Over the last 25 years we have worked with nearly 300 partners on almost 200 projects.
DCDC is a leader in the field of public interest design, and we are honored to be recognized in publications and exhibits and through local, regional, national and international awards.
Recent Papers/Publications
“Shared, Offsite and Green: Leveraging Neighborhood Stormwater Infrastructure,” Dichotomy Student Journal, University of Detroit Mercy, 2020 (forthcoming).
“Bridging Needs with Research through Action-Oriented Community Design,” CONVERGE COVID-19 Working Groups for Public Health and Social Sciences Research Agenda-Setting Paper, co-authored with Jeff Carney, Ann Yoachim, et al., 2020
2019 ACSA/AIA Intersections Symposium: “Time as a Design Tool for Community,” Co-authored with Tadd Heidgerken
ACSA Fall Conference: “Co-Creation: Collaborative Design Practice as Pedagogy,” Co-authored with Ann Yaochim
“Shifting to an Equitable Development Framework” chapter in Teaching and Designing in Detroit Ten Women on Pedagogy and Practice edited by Stephen Vogel and Libby Balter Blume
Activist Architecture: Philosophy & Practice of the Community Design Center, edited by Dan Pitera & Craig L. Wilkins, 2015
Syncopating the Urban Landscape, University of Detroit Mercy Detroit Collaborative Design Center, 2014
Bridging Needs with Research through Action-Oriented Community Design, June 2020
Recent Publications featuring DCDC work
Katie Swenson, Design With Love: At Home in America, Schiffer Publishing, 2020. Featuring the Enterprise Rose Architectural Fellowship.
“The Twin Pandemics,” Landscape Architecture Magazine, August 2020, featuring Charles Cross, Director of Landscape Design
Design Core Guide for Real Estate Development, September 2020
Model D
Resilient Neighborhoods: These two nonprofits are bringing youth-driven spaces to SW Detroit, September 2020
A ‘well-spring of creativity, energy, and Detroit hustle’: 28 projects win $1.9M in Kresge grants, August 2020
City of Detroit receives $1M in new investment from Reimagining the Civic Commons initiative, June 2020
Recent Awards
2019
AIA/HUD Secretary’s Award Community-Informed Design Award, Avis and Elsmere
AIA Detroit Architectural Honor Awards Small Project, Avis and Elsmere
2017
AIA Whitney M.Young Jr. Award
Curry Stone Design Prize
2012
Top 100 People and Teams Working at the intersection of Design and Services, Dan Pitera, FAIA and DCDC
2011
Dedalo Minosse International Prize (Italy), St. Joseph’s ReBuild Center, New Orleans
Recent Exhibits
Detroit Design 139 Inclusive Futures
American Institute of Architects Detroit (AIA) Celebration of Architecture, Office Showcase
AIA Detroit Future Focus 2019 Emerging Designer Exhibition