Commerce Design: Detroit is an award that honors and recognizes commercial projects where business owners have hired professional designers to help them in the design or renovation of their space. We aim to increase investment and growth in Detroit's commercial corridors, promote accessibility and preserve local identity. Licensed from Montreal City of Design, Commerce Design will recognize projects submitted jointly by the business owner and design team, completed within the last five years within the City of Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck. Commerce Design: Detroit is presented by Design Core Detroit and AIA Detroit.
Commerce Design: Detroit celebrates the impact of commercial design projects in neighborhoods, while also:
From Eastside to West, every neighborhood in Detroit has a commercial thoroughfare that is home to shops, restaurants, grocery stores and other businesses open to the public. These districts are veins in the heart of the city, serving as gathering places for the local community and creating memorable experiences for visitors from near and far. Design has the power to make these spaces welcoming, attractive, and unique – inside and out.
Generously supported by: Bank of America, The Platform, Hudson-Webber Foundation, New Economy Initiative of Southeast Michigan
In consideration of the impact of COVID-19 on our community, the 2020 edition of the Commerce Design Awards will be canceled.
The grant totals $50,000 and will be offered to commercial small business owners who applied for a Commerce Design Award in 2018 or 2019, whether or not that business ultimately won an award. Winners of the grant have the opportunity to hire designers to help their businesses adapt and remain resilient during these challenging times. The winners will work with their chosen design teams to improve the experience, functionality, and safety of their spaces. Special thanks to Bank of America for making this grant possible.
This year’s winners include: Avalon Bakery ($20,000), Folk ($20,000) and SpaceLab Detroit ($20,000).
Wasserman Projects (Eastern Market)
Owner: Gary L. Wasserman Co-Founder: Charles Kashner Architect: Steven C. Flum Contributing Designers: 1. Elliott Earls 2. Jody Roberts 3. Aaron Blendowski & Richard Ganis 4. John Charnota 5. Unsold Studio
Ochre (Woodbridge)
Owner: Jessica Hicks, Daisuke Hughes Designer: Et al Collaborative Contributing Designers: Hamtramck Ceramck, Sam Seurynck, Michael Burdock, Steve Hicks
Meta Physica (Corktown)
Owner: Anahi Hollis, Jenaveve Biernat Designer: Anahi Hollis Design Contributing Designers: Christian Hurttienne Architects, Brian T. Cecil, Anahi Hollis Design
Maru (Downtown – Campus Martius)
Owner: Robert Song Designer: ROSSETTI Contributing Designers: BrenMar, Mod Interiors, SES, Great Lakes Hotel Supply Co.
Kiesling (North End)
Owner: Carlo Liburdi, Ashley Davidson Designer: Citizen Brand & Story Lab Contributing Designers: StudioBD, PLLC Owner: Carlo Liburdi, Ashley Davidson Designer: Citizen Brand & Story Lab Contributing Designers: StudioBD, PLLC
Floyd (Eastern Market)
Owner: Kyle Hoff, Alex O'Dell Designer: M1DTW Contributing Designers: Order, Et al Collaborative
Detroit is the New Black (Downtown)
Owner: Roslyn Karamoko Designer: Gensler Contributing Designers: Rockford Construction, The Donut Shop
Detroit Denim (Rivertown)
Owner: Eric Yelsma, Brenna Lane Designer: Ware Mfg Contributing Designers: Who's That, Logan Merry
Advance Plumbing and Heating Supply Co. (Midtown)
Submitted by Owners Jeffrey, Justin, and Joshua Moss, and Design Team D-MET Studio
FOLK Detroit (Corktown)
Submitted by Owners Kiki Louya & Rohani Foulkes, and Designer Christopher Stefani of CL Stefani Co.
Detroit Foundation Hotel (Downtown-Financial District)
Submitted by Owners Aparium Hotel Group & 250 Larned LLC, and Design Team McIntosh Poris Associates
House of Pure Vin (Downtown-Merchants Row)
Submitted by Owners Regina Gaines, Andrea Dunbar, and Terry Mullins, and Design Team M1/DTW
Kuzzo's Chicken & Waffles (University District)
Submitted by Owner Ronald Bartell and Designers Joshua Smith of Who’s That? & Jessica Janda of Jessica Janda Design
Lumen Detroit (Downtown-Beacon Park)
Submitted by Owner DTE (managed by Norm LePage), and Design Team Touloukian Touloukian Inc.
New Order Coffee Roasters (Brush Park)
Submitted by Owner Elizabeth Rose, and Design Teams Unsold Studio and Et al Collaborative
Commerce Design has been globally recognized as an innovative and effective tool for encouraging investment in commercial corridors. A collaborative project between UNESCO Cities of Design Detroit and Montreal, the initiative is built around a competition developed by Montréal in 1995 to promote the benefits of investing in the design and working with design professionals to local merchants and restaurant owners.
2020 applications have closed. Subscribe to our newsletter to learn more about opportunities in 2021.