#lecture 20

[ha213-section5-blog]

During one of the classes where three guests lecturers came to talk about Detroit, one of presentations, titled "Detroit Disassembled," highlighted the ruins and abandoned buildings prevalent in the city. But a key point brought up in one of the presentations was how, after 1913, the automobile factories began to be built outside of the city. The automobile industry was the highest source of income for the city, and to see them leave meant practically saying goodbye to the city's money. The images above are a clear representation of the power of the automobile industry. The GM Renaissance Center contains an assortment of stores, multiple vehicle displays, and a lavish 73-floor hotel.

[ha213-section5-blog]

Response to Anne's post on Lafayette Park

The tour through the townhouses was incredibly informative, and allowed me to really get inside the heads of van der Rohe and Caldwell.  I would have never realized that their was a reason behind a parking lot that was lowered below the level of the sidewalk, instead of just because that was how they decided to make it. Van der Rohe and Caldwell were intent on making everything ideal for those who would inhabit this living space, even down to the design of a parking lot. 

Also, the fact that each complex is a co-op really brings everybody together, allowing for a strong sense of community and tight friendship between each of the individuals. It allows everyone to have an opinion for how the area should be set up to ensure that all are satisfied and happy with their living space. 

It is incredible how much thought process went into the Lafayette Park area, from the attention to detail, to the type of community. It is an inviting and serene living space nestled in all of the hustle an bustle that is Detroit.

[ha213-section5-blog]

Response to Lafayette Park posts

After looking at the posts and responses on Lafayette Park, I couldn't pick just one to respond to. Matt talked about the pre-fabrication of homes pf homes in Lafayette Park, and I thought that this is a great example of how pre-fabrication can still be quite aesthetically pleasing and looked at as architecture. Also, I found Anne's post interesting and agreed with her description of the vegetation. Everyone involved in the construction process of Lafayette Park paid attention to every detail, including the lowered parking lots and the careful placement of vegetation throughout the whole area. This reminds me of the Garden City idea. Katie touched on this slightly, saying that it created a suburban-like environment. The Garden City is the idea of creating a suburban city, where the people live, outside of a central city, where the people commute to for work. Yet Lafayette Park is located in the city despite having many similarities to the Garden City. I just thought this was an interesting idea because Detroit has lost many residents to the suburban cities surrounding it, but now Lafayette Park has created a similar environment in the city, which is drawing residents to it. I can't help but wonder if creating more of these types of communities within Detroit would help to attract more residents back into the city and help Detroit's current financial struggles.