The statements below represent initial thoughts and principles of co-lab. co-lab is based in Detroit, and is forming specific teams tailored to individual art, architecture and design projects that focus on ecological sustainability and social equity.

We embrace a timeless definition of the creative arts- an overwhelming desire to work creatively in society in ways that are both relevant for the long term and immediately needed. That is, to address real social and cultural needs. We are a hybrid organization, both non-profit and entrepreneurial, art and architecture, design and construction.

CO-LAB principles:

1. RESPOND

The primary driving force for co-lab is a progressive response to the conditions around us. Examining these conditions in earnest is easily overwhelming. Since we create what happens in the world we inhabit - including violence, hatred, racism, and environmental destruction, we can also un-make or re-make these negative conditions. Co-lab responds with active hope and creativity. The strategy is not to radicalize our position, but instead reach out and include.

Co-lab also responds to the positive conditions and positive models for change. For one example, urban farmers in Detroit are cleaning up toxic soils, reclaiming vacant land and producing subsistence. Obviously, this kind of model is something that is worth honoring, repeating and amplifying. Urban farmers are not necessarily artistically inclined, so to see the beauty or potential of an urban farm becomes the roll of the artist-architect-designer. Why not create an urban amenity and allow the farm to double as a park? (see "farm / park - park / farm" proposal).

By acting within art, architecture and design, co-lab responds to global and local conditions with creativity, humor, invention and hope.

2. TRANSFORM

Objects and places are centers of value. They attract or repel in finely shaded degrees. To attend to them even momentarily is to acknowledge their reality and value. (Yi-Fu Tuan, Space and Place)

In approaching difficult conditions from a holistic point of view, transformation of discarded material has become a primary strategy. In a society that disposes of so much useful material, using discarded "valueless" material and creating something of use and value is an evocative and efficient method. In other words, "adaptive re-use" has not had a serious impact or expression within industrialized nations. How can it be possible to have homeless people and also huge amounts of useful construction debris or vacant houses? It seems that a simple re-routing and transformation can really impact all sectors of society.

Some works created thus far have re-used, transformed or re-routed abandoned houses, illegally dumped tires, glass jars, wine bottles, scraps of lumber, scrap metal and thrift store suitcases.

3. COLLABORATE

One goal of co-lab is to create an umbrella or connecting organization. The teams would be interdisciplinary in the broadest sense- artists, architects, landscape architects, designers, students, community organizers, social scientists, naturalists and urban ecologists/farmers. The projects will be initiated by co-lab, community groups or individuals. Custom teams will be formed around individual projects. One co-lab initiated project will be to create low-cost, owner-built, energy efficient housing from salvaged, recycled and reclaimed materials. While we will draw upon established examples, also we will also improve and tailor the process to the project and the place.

4. PLACE

...a place represents the practical, vernacular, psychological, social, cultural, ceremonial, ethnic, economic, political, and historical dimensions of a site. (Jeff Kelley, 'Art in Place' in Headlands Journal 1986-89)

Intimate knowledge and experience of place coexists in environments in where people connect and respect each other and the natural environment. We live in a situation in which the connection with place has been severed. The parallel result is the dangerous degradation of respect for each other and the planet. Co-lab proposes to work from 'place' as a way into creating positive human environments.