We Are CuriousPurposefulAuthenticFearlessPophouse

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Who We Are

We believe that purposeful design has the ability to change the way people work, live and interact with each other.

Started in 2013, Pophouse is a full-scope WBENC certified design studio focused on the built environment. Located in Detroit, we work on commercial projects with a specialty in workplace, hospitality, and retail design. Our team of designers and strategists work to positively impact people through interior, industrial, and environmental graphic design.

Our studio is built on an interdisciplinary approach to create space that is both innovative and purposeful. We offer comprehensive design services through our team of interior, industrial, and environmental graphic designers. Our team of solution-minded project managers operates at an unmatched level of client service. We prioritize human-centric design focused on sustainability and inclusivity to create positive and impactful space for all users. 

Our Services

Pophouse provides comprehensive design services including: Interior Design, Furniture Specification + Procurement, Environmental Graphic Design and Brand Design.

3,414 HOURS VOLUNTEERED
20 ORGANIZATIONS DONATED
9 COMMUNITY PROJECTS
Community Work

We are deeply committed to the city of Detroit and utilize our time and talents to help our community.

A few of the organizations we have contributed to are Mercy Education Project, Empowerment Plan, Built for Zero, City Year, and Humble Design. In addition, we have recently established a scholarship program at CCS that helps close the financial gap for students pursuing a degree in design. Our team is active within local chapters of CREW, IIDA, Design Core, and US Green Building Council. When you work with us, you support our ongoing efforts to invest in the Detroit community.

Our People

Our team is deeply passionate about design and we believe that diversity sparks innovation.

The Pophouse team is comprised of people from diverse backgrounds with a broad range of design expertise, including interior, industrial, and environmental graphic designers, materials specialists, strategists, and project managers. Our curiosity leads us to continuously challenge and elevate our skills through travel, visiting art venues, coursework, industry events and conferences. We also like to paint in the park, do yoga, bring our dogs to work and have the occasional happy hour in Campus Martius on a sunny day. As avid Detroiters, we are focused on the city’s growth and development through organizations like City Year, Empowerment Plan and Design 139. We participate in Design Core, CREW, IIDA, AIA, and are WBENC certified. We also open our doors to school and community groups, professional organizations and local entrepreneurs to highlight the opportunity for creative careers and celebrate the importance of inclusive design.

Pophouse | Detroit Interior Design Firm

Jennifer Gilbert

Founder and Principal

Jennifer Gilbert

Founder and Principal
Why design?

I love knowing that by creating environments with purpose and intention, designers have the ability to positively impact people's lives.

Favorite core value?

Authentic. Everything for me starts and ends with authenticity. Extending beyond design to other areas of my life, authenticity is what I strive for. I am at my absolute best, when staying true to myself as a designer, a business person, a colleague, a mother, a wife and a friend.

Pophouse | Detroit Interior Design Firm

Jennifer Janus

President

Jennifer Janus

President
Why design?

As a writer, turned creative leader, turned leader of a design studio, I feel incredibly privileged to work in a field where we have the ability to improve the way people work, live, and interact with their environment. For me, design is all about understanding people, solving problems, and leaving a lasting positive impact, one space at a time.

Favorite core value?

Fearless. It's the challenges that push us outside of our comfort zone that help us grow the most. I want to be the best version of myself and encourage our team to do the same. That road requires a fearless mindset. It's those times when I feel my heart racing and get butterflies that I know I am headed in the right direction.

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Pophouse | Detroit Interior Design Firm

Anna Okerhjelm

Assoc. IIDA, LEED Green Assoc.Studio Director

Anna Okerhjelm

Assoc. IIDA, LEED Green Assoc.Studio Director
Why design?

As designers, the environments we create matter immensely—they shape who we are, how we feel, and how we interact with others. The opportunity to curate space that is strategic, inclusive, and human-centric is a huge responsibility and one I have always been passionate about. Design has always been a part of who I am and how I approach the world around me—the chance to change for the better.

Favorite core value?

