Revitalizing a Detroit Landmark: How Scouting America Is Reinventing Its Space for Community Impact

Dining Hall Conceptual Rendering

Tucked into a quiet stretch of Detroit, the 28,000-square-foot Dauch Scout Center is undergoing a remarkable transformation. What was once primarily an administrative hub for Scouting America (formerly Boy Scouts of America) is now becoming a vibrant community center that reflects a shift in how organizations engage, serve, and sustain their communities.

With fewer staff onsite due to the rise of remote work, Scouting America saw an opportunity to reimagine their Detroit facility not as a legacy office, but as a living, breathing resource for the public. Together with Albert Kahn Associates, they have set out to create a flexible, inclusive space where neighbors, nonprofits, and young people can gather, learn, and connect.

From Office Space to Community Anchor

The design approach began with a simple but powerful question: How can this building better serve the people around it?

Albert Kahn Associates worked closely with Scouting America to refine early concepts into a full vision that supports everything from after-school STEM labs to professional conferences. The project reconfigures the footprint of the original scouting offices to introduce rentable workstations and offices for local nonprofits and community groups. Existing spaces like a large conference room and break room are being reimagined to offer flexible meeting rooms, a full commercial kitchen, and even a future bunk room for overnight programming.

This new community-focused model opens the doors for a range of activities including civic meetings, job training workshops, small business events, and educational programs. The goal is to make the building an asset to the broader Detroit community, not just for Scouts but for all.

Designing for Outdoor Experiences and Local Impact

D-Bar-A Ranch Site

Beyond the walls of the building, the four-acre site is getting an equally intentional upgrade. A reconfigured parking lot will accommodate school bus drop-off zones, while the rest of the site is being developed into a rich outdoor learning and activity area. Plans include two covered pavilions, a firepit for scout programs, a new patio extending from the conference center, and a flexible path system for COPE (Challenging Outdoor Personal Experience) team-building activities. There is also designated space for a mobile climbing wall and temporary archery setup.

Sustainability is a key factor in the site improvements as well. Elements like rain gardens, permeable pavement, and stormwater-filtering features are being integrated to model environmental stewardship as both a teaching tool and a dedication to the organization’s core values.

Empowering Youth Through STEM and Collaboration

One of the most innovative pieces of the project is the transformation of a former retail space into a dedicated STEM lab. This hands-on learning space is being developed in partnership with Detroit Public Schools and Wayne State University to spark curiosity in science, technology, engineering, and math. The lab will serve as a launch point for real-world learning experiences, where students can move fluidly between indoor experimentation and outdoor exploration.

Scouting America has been intentional about not using the program as a scouting recruitment tool. The goal is to create a space that is welcoming to all youth, regardless of affiliation, and to bring educational opportunities to students who may not otherwise have access to this kind of immersive learning.

Designing for Inclusion, Comfort, and Accessibility

Conference Center & Bunks

In addition to the educational enhancements, the building is being thoughtfully adapted to support overnight programs and multi-day events. Albert Kahn Associates worked with Scouting America to reimagine underutilized office space into bunk-style rooms designed with comfort, safety, and accessibility in mind.

Each bunk room includes a private bathroom with a sink, toilet, and shower, and offers secure entry from both the interior and exterior of the building. These accommodations are ideal for scouting retreats, youth groups, and community partners hosting overnight programs.

Accessibility is being prioritized throughout the entire design. Physical layouts support mobility needs, circulation is clear and intuitive, and all users will feel safe and welcomed. The goal is not just to meet accessibility requirements, but to create a space where everyone feels like they belong.

Honoring Creativity and Culture

This project is about more than repurposing a building. It is about creating a space that feels rooted in the community it serves. To help make that happen, Scouting America is working with local artists to bring the spirit of the neighborhood into the design. Sculptures, murals, and custom artwork will be featured throughout the building and site, transforming everyday spaces into places of meaning.

These creative pieces are not simply decorative. They help tell the story of the people who use the space. From bold sculptures in the entry to small, thoughtful details along gathering paths, the art will reflect the diverse experiences and identities that make up this community. It invites visitors to feel connected, welcome, and represented.

By giving artists a platform within this project, Scouting America is reinforcing its belief that community investment should be visible and personal. Art becomes a tool for inclusion, a marker of pride, and a way to celebrate the culture of those who live and work nearby. This is not just a facility update. It is a reintroduction of the space as something deeply human, vibrant, and alive.

Expanding the Vision: A Transformational Investment in D-bar-A Scout Ranch

In partnership with Scouting America and the Michigan Crossroads Council, Albert Kahn Associates is leading the transformation of D-bar-A Scout Ranch into a year-round, multi-use destination. The goal is to preserve the legacy of Scouting while introducing modern, flexible spaces that can support both traditional programming and new partnerships.

One of the first major updates is the construction of a new Welcome Center that will serve as the central arrival point for guests, campers, and staff. Designed to embody the spirit of the outdoors, the Welcome Center will include a trading post, café, activity zones, and administrative space, all housed in a warm, lodge-inspired structure that reflects the natural beauty of the land.

Equestrian Center Conceptual Rendering

A centerpiece of the revitalization is the brand-new 20,000-square-foot indoor equestrian center, located just off Sutton Road near the main entrance. Designed to be the focal point of the property, the facility includes a two-story welcome center and office space, berths for up to 19 horses, and two 300-square-foot indoor classrooms. With 360-degree indoor and outdoor viewing areas and a new parking and trailer turnaround zone, the equestrian center is fully equipped to support year-round programming for both Scouting and outside organizations. It also creates new opportunities to expand D-bar-A’s signature Ranch Hand Program and other ranch-based offerings, reinforcing the camp’s unique identity and hands-on learning approach.

From reimagined lodges and merit badge zones to enhanced equestrian trails and accessible infrastructure, every element is designed to strengthen D-bar-A’s role as a beacon for outdoor education in Michigan and ensure it remains a destination for generations to come.

A Thoughtful, Mission-Driven Transformation

Albert Kahn Associates has been more than a design team. They have served as a strategic partner in helping Scouting America align its built environment with its evolving mission. From challenging assumptions about what was possible to refining the master plan with community input and leadership engagement, the process has been rooted in collaboration, curiosity, and a shared commitment to service.

The revitalized facilities reflect the best of what design can do. They create space for connection, reduce operational costs through thoughtful reuse, and breathe new life into underutilized assets. This effort stands as a model for what community-centered design can accomplish in Michigan and beyond.