CONCERNING CENTRAL STATION urban decay RE exposed
architecture graduate thesis of
SAM SUDY
The other detroit IS ALIVE.
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preface This project arose out of a joint
Detroit seems like a failed city,
interest in adaptive reuse and the
these are exciting times.
city where my father grew up. I’ve
failure, it has the opportunity to
visited the city of Detroit many
show the world what it’s really
times over the years.
made of.
Every time,
its gritty character and charm have overtaken me. The beauty that reveals itself through a lens of ruin is profound and carries with it a sense of hope. Perhaps it is
With
S peramus M el iora R es u r get C i n er i bus We hope for better things; it will rise from the ashes.
this hope that has attracted me to
Can Detroit truly embody its own
adaptive reuse. There is so much
motto once again? I believe it can.
potential, so much low-hanging fruit as one of my professors used
The following book is a collection
to say; we need simply to look
of my master of architecture thesis
around us.
work in which I explored how urban decay, specifically Michigan
This is what I see in Detroit. I see
Central Station, can be reimagined
what it is now, the beauty and the
and reexposed to spark catalytic
devastation, but I also imagine
change and a new identity for the
what it can become. As much as
city of Detroit.
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04 SETTING City Neighborhood Station Conditions Culture
66 DESIGN PLANS ELEVATIONS SECTION
04
28 FOCUS concern design intent project goal design criteria program
76 RENDERS
38 URBAN URBAN RESHAPING MARBLED USE green WAYFINDING IMMEDIATE surrounding merged site plan
86 MODEL DOLLHOUSE
50 PROCESS STRATEGIES APPLICATION
94 EXHALE FINAL THOUGHTS
CONTENTS 98 APPENDIX 126 SOURCES SITE PICTURES WEATHER DATA PATTERN LANGUAGE VALUES precedents
local contacts bibliography LIST OF FIGURES
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INTRODUCTION As a city buried in deceptive views
incubators have begun to rectify the
it must be transformed through
of melancholy, facilitated by urban
city’s stigmatized image. Detroit is
provocative, adaptive reuse strategies
decay, Detroit has some of the most
changing, but those changes get lost
in order to expose its versatility.
disparaging
behind the behemoth of cultivated
vistas
in
America.
Staggering crime and unemployment
demoralization.
potential to be exposed as a catalyst
have worked to not only dishearten its people, but have disconnected once thriving communities. industrial
crash
and
The
financial
bankruptcy further drive home the fact that great cities like Detroit can fall to ruin – but there’s more to this story. Beneath the publicized urban blight and despair, amidst the quiet abandon, there is a hum.
THE OTHER DETROIT IS ALIVE.
C A N WE C H A N GE T H E F A C E O F UR BA N DEC AY? Could it have a positive impact on communities, empowering people instead of segregating them? If a city is defined by its people, then urban decay could bolster a master narrative not only for community, but for city.
The spirit of Detroit’s people is
Urban decay has long been the basis
slowly rebuilding the city’s fabric.
for Detroit’s negative image. Yet,
Pockets of thriving communities,
it has the potential to positively
small businesses, and entrepreneurial
stimulate the cityscape. To do so,
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No abandoned building has more for
invigorating
Detroit
than
Michigan Central Station.
This
iconic tombstone could transform into a beacon for social innovation and the creative class – redefining and reshaping the city’s sense of urban identity.
Revitalized
urban decay could spark renewed urbanism for Detroit
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DETROIT IS MANY CITIES TODAY: A PLACE OF THRIVING NEIGHBORHOODS YET ABYSMAL ABANDONMENT A CITY OF HIGHLY EDUCATED PROFESSIONALS FILLED WITH ILLITERATE DROPOUTS A CITY OF SOARING ACHIEVEMENT YET A CITY THAT PARADOXICALLY PRESENTS THE MOST DISPIRITING VISTAS IN URBAN AMERICA. - John Gallagher, Revolution Detroit: Strategies for Urban Reinvention
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SETTING
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city Detroit, Michigan was once the
Urban decay and crime are now
the master plan for the city of
epicenter of the United States
ruling the city of Detroit.
Detroit, modeled after L’Enfant’s
automotive industry.
The “Big
plan for Washington D.C. Much
Three” (GM, Ford, and Chrysler)
Before
of
of what they had planned did
attracted an exponential increase
economic failure, Detroit was a
not come to fruition; however,
in factory workers, fostering a
thriving city with French origins.
prominent elements such as six
peak population of around 1.8
Detroit was founded in 1701 by
main arterials emanating out of
million people at the middle of
the French officer Antoine de La
the city’s center still exist today.
the 20th century.
After global
Mothe Cadillac. Its name is of
Those streets include: Woodward,
competition in the auto-industry
the French word for “strait” and is
Michigan, Grand River, Gratiot,
took a toll on Detroit’s local
associated with the Detroit River,
and Jefferson avenues along with
economy, that 1950’s population
which combined with Lake St.
Fort Street.
plummeted in half, to only a little
Clair and the St. Clair River form
more than 700 thousand people
the strait between Lake Erie and
Known for its Parisian style,
today. Sparked by its relentless
Lake Huron. The baroque styled
Detroit’s
economic decline, the year 2013
urban planning and radial avenues
around the turn of the 19th
gave witness to Detroit becoming
can also be attributed to French
century. With Henry Ford and the
the largest municipality to file
influences. Augustus Woodward
automotive industry, freeways and
Chapter 9 bankruptcy in U.S.
was Michigan Territory’s first
wide boulevards started to define
history, with 18.5 billion dollars of
Chief of Justice and along with
the character of the Motown city.
debt under its belt.
Governor William Hull, designed
Electric streetcars that once ran
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the
catastrophe
architecture
boomed
>>
142 square miles
residential
commercial
33% BLIGHT
28% BLIGHT
62% BLIGHT
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>>along Woodward Avenue were
skyscrapers, houses, and vacant
replaced by gas- powered busses
lots are now what define the
and privately owned commuter
once
vehicles.
Deindustrialization has turned
Consequentally,
highly
desirable
city.
of
Detroit into a ghost town. Wildlife
the construction of extensive
is once again taking over where
freeway systems. The sprawling
it grew long before the city was
metropolitan area of Detroit had
founded. Essential public services
transformed from having a high
now have the impossible task of
density urban core to low density
attending to a rurally dispersed
auto-oriented suburbs. Not to
population over approximately
mention, the new highways were
140 square miles, paving the way
bisecting through many of the
for high crime rates. For the fourth
few remaining, densely populated
consecutive year, Detroit has been
residential neighborhoods near the
the most dangerous city in the
city-center.
nation.
repercussions
arose
out
Evidence of decreasing population can still be seen today in the form of urban blight.
