Jack Lavigne, Mona Makki and Ian Rawlings
Architecture Design IV

Frontage is the design of a two-storey urban educational classroom and outreach center located on an existing parking lot located on Broadway Steet in downtown Detroit. The program includes classrooms, exterior gathering space, meeting space, and a reception area.

Working collaboratively, the team integrated each individual preliminary design idea into one extruded form. The method of construction and materiality became a recurring topic and which led to the idea of ‘banded’ windows in relation to a glulam bent primary structural system. The dimensions of the windows relate directly to the neighbouring buildings turned 90 degrees and articulated to allow the structure to pass through the openings and integrating natural lighting through a screen system.

The building program has a strong emphasis on collaborative or multi-use spaces. This was heavily influenced by the group’s experience in collaborative studio environments. This idea is fitting for the small footprint of the building, and is progressive in its attempt to create spaces that allow for social interaction.