Interphase East + Humble Design Launch “Interior Design Exchange” at Detroit Month of Design, Presented by Haworth

As part of Detroit’s vibrant design community, this interior‑focused event highlights dignity, circularity, and meaningful community impact.

Interphase East and Humble Design announce the launch of the first Interior Design Exchange, a Detroit Month of Design event taking place Wednesday, September 9, 2026 from 9:00 AM–12:30 PM at Vander Detroit. The half‑day convening brings together Detroit’s design community and the design curious to explore how interior environments can create meaningful social impact while advancing Detroit’s UNESCO City of Design goals.

Hosted at Vander Detroit by Lisa Sauve of Synecdoche Design, the space will house repurposed furniture vignettes, curated art from Detroit artists, design student work, and information stations for Design Industry Associations (ASID, IIDA, NEWH).

The program features “Dignity by Design,” a keynote conversation with Chris Tull, Executive Director at Humble Design Detroit and Carolyn Dwyer, LTU Professor and IDCFC President. The conversation will highlight how thoughtful interiors support stability, hope, and belonging for families emerging from homelessness.

A moderated panel will follow, highlighting Detroit leaders in sustainability, inclusive design, community development, and circularity.

Moderator: Lily Diego, Creative Director & Adaptive Reuse Leader, Gensler Detroit

Panelists:

• Kristin Godard, Rocket – Inclusive Design

• Dr. Linda Nubani, MSU – Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design

• Bo Shepherd, Woodward Throwbacks – Repurposed Design

• Kiana Wenzell, Design Core Detroit – Unesco City of Design

Attendees will also experience the launch of Design With Purpose, a refurbished furniture contest where Detroit A&D firms reinterpret donated pieces from the Humble Design warehouse. Guests will vote on their favorite designs, kicking off broader community engagement around circularity and purpose‑driven creativity.

The event includes a student human‑centered design showcase, featuring work from six Detroit design programs (CCS-EMU-LTU-MSU-WMU-WSU) focused on human-centered and social-impact design.

“Design is not just decorative – it’s formative,” said Michelle Marshall, Humble Design’s National Development Director. “When applied thoughtfully, interior design becomes a catalyst for stability, hope, and belonging. We’re honored to bring Detroit’s design community together to explore how design can advance dignity and strengthen communities.”

The Interior Design Exchange aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 10, 11, 12, and 17, emphasizing reduced inequalities, sustainable cities, responsible consumption, and cross‑sector partnerships.

Event Details  

Interior Design Exchange @ Detroit Month of Design  

Wednesday, September 9, 2026 
9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Vander Detroit

Networking • Conversation + Panel • Curated Art Gallery • Student Showcase • Repurposed Furniture Contest • Repurposed Furniture Vignettes

About Humble Design  

Humble Design is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness by providing supportive interiors to clients transitioning into stable housing. Humble Design welcomes people home, so that lives are changed for good. www.humbledesign.org

About Interphase East

Interphase East is a Detroit-based commercial interiors dealership serving clients throughout Michigan. For more than 40 years, Interphase East has partnered with Haworth and other leading manufacturers to create thoughtful, high-performing environments for work, learning, healing, and community.
www.interphaseinc.com

Event Collaborators include: Gensler Detroit, Haworth, Pophouse, IM Branded, Mohawk Group, AIS, Leland, The Look Reps, Kohler, Planterra, Woodward Throwbacks, Embrace Creatives, Rocket, DesignCore, ASID, IIDA, NEWH, IDCFC