Real Estate precedes architecture. The constraints of land or rather its site sets forth a formal vocabulary contingent upon dictums many architects fail to grasp. Indeed, the architectural act has already taken shape in advance of the architect's arrival. The buildings height, width, length, number of stories, and in some cases material specificity is predetermined. Suffice to say zoning exists, and exerts itself profoundly upon architecture. While this is bad news for the architect opportunities exist with a less desfensive posture. Instead of proposing a design only to be rejected by zoning administration officials, we will explore irreducible strangeness, awkwardness, and indifference generated by dutifully following (albeit, pushing) the rules within an overly constrained site. As designers, we will consider the invisible formal, material and immaterial reality of a zone.
This Market Analysis accompanies studio research for a site located in Detroit, Michigan.
