PLY Architecture is Craig Borum and Karl Daubmann.PLY (verb) means to practice or perform diligently, 'to ply a trade'.PLY operates between academia and the profession, two worlds that seem to not always understand one another. Academia critiques the profession for being too passive, simply providing a service, while the profession argues that academia is in the clouds, not able to understand the issues on the ground. PLY leverages the best of each against the other, taking on client-generated commissions and attempting to unpack inherent potentials, reformulating them through questions of the discipline, and responding through innovation to address needs.The work of PLY is recognized for how it is able to create a bridge between the profession and academia. This is achieved particularly by means of a research agenda that pervades the design process, exploring material and the logic of construction. Since 1999 our portfolio has grown to include over 50 projects, with a large percent that is built. The work ranges from designs for public schools to gallery installations, from client commissioned projects to open design competitions. The work includes 19 residential commissions, 12 of which are built. There are 16 commercial commissions of which 14 are built. There are 5 public / institutional projects, 5 exhibits and 5 design competitions. Of the 5 competition projects 2 received first place awards and 2 were finalists in national competitions.These projects have been recognized by the profession and by the academy, at both regional and national levels. They have earned three State of Michigan American Institute of Architect (AIA) awards, a Huron Valley AIA Award, a Boston Society of Architects (BSA) Unbuilt Honor Award and a BSA Unbuilt Honorable Mention, a Wood Design Award, an ID (Internationa Design) Award, an Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA) Faculty Design Award, and an Urban Design First Prize at the XV Pan-American Biennale. They have been published in numerous national and international publications including: Architectural Record, Metropolis, ID, L’Architecture d’Aujourd’hui, Ottagono, Competitions, Azure, Contract Magazine, A+T, Canadian Architect, and Architecture Magazine. PLY has lectured at ten schools of architecture and five professional organizations in the US and in Europe. Selected as one of six participants in the Architecture League of New York’s Young Architects Forum (2006) and as one of “101 of the World’s Most Exciting New Architects” by Wallpaper* Magazine (2007), PLY has an international reputation as a distinguished design practice.