The Spectrum project by Barbara Kobusinskaya, Michal Komosinski and Anna Kolator made it to the finals of the Detroit Waterfront District's international competition. The task was to design a new showcase for Detroit' s downtown waterfront. See what the architecture students from Gdansk University of Technology proposed.
The goal of the competition organized by Young Architects Competitions was to design a new showcase for Detroit's downtown waterfront that would complement the western part of the city's silhouette as observed from the Canadian side. Participants in the competition were given the opportunity to design a new high-rise building that would feature unique architecture and an extensive program. The envisaged functions included residential, office, hotel and service development. It was important tocreate an attractive public space along with recreational areas for residents.
The authors designed a complex of buildings with a total area of 100,000 square meters
© Barbara Kobusinska, Michal Komosinski, Anna Kolator
In addition to meeting the requirements for the area of the various functional parts of the building, the contestants had to remember to propose an architectural form that fits into the modern downtown style while respecting the identity of Detroit. Dry construction technology was required, with particular emphasis on metal technology. A non-exceedable limit was set for the height of the building to the highest ceiling - amounting to 125 meters. The designed building should also leave as low a carbon footprint as possible, both in the construction process and in use.
The Spectrum project was inspired by the silhouette of the city reflected on the surface of the river
© Barbara Kobusinska, Michal Komosinski, Anna Kolator
Spectrum - reflection of the city in the surface of the water
The main inspiration for the authors of the Spectrum project was the silhouette of the city reflected on the surface of the river, which reminded them of the image of the spectrum of sound. An additional stimulus for this association was the identity of Detroit - the cradle of major music labels and many world stars. The students of Gdansk University of Technology, through references to this image, wanted to pay homage to Detroit's musical heritage and design a building that would clearly present this idea.
The architects proposed a clear functional division of the buildings
© Barbara Kobusinska, Michal Komosinski, Anna Kolator
The proposed complex of buildings with a total area of 100,000 square meters responds to the program set by the competition organizers. The young architects created a clear functional division of the building with simultaneous structural integration of the masses.
Repetitive modules create a facade with a simple, orderly grid
© Barbara Kobusinska, Michal Komosinski, Anna Kolator
Repetitive modules of steel post-and-beam contsruction form a facade with a simple, ordered grid. The cascading arrangement of the blocks gives the composition fluidity. The terraced development made it possible to introduce greenery into the design in the form of private spaces next to the apartments, a hanging park for office workers, and attractive gardens with a picturesque view of the river next to restaurants and bars.
