The Firm that Built Detroit: Smith, Hinchman & Grylls

The story of Smith, Hinchman & Grylls, now SmithGroup, goes all the way back to mid-19th-century Sandusky, Ohio. In metro Detroit, only Albert Kahn has more significant surviving buildings. The firm is still headquartered in the Guardian Building and has offices in 21 major U.S. cities.

Carlson looks at the people behind the firm and the range of its work across Michigan, from the Ford Piquette Plant and Joe Louis Arena to Yost Ice Arena in Ann Arbor and the Chrysler World Headquarters Building in Auburn Hills.

This talk is part of the Architecture Lecture Series, which continues with C. Howard Crane (Oct. 10), Louis Kamper (Dec. 5), Spier & Rohns (Jan. 16) and Nathan Johnson (Feb. 20). The lecture runs until 3:30 p.m.

Tickets: adults $15; seniors (65+), students, active military, educators, first responders and veterans with ID $12; kids 6-12 $8. Members and children 5 and under are free.