Community-Engaged Design: Perspectives of Designers + Business Owners

END Studio will host a panel discussion on how two small, woman-owned architecture firms in Detroit approach projects with the goal of empowering and uplifting community. In conversation with small business owners, we will discuss the benefits, risks, and impact of inclusive and engaged design, the collaborative tactics employed throughout the design process, and the lasting effects on the businesses, neighborhoods, and city. Panelists will share how we each overcome common challenges we facing designing community-informed spaces - from navigating regulatory reviews, to creative implementation strategies, bringing in the right expertise, and phasing the construction process.

Panelists include:

• Elise DeChard, Owner + Architect, END Studio

• Megan Finley, Architect, END Studio

• Laura Walker, Co-Owner + Architect, Other Work

• Diana Gomez, Owner, Tacos Hernandez

• Symantha Duggan, Co-Owner, Vesper Books + Wine

• Denisse Lopez, Co-Owner, Vamonos! Cafe

• Monica Edwards, VP of Community Engagement and Planning, Vanguard CDC

UN SUSTAINABILITY GOALS

We use Detroit's UNESCO City of Design designation as a call to action for Detroiters to embrace the Sustainable Development Goals in their own communities, contributing to the active effort of solving global interconnected issues.