The Grand Rapids Summer Scholars would like to extend their gratitude to Mark Miller (Managing Director of Planning and Design at Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.), James Peacock III (Economic Opportunity Program Manager at Downtown Grand Rapids Inc.), and AJ Hills (with the City of Grand Rapids) for their collaboration and investment of time throughout the design process. Their insight and guidance has been essential in the development of this project.
The Summer Scholars would also like to thank the Grand Rapids office of Hanbury for giving them the opportunity to engage meaningfully in a project that is rooted in the future of the city. A special thanks to Krista Vanhoutteghem, Doug Campbell, Megan Zapoli and Lynette Van Heukelum for their mentorship and support throughout the summer. Their generosity with their time and knowledge was invaluable to both professional growth and the success of the project.
Meet the scholars
Deyoung
Anna is entering her final year of a Bachelor’s of Science of Architecture program at Taubman College of the University of Michigan. With a minor in anthropology, her design philosophy is rooted in designing for context: addressing both the site specializations and the sociocultural presence of the area.
leah steele
Leah is entering her fourth year of a Bachelor’s of Architecture program at The Pennsylvania State University. As a member of the AIAS executive board and a 2024 Architectural Excellence in Design nominee, she’s committed to thoughtful, human-centered design and active leadership in her academic community.
Anna
Mapping Grand Rapids
pg. 6
Process
pg. 16
pg. 24
The Design Sources
pg. 42
THE BRIEF
The Client:
Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. (DGRI), in partnership with the City of Grand Rapids, launched an initiative to empower small businesses by activating urban spaces in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
The goal was to create a flexible, mobile business incubator shed that would eliminate barriers for entrepreneurs that want to grow their small business.
The Challenge:
Design a pop-up shed that supports diverse small businesses in a compact, mobile, and adaptable format. The solution should be a tool for creativity and opportunity through its design and function.
Design Principles: Function & Form
How does use define shape, layout, and materials?
Can the interior space shift for different vendor needs?
Adaptability & Portability
How can the shed move easily from site to site?
Can modularity or prefabrication support this adaptability?
Site Integration
How does the design respond to different sites? What strategies allow for safety and ease of management?
Equity & Access
How can the design address inequities entrepreneurs are facing?
How can the design be affordable?
Community & Identity
How can each shed reflect its site while staying a part of a recognizable citywide system?
MApPING GRAND RAPIDS 01
Exploring the brief, a unique design challenge arose of having to design not only a structure that is mobile, but also one that has to fit various site contexts throughout the city. Through conversations with DGRI, a range of potential sites were identified for placement of the business incubator. These locations were analyzed based on their relationship to the various city-hosted event spaces, places of high foot traffic, and areas with upcoming development. A site walk to these areas provided firsthand experience of each site’s context, connections, and unique characteristics.
Due to Grand Rapids’ incorporation of green spaces within city planning, two main typologies were represented: urban and riverfront. In exploring these site typologies early in the design process, it ensures that the business incubator is designed to be flexible and adaptable to both, despite their contrasts.
Additionally, a transportation analysis reveals how the city moves and functions. In looking at areas of significant pedestrian traffic and overall activity, the sites are grounded in the behavioral contexts of the city, and how they can be activated in the community
project site opportunities
In the initial meetings with the client, potential sites for this project were selected. It was essential for the sites to be located near the heart and city center of Grand Rapids, with many in close proximity to the river. Ongoing riverfront development in the city presents valuable opportunities to activate these areas and give residents new spaces to experience all that Grand Rapids has to offer.
The land use map of Grand Rapids (pg. 8) reveals how each site has a different relationship between the businesses, residential areas, parks, landmarks, and the Grand River. Some of Grand Rapids’ famous landmarks are pointed out, not only to get a feel for the architectural language of the city, but also their prevalence draws many visitors and pedestrians.
A closer look at the different site opportunities (pg. 9) pulls the sites out of the broader context. It reveals their relationship to each other, the streets, and the river.
Additionally, Grand Rapids regularly hosts festivals and events that allow vendors to operate temporary structures (ex. food truck, cart, etc). These existing practices offer a precedent for how new structures could be successfully integrated into the urban and riverfront contexts.
