Not-Quite-Rural Studio

As Robert Fishman lucidly identified when concluding his tenure as Interim Dean, one of the most exciting aspects of being a part of Taubman College in the near term is our adjacency to an apparently resurgent Detroit. Being in conversation with decision makers in the city is an incredible opportunity to influence the future of the metropolis, but it is not enough on its own. 

1. The mechanics of economic development and gentrification need to be a topic of more explicit study if we hope for the city's progress to avoid further damaging vulnerable populations, let alone provide opportunities to benefit from development.

2. We should not be naive about the type of housing which is likely to replace the blighted residential structures being removed by the city should development continue. If not replaced by luxury condos, this will almost assuredly be low-quality, standardized developments, built as quickly as possible without regard to site conditions or climate.

Could we not engage in this conversation as well, to propose an intelligently affordable alternative to Home Depot Builder’s Grade? Might we imagine a cross-disciplinary studio that engages with the city and Detroit-based foundations to purchase land and prototype affordable housing that is flexibly adapted to site and climate, perhaps even making good on the promise of the tools of digital fabrication? Even if this were a multiple semester studio, students would benefit greatly from engaging in planning, community engagement, design process, and hands-on construction.