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Who is the Small Town Studio?

For the first time in human history, more than half of the world’s population lives in cities and towns rather than rural or agricultural settings. As the world undergoes this fundamental shift from rural to urban development, much of the focus has been on the role of large or even mega cities in ushering in this new urban era. This shift in focus means that small towns have often been overlooked or left out of the discussion, leaving unanswered the question: what is the role of small towns in this new urban age?

We are the Small Town Studio.

For the first time in human history, more than half of the world’s population lives in cities and towns rather than rural or agricultural settings. As the world undergoes this fundamental shift from rural to urban development, much of the focus has been on the role of large or even mega cities in ushering in this new urban era. This shift in focus means that small towns have often been overlooked or left out of the discussion, leaving unanswered the question: what is the role of small towns in this new urban age?

In seeking to answer this question, one might begin by trying to understand the idea of the small town itself. Is the small town a state of mind? A state of being? A state of place? Is it, as the author William Saroyan suggests, a place of childhood dreaming, of secret paths and intimate spaces, where adventure grows around every corner? Where does the small town begin and where does it end?

The answer will likely vary with each person asked, and may very well depend on whether the questioner is from a small town or is a stranger to the concept altogether. Regardless of the answer, the small town is inextricably linked to a nostalgic concept of American life comprised of places and people out of legend—Grover’s Corners, Mayberry, Atticus and Scout—that may exist only in memory, and therefore may be best understood when looked at with clear eyes, and without sentimentality.

The small town may be a true community built around the public square; or it may be a tattered collection of buildings on an old road. It may be thriving, or only a dream remembered. Whichever of these it is, to make sense of how it came to be and make it a real place in a changing world, we must examine the small town with regard for the actions of those who have shaped it, evolved from it, retreated to it or left it in their rear- view mirrors; for their personal, political, economic and/or cultural reasons.

In seeking to do so . . .

The Small Town Studio of Ferris State University will help shine a light on the small town, its successes and failures; its potential and its limitations.

The Small Town Studio will embrace the idea that there may not be a single solution to any problem or single answer to any question, but that there is value in exploring and questioning.

The Small Town Studio will engage architecture students with the patterns of everyday life, integrating their studio experiences into the context of local communities as they work to explore architectural and planning issues in the struggling small towns of Michigan.

The Small Town Studio will, at its foundation, accept the premise that the small town— not urban, suburban, or rural—represents a specific set of needs, dreams, hopes and desires; that it embodies the energies of the people who reside there, do business there, and pass through there.

The Small Town Studio will marshal the creative and intellectual forces of Ferris State University to explore issues such as economic hardship, decentralization, identity, pattern, context, cultural opportunity, brain drain, and opportunities for youth.

The Small Town Studio will not focus on the quick fix or easy solutions, but instead on systemic and sustainable change to position small towns for viable long-term stability.

The Small Town Studio will explore the relationship between big box retail and independent business, and work to build bridges that encourage economic development that benefits the entire community.

The Small Town Studio will respect the work of generations past and promote the preservation of historic architectural and cultural artifacts, not only as a gesture towards the past, but towards a sustainable future.

The Small Town Studio will expand students’ understanding of sustainability to include a broad, holistic view that incorporates economic and social patterns, while promoting communities that are sustainable in terms of their use of natural resources and their relationship to the environmental context in which they evolved.

The Small Town Studio will be inter-disciplinary, seeking to bring teachers, students, professionals and citizens from diverse backgrounds together to solve complex problems.

The Small Town Studio will seek to expose students to professional architectural and planning practice, nurturing them as future professionals and committed citizens in their communities.

The Small Town Studio will be based in Big Rapids, Michigan, but will consider the entire state as a learning opportunity. It will examine the successes and failures of small

towns across the state to find the commonalities that tie places together, as well as the differences that render each place unique.

So what defines you?

Consider yourself a student if you're interested in becoming part of our program or if you would like to learn more about architecture itself.

Consider yourself a client if you're a community member with a project idea, or that you'd just like to work towards a solution with the help of architects.

So what does it mean to be a client?

Architecture means sustainable living and strong communities. The Small Town Studio wants to help. As a client in the Small Town Studio you will engage with senior students and a faculty from the Architecture and Sustainability program. Through an integrated design process we will explore sustainable solutions to your real world projects. If you would like to become involved just fill out an application.

For Project consideration, please address the following.

If you are busy feel free to download the form and fill it out later.
Or if you aren't ready, feel free to go back.

Download the pdf, and fill it out later.

As a student what should I expect?

As a student in the Small Town Studio you will experience real clients and real projects. You will work closely with faculty and fellow students on small town architectural problems. You will be engaged in creativity and independence to solve these problems through an integrated design process. The student learning outcome of this opportunity is immeasurable and life changing.

Check out Ferris State University Admissions to become a student.

Here's what we do.

Here you will find student projects that capture what we do. Projects begin with analysis and synthesis of client needs and site context. Meetings with clients encourage collaboration and emphasize the improtance of a “team” approach. Sustainable practices and revitalization of the town are key components of all projects. Throughout the duration of the semester the process of design exploration and refinement is utilized to produce a proposal that meets client goals and creates meaningful change in the community.

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