The Michael Ford x Momentum Collection, Debuting at NeoCon 2026, Translates Hip Hop Into High-Performance Textiles and Wallcoverings
Momentum has redefined the intersection of culture, craft, and community with the Michael Ford x Momentum Collection, a new multi-disciplinary range of textiles and wallcoverings that explores the “liquid architecture” of hip hop. Developed in partnership with architect, educator, and founder of BrandNu Design Studio, Michael Ford, FAIA, the collection distills the genre’s fluid framework and dynamic energy into a rich, narrative-driven design language for commercial interiors. The collection, guided by Ford’s philosophy of “Design for the Collective Good” and inspired by his lifelong passion for music, underscores shared principles between hip hop and design, showing how both shape movement, experience, and connection within spaces. The designs combine a refined, contemporary aesthetic with layered, architectural textures suitable for workplace, hospitality, and education settings. Debuting June 2026 at the NeoCon trade show, this collaboration cements Momentum’s reputation as a visionary creative partner, bringing cultural depth and storytelling into the built environment.
“This collection is deeply personal to Michael, grounded in his life’s work, philosophy, and the young people he has inspired along the way. We’re proud that Momentum’s craft and manufacturing expertise could bring that vision to life. The collection invites the A&D community to engage with design that is authentically connected to culture and built to perform,” states Momentum’s Chief Marketing & Creative Officer, Jennifer Nye.
Through his nonprofit Hip Hop By Design™, Ford founded the Hip Hop Architecture Camp®, introducing young people to architecture through music and creative problem-solving while illuminating pathways into the design profession. In recognition of his contributions to expanding access and diversity in architecture, he was named the 2026 recipient of the AIA Whitney M. Young Jr. Award. His current projects, including the Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx and the Memphis Hip Hop Museum, celebrate hip hop and embody his commitment to the intersection of architecture, culture, and community engagement.
“This collection with Momentum is rooted in the work I do with young people across the country through Hip Hop By Design and in the architectural work we lead at BrandNu Design Studio,” explains Ford. “My goal was simple: to let these fabrics and wallcoverings carry the rhythm, motion, and honesty of hip hop while still serving the needs of designers and the spaces they shape.”
Hip hop has been a source of inspiration for Ford since childhood and has influenced his path as an architect. “I remember hiding in the DJ booth at a young age and being mesmerized by not just the beat and flow but also the energy of people coming together. I wanted this collection to capture the same flow and spirit of unity,” Ford recalls. Each pattern in the Michael Ford x Momentum collection draws on hip hop’s foundational techniques of sampling, rhythm, and movement to translate different elements of the genre into high-performance materiality. The five patterns — two bio-sourced, carbon neutral Circon™ Type II vinyl wallcoverings and three jacquard upholstery fabrics — range from subtle neutrals to rich, celebratory hues.
- Breakin’ is a Circon wallcovering based on a playful digital sketch by Ford’s six-year-old son Mason. Inspired by breakdancers, Mason drew figures, wiring diagrams, and anything that shows flow. The lines twist, turn, and collide with the kinetic energy of bodies in a cypher.
- Flow Chart is a second Circon wallcovering that translates rhyme structures and cadences from a lyrical analysis process developed by Ford and conducted by students at the Hip Hop Architecture Camp into a rhythmic field of floating rectangles with a tonal printed texture.
- Dance Off is a textile that echoes the same pattern as Breakin’ but is scaled to complement seating. The jostling motifs are brought to life by an oversized boucle yarn that sits above the surface of the fabric and features a slight silky luster, enhancing the dimension of the pattern against the canvas ground weave.
- Cypher is a jacquard fabric encoded with repeating fragments of the phrase “I AM HIP HOP” abstracted into a geometric, almost checkerboard pattern. The concept originated in a 2023 community mural project in Madison, Wisconsin, where Ford created an abstract alphabet to honor local community members. The design reflects the idea that hip hop is made of many parts — voices, places, and histories — revealing a larger whole that can only be understood by acknowledging each individual piece.
- Bronx Composition is a large-scale jacquard stripe inspired by the first Hip Hop Architecture Camp in the Bronx, created by stretching a pixelated slice of a group photograph into a full-width stripe — treating the colors the way a DJ pulls and manipulates samples from a crate.
Together, the five patterns form a cohesive collection that reflects hip hop’s vitality, expressiveness, and collective ethos while honoring its deep heritage. For Momentum, the collaboration builds on a long history of creative partnerships with artists and designers such as Sheila Hicks, Shantell Martin, Aleksandra Gaca, Yinka Ilori, and Rebecca Moses. With Michael Ford x Momentum, the brand takes a further step in weaving cultural context and meaning into the built environment, reinforcing its position at the forefront of industry dialogue.
To further honor Ford’s “Design for the Collective Good” mission, Momentum will donate a percentage of sales to fund Hip Hop by Design scholarships.
Ford will publicly unveil the Michael Ford x Momentum Collection in Momentum’s showroom at The Mart (#323) during the 2026 NeoCon trade show in Chicago.
About Michael Ford, FAIA
Michael Ford, FAIA, NOMA, NCARB is an architect, educator, and the founder of BrandNu Design Studio. Michael’s practice combines architectural design with cultural research and community engagement, creating spaces that reflect the identities and stories of the people who use them.
In 2016, Michael founded the Hip Hop Architecture Camp, a program he runs through his nonprofit, Hip Hop By Design. The camp introduces young people to architecture and design through music and creative problem solving – illuminating a pathway into the design profession for emerging talent.
Michael is an active voice in architecture through lectures, teaching, and public speaking. He has presented his work at universities, conferences, and cultural institutions across the country. His projects and educational work have been featured on The Oprah Winfrey Network, The TODAY Show, Rolling Stone, Vibe, and other national platforms.
In December 2025, Ford received the prestigious Whitney M. Young Jr. Award from AIA. Through BrandNu Design Studio and Hip Hop By Design, Michael demonstrates how architecture and design can support creative expression, expand access, and inspire the next generation. Beyond all his work Ford is a dedicated husband and father to his sons, Mason and the late MJ3.
About Momentum
Momentum is a leading commercial interiors solution provider. As the largest U.S. supplier of contract textiles and wallcoverings, its mission is to inspire and equip customers to deliver exceptional work for their clients through a commitment to sustainability, innovation, and design excellence. Through its acquisition of B + N Industries, a leader in modular architectural solutions, and its strategic partnership with New Zealand acoustic solutions company Autex, Momentum offers designers an unparalleled range of integrated interior solutions.
Momentum continues to redefine the industry’s narrative, moving beyond traditional manufacturing to curate a portfolio of world-class artistry. They have collaborated with acclaimed artists and designers, including Shantell Martin, Yinka Ilori and Rebecca Moses, and partnered with industry leaders like Muratto to develop innovative, design-forward collections. Momentum has been honored with numerous awards for its innovative products, including the 2024 IIDA Award for Best Showroom, and four 2025 Best of NeoCon Awards, including a Business Impact Award.