Detroit 
Reuse Collective
Workshop


Winter 2022 — Winter 2023
Detroit, MI

Role — Research Assistant

Mentors — De Peter Yi, 
    Laura Marie Peterson, 
    & Cyrus Peñarroyo

Partners — Akash Dhanturi, 
    Mardy Hillengas, 
    & Stephanie Rosas
Completed For — Detroit Reuse Collective



The Detroit Reuse Collective was awarded $20,000 by the Engage Detroit Workshops Grant Program to host a workshop for Detroit residents rehabbing homes purchased through the Detroit Land Bank Authority (DLBA). The collective was created based on the research done for the Stewardship as Ownership article I contributed to, and is currently comprised of 1+1+ Architects and EXTENTS. We created a model chair for participants to construct in small teams, the process of which taught them how to build a roof, a floor, and ballon wall framing, as these three skills comprise a large portion of the rehabbing work individuals must undertake to bring their blighted homes back up to code. The workshop also included an extended reality component that allowed participants to reimagine their homes using green screen and Augmented Reality (AR) components. 

The workshop was held on February 4, 2023 at the Carhartt Workshop in Detroit, which provides free tool rentals for Detroiters. The event was attended by 17 participants as well as members of the DLBA, representatives from Carhartt, and the press and allowed participants to meet others going through the same renovation process, and get expert advice if needed. An Op-Ed about the workshop was published in the Architect’s Newspaper.

My work included additional research into the people rebuilding Detroit, assisting with event logistics, media outreach, construction of the model chair, and day-of workshop assistance.



Studio Photos of the Model Chair 


Extended Reality


Chair Building


All photos by Yojairo Lomeli
Updated December, 2024
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