Marshall awarded Knight Foundation grant for civic studio project
Taubman College’s John Marshall was awarded a $500,000 grant by The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation to transform a decommissioned electrical substation in Detroit. Marshall, professor of architecture, is also a professor of art and design at the Stamps School of Art and Design.
Marshall received the grant through his firm rootoftwo, which he founded with Ford School alumna Cézanne Charles. rootoftwo uses participatory design methods to create innovative and tangible experiences, events, artifacts, spaces, methods, and strategies. Marshall has previously worked with such clients as Midtown Detroit Inc., The Kresge Foundation, and the City of Detroit.
The electrical substation, located in Detroit’s Islandview neighborhood, will be transformed into “The Transformer Building” — a civic studio for participatory governance and design. The project builds on Marshall’s previous work with Michigan Central and Design Core Detroit, creating dynamic hubs for civic tech labs, public workshops, and innovative public space programming.
The project supports the Knight Foundation’s goals to revitalize public spaces and neighborhoods through civic engagement. The $500,000 award is part of a community celebration that marked the Knight Foundation’s $215 million-plus investment in Detroit over the last 25 years.
