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Detroit archite

Local designer's pens are works of art.

11

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JUDY GREENWALD I SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS

Noah Resnick in

the sleek contem-

porary interior of

the new Cafe Con

Leche Nord

artist Gregory Holm, featuring "the
Amazing Pyrophone Firepowered
Organ," a one-of-a-kind "pyrophone"
— fire-powered organ attached to
the facade of the neighboring — and
vacant — firehouse. The collaboration
and concert were filmed in 2011 and
presented at the Detroit Film Theater at
the DIA to commemorate the 10-year
anniversary of 9/11.
• Another project with Gregory
Holm: Resnick designed the Art Deco
facade of the double buildings at 1428
Gratiot Ave., now Antietam, the French
restaurant just north of the Eastern
Market that opened this year.

About Antietam

After their collaboration on the
Firehouse, Holm called in Resnick
on the start of his next project. He
had purchased a pair of buildings on
Gratiot — with no specific idea what he
wanted to do with them until halfway
through the renovation.
"We had to re-do the facades
anyway," Resnick says. "Essentially, the
design is based on what was already
there. All of the facades on the block
were rebuilt at the same time around
1936, when Gratiot Boulevard was
expanded. At that time, Art Deco was
the style and, if you look up and down
the block, you'll still see elements of the
Guardian Building — a huge influence."

Coming Soon?
Detroit Robot Factory

Standing with Resnick against a bright
turquoise-painted brick wall on Winder
Street, around the corner from Germack

The Write
Stuff

9

Pistachio Company in the Eastern
Market, we get a glimpse of his next
project — transforming nearly half a city
block into a children's writing workshop.
About three years ago, Resnick
started doing pro bono work for 826
National, a network of seven writing
and tutoring centers, including the
one in Ann Arbor called 826 Michigan,
located inside the Liberty Street Robot
Supply and Repair Shop. Now plans
are under way to open a second 826
Michigan. Pending fundraising, work
will start in the fall to transform the
two-story building into kid-friendly
workspace and a storefront designated
as "the Detroit Robot Factory."
From classic and historic to modern
and urban, Resnick describes his style as
collaborative — design that works.
"I look at context," he says, "I don't
believe in subscribing to any noticeable
style. There's no need for me to have
a signature. I'm OK with my buildings
blending into the context, being well
designed, but working with the urban
landscape and being appropriate to its
position.
"I feel my contribution is about
enhancing the general endeavor and
learning something new in the process.
I guess that's what makes me so
passionate about teaching — inspiring
creativity in others and bringing out the
best in my students and colleagues." ❑

This article first appeared in the
June issue ofFederation's online
publication, mylewishDetroit
wwwmylewishDetroitorg.

A glimpse of

Noah Resnick's

next project —

transforming nearly

half a city block

into a children's

writing workshop.

Keep an eye out for

826 Michigan and

storefront "Detroit

Robot Factory."

ooking for a
unique gift? Look
no further than
one-of-a-kind,
handcrafted wooden pens
fashioned by local designer
Jonathan Kuhn.
"I've always had an
interest in woodworking,"
said Kuhn. The 31-year-old
from Farmington Hills started
his craft business, JTK Custom
Creations, in December
2000, after taking a private
woodworking art class where
he learned how to make a
it's been a very positive
pen. "I expanded on that idea
experience for both of
to fulfill the requirements for
us. The handcrafted pens
a high school class, and that
Jonathan makes are rare,
was the beginning of JTK
and they make wonderful
Custom Creations."
gifts when looking to
Kuhn creates his vivid,
make a special occasion
colorfully designed pens out
memorable."
of his home workshop, using
Kuhn's enjoyment in
Jonatha n
standard and premium woods.
working with different kinds
Kuhn
He also fashions wooden
of wood is just part of what
letter openers and custom key
gives him job satisfaction.
chains using more exotic materials like
"I also enjoy interacting with my
elk antler. His pens are made with burl
customers and seeing their reaction
wood, a type used by artists and prized
to the final product. My pens have a
for its unusual patterns. He explained
wide range of appeal, for gifts and
that he prefers hardwoods such as
for personal use.
ebony, bloodwood and box elder, which
"I'm always assessing the needs
handle well during lathe work.
and desires of my customers,"
"Customers can request
Kuhn continued. "For example,
personalized pens varying in size and
as technology has advanced, I've
type of wood," he said. "Each pen
moved from making standard
takes about three hours over a three-
slimline pens to pens with a stylus
day period to complete, and I sell them
to accommodate iPhones, iPads and
for $65."
similar devices.
Kuhn's company is a micro-enterprise
"I also always work to improve my
sponsored by Macomb Oakland
product by experimenting with new
Regional Center (MORC). As a vendor,
wood-dying techniques and using
he's been invited to MORC-related
various types of woods, alternative
conferences throughout the state.
finishes and an array of colors to
In 2012, he showed his pens to
make each pen unique. I like the
Rob Weinberger, owner of Emery's
creativity, and the pens are really fun
Creative Jewelers in Farmington Hills,
to make!"
and Weinberger offered Kuhn the
opportunity to display his handmade
Find Kuhn's decorative writing imple-
creations. "It's been a very successful
ments at Emery's Creative Jewelers,
working relationship," Kuhn said.
30975 Orchard Lake Road, Farmington
Weinberger expressed pride in his
Hills, (248) 855-0433. They can also
store's showcasing of local artists
be purchased at special art shows and
like Kuhn. "We've been carrying
through personal sales. Contact Kuhn at
Jonathan's pens for about three
(248) 763-6334, or by email at
years. They display beautifully, and
jtkcustomcreations@icloud.com .

❑

July 2 • 2015

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