Craig L. Wilkins, AIA

Name: Craig L. Wilkins, PhD, AIA, ARA
Firm: Detroit Community Design Center at the University of Michigan
Years in practice: 25 years, more or less
Education: B.Arch: University of Detroit / MS: Columbia University (NY) / PhD: Univ. of Minnesota
Your first job: Mail room at the 1st National Bank of Chicago.
Project you’re proudest of: The next one.
Most embarrassing moment: Being juuust a bit intoxicated at the design portion of the registration exam.
Building you’d like to tear down: Detroit Train Station
Building you’d like to renovate into something else and why? Detroit Packard Plant. Great spaces deserve second lives.
What have you always wanted to tell your clients? Uhm…yes, your cookies are indeed great, but I’d much prefer cash.
What’s the next big architectural trend? Broad-based, non-traditional activist design practices.
Advice to young architects: Have a backup plan.
The one thing you wish they’d teach you in school: How to collect on a fee.
Code/zoning requirement I’d change if given the chance: Restrictions on co-housing.
Favorite tool (can be digital, drafting, physical,…): Jim Belushi
Favorite indoor space: Egyptian Room at the Met
Favorite city: Salvador, Bahia, Brazil / Washington, D.C.
Architect you’d like to have a drink with: Any who’ll pick up the tab.
Best gift to give an architect: A job.
If you hadn’t become an architect, what would you have been? Angry.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where? With Halle Berry.
Someday I’d like to: Meet Halle Berry.
I want to be remembered for: Marrying Halle Berry.
People would be surprised to know that: I may have an obsession with Halle Berry.
The secret to my success: I have yet to meet Halle Berry (thus, I remain employed).
Something you’d like to learn how to build with your own hands: A healthy investment portfolio.
Architectural quote to practice by: The practice of architecture isn’t a right; it’s a privilege.