Thousands of
abandoned commercial buildings,
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M. C E N T R A L STATION
HISTORIC CORKTOWN
AMBASSADOR BRIDGE
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DETROIT DOWNTOWN
DETROIT RIVER
CANADA 1/2 mile // 2640 ft
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neighborhood Corktown, the area just southwest
Corktown has also hosted some of
It is not uncommon to find
of Detroit’s downtown core, was
the oldest residential communities
community teams playing soccer
once a thriving industrial zone.
in Detroit; some are now on the
on the empty fields of grass that
With freight coming in through
National Register of Historic
front abandoned warehouses. This
the train station and easy access
Places. Because of this, there are
tight knit group of Detroiters are
across the river to Canada, a
pockets of density and scattered
so interconnected, that on a brief
majority of the building types
arrays
visit to talk to a half dozen people
are
this
low-lying
warehouses
to
of
blight
is
living in the Corktown area,
accommodate the storage and
characteristic of the city as a
almost all of them were at the very
shipment of goods.
whole.
least acquaintances if not business
Conversely,
neighborhood,
throughout which
partners, or even close friends. It’s a feat in itself that the people of Corktown have established social connectedness amidst the segregating urban decay, as it pockmarks their community like a smile with missing teeth.
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The greatest physical barriers this family of Detroiters face are the elevated tracks behind the station. This diagonal datum line, slices between two clusters of residential densities, creating an urban vacuum and wall of social segregation. PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
ROADS
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
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BUILDINGS
In this building use map, the large footprint of vacant warehouse buildings can be seen.
The
lighter blue also begins to identify the two clusters of residential development, segregated by the void along the train tracks.
RESIDENTIAL
COMMERCIAL
VACANT
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http://www.100abandonedhouses.com/
Nothing symbolizes Detroit’s Grandiose rise and spectacular fall like Michigan Central Station. And no other building exemplifies just how much the automobile gave to the city of Detroit & HOW MUCH IT TOOK AWAY. – Dan Austin, Lost Detroit: Stories Behind the Motor – City’s Majestic Ruins
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station Amidst all of the urban decay,
was realized as a part of the City
Michigan
Beautiful Movement.
Central
Station
–
located off of Michigan Avenue, just outside of downtown Detroit
At its completion, the station
– has had its own, paralleled rise
was the tallest rail station in
and fall. Michigan Central Station,
the world.
was
constructed
the collaboration of Warren &
to replace the existing main
Wetmore and Reed & Stem – the
passenger depot. When the older
same firms that also designed the
station burned down during the
Grand Central Terminal in New
Christmas
York City.
Central
originally
holidays,
Station
was
Michigan opened
prematurely in 1913.
It was designed by
At 500,000 square
feet, the final construction cost for the station ran around $15 million. Michigan Central Station
Already setting itself apart as an
is a peculiar piece of architecture,
icon, the station was dropped into
in that it is composed of two
the middle of a residential district.
distinct parts, the train station
The owners of the station left it
itself, including a Romanesque
up to the city to construct a grand
bathhouse style lobby, and an
lawn as the gateway to the station.
adjoining
Seven years later, Roosevelt Park
tower, which housed the offices
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18-story
commercial
>>
M. CENTRAL STATION 2001 15th st. detroit, mi area: 500,000 sqft height: 18 floors totalling 230 feet cost: $15 million to build in 1913 designed by: warren + wetmore, reed + stern style: beaux-arts + neoclassicism 1975 national register historic places 1988 depot’s last train current owner: manuel “matty” moroun years vacant to date: 26
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>>for the Michigan Central Railroad.
The Beaux-Arts style station was
improvements have been made
Ornate walls of marble, Doric
placed in Corktown, southwest
to the building, such as window
columns, vaulted ceilings, and a
outside of the downtown area,
replacements
copper skylight are only a sample
with the hopes it could serve as
abatement, but the building is still
of its character that eventually led
a starting point to spark further
under considerable disrepair.
to the train depot being nominated
development
onto the National Register of
Ironic now that the station is a
Historic Places in 1975.
headstone for decay and ruin in the
in
the
and
asbestos
future.
neighborhood. At the peak of rail travel, Michigan Central Station saw over two
The
rise
of
the
automobile
hundred trains pass through its
industry triggered a slow decline
station every day. Thousands of
in the station. Passenger volumes
people used the station as a means
became so low that the station
of transportation to Detroit and
was eventually closed in 1988,
other cities, and thousands more
after passing through several
sought work in the eighteen-story
hands including the railway giant
office tower connected to the back
Amtrak. In 1996, the station was
of the station, although it was
eventually sold to Controlled
never fully occupied.
Terminals Inc. and is still under that same ownership today. Small
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CONDITIONS Currently enclosed with a barbed-
This building stands as a testament
wire
considered
to Detroit’s time. It’s paralleled
trespassing to enter the station.
rise and fall with the city makes it
My first hand account with the
that much more intricately woven
railroad police can contest to
into the fabric of Detroit and the
it. Although it has been deemed
spirit of the people.
fence,
it
is
structurally sound even after two decades of being exposed to the elements, private property is private property – a true tragedy. This sleeping beauty, despite the graffitied doric columns and rubble strewn marble floors, is totally locked away from the public’s eye, as if it is some ashamed piece of blight that the city wants to sweep under the rug. Again, what a tragedy.
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Those who didn’t steal found OTHER WAYS TO DEFILE IT. - Dan Austin, Lost Detroit: Stories Behind the Motor City’s Majestic 22 Ruins
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http://www.thepeopleofdetroit.com/
They shall teach, as the result of their own bitter experience, that conscious mental effort, that conscious emotionality, are poor mates to breed from, and that true parturition comes of a deep instinctive, SUBCONSCIOUS DESIRE. - Louis Sullivan, Emotional Architecture as Compared – with Intellectual (1894)
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700,000 people
CULTURE Not
every
Detroiter
is
3/4 an
while fresh, start-up shops are
Another interesting quality to
abandoned building, but it’s hard
resurging. Many parks are closed
this area is the racial micro-
for them to shake that image
due to lack of maintenance, yet
communities that are relatively
from the rest of the world’s eyes.
others
through
diverse and interconnected. This
Obesity, crime, and unemployment
volunteer help.
Detroit is not
cultural overlapping could prove
are only a sampling of the plagues
dead; there is hope yet.
are
renewed
that face the Detroit community today.
Racial
to be fruitful when it comes to
reinventions
dealing
with
community
Specifically pertaining to the
collaboration now and into the
segregation has been a constant
Corktown neighborhood, there is
future.
struggle since the “white flight.”
a stronger effort to revitalize the
All of these factors play the role of
neighborhood. People seem more
the masked menace, covering up
motivated to commit to changing
the true spirit of Detroit.
their surroundings, and it has had a profound effect on the amount of
What Detroit’s hiding behind the
positive attention and out-of-town
mask is, in fact, a special ebb and
visitors. Perhaps attitude dictates
flow. The world sees an abandoned
the kind of change we want to see
city, yet the community has large
in our community. If so, then this
gatherings, filling the streets for
neighborhood is on the rise.
sporting events and the like. Many buildings lie empty and dormant,
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1/2 living in food deserts 1/3 impoverished
nutritional deficiency
DETROIT CULTURE
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hispanic
caucasian
03 other
41 African American
CORKTOWN DIVERSITY
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new ideas need OLD BUILDINGS. - JANE JACOBS, THE DEATH AND LIFE OF GREAT AMERICAN CITIES
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FOCUS
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concern Over the years, Michigan Central
anniversary (over the years, the
Station has become a headstone,
park has expanded to connect
marking the rise and fall of Detroit.
