Events

1. Please join IIDA Michigan and our Event Sponsor Interior Environments, Allsteel and Gunlocke at our

roundtable discussion highlighting leaders in Interior Design.  We have an amazing group of professionals from diverse design backgrounds;  Geraldine Drake, IIDA, WELL AP, LEED Green Associate, Interior Practice Lead, AECOM,  Carolyn Farrugia, NCiDQ, IIDA, Director of Design, Boyne Resorts,  Lori James, IIDA, LEED AP ID+C, Fitwel Ambassador, Principal Interior Design, SmithGroup,  Tara McCrackin, President at Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University (KCAD),  Shawn Calvin, IIDA, LEED AP, Director of Interior Design, INFORM Studio, Valerie Wright, IIDA, LEED AP ID+C, Principal & Senior Interior Designer, Diekema Hamann Architecture + Engineering.  Our Round Table will be moderated by Natalie Flora, Chief Creative Officer, Interior Environments.    This Connect Event is open to current members of IIDA.

IIDA Michigan is proud to announce a virtual session INTERIOR DESIGN ADVOCACY 101 to advocate for Interior Design and showcase the value of the profession and why it should be promoted. This educational session will cover the What – Why – How to advocate for Interior Design.

The Sugar Hill Veterans Project will employ 14 teams to use trauma-informed design to finish apartments
for homeless veterans in the newly-completed Sugar Hill project in Midtown Detroit.

Trauma-informed Design
Trauma is pervasive among American Veterans and can lead to lifelong physical and mental health
consequences. It not only can have a lasting impact on the body and brain, but also, if left unaddressed,
can negatively impact resident and community success.
Trauma-informed design can help build resilience and be an effective way to recover and heal. It has been
tested and proven to strengthen outcomes in healthcare and education, but it has not been fully embraced
in affordable rental housing.

The Teams
Each team will consist of 5-8 individuals and is to have at least:
1 Architect
1 Emerging Professional (recently graduated, unlicensed)
1 Interior Designer
2 Students (not required, but strongly encouraged)
Teams will first receive training in trauma-informed design and have the opportunity to interview some of the
veterans who will be moving into the apartments. The teams will work over the summer with these veterans
to design the interiors of the 14 apartments and will be responsible for the buildout of those spaces as well
as assist in fundraising efforts.

Team Registration and Project Timeline
Team registrations are due May 28th
Early June: Team training and introduction to veterans.
June – July: Design and fundraising.
August – September 15: Furniture and finish Installation.
Mid-September: Veterans move-in.
Late September: Public facing virtual presentation & tour.