Recognized as a UNESCO City of Design in 2015, Detroit has dedicated time and effort to help the city grow and thrive. This year, Design Core Detroit launched its first edition of the Detroit City of Design Competition. The international and multi-disciplinary competition invites designers from all 31 UNESCO Cities of Design to participate in the competition. The goal is to create prototype design solutions for various neighborhoods in Detroit that promote safety and walkability. 

A jury comprised of local and international design experts and community representatives reviewed 26 project submissions for the competition. Out of those 26 submissions, three winners were selected. The three finalists were chosen for their attention to the prompt, their creativity, and the execution of their designs based on overall cost and their choice of neighborhood.

"We are inspired by the innovation presented in the winners and finalists and the way they demonstrate the value of design to the community,“ said Olga Stella, Executive Director of Design Core. “We hope these installations will peak the interest of private and public groups to commission the winning design teams to create permanent fixtures in these and other neighborhoods."

A unique aspect of the design competition is the coming transition from concept to built work. In April 2020, the three prototypes will be moved and positioned in their respective neighborhoods for four months as temporary installations. In addition to seeing their project prototypes presented, each winner has been awarded $20,000 to build-out their designs.

Below are the competition winners and descriptions of their prototypes:

Competition Winner
Hope Village: CYCLERATE by SmithGroup - Detroit, MI

Project Description: "Cyclerate aims to enhance public safety through unity, lighting, communication, and play. The installation, which lights up using kinetic energy generated by hand-powered cranks and stationary bike generators, encourages the community to work together to illuminate the structure. Participants can also engage in a friendly competition with one another to identify who can produce the greatest power output on the cycles. Expect to be surprised by the power produced through real-time statistics. The installation currently features LED lighting, Bluetooth speakers and USB power charging stations. With its built - in expansion capability, the scalable structure can accommodate additional cycles, components, and lighting. CYCLERATE will be located at the southwest corner of Dexter and Chalfonte streets."

Competition Winner
Southwest Detroit: Garden Novella by Other Works - Detroit, MI

Project Description: "Garden Novella is a platform to express cultural, collective, and individual identities. It weaves together recorded stories from Southwest Detroit residents to serve as a guide through a modular system of welcoming vessels. Sun powered lanterns, hanging gardens, seating, and recorded stories combine to create an interactive environment. The featured stories express the double consciousness experienced by many in the Southwest Detroit community; they aim to connect generations, repair the damage caused by repatriation and explore the process of translation in a bilingual community. Garden Novella will be located on the Northwest corner of Vernor and Clark Streets."

Competition Winner
Grandmont Rosedale: 3Rooms by Collectif Escargo - Montreal, Canada

Project Description: "3Rooms consists of three spaces that are intimately linked to the world of the house simultaneously conveying a sense of belonging and celebrating the beauty of united communities. The first “room” is ‘’Le Jardin’’ (The Garden), where the community is invited to participate in agriculture. ‘’Le Boudoir’’ is for nap lovers, readers and anyone who desires a rest in the shade of fruit trees. Finally, "The Hut" features a steeper incline, making it a perfect spot for anyone who wants to be a little more playful. Each module lights up in the evening with a soft glow, functioning as a fireplace in the middle of the neighborhood. The hue alternates from red, blue, mauve or multicolored. 3Rooms is a safe cocoon for improvised gatherings. Like a poetic metaphor of the surrounding houses, it is merry, bright, colorful and full of life. 3Rooms will be located on the corner of Grand River and Puritan."

To view the projects of other finalists and details about the sites click here.