Hart Plaza with the Renaissance
It symbolizes the ultimate failure
Center) – and the Dequindre Cut.
of the city’s economy, and the
Detroit is slowly being nurtured
lasting duration of its relentless
into a better, smaller and more
decline. What many people do
self-reliant city.
not see, however, is that Detroit is coming back. are
being
Skyscrapers
redeveloped
Detroit needs help showing the
into
rest of the world its capacity
sustainable housing. Residential
for positive change. Initiating a
neighborhoods are taking it upon
renaissance for Michigan Central
themselves
together
Station could transform it into a
in the form of urban farming.
regenerative monument sparking
Entrepreneurships are redefining
further
and establishing a new local
showing that Detroit is a canvas
economy.
for new urban inventions.
to
band
Pedestrian friendly
city
improvements
greenways have sprung up in areas such as the International Riverfront
–
which
helped
to celebrate the city’s 300th
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–
design intent REFRESH My initial research investigation
COMMUNITY LINKS
has helped influence the form and spirit of the design process, as opposed to preset notions dictating the architecture and form of the new Michigan Central Station. And it should. Detroit deserves that much. After the world has been defining the city for so long, from the good to the bad, it’s time for Detroit to find its own voice. What better way than through its
RE-CREATE NEW URBAN CONNECTIONS
people; those that have laughed when the city was booming and that cried with the city as it fell. The people of Detroit have inspired how this project’s pattern language was written.
REDEFINE NEIGHBORHOOD & CITY IMAGE
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PROJECT GOALS These project goals span from
towards
Downtown.
Finally,
Corktown, redefining it as the
urban to building scale design. The
the adaptive reuse of existing
entrepreneurship district it is
idea is that these goals are actually
warehouses and creation of new
planned to become, as well as an
intertwined between the proposed
mixed-use massing will help to
example of reutilized urban decay,
urban and architectural schemes.
redefine the neighborhood and
for the rest of the city.
The fact that these two design
spark a new revitalized image for
components to my thesis share a
the city of Detroit.
set of common goals, not only ties them together, but strengthens the
On the micro scale, Michigan
design as a whole.
Central Station will serve as a meeting point for a variety of
On the macro scale, densifying the
public, communal, and socially
train track area helps to refresh
innovative
the community link that was lost
connections will be instilled by the
when urban blight created a social
main thorough fare route through
vacuum between two neighboring
the station, from Roosevelt Park
residential clusters. New urban
through the building and to the
connections are realized through
tracks that connect to the river
the tracks again, but also using
and
green
wayfinding
Michigan Central Station will
through Corktown and extending
serve as a catalytic icon for
spaces
as
gatherings.
downtown.
New
Ultimately,
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design criteria 1 2
INNOVATION
Innovation as process
Facilitating idea development, exchange, and collaboration
Individual creativity
GENIUS LOCI Contributing to a sense of community, history, and spirit
3
CONNECTEDNESS Bridging urban voids through an integrated approach
Organizational structure Environmental context Social + economic factors
Innovation as outcome New products New features New methods Source examination
4
FRESH PERSPECTIVES Sparking inspiration with a re-energized scheme and serendipitous social space
5
TRANSPARENCIES Greeting the public with layered transparencies of new + existing fabric
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Economic consequences
SOCIALIZE
WORK
RELAX
Collaboration through Integration Integrated interior spaces that feel connected will spark energetic and dynamic moods within the building.
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NON-PROFITS
program
GOVERNMENT
Education System
BUSINESS
SOCIAL INNOVATION HOW CAN I
Civic Health
RETHINK
Blended Resources Shifting Roles + Relationships Exchanging of Ideas + Values
Local Government
Community Development
Public Policy
PUBLIC PHILANTHROPIC Social 3 5 Innovator
PRIVATE A
Work Conditions
PROCESS
OUT
COM
E
CREATED SOCIALVALUE
ON USI DIFF
AD
N O I T OP
Transcends time because its
its
underlying
mechanisms, sequence
of
interactions and events, change as society and its institutions evolve.
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URBAN
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URBAN RESHAPING A majority of the urban scheme
vacuum that exists there today. At
for this project revolves around
the precipice of this line from the
issues
the
water into the heart of Corktown,
neighborhood.
The first step
is Michigan Central Station. The
towards
reidentification
station will serve as a starting
involves an increase in density
point for the incorporated urban
along the elevated tracks.
volume to grow from it, towards
of
reidentifying this
This
new massing that parallels the tracks will reactivate the urban
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the water.
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marbled use A marbled use of buliding types will help to bring variety and tap into Corktown’s existing versality. Corktown has already been deemed the
future
entrepreneurship
district of Detroit. These sorts of businesses will thrive in an urban environment that is as creative and flexible as its inhabitants.
newly constructed buildings
RESIDENTIAL
COMMERCIAL
MIXED USE
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green wayfinding Wayfinding
MICHIGAN AVEnue
through
walkable
connectivity and avenue vistas. Having been slowly on the rise, it
With
will reach the potential it has had
corridors,
all along in becoming a thriving
reconnect its community nodes
commercial
through activated streetscapes
avenue
towards
downtown.
clearly
defined
urban
Corktown
will
and public greenways. All of these corridors will converge towards
ROSA PARKS BouLeVarD Currently
an
under-utilized
boulevard, it will become a new
downtown or the RiverWalk, connecting Corktown to adjacent communities.
mixed-use corridor towards the riverfront.
THE TRACKS These elevated train tracks will transform into a new civic walk to connect with the already successful RiverWalk to the east.
West FORT STREET Like Rosa Parks Blvd, this street is a dismal service corridor with many vacancies. It will transform into a high-rise residential and mixed use avenue paralleling the river.
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immediate surrounding In a collaboration with Urban
The first floor lobby that directly
connections between architecture
Detail LLC and Tadd Heidgerken,
faces the park will allow nature
and nature, building and urban
a proposed plan for Roosevelt
to seep into and through its vast
scale. Together, with the added
Park has already been imagined.
space. A meadow will flow over
density that is to surround the
For my thesis project, I wanted my
the floors of the lobby. On top of
park and extend along the tracks,
adaptive reuse design for Michigan
the meadow will float an urban
this area will become a focal point,
Central Station to compliment
boardwalk that meanders from
a destination, for the Corktown
what has been proposed for
the park, through the lobby, and
community.
Roosevelt Park, as well as tie into
reconnect at the south side train
the immediate urban fabric of the
track
area surrounding the park.
riverfront. This strengthens the
boulevard
towards
the
46
slows bbq
ve
an a g i h c i m gateway plaza
bus stop
boardwalk sport courts
large lawn
pop-up shops grasses hardscape
meadow lobby m. central station to viaduct
parking outdoor plaza
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to viaduct
old rail tracks removed for new greenway
boardwalk
the tracks
merged site plan slow zone
The bolded buildings in this site plan represent the new
This pedestrian plaza, that extends
construction and density that
from the station will seep from
will begin to activate the newly
the park down the commercial
designed Roosevelt park, based
focused Michigan Avenue.
mostly off of the proposed plans on the previous spread. There will be mostly mixed-use surounding
elevated boardwalk
the park, with a hotel, apartments
This wooden pathway will be
and infilled residential.
The
the main datum line through the
majority of the new construciton
park leading to the station and the
along Michigan Avenue will be
elevated tracks towards the water.
commercial to help strengthen the corridor towards downtown to
sports courts
the east.
