VIRTUAL Barcelona
Abstract
This research dives into the historical roots and proposed revitalization of the Brew-ster Wheeler Recreation Center, located in downtown Detroit with a focus on the city’s progress and the preservation of its heritage. Almost all previous renovation plans for the city of Detroit have come to a halt due to the lasting effects of COVID-19. However, as the pandemic has come to an end, Detroit has been making huge leaps in its revitalization efforts. The paper’s main objective is to contribute to the city of Detroit and have applications to the real world. The proposal presents a pitched roof design that simultaneously showcases remnants of the building’s histor-icalness and highlights its novelty, creating a balanced blend between the two. The proposal also takes advantage of the expansive surrounding land to position the rec-reation center as a central community hub by including sports fields and a historical museum inside the building. The museum would serve as the history of the build-ing’s evolution and notable figures from its humble beginnings as a library in 1917 to its present state.
Ian Lee collaborated with José Aragüez, a Yale University professor, on a research paper titled “A Proposal to Revive the Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center: An Architectural Approach,” which has been published in the Journal of Student Research. He conducted comprehensive architectural research and analysis on the abandoned building in Detroit, Michigan, emphasizing its historical significance. The research encompasses the building’s history/background, architectural insights, and considerations for future revival. It includes an architectural mockup model and a bird’s-eye view.
José Aragüez is a practicing architect, writer, and educator. He holds a Ph. D. in the History and Theory of Architecture from Princeton University. Earlier he graduated with a Master of Architecture and Urbanism from the University of Granada, Spain (Honorable Mention, University Graduation Extraordinary Award, and 1st National Prize in Architecture) and, from Columbia GSAPP, with a post-professional Master’s degree (Honor Award for Excellence in Design) and a Graduate Certificate in Advanced Architectural Research.