Project description by jury

The aim of this design proposal is to convert a brownfield block in the Beltline Industrial District of Detroit into a sustainable and productive community. It implements a new construction and economic system based on the recovery of a wealth of materials from the abandoned and deconstructed fabrics of the city and this once-thriving industrial precinct. The project includes the construction of housing, workspaces, parking areas, community gardens and orchards. To reduce fossil fuel energy consumption, the buildings are integrated with green technologies (solar and battery systems and geothermal HVAC) while rain collectors enable the re-use of water for on-site food production. Collaboration with local partners for the (re)construction of Bellevue Block will create new green jobs and make people of the community main actors of this transformation process.

As a Main category prize winner in the regional Holcim Awards 2020, (Re)constructed Block in Michigan, USA automatically qualified as a finalist in the Global Holcim Awards 2021.

View Global Holcim Awards Entry – (Re)constructed Block in Michigan

The built environment has a significant role to play in addressing climate change and enabling the transition to a net-zero and more inclusive future. The Holcim Awards for Sustainable Construction global winners showcase the cutting edge of approaches to sustainable design, green architecture, and materials innovation. In the 6th competition cycle, the predominant focus of the entries in the North America region was the sustainable improvement of quality of life. The global prizes were presented at a handover ceremony at the International Architecture Biennale in Venice, Italy. The regional Holcim Awards Main category winners for North America were recognized at the same event.

Demonstrate inherent value of natural resources and remnant materials to rebuild Detroit

The unfortunate legacy of Detroit as the city that built the 20th century model for capitalism through the automotive industry resulted in a collapsed economy and vast abandonment of factories, warehouses, and neighborhoods over 140 sq miles of the city. This project seeks to demonstrate the value of vacant land and abandoned materials to create a new economy that will heal damage from 20th century uses by reversing the need for more materials, fossil fuels and infrastructure by utilizing materials that are on site, repurposing land, recycling area resources, diverting rain water and generating power to activate a greenfield vs. brownfield site. The scale of the project is limited to one city block, but the impact can be duplicated over hundreds of Detroit blocks.

The masterplan for the site requires careful consideration of all materials, energy systems and future impacts of carbon emissions due to products, services and travel associated with the Bellevue Block:

• Building: Current dependence on fossil fuels will be replaced with off-grid solar and battery systems and geothermal HVAC.
• Site: The reuse of materials on site includes the legacy of large asphalt and concrete parking lots requiring new ideas for reuse of former landfill-bound materials on site.
• Products: All products for use must be locally produced and/or currently within 5 miles of the site. Solar panels may have a larger carbon footprint but will reduce fossil fuel consumption.
• Transport: electric charging stations for vehicles on site and general transport systems.