New sports courts for basketball, tennis, etc will be added to the already existing socer field areas used for neighborhood leagues.
outdoor plaza This public fun zone will serve as the focal point to the “back of house� that is now the main facade that faces the tracks and boulevard to the riverfront.
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PROCESS
50
strategies The following four strategies were defined as a first attempt towards redesigning Station.
Michigan
Central
They represent the
different ways urban decay can be altered. Although they each cover a drastically different approach, each strategy was incorporated into this design in some fashion.
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DECOMPOSITION
DECONSTRUCTION
NATURAL TAKEOVER
UPCYCLE MATERIALS
RESTORATION
TRANSFORMATION
REPAIR + REFURBISH
ADAPTIVE REUSE
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application This section is a compilation of
I saw this as an architectural
diagrams that best display my
metaphor for how the adaptive
process in tackling the design of
reuse of Michigan Central Station
Michigan Central Station, while
represents the respect of Detroit’s
incorporating the four strategic
automotive past and success, as
approaches mentioned on the last
well as addressing the need to
page.
start anew; what was working before for the city is no longer a
At the beginning, it was apparent
viable option.
that finding a balance between
broken municipality and the ghost
old and new, contrasting and
of its bankruptcy looming, Detroit
complimentary, would be integral
needs to do something different.
Clearly, with its
to the success of this design. Throughout the process, it was also
In the following diagrams, I
important to constantly question
hope to show how I went about
the validity of the proposed design
addressing these concerns about
and whether it respected the
past, present, and future as they
history of the station.
relate to not only architecture, but a metaphor for positive change in Detroit.
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It was crucial early on in the design process to first establish the existing character of Michigan Central Station.
existing
Just as the
surrounding context needs to be taken into account, the adaptive reuse
nature
of
this
thesis
required me to first investigate what defines Michigan Central Station. Analyzing the station in this way revealed the “canvas� in which I could begin to marry the new modern architecture to the historic existing fabric.
character defining
canvas
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existing
After establishing a general area on the facade, it was necessary to look at the station in plan. The simplicity and straightforward design that comes with this
program
Beaux-Arts and Neoclassic style station influenced the cleanly incorporated program bar that turns the more complex “I� shaped plan into a more rigid and direct rectangle form.
From this, two
bars would begin to reactivate the
activated bars
facade of Michigan Central Station. Multiple entry points across the facade allow for movement and energy for those bars.
pinched
circulation
55
Looking back at the facade, it was important to start to connect these energetic
entryways
vertically.
doorways
This addresses the challenge of horizontal
and
disconnected
floorplates
in
strucutre.
Undulating glulam
the
existing
stairs were chosen as a dynamic and modern way to redefine the facade of Michigan Central Station.
stair connection
glulam extension
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rooftop restaurant
theater
meadow shops
inserting programmatic cornerstones The three main programmatic
Starting from ground level, the
the lobby where pop-up-shops
anchors for this project were
meadow shops were located in
have nestled themselves.
slid into the existing envelope
the ground floor, historic lobby,
meadow shops will be flexible and
of
Station.
with grand barrel-vaulted ceilings.
adaptive, transitioning from the
They not only help to provide
Here, a meadow has been allowed
park to the lobby and back again
destinations along the circulative
to permeate the building and
depending on the weather and
path through the station, but
flow from Roosevelt Park into
local events.
also create pause, visually and
the lobby, providing a smooth
physically, along the path up and
transition between inside and
through the station.
outside.
Michigan
Central
Lofted above the tall
grasses is an elevated wooden walkway that leads visitors into
57
These
nested with a similar language As you make your way up the
After you wind your way to the
escalator, located at the back of
top of the tower portion of the
the lobby, an assembly hall, or
station, it opens up to a rooftop
theater appears at the top of the
park. At the end of the park, a
risers. This theater, nestled amidst
bistro restaurant has wrapped
the trees growing from below,
itself around one of the bookends
helps to establish that the new
of the facade.
Michigan Central Station now
unobstructed 180 degree views
has two fronts, the traditional one
across Corktown and to the river.
Here, there are
facing Roosevelt Park, and the new one facing the redesigned tracks towards the riverfront.
58
Each
of
the
programmatic
cornerstones on the previous page have a similar architectural language. They all, in a sense, break the rules by being exceptional when all of the other programs
RECLAIM
conform to the non-character defining canvas mentioned earlier on in this chapter.
abandoned houses.
Although
some see these houses as trash filled rubble, they can also be deconstructed in a process known as upcycling. For this project, 2x4 framing pieces will be salvaged from
residential
blight
and
upcycled to create baton screens for each of the programmatic cornerstone elements.
EVOLUTION TOWARDS UPCYCLING
Detroit has an abundance of
DECAY
BUILD 59
resourced 2x4
baton screened cornerstones 60
pierce pancake floorplates
61
create vertical interest
Vertical atriums of green spaces provide a break in the horizontal floorplate monotony.
They also
work in a similar way as the glulam dynamic stairs to provide a sense of physical and visual connectedness between floors.
stagger insertions
62
sky park
atriums elevated track to river front
green roof nested tree canopy
63
This green wayfinding diagram incorporates the previous atrium diagram to show how different versions of green space start to establish a sense of navigating the station.
This concept also
ties into the urban scheme’s green wayfinding strategy as a way to provide new identity for Corktown, showing how an urban concept can be applied at the building scale.
green roof
indoor/outdoor meadow
roosevelt park
64
65
DESIGN
66
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PLANS 01
theater + tracks
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
00
67
lobby shops
05
exhibition + lobby
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
06
office + conference
07
OFFICE + conference
68 scale 1/64 “ = 1 ‘
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
08
KITCHEN + dining
09
RESIDENCY + library
10
office + conference
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
69
11
office + conference
PRODUCED BY AN AUTODESK EDUCATIONAL PRODUCT
12
workout gym + office
14
PARK + RESTAURANT
70
71
ELEVATIONS
north elevation
south elevation
72
SECTION
73
74
75
RENDERS
76
WApproach from park
77
WMEADOW LOBBY
Wescalator passage
78
WASSEMBLY HALL BALCONY VIEW
79
DYNAMIC STAIRWELLW
80
WPATH TOWARDS RESTAURANT
81
ROOFTOP PARKW
82
83
VIEW FROM ROOSEVELT PARKW
84
85
MODEL
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
EXHALE
94
95
final thoughts Over the course of this thesis
I am proud of the work that I have
project, these lessons have had
accomplished in the past year,
the biggest impact on my design
not because I think it is good, but
philosophy:
because I have seen how much it has caused me to grow as a
Designing is proactive, not passive.
designer and as a person.
Sure, you can go with your gut,
experiences that I have had with
but true design comes from
my classmates, my mentors, my
digging down deep and working
family and friends have been
through resistance.
remarkable. Thank you to all who
The
have helped me in this endeavor. Don’t just design for others, but design for yourself. Satisfaction is so much
The future possibilities not only
sweeter when you accomplish
for Michigan Central Station, but
what you set out to do in a way
for the city as well, are exciting
that you are proud of. It is that
dreams that are already being
moment when you know that you
realized. The potential in Detroit
have accomplished something
is overwhelming.
truly special.
Let’s see what happens next.
