A Proposal to Revive the Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center: An Architectural Approach

Abstract

This research dives into the historical roots and proposed revitalization of the Brewster Wheeler Recreation Center, located in downtown Detroit with a focus on the city's progress and the preservation of its heritage. Almost all previous renovation plans for the city of Detroit have come to a halt due to the lasting effects of COVID-19. However, as the pandemic has come to an end, Detroit has been making huge leaps in its revitalization efforts. The paper’s main objective is to contribute to the city of Detroit and have applications to the real world. The proposal presents a pitched roof design that shows remnants of the building’s historicalness and highlights its novelty, creating a balanced blend between the two. The proposal also takes advantage of the expansive surrounding land to position the recreation center as a central community hub by including sports fields and a historical museum inside the building. The museum would serve as the history of the building’s evolution and notable figures from its humble beginnings as a library in 1917 to its present state.