Seeding Sponge Urbanism

The project at 13178 Moran Street is a single prototype of Sponge Urbanism. Located in an inconspicuous single-family house on Detroit’s northeast side, the sleeve-form of this construction cuts diagonally down from the roof to the opposite side of the first floor, adding two new faces to the building. This new axis adds another orientation to the house, opening it up onto the space left by the removal of the fire-damaged house next door. The stair/room is designed to be used as a theater or small auditorium, focusing both inside and outside audiences onto the screen, projecting non-domestic uses for excess domestic housing stock in Detroit.

This project was generously supported by the University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning.