It’s
difficult to drive anywhere Downriver without seeing a Yops
& Wilkie project, according to owner John S. Wilkie.
The award-winning architectural firm has built between 50
to 100 projects each year during its 46-year history, so it’s
likely that one of their buildings can be found on every corner
of Downriver, ranging from churches to municipal buildings
to corporate headquarters. One could easily say that Yops
& Wilkie Architects conquered Downriver by design.
Jack Yops, who has since retired, founded the firm in 1955.
Wilkie joined Yops in 1967 as an associate and became a partner
in 1975.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in architectural engineering
from Lawrence Technological University (LTU), which honored
him at the school’s 50th anniversary celebration, as
one of LTU’s twenty outstanding alumni. |
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His post graduate work includes studies
at Wayne State University, University of Detroit and the Detroit
Society of Arts and Crafts.
Prior to joining Yops & Wilkie, Wilkie worked in Detroit
for Smith, Hinchman and Grylls. There he worked on the University
of Michigan Dental School and Metropolitan Airport’s International
Terminal. Wilkie was on the design team for Minoru Yamasaki
Associates, which designed New York’s World Trade Center.
Helping to design the World Trade Center was an exciting experience
for Wilkie.
“We had the chance to see architecture
practiced in the way it should be,” says Wilkie, “if
money were no object.”
The majority of Yops & Wilkie’s projects are located
in southeastern Michigan. Although they don’t actively
pursue projects outside of the area, people often see work they’ve
done elsewhere and hire them for their project. |
