important than ever and Daily Detroit is a great resource for what is happening in Metro-Detroit on a broad scope of topics and doesn’t skimp on details and nuance. You can listen to my interview HERE or search wherever you get your podcasts.

Ford is really making a statement with this new headquarters. It is emphatically pointing in the direction that the company wants to go with a forward and thoughtful design. The architect’s behind this building are the Norwegian firm Snohetta. As an architecture buff Snohetta has been on my radar for a long time as I am a fan of their style of thoughtful minimalism. Within this structure you will see choices that are very reminiscent of the work they would produce with some of their museum or opera house commissions. I really enjoyed wandering this building with my camera and honestly couple probably spend a week in there documenting the different spaces and details. I hope these images can give you a feel for the design and care that both Snohetta and Ford have put into creating an incredible modern workplace.

Much like the exterior, the interior of this building is a departure from the Ford offices of the past. The design offers many types of seating and spaces, from couches to types of tables and seating that you would liken more to a coffee shop than corporate headquarters. The idea is to promote collaboration and break down some of the silos of the past to benefit the company and enhance the worker experience. As someone who works from home I kept thinking about how much I would love to come here to edit and that is the point. Work from home has become the norm for Corporate American and employees are resistant to give that up. Building spaces like this however are how you combat that and bring workers back in house.

The following images are of different collaborative workspaces for employees.

The next batch of images focus on the cafeteria and the seating areas that support it.

The final set of images are from the showroom that exists within the headquarters. It is a stunning way to display cars and was the last stop on our tour.


Ford Headquarters tour with Daily Detroit - Entryways + Art

Daily Detroit was kind enough to invite me to tour Ford’s new headquarters building in Dearborn to document the monumental structure and then discuss the experience on the podcast. If you don’t already follow Daily Detroit I suggest subscribing or joining their Patreon. Independent journalism is more important than ever and Daily Detroit is a great resource for what is happening in Metro-Detroit on a broad scope of topics and doesn’t skimp on details and nuance. You can listen to my interview HERE or search wherever you get your podcasts.

Ford is really making a statement with this new headquarters. It is emphatically pointing in the direction that the company wants to go with a forward and thoughtful design. The architect’s behind this building are the Norwegian firm Snohetta. As an architecture buff Snohetta has been on my radar for a long time as I am a fan of their style of thoughtful minimalism. Within this structure you will see choices that are very reminiscent of the work they would produce with some of their museum or opera house commissions. I really enjoyed wandering this building with my camera and honestly couple probably spend a week in there documenting the different spaces and details. I hope these images can give you a feel for the design and care that both Snohetta and Ford have put into creating an incredible modern workplace.

When you enter the headquarters you are given a taste of what is to come. The space is filled with light with a grand stairway that leads you to the employee areas of the building. While you wait though you are given several options for seating as well as art to enjoy. The art in the building is a mix of works made in house with an automotive nod, to those that are beautiful and simply enhance the spaces they inhabit. Other pieces throughout the building are drawings or pictures that reflect on Ford’s rich history of design, my favorite being the drawings of old concept cars. To further soften the modern design there is white oak throughout and furniture that invites you to sit on it.

Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows the employee entrance to the facility.

Ford Headquarters tour with Daily Detroit - The Exterior

Daily Detroit was kind enough to invite me to tour Ford’s new headquarters building in Dearborn to document the monumental structure and then discuss the experience on the podcast. If you don’t already follow Daily Detroit I suggest subscribing or joining their Patreon. Independent journalism is more important than ever and Daily Detroit is a great resource for what is happening in Metro-Detroit on a broad scope of topics and doesn’t skimp on details and nuance. You can listen to my interview HERE or search wherever you get your podcasts.

Ford is really making a statement with this new headquarters. It is emphatically pointing in the direction that the company wants to go with a forward and thoughtful design. The architect’s behind this building are the Norwegian firm Snohetta. As an architecture buff Snohetta has been on my radar for a long time as I am a fan of their style of thoughtful minimalism. Within this structure you will see choices that are very reminiscent of the work they would produce with some of their museum or opera house commissions. I really enjoyed wandering this building with my camera and honestly couple probably spend a week in there documenting the different spaces and details. I hope these images can give you a feel for the design and care that both Snohetta and Ford have put into creating an incredible modern workplace.

There is no better place to start than with what greets you as you approach the building… the exterior facade. This is a departure to the “Glass House” which is Ford’s previous headquarters and which is a great example of mid-century architecture. That building is linear and a rectangle, where Snohetta’s design allows for different views and angles of the outside due to its swooping facade. It adds visual interest but also makes for a far more interesting experience for the employees inside.

Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows the facade as you approach from Oakwood Boulevard.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows column details and woodwork.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows one of the interesting window details of the facade.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows an interesting angle of the glass facade.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows different curved elements of the facade.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows different massing within the facade.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows the sun hitting the curved facade.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows two curved windows protruding from the facade.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows some of the different aspects of the facade.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows an underneath view of the curved facade.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows different layers to the facade and how they merge.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows where guests would enter the enormous building.

In a nod to Ford’s past, the architects kept the old archways that you would drive through to reach the Engineering and Research building. These were integrated into the landscape design and are a nice reminder of the history of the company and land that the new building resides on. I am looking forward to seeing how this landscaping and grounds look in the spring and summer. It is yet another delightful perk to this facility.

Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows the plaque for the research and engineering center.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows the wrought iron historic gate.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows the historic gate with the new facade in the background.
Architectural photograph of Ford Motor Company’s new headquarters designed by Snohetta and taken for Daily Detroit. This image shows some detailing of the grounds where a pathway crosses water management.