News, Jan 16, 2025
Four images showing the evolution of the project building from the front. Beginning with an old building to tearing out the front, then framing, and a final image showing a revitalized building.
Unverzagt’s architecture firm, M1DTW, honored for adaptive reuse project in Detroit

M1DTW Architects, a firm founded by Taubman College’s Christian Unverzagt, is being recognized for an innovative project to turn an abandoned commercial building in Detroit’s East Village into a multipurpose facility that supports several local galleries.

The space, known as the Library Street Collective Outpost, or LSC—O, received a 2024 AIA Michigan Honor Award and was an Editor’s Pick in the “Adaptive Reuse—Commercial” category of The Architect’s Newspaper 2024 Best of Design Awards.

In addition, LSC—O was highlighted in AN Interior, an international design magazine. The publication notes that the cofounders of Detroit’s Little Village, Anthony and JJ Curis, came across an abandoned, 2,000-square-foot commercial building tucked away on Charlevoix Street a few blocks from the creative campus. The campus is a new development by the duo dedicated to art and community programming brimming with parks, cultural spaces, housing, and galleries. With the help of Detroit-based M1DTW, the one-story building was converted into LSC—O, which operates as an archive and space to showcase the art from neighboring galleries: Library Street Collective and Louis Buhl & Co.

Unverzagt, associate professor of practice at Taubman, shared with AN Interior that this unique project could be described as “reborn,” and that, “the building was in pretty rough shape and could have easily been torn down. Anthony and JJ Curis had the foresight to try and save it.” With a limited material palette, M1DTW transformed LSC—O to meet its flexible program with a lean and economic design.

The AIA Michigan jury commented: “This project is an incredibly elegant solution for renovating space with minimal means. The jury was unanimously stirred by the simplicity of the intelligently used components and palette to create a harmonious space that is restrained, clever, and on point.”

“We are thrilled to be recognized for our work on this project,” Unverzagt said. “This project proves that older buildings can be given a new lease on life, maintaining the historic fabric of our neighborhoods while moving them forward in new and interesting ways. We’re honored to have been a part of the creative work being done to reimagine these buildings and uplift this neighborhood.” 

The M1DTW project team also included Thomas Affeldt, M.Arch ’11, Kerry Conway, M.Arch ’16, Cara Wagner, and Qian He. M1DTW prioritizes working with Michigan-based fabricators and makers to create refined finishes for their projects. This is true of LSC—O, where they enlisted custom metal fabrication from Universal Fabricators, architectural millwork from Chad Fillmore of Surfing Cowboy Studio, and specialty installations by SCHMOE. The storage system was produced by Michigan-based Shelving Inc. 

Read more about LSC—O on the M1DTW website.

Related News