Above The Fold
Detroit, Michigan
Once a derelict auto garage on a narrow lot in Detroit’s North End, this modest 2,500 square foot building was reimagined as the headquarters for a Detroit-based creative agency.
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Area: 2,500 sq ft
Type: Adaptive Reuse, Office
Photography: Joe Tiano / Pro Exposure Photography
With the structure being the only remaining building on its block, the client wanted to articulate a message of openness and welcoming. The design strategy centered on a delicate balance of transparency and opacity. Full-height glazing at the front and rear establishes visual transparency and a strong connection between indoor and outdoor, as well as tenant and community.
Reuse of materials, environmental initiatives, and a tight budget coalesced to create an authentic environment. Existing masonry walls were salvaged, while a restrained palette allow both the artwork of the tenant’s clients and natural light to define the experience. Although compact in size, the project exemplifies how adaptive reuse can breathe new life into underutilized buildings. By prioritizing community, thriftiness, and sustainability, this transformation creates a quietly radical workspace that reflects the spirit of the creative work it supports.
