We received the warmest welcome we never had today at Albert Kahn Associates office : books as gift, more than one hour interview with Alan Cobb president and CEO of the company, Donald Bauman senior architect and Paulette Bently marketing coordinator, along with a visit from the office, the archives and the famous Fisher building. No less! Now for sure, Albert Kahn work has no more secrets for us.
During this meeting we talked as much about historic preservation as the renewal of the company today, 120 years after its creation by Albert Kahn. We discussed about the massive destruction which spreads slowly through the city burning its past, about the material re-use, about the complex remediation of the industrial sites as well as the interest of international investors in the city of Detroit more than the American investors. So we ask ourself : why the americans ignore this city so much? Probably because Detroit is the brilliant symbol of a past that the futur America doesn’t want to see anymore or just doesn’t know enough.
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We truly enjoyed your visit! You are two very talented young architects that are doing exceptional research around the world! We are proud of Detroit and happy that you chose our city to visit and study! As you uncover the stories and history of Albert Kahn’s iconic designs in Detroit, we will be watching the progress of your research on the H Project. Wishing you the best!