I+S Design

11/06/2026

On the latest episode of I Hear Design, host Robert Nieminen welcomes Hightower Group CEO Natalie Hartkopf to discuss the Common Materials Framework and how a shared approach to sustainability information could help simplify material selection.

It's a conversation about transparency, accountability, and making better-informed choices for people and the planet.

Listen to the episode!

Hightower CEO Natalie Hartkopf discusses how the Common Materials Framework could help designers navigate certifications, compare materials, and make more informed specification...

11/05/2026

In an increasingly digital world, thoughtfully designed physical spaces have an important role to play in bringing people together.

From multifamily lobbies and shared kitchens to community lounges and courtyards, everyday environments can create opportunities for spontaneous interaction and stronger connections.

But it takes more than adding amenities. Seating variety, comfortable acoustics, natural light, clear sightlines, and intuitive circulation all influence whether people feel encouraged to stay, interact, or simply pass through.

Explore how designers are rethinking shared spaces to foster community and belonging.

Small choices in circulation, seating, sightlines, and shared amenities can turn everyday routines into opportunities for community.

11/04/2026

What makes a lounge chair feel instantly inviting? Sometimes, it's the details.

This week's from i+s Editor Lauren Brant is the Leroy lounge chair by Room & Board Business. With an oversized seat cushion, rounded edges, and fluid lines inspired by classic upholstery, Leroy brings a welcoming presence to residential and hospitality interiors.

Explore the design at Boutique Design.

Measuring 35" W x 38" D x 37" H, the Leroy lounge chair is versatile for residential and hospitality settings, showcasing a sleek design with customizable fabrics and finishes...

11/03/2026

A special thanks to Construction Specialties for sponsoring the I Hear Design podcast in November.

11/02/2026

What changes when designers account more intentionally for women's health and well-being?

Historically, many built-environment standards and design assumptions have centered men's bodies and experiences. Now, firms including CannonDesign and Perkins&Will are examining how architecture and interior design can better respond to women's needs.

Their research explores everything from healthcare environments and thermal comfort to acoustics, ventilation, privacy, and spaces that support women throughout their lives.

Discover how these firms are challenging conventional design assumptions and what their findings could mean for the future of the built environment.

CannonDesign and Perkins&Will are examining what changes when designers account more specifically for women’s health and well-being.

10/30/2026

What makes a product move from a promising new idea to a trusted specification?

It takes more than a compelling look. Product Talk explores the importance of solving real design problems, communicating product value clearly, building trust, and providing meaningful manufacturer support.

Lauren Brant is joined by Ashley Banbury of Sherwin-Williams and Nicole Lashae Hall of Thrive In Design for a conversation about turning emerging trends into smarter product decisions.

What makes you confident enough to specify a product again and again?

10/29/2026

What makes a multifamily amenity space truly successful? It starts with understanding how residents want to live.

At The Monde in Scottsdale, Arizona, DyeLot Interiors takes a hospitality-informed approach to 260 residences, creating layered spaces for working, exercising, socializing, entertaining, and unwinding. The result is a community where amenities support everyday routines rather than simply adding to a checklist.

DyeLot Interiors uses layered amenities, climate-conscious outdoor spaces, and adaptable residences to balance community identity with personal expression.

10/28/2026

Looking for a little Halloween inspiration with a design-forward twist?

This week, i+s editor Lauren Brant spotlights Madheke’s Ant Bench, a sculptural seat with a glossy black finish, textured carbon fiber, and a three-point stance that feels almost otherworldly. Its double-curvature body brings an unexpected, slightly eerie presence to contemporary interiors.

It's proof that functional furniture can have a personality all its own.

Would you feature this striking piece in your next project?

Crafted from textured carbon fiber, the Ant Bench showcases a double-curvature body with a subtle metallic contrast, offering a striking and compelling addition to modern spaces...

10/27/2026

What happens when learning, research, collaboration, and sustainability shape a building together?

Virginia Tech’s 300,000-square-foot Academic Building One features flexible classrooms, maker spaces, research labs, 32 huddle rooms, and even a two-story drone testing cage.

Explore this video tour from American School and University Magazine for a closer look at the design strategies shaping next-generation academic environments.

Virginia Tech’s 11-story Innovation Campus facility in Alexandria combines flexible learning spaces, advanced research labs, student collaboration areas, and high-performance ...

10/26/2026

How can interior design make visitors feel connected to a city—even when they're inside a convention center?

At the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, local firm NANO looked to the Mississippi River, historic ironwork, and the city's cultural traditions for inspiration. Custom carpet and ceiling treatments interpret the river's movement, while contemporary patterns and finishes express the city's identity without relying on literal imagery.

The $134 million renovation offers a compelling look at how designers can create a stronger sense of place in large public spaces.

The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center renovation draws on the Mississippi River, local traditions, and the city’s character to create a distinctive visitor experience.