Detroit, Michigan
2021

The neighborhood of Core City in Detroit reflects the post-industrial condition in many cities the occupied houses have given way to empty expanses.  Alas, an ingenious developer’s land grab is proving to be a generous one as he conceptualizes the open landscape as a park wherein concentrated urban cores constitute an optimistic type of depopulated urbanism.  For this project, the smart architect pursued the reinterpretation of the Quonset hut, a collection of housing units with modest footprints but soaring two story volumes.

Imagining The Caterpillar as a giant creature descending into a forest, the question became how to plant a robust woodland in modest way.  Turned out that a nearby nursery was ridding of what were clearly rescue trees.  They were a motely crew of leftover species.  But perfect for the vision of a misfit forest to join all the other surrounding spontaneous vegetation.  Planted amongst sawn cut pavers from a project up the block, the adopted trees create a well-received urban canopy.

Clients + Collaborators

Philip Kafka, president Prince Concepts; Ish Rafiuddin, architect, undecorated; Randy Pardy, project manager Prince Concepts; Lincoln MacKenzie, contractor, Mack LandscapingPhilip Kafka, president Prince Concepts; Ish Rafiuddin, architect, undecorated; Randy Pardy, project manager Prince Concepts; Lincoln MacKenzie, contractor, Mack Landscaping

Awards + Publications

Detroit’s Caterpillar Residence Marries Landscape and Steel, METROPOLIS, July 2021
A Massive Metal “Caterpillar” Brings Eight Cost-Effective Apartments to Detroit,  DWELL, May 2021
DWELL PreFabricated Award Winner,” December 2021.DWELL PreFabricated Award Winner,” December 2021.

DEPOPULATED URBANISM: Urban regeneration in Core City means embracing the open landscape, inserting concentrated urban cores and monopolizing on a framework of rediscovered alleys.

EMPTY SITE: Full of potential taking advantage of expanses for expansive architecture.

SHINY + NEW: The Caterpillar glows amongst gnarly old Catalpas, the elders of the newcomer forest.

PREFABRICATE VOLUME: The Quonset Hut is perforated to max out atmosphere.

TO THE RESCUE: Cast-off trees at $25 a pop were a real find to create the misfit forest.

MIXED UP GAGGLE: Rescue trees, front and back, engulf the Caterpillar.

STITCHING DOWN THE BUG: Paths of recycled concrete slabs tie the Caterpillar to the neighborhood.

URBAN ECOTONE: Where the layering of the Caterpillar, the stoop and the forest with paths are open to neighbors.

NOTHING FANCY: Seeded clover proves to be a cheap + cheerful forest floor.

BACKYARD: A layer of the forest and a folded ramp lead to an alley, Core City Park just a few blocks away.

COMMUNAL DECK: Split for tenants and neighbors to co-mingle.

STOOP CULTURE: Alive and well in Core City.

HAPPY INBETWEEN: Project architect Ish Radiuffin relaxes in the liminal space of collaboration.