Signal-Return is a Detroit nonprofit dedicated to preserving and teaching traditional letterpress printing and building a community center for art, craft, design, and collaboration.
After 12 years at their original workspace in Detroit’s Eastern Market designed by M1DTW, Signal-Return had the opportunity to move to a larger space at a new arts complex on Detroit’s eastside that would allow them to expand their workshop offerings and improve production support.
Here are remarks presented at their Last Print Party before the move:
Our task was easy.
All we did was let in the light.
Just like a beautiful print on press — a few key pieces set with care, some whitespace, and a splash of color. Never perfect, with character accrued from decades of use and wear.
If you look at the photos of this space from twelve years ago you might say that it was pretty empty — but it wasn’t. It was FULL: Full of energy; Full of optimism; Full of possibility. A workspace made with limited means meant to inspire, and to this day, I am inspired every time I walk through these doors.
Now we all get to do it again. With that same energy, optimism and a renewed sense of possibility. The concrete floor will be smoother (and easier to clean); we’ll still have brick, and wood and steel (with that same splash of color).
And we’ll not only let in the light (again), but we’ll make sure you have even more of it inside, especially during those long, dark winters.
Congratulations Signal Return; Thank you for reminding us what’s possible when you put ink to paper. We look forward to seeing your light carry on!
Completed photographs by Jason Keen
Detroit, Michigan
4,300 SF
Client: Signal-Return, Inc.
Developer: Library Street Collective / Anthony & JJ Curis
AIA Michigan Design and Honor Awards, 2026
ELSEWHERE Wallpaper / Dezeen / Archinect / Signal-Return / LANTERN Detroit / LANTERN at OMA