96
97
APPENDIX
98
site pictures
99
100
101
102
YEARLY AVERAGES
weather data
WIND 10mph//RAIN 32”//SNOW 41”
WINTER SOLTICE 12.21 HIGH: 34//LOW: 20 AVG. RAIN 2.3”
SPRING EQUINOX 03.20 NORTH NW
HIGH 46//LOW 30 AVG. RAIN 2.5”
NE
SUMMER SOLTICE 06.21 ST EAST
WEST
HIGH 82//LOW 63 AVG. RAIN 3.5”
FALL EQUINOX 09.22 SW
SE SOUTH
103
HIGH 72//LOW 54 AVG. RAIN 2.7”
8:00 AM
NOON
4:00 PM
104
pattern language Urban Planning Central Station
ECCENTRIC NUCLEUS
28
24
SCARED SITES
66
HOLY GROUND
62
HIGH PLACES
53
MAIN GATEWAYS
Building Features PATTERN TITLE Pattern Number
ACTIVITY NODES
PROMENADE
IDENTIFIABLE NEIGHBORHOOD 105
30
31 14
CLIMBING PLANTS
TRELLISED WALK
FILTERED LIGHT
ENTRANCE TRANSITION
246
174
238 112
118
ROOF GARDEN
166
GALLERY SURROUND
160
BUILDING EDGE
133
STAIR AS A STAGE 106
ECCENTRIC NUCLEUS 28
ACTIVITY NODES 30
PROMENADE 31
“The random character of local densities confuses the identity of our communities, and also creates a chaos in the pattern of land use.”
“Where the most important paths meet, certain stars – vital spots of a community – begin to form.”
“Each subculture needs a center for public life; a place where you can go to see people, and to be seen.”
>> Get in touch with those who share your values >> Small scale of “busy and quiet” ooo “Human mixing” sectors >> Proportions matter. The >> Locate naturally occurring nodes effectiveness of the promenade >> “Shopping street” boulevard through of community and run public relates directly to the proper pathways through them each nucleus density of the people, which in ooo Add a square to each, turn is correlated to the proportion >> Brennan’s catch basins surrounded by “mutually of the promenade itself. ooo Assume 1/5 of people ooo supported” facilities ooo Fish scales ooo Pomegranate seeds Connect nodes with within area will use it at a given time of day. PROMENADE ooo Using density, calculate >> Center should bulge toward total users at one time geometric center of community ooo Calculate the area of the promenade assuming 150sqft per person >> Distribution of density ooo High towards the center ooo Low towards the outskirts
>> “Community crossroads.”
>> Make it a destination ooo “Street theater” ooo Garden or art walk >> Connects ACTIVITY NODES ooo Encourages “the stroll” between destinations of hustle and bustle
10 7
NEIGHBORHOOD identity 14
SACRED SITES 24
HOLY GROUND 66
“They want to be able to identify the part of the city where they live as distinct from all others”
“People cannot maintain their spiritual roots and their connections to the past if the physical world they live in does not also sustain these roots.”
“In each community and neighborhood, identify some sacred site as consecrated ground, and form a series of nested precincts, each marked by a gateway, each one progressively more private, and more sacred than the last, the innermost a final sanctum that can only be reached by passing through all of the outer ones.”
>> Can be applied on city to >> Serve as “objective communal realities” worldwide scale?
>> Characteristics of good examples >> Makes allegory to gaping wound ooo “Everybody knows each other” in human body is razed, should be ooo “I feel it’s home. There are >> Requirements “preserved and made important” ooo Hard to reach through warm people on this street.” ooo “I don’t feel alone” >> Two steps layers of access ooo “I feel my home extends to the ooo Pick a site that makes ooo Gradual peeling away to a whole block” the user group feel slow reveal ooo “The street life doesn’t intrude ooo Passage marked by a most in tune with the into the home… only area and the values of series of gateways ooo Nest of precincts, see Ise happiness comes in from the the past ooo “Preserve and embellish street” shrine ooo Progression of sacredness them in a way which >> Marked by MAIN GATEWAYS intensifies their public to final sanctum meaning” >> “At each threshold between precincts >> Progression-focused approach or build a gate, MAIN GATEWAYS; at each gate, “nested precincts” place a pause with a new view towards (see HOLY GROUND) the next most inner place; and at the inner ooo Create resistance in most sanctum, something very quiet and getting to the heart of able to inspire.” your sacred site ooo Series of spaces with gradual intensities toward inner sanctum ooo Thresholds reveal the nodes gradually
108
HIGH PLACES 62
MAIN GATEWAYS 53
ENTRANCE TRANSITION 112
“The instinct to climb up to some high place, from which you can look down and survey your world, seems to be a fundamental human instinct.”
“Any precinct, of some kind, will be reinforced, helped in its distinctness, marked, and made more vivid, if the paths which enter it are marked by gateways where they cross the boundary.”
“Buildings with a graceful transition between the street and the inside, are more tranquil than those which open directly off the street.”
>> Make infrequent, community
one
per
>> Two functions ooo Orient those on the ground from far away ooo A vantage point to climb to view far away >> Must work for the view though ooo Comprehensive view of city ooo “Cleanses mind and body” ooo Can being character to HOLY GROUND
109
>> Gardens can enhance this movement. >> “…Boundaries are usually in people’s minds. They mark the end of one kind >> The entrance experience influences your of activity, one kind of place, and the feelings once you are inside. ooo Without this transition, the beginning of another. In many cases, the activities themselves are made more inner sanctum is lost without sharp, more vivid, more alive, if the the feeling of an arrival. ooo Also, people must shake the boundary which exists in people’s minds is also present physically in the world.” outside off in order to make contact with the happenings >> Solid entities, things, not to be within. replaced by implied holes and gaps >> It can be done through a gradual >> Must be physical procession of spaces or floor texture transitions. ooo A change of surface, level, view, direction, sound…
FILTERED LIGHT 238
TRELLISED WALK 174
CLIMBING PLANTS 246
“Some filmmakers claim the play of light upon the retina is naturally sensuous, all by itself.”
“Trellised walks have their own special “They are a gift from the people inside to beauty. They are so unique, so different the people on the street.” from other ways of shaping a path, that >> “The sense of touch” gives walls a soft they are almost archetypal.” >> Our eyes already have a texture predisposition for exaggerating >> Emphasizes a path and sets apart a contrast, don’t play up harsh special divergent shadows. >> “Where paths need special protection or >> Practice using diffused or reflected where they need some intimacy, build a trellis…use it to help shape spaces on light either side of it.”
110
ROOF GARDEN 118
BUILDING EDGE 160
STAIR AS A STAGE 133
“…It seems necessary to build flat roof gardens off the indoor parts of the buildings…do not make them the highest part of the roof…make it possible to walk out to the roof garden from an interior room without climbing special stairs.”
“A building is most often thought of as something which turns inward – toward its rooms. People do not often think of a building as something which must also be oriented toward the outside.”
“A staircase is not just a way of getting from one floor to another. The stair is itself a space, a volume, a part of the building; and unless this space is made to live, it will be a dead spot, and work to disconnect the building and to tear its processes apart.”