Grand Rapids Art Museum and Monroe Center St NW
DeVos Place
Lyon Square
Gillette Bridge
Ah-Nab-Awen Park
Calder Plaza
TYPOLOGY: URBAN VS. RIVERFRONT
Calder Plaza
Calder Plaza is the one of the urban sites that was explored during the site walk. It was selected as a key example of the urban typology due to its central location in the city, expansive paved area, and existing use as an event space. The site includes a ramp that provides truck access to the elevated platform, making the placement and removal of pop-up structures relatively straightforward. Accessible from Ottawa Ave NW, the site is approached with the structures on the foreground of the plaza and the La Grand Vitesse and City Hall framing the background.
Ottawa Ave NW
Monroe Ave NW
La Grand Vitesse
City Hall
Kent County Clerk
Ah-Nab-Awen Park
Ah-Nab-Awen Park is one of the riverfront sites examined during the site walk. It was selected as a key example of the riverfront typology due to its expansive area along the riverfront, offering both green space and paved areas. The park is also connected to the Gillette Bridge, presenting additional opportunities to activate this area of the city. With the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum as a backdrop, the site offers potential to accommodate a variety vendors during events. The site is shown being approached from Gillette Bridge, connecting Downtown Grand Rapids with the park.
Grand River
Gillette Bridge
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum
Grand Rapids offers a variety of transportation options including highways, railroads, streets, pedestrian only pathways, a downtown shuttle, and the commuter bus.
The highways serve as the primary means for visitors commuting in and out of the city.
The railroads in Grand Rapids support both passenger and freight transportation. Trains pass through Grand Rapids several times a day, with an Amtrak line coming into Grand Rapids from the south.
The pedestrian only paths in the city are concentrated around the riverfront. This aligns with DGRI’s goal to activate these areas with vendors. The high volume of foot traffic along the river provides a strong opportunity for pop-up business activity and community engagement.
The downtown shuttle, the DASH, assists in moving people throughout the city center. Meanwhile, the commuter bus, The Rapid, connects Grand Rapids with its surrounding communities.
The black circles on the Combined Transportation map represent the site selections, highlighting the various means of transportation to and from these spaces.
process 02
Throughout the design process, iteration was essential to design development. Precedents helped ground the project in reality, leveraging the knowledge of what has been done before with original ideas that focus on the specific design questions the client was looking to address. In needing to maintain a small-scale, mobile footprint, many central concepts were proposed, all aiming to maximize both limited square footage and mobility. Throughout the process, three initial ideas were born: On Tracks, On Wheels, and On Hinges. Each explores mobility and adaptability with a different central approach, despite all having the same overall goal. After presenting the ideas to the client, On Hinges was selected for further development. Through continued iterations, the concept evolved to promote versatility, flexibility, and the ability to activate the surrounding space.
PRECEDENTS
on tracks, on wheels, & on hinges
After researching precedents that aligned with the goals of scale, mobility, and adaptability, three design concepts were developed: On Tracks, On Wheels, and On Hinges. Each concept explores a different method of adapting and moving the structure to meet various vendor needs.
On Tracks is an expandable structure designed for efficient transport and flexible deployment. In its collapsed mode, it measures 8’ x 16’, a size that can be easily transported with a forklift and a trailer. Once on site, the structure can be pulled apart using integrated tracks, allowing the footprint to double to 16’ x 16’. The structure can be pulled apart in multiple ways to support different vendors. When the tracks are folded up, it also provides an added layer of security by enclosing the unit.
On Wheels repurposes a trailer as the base structure, enhancing mobility and simplicity. Fold-out panels allow for the customization of space, such as creating a table or overhead awning. A rear ramp folds down for accessible entry and doubles as a secure closure when raised. This design is highly mobile and requires only a vehicle with a hitch to relocate.
On Tracks
On Wheels
On Hinges
On Hinges focuses on flexibility through walls that hinge outward to claim exterior space as part of the vendor’s operational area. The design emphasizes the indoor/outdoor relationship and encourages pedestrian interaction through soft boundaries. The structure is moved with a forklift and trailer and its dimensions measure 7’ x 15’. The walls hinge at four points to offer the most customization and autonomy by the vendor, allowing the user to create a space that best reflects the needs of their business. Additional elements like a canopy or string lights can span between the open walls to further activate the outdoor space.
itterating on hinges
After presenting the three concepts On Tracks, On Wheels, and On Hinges to DGRI, On Hinges was the concept selected for further development.
