SmithGroup promotes Salowich and Beck to Studio Leaders at Detroit office

SmithGroup, one of the nation's largest architecture, engineering and planning firms, has promoted Nick Salowich to Science & Technology Studio leader and Tricia Beck to Learning Studio leader at the firm’s Detroit office.

Nick Salowich, AIA, the Detroit office’s new Science & Technology Studio leader, succeeds Russell Sykes, the firm’s new managing partner. Salowich previously served as a project manager, where he focused on the development and management of complex architectural projects. In his new role, Salowich will oversee the growing studio and its project delivery and business development efforts throughout the Midwest U.S. region. Simultaneously, he will continue to engage with clients such as Wayne State University and Michigan State University.

Salowich’s recent projects in Michigan include the University of Michigan Ford Nuclear Reactor Building renovation in Ann Arbor; Michigan State University Grand Rapids Research Center; Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Flint Journal Building renovation; and various projects at Wayne State University.

Salowich is a graduate of Lawrence Technological University, where he received three degrees: a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, Bachelor of Architecture, and a Master’s of Architecture. He is a registered architect in the State of Michigan and a member of the American Institute of Architects. A Detroit native, he now resides in Royal Oak, Michigan.

Tricia Beck, AIA, LEED AP, the Detroit office’s new Learning Studio leader, succeeds Chris Purdy, SmithGroup’s new national Learning Practice leader. Beck was previously a project manager. In her new role, she will help set the course for the studio, maintain client relationships, and build new avenues to connect with future clients. As a specialist practicing in the Learning and Health studios, she successfully led numerous projects through design and into construction, including the new Western Michigan University Valley Dining Center, University of Michigan Flint Murchie Science and Laboratory Building renovation, University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry and Emory University Hospital expansion.

Beck is a graduate of Lawrence Technological University where she received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture and a Master’s of Architecture. She holds architectural registration in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio, and is an active member of the American Institute of Architects. A native of Holland, Michigan, Beck currently resides in White Lake, Michigan.

“The entire leadership of the Detroit office is excited to have Nick Salowich and Tricia Beck move into their respective roles,” said Jeff Hausman, AIA, LEED AP, Detroit office director, SmithGroup. “Nick brings a great breath of experience that gives him a broad and unique perspective, and Tricia brings an astute attention to detail that will aid in exceeding our clients’ expectations. I believe both will excel in their respective roles and bring new, innovative strategies and approaches to further grow our science and technology and learning practices.”

For more than 160 years, SmithGroup’s Detroit office has had a significant impact on Detroit, which continues today with the city’s resurgence. Dating back to the 1920s with historic projects such as the circa-1928 Penobscot Building and the Art-Deco icon, the Guardian Building, SmithGroup set the tone for Detroit’s architectural identity. In 2007, the office wrapped up the two mile repurposing of an old brownfield site along the Detroit River, now enjoyed as the Detroit RiverWalk, and continues to enhance the community’s riverfront experience with involvement in the Milliken State Park and Harbor improvements. Additionally, the Detroit office recently completed the $77 million Detroit Medical Center Sinai-Grace Hospital expansion, the largest construction project in northwest Detroit in more than a decade. Other downtown successes of the Detroit office include the Boll Family YMCA building and the sophisticated reuse of 400,000-square-feet of an old casino facility for the new City of Detroit Public Safety Headquarters.

Continuing to take an important role in the revitalization of the city, SmithGroup is working on the new Illitch Holdings downtown Detroit project, Little Caesar’s Global Resource Center, set to complete in 2017. Also underway are exterior plaza and facade renovations to the historic SmithGroup-designed 1001 Woodward Avenue building, the fit-out of 13 floors for client Ally Financial in the One Detroit Center building, and major renovations to the historic Detroit Athletic Club.

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