Purposeful. Always leading with why, crafting a thoughtful narrative to guide the design and strategy, and building meaningful relationships along the way speaks to who we are and why we value design and our clients. This core value sets the foundation for all we do at Pophouse.

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Pophouse | Detroit Interior Design Firm

Jordan Wills

Director of Client Services

Jordan Wills

Director of Client Services
Why design?

I have always been drawn to the industry—drawing plans and sketching renderings for my dream house as a kid, looking for a career that would fuse both my love for art and logic as a teenager and being continually inspired by the dramatic effects of the built environment on the quality of life for those who occupy it as an adult.

Favorite core value?

Authentic. Empathy is fundamental in building healthy personal relationships and physical spaces.

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Pophouse | Detroit Interior Design Firm

Lauren Minch

NCIDQSenior Interior Designer

Lauren Minch

NCIDQSenior Interior Designer
Why design?

I love the combination of art and science to solve the evolving issues of user experience, universal design and sustainability. My favorite part of interior design is creating unique designs for every client, by analyzing the context of space, social engagement, and human behavior.

Favorite project?

Chase Tower Refresh. This project reflects a community of space that supports the holistic well-being of its diverse team members through ample amenity space, integrated technology, and functionality while providing a sense of belonging and familiarity.

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Pophouse | Detroit Interior Design Firm

Anthony Morasso

Project Coordinator

Anthony Morasso

Project Coordinator
Why design?

I didn't choose design, design chose me. What drew me to Pophouse was the fact that we have the ability to affect so many people's day to day through our work and interactions. Having the power to improve our clients’ lives through a thoughtfully designed environment is a powerful thing.

Favorite core value?

Authentic. It's the value that precedes the rest-- being genuine, humbly confident, and trustworthy creates the solid foundation needed to build purposeful relationships.

Pophouse | Detroit Interior Design Firm

Monica Pace

NCIDQ, LEED AP ID+CProject Director

Monica Pace

NCIDQ, LEED AP ID+CProject Director
Why design?

Because we, as designers, have the ability to create unique physical environments conceived largely by information, inspiration and imagination. Seeing a space come to fruition after months or years of planning is an incredibly rewarding experience.

Favorite core value?

Fearless. It's an important reminder to constantly push outside of your comfort zone and to not be afraid to fail. Even a failure is worthy of the educational experience gained.

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Pophouse | Detroit Interior Design Firm

Pamela Janisse

Senior Interior Designer

Pamela Janisse

Senior Interior Designer
Why design?

I am obsessed with the way space can impact life. Experiences with the built environment can shift your perspective and transform your day, hopefully for the better. We are able to elevate everyday moments and reach people through thoughtful planning long after a project has ended.

What is your work philosophy?

A design can be beautiful but unless the client is happy, it isn’t complete. Design gives us the ability to shape daily interactions and mood, if space doesn’t function or mean something for the end-user, I’ve missed the mark.

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Pophouse | Detroit Interior Design Firm

Leticia Ferreira

Executive Assistant

Leticia Ferreira

Executive Assistant
Favorite core value and why?

Fearless because when we push ourselves out of our comfort zones we can reach new levels of success.

What is your work philosophy?

We can always be 1% better.

Pophouse | Detroit Interior Design Firm

Nicole Pelton

Senior Furniture Specialist

Nicole Pelton

Senior Furniture Specialist
Why design?

Design allows me to utilize both my analytical and creative sides, while helping improve the lives of others by solving real-world problems.

Favorite core value?

Curious. Successful design solutions require challenging the status quo, along with an element of adventure, inspiration, and inquisitiveness. When facing a design challenge, it's important to ask questions and never to assume that something is "right" just because it's been done a certain way in the past.

Pophouse | Detroit Interior Design Firm

Makyle Welke

Senior Project Designer

Makyle Welke

Senior Project Designer
Why design?

To have a positive impact on the way people experience spaces.

What is your work philosophy?

Work smarter not harder.

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Pophouse | Detroit Interior Design Firm

Colleen Hosler

NCIDQProject Manager

Colleen Hosler

NCIDQProject Manager
Why design?