While On Tracks offered an innovative approach, it posed significant maintenance challenges and was deemed too complex to maintain effectively.
On Wheels excelled in mobility but did not offer enough spatial flexibility compared to the other ideas.
On Hinges, by contrast, offered a wide range of adaptability and allowed the vendor to have autonomy over their space. DGRI was drawn to the opportunity to open up the unit and activate the surrounding space, allowing for community interaction. The design also allows for multiple units to be positioned facing one another, creating a shared outdoor area.
As the design progressed, the ways in which the walls hinge varied. One idea was a bi-fold door that when folded up, could be used as an awning. While this feature was initially well received, it began to move away from the core concept of opening out and claiming exterior space. Ultimately, the design was refined to focus on the hinging walls, prioritizing versatility and spatial activation.
THE design 03
The design explores the dynamic relationship between a mobile vendor and the city through a hinging, reconfigurable shed system that supports both individuality and collective branding. The design centers on the concept of transformation and adaptability, with each shed acting as an independent unit capable of shifting in form and function, allowing the vendor to shape their space in response to context, need, and their brand identity.
By embracing portability, the structure becomes a catalyst for activation across varied sites, fostering a sense of continuity through movement rather than permanence. This results in a small footprint that creates informal thresholds by capturing exterior space into its programming. With about 100 square feet of usable interior space, the business incubator meets building code requirements, and doesn’t require fire department involvement. The sheds are crafted with durable materials and a locking sequence to ensure the structure stays secure when the business is not in operation.
Simplicity is embedded into the core of the project: a simple act of opening up, simple and affordable material selection, and a simple yet highly customizable footprint.
plans - determined by SERVICE
Due to the main act of the structure opening up, the side walls have a hinge around the midpoint, allowing the vendor to choose from three set-up options: fully enclosed, semi enclosed, or fully open. In this way, the design allows the vendor to choose how they wish to represent their business and curate their space.
This flexibility also responds to Michigan’s intense and contrasting weather between the seasons. The sheds are designed to be operable 12 months a year, with the fully enclosed footprint protecting the businesses from the weather, while still serving the community through a service window. During hot summer days, the open walls leverage the wind provided by the river to passively blow away lingering heat.
In obtaining a lease for the business incubator, the vendor receives a kit that consists of the operable shed and a series of shelves that have dowels that fit into the built in peg board. Additionally, an ADA compliant ramp is stored inside and can be nestled into a wing of the open wall to ensure that the shed can be accessible to all who wish to engage. To support the structural weight of the walls that swing open, a set of four wall supports are included to be placed under the walls when deployed.
Service: Cafe Service: Retail
Service: Grab & Go
interior elevations
The elevations reveal the exterior presence of the sheds with bold primary colors, reflecting the branding and presence of the City of Grand Rapids. The polycarbonate panels highlight the hinging walls of the structure, as well as unify the different color options for the exterior metal siding. The plywood interior provides a blank canvas for individual vendor branding, which is revealed when the walls are open.
Dimensioned plan and sections
The shed has a footprint of 8’ x 15’, allowing it to fit on a standard trailer. The usable square footage is roughly 100 square feet, with the gross square footage being 120. The front half of the unit is clad in polycarbonate panel (ex UniQuad by Kingspan), while the rear half is clad is corrugated steel. The structure is built with a 2x4 stud frame. The interior walls are finished with plywood, with a pegboard wall mounted on the rear interior face for functional storage. The vendor entrance is located at the back left of the floor plan. The main access point is created by two operable polycarbonate wall panels on the front face that open outward. Additionally, a service window is integrated in the front polycarbonate facade. The stud walls are insulated, while the polycarbonate panels are not, as they are designed with an internal air gap that provides thermal insulation.
The overall height of the structure is almost 10’ 6”, allowing it to sit on a standard trailer which is usually 2’ off of the ground, while remaining within legal height requirements. When mounted, the total height of the unit is around 12’ 6”, providing a full foot of clearance below the U.S. Department of Transportation’s maximum legal height of 13’ 6” for road transport.