>> Without a strong edge: ooo The space surrounding will seem useless and >> Horizontally located form lived-in empty ooo The building suffers parts of the building social isolation ooo The approach is like a crossing a vacant desert ooo Make sure space around is made for people so they feel welcome >> Place at various stories
>> Breathe life into the building edge ooo Connect it to the world around it ooo Make it part of the social fabric surrounding it ooo Connect others to the building through the outside >> An edge can be a “realm between realms” ooo Treat the edge as its own zone
111
>> Treat the stair as a room or as its own zone like the BUILDING EDGE Take advantage of the level >> changes as places to interact with others, to see and be seen >>
The first few steps can act as seats
Do not make it free standing >> or totally enclosed. Hug the inside edges and allow it to the follows the building’s skeleton. Also, place it near enough to the entrance, so that it is prominent enough to demand attention from those entering the building, but far enough into the heart to convey a sense of intimate social character
GALLERY SURROUND 166 “If people cannot walk out from the building onto balconies and terraces which look toward the outdoor space around the building, then neither they themselves nor the people outside have any medium which helps them feel the building and the larger public world are intertwined.� >> Conversely from the BUILDING EDGE, spark connections from the inside to the outside. ooo Provide slow moving places for people to linger and gaze out to the world beyond the BUILDING EDGE, allowing them to connect with the scene outside. ooo Provide rich and engrossing areas that can be occupied for hours. >> Create a varied selection of these areas. ooo Perch ooo Viewing Benches
11 2
fundamental values FAMILY : GENIUS LOCI
RELATIONSHIPS : CONNECTIVITY
MINDFULNESS : APPROPRIATENESS
sense of all things: community, history,
(re)connecting people, ideas, past and
know the context, what it needs and has
and spirit
future
to offer, the bigger picture
This value was most important for
I cannot allow myself to get
Context is always something
my initial investigation.
When
disconnected from what is really
that is taken into account early
I went on a site visit last term, I
important in my life. Sacrifices
on in the design process.
had set up meetings with contacts
are made for both ends of the
term, I think I attained a better
in the area. At first, I thought
spectrum, a balance should be
understanding for the people,
that walking around Michigan
maintained. Sometimes taking a
the city, and the spirit of Detroit
Central Station would have a great
break, putting ideas on the back-
through research and face-to-face
influence on my project, which
burner, allows the mind to think
interviews with locals in the area.
it did; however, it was talking
through problems on its own.
Appropriateness is also something
Last
with the people that lived in the
that I am constantly going back
area that proved to be the most
and asking myself. Is my design
impactful.
appropriate? Would the people I have talked to be proud of my design? Would they understand my intentions?
Would they
support my method for addressing urban decay in Detroit?
113
SELF-AWARENESS : STIGMA
ABILITY : POTENTIAL
IDENTITY : EXPRESSION
mark of disgrace that opens the door to
blocks to build upon, the foundation for
the path to defining uniqueness,
potential
change
originality, character
Again, this was a value that I paid
From the beginning, I knew that
Defining the new identity of
a lot of attention to during the
Detroit has this potential to be
Corktown and the greater Detroit
beginning stages of my project.
a great city, once again.
How
area is crucial. If this identity is
I knew that Detroit had this
to capture that potential and
not intentionally clear, then more
negative image that needed to
translate
architecture
misunderstandings regarding the
change to show that there truly
has been a challenge and an
expression of my architecture and
is an “other� Detroit beneath the
opportunity for me to address. On
the area and people as a whole
stereotyping. Although this value
a more personal note, I have had to
could arise. My intentions should
served to influence my main thesis
also learn to trust my own ability
be clear just by looking at what I
statement and investigation, it has
as a designer to make quick design
have designed; it should be good
also been very helpful in furthering
decisions.
architecture, clear architecture.
it
into
my design process. All throughout
I am looking to create new
this project, I have tried to re-
understandings.
assess my work, taking a step back to look at it with new eyes.
11 4
SPONTANEITY : ADAPTABILITY
PASSION : STIMULUS
without versatility transformation is
empower people, empower city
turning a negative into a positive,
stifled
the driving force of change
reliance on what is working
Although it is clear that I am
There is already a strong, driving
I have learned to take all of the
adapting an old building to serve a
culture in Detroit.
Those that
support I can get. When not in
new purpose and new perspective,
have battled alongside the city
studio talking with professors, I
can my design also continue to
have a resilience to their character,
am doing design-critiques with my
adapt in the future? I have had
while those that are just arriving,
roommate, with my friends, with
discussions about how the new
bring with them a sense of
old professors, with bosses. The
form that I am creating could easily
determination to create something
more people I can get feedback
branch off into other areas of the
of themselves, to be a part of an
from, the more well-rounded my
building, while still contributing
untapped potential. How can
project can be.
to the whole.
my project work to weave itself
into that passion and begin to stimulate and further catalyze positive movements.
1 15
SUPPORTIVE : FACILITATE
MATURITY : TRANSFORMATION
SELF-IMPROVEMENT : RENEWAL
OPEN-MINDEDNESS : COLLABORATION
things can move forward only if change
the change of stigma, narrative and
exchanging and development of ideas, see
is embraced
genius loci, for the better
the other side
Just like Detroit, I have to allow my
This value is the definition of
This
project to embrace change. It feels
process. I am constantly renewing
improvement and development
as if I have had to start my design
and updating my ideas and design
of my thesis design. I need to be
process from the beginning over
forms in order to better represent
open to seeing my project in a new
and over again. If I can accept this
my intentions with this thesis
light, while creatively tackling any
as part of the larger development
investigation. I also have to learn
issues that might arise from this
of my thesis, then making mistakes
to accept that this process will
new perspective. Just when I think
can be seen as a necessity instead
not always be easy. Once I accept
I have a good idea, I need to be
of an unfortunate waste of time.
that, then challenges become
thinking of others to incorporate.
value
is
key
to
the
opportunities for development.
116
precedents NAME: GARE d’ORSAY LOCATION: PARIS, FRANCE STYLE: BEAUX-ARTS ACTIVE: 1900 - 1939 IDENTITY: MUSEE d’ORSAY PROGRAM: Art Museum REUSE: 1986 - present
Gare d’Orsay was a rail station completed in time for the 1900 Exposition Universelle. It became inactive because the small platforms no longer were suitable for the trains coming through. Alternative functions it served included a mailing center during World War II and later it was used as a part of several film sets. At one point, there had been plans to tear down the railway station, but the minister for cultural affairs defended d’Orsay. France’s directorate of museums wanted it to connect the Louvre and Pompidou. Today, the museum houses the largest collection of impressionist art in the world.
1 17
NAME: JULIO PRESTES LOCATION: MADRID, SPAIN STYLE: NEO-CLASSICAL ACTIVE: 1938 - 1990 IDENTITY: SALA SAO PAULO PROGRAM: CONCERT HALL REUSE: 1997 - present
Julio Prestes Station was originally completed to participate in the coffee and railway trade that was booming at its conception. However, thirteen years of construction proved to finish the station much too late, after automobile commuting popularized. After the suggestion by the secretary of culture to transform the station into a concert hall, the building quickly centered the city’s cultural revitalization movement. An adjustable ceiling system was only one of the major alternations made to the building to prepare it for its new program.
11 8
NAME: HAMBURG STATION LOCATION: BERLIN, GERMANY STYLE: NEO-RENAISSANCE ACTIVE: 1906 - 1990 IDENTITY: HAMBURG STATION PROGRAM: Art Museum REUSE: 1996 - present
Hamburg Station
was opened to replace four other terminal
stations. It became one of the busiest stations in Europe. After several renovations, traffic through the railway took its toll to the point that the station was converted into an exhibition hall. During World War II, the building took on significant damage and during the division between East and West Berlin, the museum sat dormant. Its eventual restoration was a part of the city’s 750th anniversary and was finally reopened as a museum of modern art, which now houses the most significant contemporary pieces in the world.
