Patrick Thompson Design finds new home for a growing team in the Palms Building

By Robin Runyan Oct 11, 2016, 11:56am EDT

When Patrick Thompson created the idea of his design firm eight years ago, he was working out of a small guest bedroom out of a rental house. He soon moved into the Detroit Creative Corridor in the Taubman Center and brought on an intern from CCS. After experiencing more growth, they moved into a storefront in Midtown. When they outgrew Midtown, they had a team of eight. Now, they’ve found a home in the Palms Building downtown (where The Fillmore is located), and they’re taking on large scale projects during an exciting time in the city’s growth.

When PTD started, they took on mainly on residential kitchen and bathrooms and small retail spaces. According to Thompson, some of the bigger projects that helped grow the team were Goodby Silverstein & Partners Detroit office and Skidmore Studio. Thompson notes, "Of course Kresge Court was a pivotal project and helped spur the hospitality work that I always hoped to do."

Patrick Thompson Design has recently taken larger projects such as a 35-story adaptive reuse project, a 10,000-square-foot brewing facility, and Trumbull & Porter Hotel in Corktown.

Trumbull & Porter Update — Trumbull & Porter Hotel

In addition to the larger projects, Thompson says they also take on smaller projects, "As I feel they are challenging and keep you thinking creatively."

When looking for a new office for the firm, Thompson says he was familiar with the Palms Building and the Forbes family, and knew the building had great bones. "The history of the building and the historic architecture compliment our studio and our aesthetic as well; I really wanted something with character. I believe a space with a history that you can see and feel creates an inspiring place to go to work each day. "

For the workspace itself, the team went with an open studio model, with rooms to meet and smaller spaces to work or take a call. " The layout was set up so everyone got a window seat and plenty of natural light while they are in a room or at their desk. The space is a balanced mixture of traditional elements and industrial details," says Thompson.

A mural was painted by Mike Han, who was given the keys on the weekend. Thompson didn’t know what would be on the wall until he walked in the following Monday.

The team is excited about the future of design in Detroit and the different projects in the works. "It's all so different and imaginative," says Thompson. "I’m happy to see a nice mix of new construction and adaptive reuse happening and our clients are open and excited. The projects are extremely varied right now: restaurants of different sizes and scale, local and national retail projects, fun residential projects, and another great hotel project just kicked off. "

Here are a few more pictures of the new office space for Patrick Thompson Design.