Announcing the 2019 Commerce Design: Detroit Finalists

AIA Detroit and Design Core Detroit are thrilled to officially announce the 20 businesses selected as finalists for the second Commerce Design Detroit Awards program. The finalists were selected from a highly competitive pool, representing a broad range of businesses, scales and neighborhoods. The jury, featuring both local and international design and culture experts, gathered in Detroit this past weekend to conduct on-site visits to each of the finalist businesses to learn more about their design process and the impact the project has had in its neighborhood context.

Ten winning projects will be selected following the jury’s visits, and will be announced at a special ceremony during the August Drinks x Design at the Old Redford Theater. Winning businesses will then be featured in a promotional campaign, including a “People’s Choice” vote on social media.

Congratulations to the following finalists:

Kiesling (North End) Submitted by Owners Carlo Liburdi & Ashley Davidson, and Designer Citizen Brand & Story Lab with contributions from Studio BD

Stella Good Coffee (North End) Submitted by Owners Shawn Santo, Kevin Borsay and Designer Archive DS

Workshop (North End) Submitted by Owners Shawn Santo, Kevin Borsay, James Willer, and Design Team Worskhop + Archive DS

Floyd (Eastern Market) Submitted by Owners Kyle Hoff & Alex O'Dell, and Designer Christian Unverzagt with contributions from Order and Et Al Collaborative

Wasserman (Eastern Market) Submitted by Owner Gary Wasserman, and Designer Steven C. Flum with contributions from Elliott Earls, Jody Roberts Electric, Aaron Blendowski & Richard Ganis, John Charnota and Unsold Studio

Norma G’s (Jefferson Chalmers) Submitted by Owner Lester Gouvia, and Designer Hamilton Anderson Associates with contributions from JRED Engineering Inc. and Cecil Consulting

Detroit Denim (Rivertown) Submitted by Owners Eric and Brenna Lane, and Designer Paul Karas of Ware MFG with contributions from Who’s That, Logan Merry, and Chris and Michelle Gerard

Little High Flyers (Midtown) Submitted by Owner Corina Baldwin, and Designer Patrick Thompson Design

Meta Physica (Corktown) Submitted by Owners Anahi Hollis and Jenaveve Biernat, and Designer Anahi Hollis Design with contributions from Meagan Elliot

Sister Pie (Indian Village) Submitted by Owner Lisa Ludwinski, and Designer Laavu Studio

1701 Bespoke (Midtown) Submitted by Owner Max Schmidt, and Designer Patrick Thompson Design

Central Kitchen & Bar (Downtown-Campus Martius) Submitted by Owner Dennis Archer Jr., and Designer Ron & Roman

Maru (Downtown – Campus Martius) Submitted by Owner Robert Song, and Designer ROSSETTI with contributions from BrenMar, Mod Interiors, SES, and Great Lakes Hotel Supply Co.

Avalon (Downtown) Submitted by Owner Jackie Victor, and Designer Marisa Gaggino/HeritageCo2 LLC with contributions from Richard Gage Design Studio, Gaby Buckay, Dan Zwolak, and Clinton Snider

BIRD BEE (Downtown – Capitol Park) Submitted by Owner Taylor Bolleber, and Designer Virtuoso Design + Build

Detroit is the New Black (Downtown) Submitted by Owner Roslyn Karamoko, and Designer Gensler with contributions from Rockford Construction and The Donut Shop

Vertical Detroit (Downtown – Harmonie Park) Submitted by Owner Jim Lutfy, and Designer ROSSETTI with contributions from the Monahan Company, Great Lakes Hotel Supply Co., and Ferrante

Ochre Bakery (Woodbridge) Submitted by Owners Jessica Hicks, Daisuke Hughes, and Designer Et al Collaborative of Detroit LLC with contributions from Hamtramck Ceramic, Sam Seurynck, and Michael Burdick

Will Leather Goods (Midtown) Submitted by Owner Bill Adler, and Designer McIntosh Poris Associates with contributions from Illuminart, Micco Construction, and Architectural Salvage Warehouse of Detroit (ASWD)

Iconic Tattoo (Midtown) Submitted by Owner Kelli Marshall, and Designer Quinn Evan Architects with contributions from Fitzpatrick Structural Engineering PC