design – SpaceLab Detroit

Merging Visions: Kenneth Crutcher of L3MC on Urban Architecture, Collaboration, and Commitment to Detroit

April 28, 2025June 20, 2025by spacelabdetroitLeave a comment

At SpaceLab Detroit, our community is made up of innovators, designers, builders, and changemakers who are shaping the future of our cities and industries. Each month, we shine a light on one of our outstanding members — sharing their journey, their passions, and the impact they are making in their fields and communities.

Through these stories, we celebrate the creativity, collaboration, and commitment that make SpaceLab more than just a workspace — it’s a launchpad for big ideas and lasting connections. This month, we’re proud to feature Kenneth Crutcher, licensed architect and partner in L3MC architecture firm.

by Mari Byrd

Kenneth Crutcher RA, AIA, NCARB, Partner at L3MC, recently sat down with SpaceLab’s Mari Byrd. During their conversation, Kenneth reflected on how his journey in architecture led to a collaboration with Ted Lott and Greg Metz, culminating in the creation of “Lott3Metz Crutcher Architecture.” Although the merger occurred just one week before the pandemic began, L3MC remained steadfast in their belief that this partnership would shape a remarkable future for urban architecture.

Three men posing outdoors in a garden setting, wearing business attire. The first man on the left is wearing a red patterned shirt with glasses, the middle man has a white beard and is dressed in a dark suit, and the man on the right is wearing a blue blazer. They stand in front of green foliage.

Lott3Metz Crutcher – L3MC: (l-r) Greg Metz, Kenneth Crutcher, Ted Lott

Kenneth emphasized that the partnership with L3MC would allow them to bring even greater creativity and insights to projects in Detroit and Grand Rapids, thanks to their shared design philosophy.

L3MC is renowned for their strong connection to the community. Their passion for urban architecture is fueled by listening to the needs and desires of local residents, ensuring their designs reflect the essence of what matters most to both the community and their clients. L3MC has successfully completed a variety of projects in Grand Rapids, including mixed-use spaces, restaurants, renovations, a hospital, a courthouse, new constructions, and residential developments. Now, they’re excited to combine their talents and expand their designs to Detroit.

“I love a good challenge! I just like solving a problem” – Kenneth Crutcher, AIA, NCARB

Some of the firm’s notable completed projects in Detroit include Shears and Shaves Salon, Lola’s restaurant, Chili Mustard Onion vegan coney island, multi-family developments, and more.

Their past work in Grand Rapids includes major projects like the Meijer Corporate Headquarters, Fulton Street Farmers Market, Spectrum Health Sparta, and Lake Michigan Credit Union. More recently, they’ve worked on a new school in Southfield, the African American Cultural History Museum of Washtenaw County, and a demonstration kitchen to teach healthy cooking.

So, what sets L3MC apart from other architectural firms? According to Kenneth, their deep-rooted passion for the evolution of the city makes them stand out. They care more about the projects they take on because they are part of the community where they build. Unlike firms headquartered elsewhere, L3MC takes the time to engage with the community, learning its history and ensuring that the urban fabric remains intact. This commitment often leads them to make preservation a priority, considering demolition only as a last resort.

Designing Healthier Office Spaces

April 22, 2019April 22, 2019by spacelabdetroitLeave a comment

On this Earth Day, we’re sharing a case study blog post by Vivian White at SpaceLab’s architects Centric Design Studio from their blog, Inside the Studio

Sustainable design also means healthier design – and healthier processes. Most of us spend over one-third of our lives inside office buildings. This makes the design of buildings and office space very important to our environment and our health. Creating healthier workplaces is a central part of Centric Design Studio’s sustainable design strategy. The ways in which we use energy, and our choices of materials and processes, are the most effective way to reduce fossil fuel emissions and contaminants released from materials and processes.

Take a look inside one of our (recent) design projects. SpaceLab Detroit opened their doors for their first public grand opening June 8th, 2017. SpaceLab Detroit is a co-working office space in downtown Detroit area, conceived by husband and wife team, Bobby and Karen Burton. It is a state of the art, efficiently designed work space for today’s entrepreneurs, architects, engineers, and construction service providers.

Natural Lighting

On this project, the south facing windows maximize the benefits of daylight from both the morning and evening sun. Sunlight is a natural source of vitamin D and is critical for facilitating vision and our bodies’ ability to regulate hormones, which in turn keeps processes related to alertness, digestion, and sleep functioning properly.

LED Lighting

Prioritizing around natural light minimizes electricity usage, the largest source of carbon emissions. In addition, most of the lighting used in the space is LED, which uses energy more efficiently than traditional lighting and emits less heat. Motion sensors cause the lights to turn off when there is no movement in the room. Using less electricity helps us keep our environment healthier and adds up to big financial savings for the owner and tenant.

Ventilation

Adding to the comfort level and energy efficiency of this space was a switch from steam heat to gas, allowing the occupants more control over temperature. The radiators were kept to maintain the character of the space, however, the duct work was reconfigured to facilitate the new system.

Use of Materials

Acoustical ceiling tiles are used in the offices for noise reduction. Environmentally-friendly materials were used for the carpeting, which also utilizes processes to maintain clean indoor air quality. Designer roller shades will give occupants maximum control over the amount of natural light to allow in, while also providing protection from UV light.

Located in the heart of Detroit, SpaceLab is a model for the future of design and economic growth. Design challenges within the city’s 2030 District consist of a delicate balance between maintaining buildings historical intellect while deploying healthy, sustainable, aesthetically pleasing key elements. All of this adds up to a reduction in fossil fuel energy use and costs. LED lighting also qualified the business owners for a sizable rebate from DTE Energy. What is not to like about implementing sustainable design?

Photos by Centric Design Studio

SpaceLab Members are making lasting impressions on Detroit

September 14, 2018September 14, 2018by spacelabdetroitLeave a comment

LOUIS FISHER, AIA, NOMA is celebrating his 40th year of living in Detroit and practicing architecture in the city. Louis owns Architecture & Urban Design, PC, and was project architect for the U.S. Tennis Association’s Arthur Ashe and Louis Armstrong Stadiums in Queens, NY (with Rossetti), the 1980’s expansion of Cobo Center in Detroit (with Sims-Varner) and designer for many other projects in Detroit. Louis is currently the national treasurer for the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA).

BERARDI +, with Detroit Director Bryan Cook, NOMA, AIA (left) and his team, continues to offer architectural and design services for several Motor City Match and Motor City Re-Store retail and restaurant projects.

VM3 CONSULTING CORP. has been recognized as a Diversity Focused Company by Corp! magazine. Led by founder and CEO Alisha Moss, VM3 helps clients jumpstart diversity programs by providing strategies that will ingrain diversity into their organizations. As a small, minority, woman-owned strategic management consulting firm, VM3 understands the importance of diversity and the difficulty of implementing it into corporate culture.