Found architecture

Abstract

Around the world, struggling cities that were once bustling with commerce now sit in various states of distress. Numerous people and businesses have left in search of new opportunities, leaving countless artifacts behind. Detroit is a perfect example of this scenario; a former industrial powerhouse that has fallen into economic dismay, resulting in abandoned buildings and objects cluttering the city. This thesis will demonstrate how these artifacts from Detroit’s history can be repurposed into an architectural project that celebrates the city’s past while also breathing new energy into the city. Found objects such as vehicles, manufacturing equipment, building components, and more can create occupiable spaces that are unified through architectural interventions. These architectural interventions respond to the character present in each of the found objects, adapting to the unique conditions and creating a one-ofa- kind experience. The program of an artisan center along the Detroit River Walk embraces Detroit’s artistic history and celebrates its culture through a combination of architecture and collage. By demonstrating how struggling cities can be rejuvenated with the objects found within them, this thesis hopes to set a precedent for how architectural reuse and the arts can work hand-in-hand to revive struggling cities.