1 19
NAME: UNION TERMINAL LOCATION: CINCINNATI STYLE: ART DECO ACTIVE: 1933 - 1972 IDENTITY: UNION TERMINAL PROGRAM: HISTORY MUSEUM REUSE: 1990 - present
Cincinnati’s Union Terminal
was a major interchange
between the Northeast and Midwest. Winold Reiss was hired to create over a dozen murals to ornament the station’s walls. The terminal’s traffic slowly died down toward the end of World War II and was replaced by a smaller station in the city. It was voted an historic landmark, which was the only defender against complete razing. For a decade it was converted into a shopping mall and flea market before city voters passed a bond levy to save it. Ever since, it has served as a museum for natural history and science.
12 0
NAME: FIT C2 ADDITION LOCATION: NEW YORK CITY STYLE: contemporary ACTIVE: 1959 - PRESENT DESIGNER: SHOP ARCHITECTS PROGRAM: Art Museum PROPOSED: 2009
FIT C2 Addition was an addition to the fashion schools building not only to provide much needed additional programmatic space, but also to give the tired looking facade a face-lift and instill in it more of a presence within the context of New York City. The designers’ main intentions were to create a new identity for the building and the school through the use of visual permeability and new, vibrant design.
1 21
NAME: cellular clay habitation LOCATION: kazakhstan STYLE: innovative ACTIVE: N/A DESIGNER: SAKEN NARYNOV PROGRAM: HOUSING DESIGNED: 2010
Cellular Clay Multi-Family Habitation
was a
concept developed by not only an architect, but an artist, Saken Narynov. He wanted to re-imagine earth, an ancient and local building material, as a modern complex able to span up multiple stories. To do this, he proposed a gridded infrastructure of steel to support the clay undulating form. This symbiotic relationship between organic and rigid form was interesting to relate to my project with Michigan Central Station.
122
NAME: speculative architecture LOCATION: n/a STYLE: theoretical ACTIVE: 1976 - present DESIGNER: lebbeus woods PROGRAM: exhibit pieces
The speculative architecture of Lebbeus Woods, although all but one were never realized, brings up controversial issues of the definition of design, art and architecture. His work is freed from the conformities that traditional architectural design poses. The majority of his explorations in design revolve around themes of crisis, the new meeting the old, the rigid meeting the organic. “Architecture is war. War is architecture.� The conceptual nature of his work I also found especially interesting, that one can become an architect by thinking like one.
123
124
125
SOURCES
126
local contacts
Mary Sudy
Jerry Paffendorf
T.J. Arini
grew up in Hamtramck, a city
is the founder of Imagination
is a local architect and
is
nestled within Detroit. Her
Station, a young non-proďŹ t
graduate of Detroit Mercy
program director of Practice
husband served many years
that has been working to
and has been aďŹƒliated with
Space, which brings together
as a Detroit policeman and
clean up a block on the
Detroit Design Festival. His
entrepreneurs,
fraud investigator. Together,
eastern side of Roosevelt
interests include the process
and the local community to
they have witnessed the
Park,
of decomposition and its
shape a business, its space,
ebb and ow of the city.
Central Station.
relation to space making
and its story.
She is also a much loved grandmother.
1 27
facing
Michigan
within the built environment.
Justin Mast the
co-founder
and
creatives,
Dean Simmer
Kaija Wuollet
Phil Cooley
Kate Bordine
is a Corktown resident,
is a local architect and
is a local entrepreneur and
is the executive director
minister, educator, and some
ownder of Abberations in
catalytic urbanite.
He is
of Pony Ride, a non-profit
what of a social instigator.
Corktown.
She has been
the owner and founder of
that works to provide local
He knows the people; he
involved in several projects
Slows Bar-B-Q, a successful
entrepreneurs
knows the area. He has ties
in Detroit, including Nora,
restaurant off of Michigan
space to create, socialize,
with many of the community
Detroit Institute of Bagels,
Ave; and co-founder of Pony
and grow. She is constantly
members.
Slows Bar-B-Q expansion
Ride. His current endeavors
working
and Pony Ride.
are
framework
numerous
constant flux.
and
in
to
affordable
establish for
creative
thinking at Pony Ride.
12 8
a
bibliography A lexander, Christopher, Sara Ishikawa, and Murray Silverstein. A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction. New York: Oxford UP, 1977. Christopher Alexander believes that the act of designing has similar patterns and language to our vocal dialgoues. In a similar way we speak, through design there is a need to convey meaning through form. In this book, Alexander has set up a framework for organizing and coherence of those forms, giving them a clear voice so all can understand design.
D etroit Free Press Newspaper Articles and Mary Sudy These have yet to be cataloged specifically, but a surplus of them have been coming in from my grandma who lives north of Detroit and is aware of my thesis project. My grandmother has also served as a direct resource.
A ustin, Dan, and Sean Doerr. Lost Detroit: Stories behind the Motor City’s Majestic Ruins. Charleston, SC: History, 2010. As a journalist and historian, Dan Austin worked along Sean Doerr, a photographer of Detroit ruin since he was fourteen, to create this tribute to some of the city’s most iconic forgotten landmarks. Both contributors understand the offerings of these monumental pieces of architecture had on the city. There is also a chapter dedicated to Michigan Central Station.
“F rontiers to Factories: Detroiters at Work, 1701-1901.” Detroit Historical Society. <http://detroithistorical.org/ detroit-historical-museum/ exhibitions/signature-exhibitions/ frontiers-factories-detroiterswork-1701> The Detroit Historical Society is dedicated to preserving Detroit’s history. I plan to look at their exhibits to draw conclusions on the effectiveness of certain strategies when doing so.
1 29
B auman, Kevin. 100 Abandoned Houses. <http:// www.100abandonedhouses.com/>. Kevin Bauman’s photography captures the distress of abandoned houses in Detroit. Bauman started taking photographs in this way in the mid-1990s and has continued to be attracted to the ruin amidst the affluence of Detroit.
G allagher, John. Reimagining Detroit: Opportunities for Redefining an American City. Detroit, MI: Wayne State UP, 2010. John Gallagher is a journalist for the Detroit Free Press. He is well known for his opinions regarding Detroit and is looked up to in the community. His ideas about Detroit drew out some of my initial inspiration to cover this topic as my architectural thesis. His views on where Detroit is and where is should go will serve as a guiding force throughout my project.
B easley, Norman, and George W. Stark. Made in Detroit. New York: Putnam, 1957. This historical narrative of Detroit’s past is a point of view that resonated with my design language. This book is factual, yet speaks in a way that mirrors the true voice of Detroit, a vantage point that must immerse this project.
G allagher, John. Revolution Detroit: Strategies for Urban Reinvention. Detroit, MI: Wayne State UP, 2013. In this follow up book, John Gallagher argues that many cities around the world are dealing with a similar, broken municipal model that Detroit has suffered. Detroit’s struggle with reinvention could draw inspiration from other United States and European cities, some of which Gallagher discusses in this book. These “legacy cities” need to take on a phlegmatic attitude in order to spark change within their borders and out to the rest of the world.
