ABSTRACT
Virginia Stanard discusses how an evolving and unique culture of collaboration at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Architecture informs her teaching and practice today amid Detroit’s contested comeback. The chapter describes how this approach can inform design instruction throughout the country and serve as a model for the development of inclusive and sustainable communities using a collaborative and interdisciplinary model of working that includes academic and public-private partnerships among organizations. The chapter also describes connections between the school’s architecture and community development programs with other university departments such as psychology, English, and business, and professional practice. The chapter discusses how interdisciplinary and collaborative methods of teaching and practice can serve as a tool and model for the development of communities that embody inclusivity and high quality of life. Projects such as the Livernois Community Storefront and Detroit Future City, student projects from community-based design studios, and capstone projects in Detroit neighborhoods are described.
