Since 1978, the Michigan Science Center has positioned experiential learning at the core of its mission. Its architecture, however, has not kept pace with this ambition. The schematic design responds to this gap by unifying a series of fragmented additions through the integration of visible, sustainable systems—solar, wind, and water management—deployed not only for performance, but as pedagogical instruments.
The intervention extends beyond the building envelope. The previously inert dome is activated through lighting to operate as an urban marker, while projections along the east elevation align the Center with events across the Cultural District. At grade, surface parking is replaced with outdoor classrooms and demonstration gardens, incorporating installations ranging from rockets to climate machines. Together, these moves reposition the Science Center as an open, legible learning environment—supporting intergenerational engagement through use rather than spectacle.
2022
Midtown Detroit
Scale:
100,000 SF
Client:
The Detroit Cultural Center Association (DCCA)
Michigan Science Center
Principals:
Anya Sirota, Jean Louis Farges
Design Team:
Ian Donaldson