In this week’s Fellow Spotlight, we are checking in with Elizabeth Grabowski. She fills us in on what she enjoys most about Detroit, her host company Mosher Dolan, and what she’s looking forward to as a Challenge Detroit Fellow.

Tell us about your neighborhood in the city. What are some of your favorite things about it? 

I love my neighborhood! I live in Brush Park, technically the first “suburb” of Detroit, where the rich and famous of old Detroit would go to get away. And it’s less than a mile from Downtown! I love all the beautiful old houses- I live in the attic of one built in 1902. One of my favorite parts about living in this neighborhood is how I have gotten to watch it grow. 5 years ago my first architectural school project was just around the corner of where I live now. At the time, a large portion of the houses were vacant but now more and more people are moving in. This area is a historical gem for this city and these buildings NEED to be saved. The next time you go to a game, I encourage you to drive around Brush Park. Often times we don’t really get to save history or a chance to really celebrate it. Brush Park could be an amazing historical, garden district snuggled in between the stadiums, Eastern Market, Downtown, and Midtown- a little urban oasis.

Tell us about your host company and your role with them. 

My host company is Mosher Dolan, Inc., a boutique building firm that specializes in constructing high-end residences. Our projects are primarily located in South East Michigan, with experience building in Orchard Lake, Bloomfield Hills, Detroit, and many other areas within the Metro Detroit region. I wear many hats at Mosher Dolan, which is an awesome experience for a recent graduate of architecture because I get exposure to everything from business practices to onsite construction skills. So far I have aided in the construction of four residences ranging from new construction to adaptive reuse. Some of my frequent tasks include managing, communicating, and scheduling trades and clients, keeping projects on task, solving project issues that impede progress on site, and working with project bidding and contract negotiation. Working at Mosher Dolan has exponentially increased my practical knowledge of building from getting to watch and work with the best craftsmen in the construction industry. Plus! I get to meet people who have done amazing things with their lives and in the city of Detroit! Our clients are innovative, entrepreneurial, and making a big impact in the region. One day I could be working with a plaster craftsman at a lake house and the next I could be tracking down vintage tile. Every day presents a new and unique learning experience.

What have you learned from Challenge Detroit so far? 

Communication! Communication! Communication! As a recent graduate of architecture school, I was used to a particular vernacular and way of communicating. Working on fast paced projects with people who have 6 different backgrounds requires learning new ways of communicating effectively and efficiently. I have also learned how important it is to have fun with what you are doing. Challenge Detroit has provided me with 35 instant friends. When you really enjoy the people and the work you are doing, the products of the design process are much more fruitful.

What kind of impact do you hope to make with your host company? Within the city? 

It’s a secret. I have a lot of ideas all the time but before Challenge Detroit, I didn’t know how to make them happen. I joined Challenge Detroit and chose my particular host company because I wanted to work with people who are making big impacts locally and regionally. I wrote in my sketch book at the beginning of this fellowship, “If your greatest fear is not living up to your own creative potential, then it’s your own damn fault for not trying.” I am so grateful for the knowledge and exposure to wonderful, beautiful minds and opportunities this fellowship has provided me. This is a once in a life time experience… so if I have any plans after this fellowship, it’s to take advantage of this wonderful gift.

What are you most looking forward in the coming months? 

Continuing friendships! Meeting more people! Learning about more opportunities! And warm weather! Detroit is in its prime in the summer with all of the awesome festivals, shows, outdoor sports leagues, restaurant patios, and baseball games! The fellowship started in late August, so I haven’t yet gotten to experience Detroit in the summer with the other fellows, and I can’t wait!

Also, be sure to check out Elizabeth’s video to learn more about her time in Detroit, so far.