The Lamphere House

In collaboration with Neighbors Building Brightmoor, a community organization in Northwest Detroit, students in Detroit Connections: Design Collaboration designed and transformed the exterior of this abandoned home. Set for demolition on an uncertain time frame and located in the very center of Neighbors Building Brightmoor’s target area, the neighbors expressed desires for the house to function as a kind of community centerpiece, welcome and information center. Through a semester long design process that included numerous meetings and potluck dinners with neighbors, University of Michigan students designed a new exterior skin that features a neighborhood map and community events chalkboard.

This house will continue to be transformed in collaboration with 7 high school students in the Brightmoor Youth Development Collaboration, a summer youth employment program for Brightmoor teens, and interns from University of Michigan’s Semester in Detroit program.