Scarab Club

Founded in 1907, the Scarab Club has long served as a center for artistic production, exhibition, and exchange in Detroit. The proposed renovation and addition respond to the challenge of expanding a historic institution while maintaining continuity with its architectural and cultural legacy.

The project extends the club’s footprint by mirroring the existing building across an adjacent parking lot, using contemporary construction methods and sustainable materials to effectively double its exhibition and studio space. This strategy reinforces the Scarab Club’s role as a hub for artistic production and dissemination while preserving the clarity of the original structure.

The proposal also expands the club’s relationship to the public realm. Enlarged sculpture gardens activate John R Street, while the rooftop of the new addition supports outdoor programming. Together, these interventions extend the club’s mission beyond its walls, strengthening its presence as a civic and cultural anchor.




2022
Midtown Detroit

Scale:
24,000 SF


Support:
The Detroit Cultural Center Association (DCCA)
The Scarab Club


Principals:
Anya Sirota, Jean Louis Farges

Design Team:
Liz Feltz