Michigan Accessible Homes
A Division of Cornerstone Design Inc, Architects
Staff Expertise

An abbreviated resume for David Esau, manager of Michigan Accessible Homes, is below. The picture is right is old, my hair is much grayer now!


In addition, the firm has access to all the resources, consultants, and contacts of Cornerstone Design Inc, an architectural firm located in Ann Arbor, MI since 1989.

DAVID ESAU, AIA, LEED AP

 

EMPLOYMENT

Cornerstone Design Inc., Ann Arbor, MI: July 1995 to present.

Principal, in charge of work for numerous commercial, industrial and residential projects.

Founded new division, Michigan Accessible Homes, Dec. 2009.

October 1991 to August 1994, Staff Architect, responsible for design, production, and contract administration for commercial and industrial projects.

 

ADA in ACTION, Ann Arbor, MI: January 1992 to 1998.

Developed concept for barrier free design consulting service as part of the Ann Arbor Center for Independent Living's ADA in ACTION service.

Published newsletter on barrier free design issues (April 1992 to August 1994).

 

PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS AND AWARDS

Member, American Institute of Architects (AIA).

Licensed in Michigan and Maryland; NCARB certified.

LEED Accredited Professional, 2009.

Hands-On Museum Legacy Project, Ann Arbor, MI: Washtenaw Contractors Association, Pyramid Award for Best Project Team (under $3 million), 2008.

Vander Hyden Award, given by the Washtenaw Contractors Association for contributions to the design and construction industry, 2003.

Young Architect of the Year; awarded by AIA Huron Valley, 2002.

Avalon Housing: Community Service Award for contributions to the organization's efforts to develop low-income housing, 2001.

Arbordale Apartments, Ann Arbor, MI: WCA Pyramid Award for Best Project Team (under $3 million), 2001.

Marion Presbyterian Church, Classroom Addition to historic church, Marion, KS: Kansas Society of Architects Award for Excellence, 1988; Kansas Preservation Alliance Award, 1988.

 

EDUCATION

Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS: B. Architecture; B.S. in Social Sciences; with honors, December 1985.

Danish International Study Program, Copenhagen, DK: Spring 1984.

Bethel College, North Newton, KS: 1979-80.

 

ACCESSIBILITY ACTIVITIES

Member, Michigan ADA Steering Committee; March 1997 to December 2000.  Committee works as a branch of the Great Lakes Disability and Business Technical Assistance Center to promote compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act throughout the state. Elected co-Chair for 1998, 1999, and 2000.

Corresponding member, ADAAG Review Accessible Routes Subcommittee; 1995-96. Providing input into revisions to federal Accessibility Guidelines for the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Speaker on the costs of noncompliance, and difficulties of late modifications, to multi-family housing under the Fair Housing Act, Fair Housing Seminar sponsored by the Fair Housing Center of Metropolitan Detroit, April 2001.

Speaker on Universal Design to Michigan Commission on Disability Concerns, April 2001.

Speaker at Michigan Municipal League convention, on ADA issues. 1994.

Writing for numerous publications, and speaking at numerous conferences, about accessibility, universal design, fair housing, and ADA compliance.

Wrote "The Accessible Home," a booklet on home modifications for people with disabilities, which Disability Network Washtenaw Monroe Livingston (formerly Ann Arbor CIL) distributes to its consumers.

Pro bono work with consumers of DNWML on housing accessibility issues.

Collaboration with the Fair Housing Center of Southeast Michigan on occasional fair housing issues relating to accessibility under state and federal law.

 

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

Member, AIA MI Board (Huron Valley Chapter Rep), 2023-present.

Member, Board of Directors, Disability Network WML (formerly AACIL), 2021-present.

Member, Board of Directors, Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum, 2008 to 2018.

Member, Board of Directors, The Arts Alliance, 2001 to 2009.

Member, Board of Directors, Ann Arbor Area Chamber; 2000 to 2005.

Member, Board of Directors, Huron Valley Chapter of the AIA; 1997 to 2001.

Editor, "Architrave" newsletter for AIA Huron Valley, 1999 to 2005.

Board of Directors, People's Food Coop, 1992 to 1996.