The shed is designed with a 3:12 pitch metal roof to effectively shed Michigan’s winter snowfall. Both the roof and floor are insulated for thermal performance. The floor is built on a skid frame and incorporates a structural insulated panel (SIP), which enhances energy efficiency by reducing heat loss through the base of the structure.
B
A
Section
EXPLODED STRUCTURE
The security of the structure was a driving force in determining layers and materiality. Steel siding provides a durable and low maintenance option, holding up well with both extreme weather conditions and attempts to get in from outside sources.
Other measures were made to protect against the Michigan climate, like a weather proofing membrane for wet conditions and insulation to prevent the interior of the sheds from reaching below zero temperatures during the winter.
Affordability of the sheds was also considered when choosing materials. The less the sheds cost to build, the more the city can produce, and as a result, more businesses can afford to rent out the structures. With high quantities of the business incubators, groups of them can be placed on sites in clusters to activate the space and bring people together.
The operable polycarbonate walls are a key feature of this design, highlighting the intent to create a facade that hinges open. At night, the translucent material allows the shed to glow, which can act as a deterrent for break-ins. If a polycarbonate product with an integrated air gap is selected, it also provides thermal insulation for cold weather.
shed deployment and setup
Forklift Off Trailer Place On Ground
Unlock Door & Walls
Position Walls
Place Wall Supports
Decorate & Sell
security and signage mechanisms
To ensure the security of the shed when it isn’t in use, a locking mechanism was designed.
To access the building and begin the unlocking process, a simple lockable exterior door is located on the west elevation. Through that access door, all of the other locks and operable elements are accessed from the interior.
Once inside, two claw hooks secure the walls together, making sure they remain connected through the night.
Flush bolts are located at the top and bottoms of where the walls meet in the middle, connecting the movable walls with the frame of the structure. In order to position the walls, these bolts need to be released.
Pivot hinges are the component that actually allow the walls to swing open. They are located at the top and bottom of each hinging point. A plate is screwed into the floor of the structure and bottom of the wall, connected through the spindle that it spins on.
A window latch secures the service window when it isn’t in use.
Hooks exist on the front face of the shed, allowing vendors to showcase their logo and express their branding.
solar capabilities
During the design process, the team discussed the used of PV panels as a part of the design. However PV panels were decided to pursued at a later time. Calculations have been drafted in the case that the City of Grand Rapids wishes to install the system in the future to allow the sheds to run independently, without the need to be plugged into an already existing electricity grid.
the details:
• 6 to 7 panels could fit on a 120 sq ft roof
• That is 1.5-3 kW of solar capacity
• This would be enough to power small electronics, lighting, or a fan
• For off-grid or backup use during cloudy days, this system could store enough energy for a full day’s use
• You could recharge from solar during the day to power the shed after hours
• Cost estimate:
1.5-2 kWh solar panel kit = $3,000-$5,000
Inverter and wiring = $500-$1,000
Battery system (optional) = $2,000-$6,000
Installation (DIY vs. Pro) = $0-$2,000
Total cost = $5,500-$14,000
The money would be made back in about 12-14 years
THIS SYSTEM MAKES SENSE IF...
• Businesses run daily or regularly from spring to fall
• Solar can offset/eliminate generator/fuel costs or utility bills
• The sheds are off grid
• Solar and battery is cheaper and cleaner than buying and running a gas generator
• You can DIY the installation
• Solar qualifies for tax deduction/credit
THIS SYSTEM doesn’t MAKES SENSE IF...
• You want to run heaters or A/C
• Grid power is available and cheap
• You can’t DIY the installation
Calder Plaza at night
Precedents:
1. Mobile Working Cabin for Rural Vitalization. Photograph by Ziye Huang (exterior). ArchDaily, July 11, 2022. Accessed August 1, 2025. https://www. archdaily.com/984981/mobile-working-cabin-for-rural-vitalization-school-of-archi tecture-and-urban-planning-nanjing-university.
2. Muskegon Western Market. “Welcome to Western Market.” Accessed August 1, 2025. https://www.muskegonwesternmarket.com/?pgid=m5xz5kyx-9ddb3779613c-4ab8-b8a4-f950b6b3e4bf.
