05/20/2026
We are thrilled that AIA Michigan has recognized Signal-Return at LANTERN with a 2026 Design Honor Award!
is a Detroit nonprofit dedicated to preserving and teaching traditional letterpress printing and building a community center for art, craft, design, and collaboration. After 12 years at their original workspace in Detroit’s Eastern Market designed by M1DTW, Signal-Return had the opportunity to move to a larger space at — a new arts complex on Detroit’s east side in that would allow them to expand their workshop offerings and improve production support.
The design of Signal-Return is intended to celebrate the craft of letterpress printing; its reuse of letterpress equipment, type cabinets, type, and other elements inspired our work. The design reused several elements from the original workspace, relocating vintage shop lights, while steel tables fabricated for the original location were refreshed with new plywood work surfaces, including a modified retail counter, now wrapped in plywood on three sides.
The space is organized much like letterpress printing: a few key pieces are well-positioned as anchors; others play supporting roles; and lastly, leaving some negative space suitable for re-interpretation. Pay them a visit to buy a poster, or sign up for a workshop to print your own!
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