“C orktown Historic District.” National Park Service. <http://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/ detroit/d19.htm> The Nation Park Service is a trusted source when researching the history of historic districts. This source also speaks of the defining character of Corktown that landed it on the Register of Historic Places, alluding to things that need or should be preserved.
G allion, Arthur B., and Simon Eisner. The Urban Pattern; City Planning and Design. Princeton, NJ: Van Nostrand, 1963. Arthur Gallion examines the processes by which our cities rise and fall, expand and shrink. He pinpoints philosophies that resonate with modern topics such as regeneration and renewal. Gallion also draws a strong connection between the success of a city and its connection to its citizens. It is a cyclical process of improving the people by improving the city with the help of those same people. Although this edition is over 50 years old, his words resonate deeply with the happenings Detroit faces today.
D ata Driven Detroit. <http://www. cridata.org/>. This website has a wealth of knowledge. It’s “MAPS 2.0” program allows me to visualize city statistics, which I then traced and overlapped to discover certain urban patterns regarding different demographics.
G reen Garage. <http:// greengaragedetroit.com/>. This Midtown enterprise serves as an entrepreneurship laboratory in downtown Detroit. It fosters mostly sustainable and technologically advances ideas. Also at the communities disposal is a library, however part of it is traditional, that mainly serves as a connector between people that want to develop their greening ideas with those that can help.
130
G reening of Detroit (NGO). <http://greeningofdetroit.com/>. Their mission statement speaks of inspiring sustainable growth in Detroit on multiple platforms, including urban farm and workforce development. They help get local growers started with all of the components of gardening, along with instruction and know-how. This non-profit resource agency is located just north of Corktown.
S ala Sao Paulo.
<http://www.osesp.art.br/portal/ paginadinamica.aspx?pagina=salas aopaulo&Cultura=en-GB>. This train station rose out of the booming coffee trade in Brazil and began its similar decline after the rise of the automobile. Today is serves as one of the country’s most important concert halls.
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G rossinger, Robert S. Examining the Impact of Food Deserts on Public Health in Detroit. Chicago: Mari Gallagher Research & Consulting Group, 2007. This research study makes apparent the concern regarding food availability in Detroit. Issues revolving around this topic are supportive factors for establishing urban agriculture in Detroit.
H amburger Bahnhof. <http://www. smb.museum/en/museums-andinstitutions/hamburgerbahnhof/home.html>. One of the only remaining Neoclassical style train stations in Berlin, Hamburger Bahnhof, unlike many stations in America, was closed because it could not handle the increase in railway traffic. After its renovation, it was eventually converted into an art museum. Today it holds one of the most important contemporary art collections in the world.
S HoP Architects. FIT C2.
S tephens,
The facade of this building shows how new identity can be defined in an existing structure through the help of architectural design.
Noah Stephens’ work shows the inherent character of Detroit through photographic media. His portraits exemplify the spirit of Detroit. Showing a way this spirit can be preserved through photography is inspirational when trying to preserve Detroit’s spirit through architecture.
<http://www.shoparc.com/ project/FIT-C2>.
Noah. The People of Detroit. <http://www. thepeopleofdetroit.com/>
M usee d’Orsay. <http://www. google.com/culturalinstitute/ collection/musee-dorsayparis?projectId=art-project>. Paris’s old railway was converted into a museum that now houses works of art ranging from 1818-1914. This precedent has relevance to my project because it shows how adaptive reuse can transform an old architectural icon into a functional building for the community.
S PARC - Society to Promote Art
& Recreation in the Community (NGO) <sparcdetroit@gmail.com> <http:// www.detroitdreamproject.org/>. In association with The Detroit Dream Project, SPARC focuses on art in the community as a way to foster new economic growth for the city of Detroit. They believe that big projects and results can be obtained just by inspiring enough people to participate, even if that means starting at a smaller grassroots scale.
N arynov, Saken. Cellular Clay Multi-Family Habitation. <http://www.evolo.us/ architecture/cellular-claymultifamily-habitation-sakennarynov/>. This project was an excellent reference to look at when questioning the complexities of marrying rigid and organic forms seamlessly together.
P ractice Space. practicespace.org/>.
<http://
This local workshop based company serves as an incubator + residency to foster new entrepreneurships for Detroit. Their Workspace is their home base, located just northwest of Michigan Central Station.
U nion
Terminal. <http://www. cincymuseum.org/unionterminal>.
U nited
The Art Deco style, Cincinnati station was once a bustling rail center. It now plays host to a variety of facilities, mostly history museums.
These sources served as my fact finder data-bases. They have a collection of statistics, histories, and quick facts, which were helpful for setting the stage for my project’s concern and purpose.
States Census Bureau. <www.detroitmi.gov> <http://www.history.com>.
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“W here We Work.” LISC Detroit. <http://www.lisc.org/detroit/ where_we_work/strategic_ investment_areas_%28sias%29. php> This source lists the neighborhood of my site, in the form of a diagrammed map, as a possible area of investment with regards to “building sustainable communities and neighborhoods.”
W oods,
Lebbeus. Speculative architecture. <http://www.archdaily.com/tag/ lebbeus-woods/>. The works of Lebbeous Wood were a constant reminder of how design can push the boundaries of architecture. This translated into a more organic approach to my design process overall.
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LIST OF FIGURES P refac e The Spirit of Detroit www.godsvoicedetroit.com
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Cont ents Barbed wire wallpaperswide.com
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3 - 4 Detroit blight www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f37/ toyota-struggles-reignite-youthminded-scion-brand-119538/index4. html
2 1 -2 2 MCS interior doppelgangerurbex.blogspot. com/2010/04/michigan-central-station. html
7 - 8 House and skyline Rebecca Cook/Reuters
2 3 -2 4 People of Detroit www.thepeopleofdetroit.com
9 - 10 Detroit map Google Earth compilation
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Tour de Troit shendersonresurget.com
MCS www.chrischevrier.com
MCS aerial fineartamerica.com/profiles/cindylindow.html
MCS aerial leftblink.wordpress.com/2014/04/29/ urbexing-in-motown
1 1 7 -1 2 3 Precedents travelgspots.wordpress.com clovis3dme.blogspot.com pher.ch/photos/cities/berlin2/ slides/Hamburger%20Bahnhof%20 Museum%203.html www.cincymuseum.org www.shoparc.com www.evolo.us/architecture/cellularclay-multifamily-habitation-sakennarynov http://lebbeuswoods.net 1 2 7 -1 2 8 Contacts www.crainsdetroit.com LinkedIn profile TJ Arini practicespace.org www.dsimmer.com vimeo.com/79296533 www.dbusiness.com www.ponyride.org
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Corktown sign insidesouthwest.com
2 9-3 0 Water tower MCS doppelgangerurbex.blogspot. com/2010/04/michigan-central-station. html
Models Site, dollhouse, elevation Photography by Dylan Boye
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4 5 -4 6
Park plan www.ponyride.org/#!roosevelt-park/ c2ws
R enderi ngs
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93 -94 Righty house studioish.net
Houses, MCS www.100abandonedhouses.com amusingearth.com/list-of-abandonedplaces
Before and after www.davejordano.com
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Post-processing Editing by Dylan Boye