Abundant Landforms

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FALL 2014

Detroit has emerged as a city with unique compositions that tell the story of rich growth it once had, to the current state it is in. Change in policy and regulations is necessary to establish the next phase of growth that the city needs; whether that be economically or culturally. Water shutoffs become an invasive tactic that violate rights to water. In 2014, residents faced shutoffs do to being late on their water bills; 2/3 of which were families with young children. As Detroit looks to the future, decisions of growth must acknowledge what current obstacles residents are facing.

The conflict of old systems and the new environmental factors allow for new design strategies to help the growth of the city. Currently, the combined sewer system of the city creates major issues when in high storm weather. Relief structures allow some of the combined storm water and sewage to be discharged to an adjacent water body; contributing to the issue at hand.

The project infuses itself with the vacant network throughout the city and locates nodes of cultural richness to strengthen the longevity of the architecture. Water collection and manipulation of topological surfaces creates a new layer of infrastructure not currently present. Change is possible and it starts with the adaptation of active systems that immerse themselves in the current ‘landscape’ of the city.

Critic: V.Mitch McEwen

VACANCY