3. Gundu, Bob. “Toronto’s Story Pod Doubles as a Lending Library and Community Hub.” Dwell, August 21, 2017. https://www.dwell.com/article/torontos-story-poddoubles-as-a-lending-library-and-community-hub-7d6af6b6.
5. Photo of the Brinquedoteca Itinerante project. ENTRE Arquitetos. Accessed August 1, 2025. https://www.entrearquitetos.com/brinquedoteca-itinerante.
6. “Exterior of Snow Peak Structure.” Image. Pinterest. Accessed August 1, 2025. https://i.pinimg.com/736x/b2/f1/e9/b2f1e97161844365d7d673be836278b1.jpg
7. Partee, Josh. “LOS OSOS crafts a modular mobile office for Coroflot.” Design boom, February 3, 2017. https://www.designboom.com/architecture/los-osos-co roflot-mobile-office-portland-02-03-2017/.
8. Cabin Fever: Skinny Little Garden Home Is Only 3 Feet Wide.” Dornob. Ac cessed August 1, 2025. https://dornob.com/cabin-fever-skinny-little-garden-homeis-only-3-feet-wide/.
9. Hanbury. Photograph by Hanbury. “What Do You See? Casa Playhouse 2024 Design Update.” Stretch by Hanbury. Accessed August 1, 2025. https://stretch. hanbury.design/post/49/what-do-you-see-casa-playhouse-2024-design-update.
Building Code:
Michigan Administrative Code. Mich. Admin. Code R. 408.30409 (Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Construction Codes), “Permit” (Building Code Commission, Part 4), current through Vol. 25-4 (Mar. 15, 2025).
“Codes Enforced by Building Inspections,” City of Grand Rapids Development Center, accessed August 1, 2025, Codes Enforced by Building Inspections (lists the categories of codes currently enforced), City of Grand Rapids, https:// www.grandrapidsmi.gov/Government/Departments/Development-Center/ Codes-Enforced-by-Building-Inspections.
Material Selection:
New England Metal Roofing. “Corrugated Metal Siding Cost: A Comprehensive Guide for Homeowners (2025).” Last modified 2025. Accessed August 1, 2025. New England Metal Roofing website.
Metal Construction Association. “Metal Building Materials: Inspiring Building De sign, Durability and Sustainability.” Accessed August 1, 2025. Metal Construction Association website
Kingspan Light + Air. “UniQuad® Translucent Wall System.” Accessed August 1, 2025. https://www.kingspan.com/us/en/products/translucent-wall-roof-as semblies/translucent-wall-systems/uniquad/
Palram Industries Ltd. “Why Use Polycarbonate in Building and Construction?” Accessed August 1, 2025. Palram Industries Ltd.
Solar Capabilities:
Manufacturer Specifications (e.g., Renogy): Renogy. Renogy 100 Watt 12 Volt Monocrystalline Solar Panel. Accessed July 30, 2025. https://www.renogy.com/ renogy-100-watt-12-volt-monocrystalline-solar-panel/.
NREL PVWatts Calculator: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. PVWatts® Calculator. Accessed July 30, 2025. https://pvwatts.nrel.gov/.
NREL Solar Resource Maps: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Solar Re source Data. Accessed July 30, 2025. https://www.nrel.gov/gis/solar.html.
LED Lighting Power Usage: U.S. Department of Energy. LED Lighting. Last modi fied August 24, 2023. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/save-electrici ty-and-fuel/lighting-choices-save-you-money/led-lighting.
Battery Sizing for Off-Grid Solar: Renogy. How to Size a Battery Bank for Off-Grid Solar System. Accessed July 30, 2025. https://www.renogy.com/blog/how-tosize-a-battery-bank-for-your-off-grid-solar-system/.
Federal Solar Investment Tax Credit (ITC): U.S. Department of Energy. Solar Invest ment Tax Credit (ITC). Last modified May 10, 2024. https://www.energy.gov/eere/ solar/solar-investment-tax-credit-itc.
Electricity Prices in Michigan: U.S. Energy Information Administration. Electricity Data Browser. Accessed July 30, 2025. https://www.eia.gov/electricity/ data/browser/.
HANBURY
99 Monroe Ave NW, Suite 200, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 t: 616 327 3031
