Detroit Collaborative Design Center wins prestigious architecture award

The Detroit Collaborative Design Center (DCDC) has worked on some innovative projects since its inception in 1994. The University of Detroit Mercy's architecture and urban design firm that's partially composed of students has worked on bigger neighborhood strategies like RecoveryPark, and specific designs like The Alley Project.

And now they've been recognized for these efforts. The DCDC has been named the 2017 winner of the American Institute of Architects' prestigious Whitney M. Young Jr. Award. Named for the civil rights leader, the honor is given to an architectural organization that "embodies social responsibility and actively addresses a relevant issue, such as affordable housing, inclusiveness or universal access."

"For any architect or organization committed to public interest design, this is without a doubt the highest honor one could hope to receive," said Will Wittig, AIA, dean of the School of Architecture, in a press release.

The award will be officially presented at the AIA national convention in Orlando Florida in April.