Design can profoundly impact people's everyday lives. Crafted spaces that blend thought of function through form, material, and reason is what emotionally connects people and places.

What is your work philosophy?

Do good. Work hard. Be nice.

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Pophouse | Detroit Interior Design Firm

Abby Kieltyka

Senior Purchasing Specialist

Abby Kieltyka

Senior Purchasing Specialist
Why design?

I have always been creative and appreciated architecture and design, but I really fell in love with the process and business side of interior design after pursuing an interior design degree and working in the field for several years. I found my niche in purchasing, but still get to be around the creative process and contribute to beautiful projects, so it's the best of both worlds.

What is your work philosophy?

Embracing the challenge of finding a solution when we run into an issue on a project. I enjoy the rush of multi-tasking to meet deadlines and ensuring everything is accurate which requires great attention to detail.

Pophouse | Detroit Interior Design Firm

Waseem Alqaifi

Accounting Manager

Waseem Alqaifi

Accounting Manager
Why design?

As my line of work is needed in every industry, I didn't necessarily choose design although it is a perk. I was initially drawn to Pophouse for the people and culture.

What is your work philosophy?

Helping everyone around me achieve a common goal that leads to success.

Pophouse | Detroit Interior Design Firm

Brandon Bartel

Senior Environmental Graphic Designer

Brandon Bartel

Senior Environmental Graphic Designer
Why design?

From an early age I have always had a strong connection and passion for art and design. As a professional, I enjoy the challenge of working through large scale projects and creating memorable art pieces for clients that transform their space and impact the culture and team members

What is your work philosophy?

Holding oneself to high standards, seeing all details through to the end, and being open to feedback. I enjoy the challenge of the entire design process: Creating a narrative with my client, understanding the ‘why’; developing the idea from sketch to installation. Creating meaningful installations that inspire team members is extremely rewarding.

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Pophouse | Detroit Interior Design Firm

Sydney Rieck

Interior Designer

Sydney Rieck

Interior Designer
Why design?

Design allows me to tie my creative ability and close attention to detail together and work the two into something purposeful and functional that leaves a lasting impact.

What is your work philosophy?

Sweat the small stuff. The details are just as important as the bigger picture!

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Pophouse | Detroit Interior Design Firm

Logan Ziegler

Project Manager

Logan Ziegler

Project Manager
Why design?

Drawn to the transformative power of design, I chose this career path to merge my innate creativity with a purposeful vision, applying my learned skills in a team setting that focuses on creating emotion-evoking, human-centric spaces.

What is your work philosophy?

Approaching every challenge with authenticity and humility to do whatever it takes to help the team.

Pophouse | Detroit Interior Design Firm

Hannah DiNardo

Interior Designer

Hannah DiNardo

Interior Designer
Why design?

Design is empowering to me, as it allows me to harmoniously blend my technical spirit and creative passion.

What is your work philosophy?

Design must be rooted in reality.

Pophouse | Detroit Interior Design Firm

Phyllis Maierle

NCIDQ, WELL APInterior Designer

Phyllis Maierle

NCIDQ, WELL APInterior Designer
Why design?

It's the perfect mix of the technical and creative skills that come together to problem solve in 3D. Truly good design can transform people's lives for the better and when done well the end result is a space that functions well, looks beautiful, and creates a sense belonging.

What is your work philosophy?

Everything comes back to integrity. It allows me to be a better person while staying true to the design in all aspects ranging from client's needs, materiality, detail development, and beyond.

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Pophouse | Detroit Interior Design Firm

Olivia Maldonado

Brand Designer

Olivia Maldonado

Brand Designer
Why design?

Design speaks a language that transcends words. It shows in the most fundamental way what you represent.

What is your work philosophy?

It's much better to stumble into action than to be paralyzed by self doubt.

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Pophouse | Detroit Interior Design Firm

Janet McCafferty

Director of Client Relations & Engagement

Janet McCafferty

Director of Client Relations & Engagement
Why design?

I feel that the design of any interior space sets the tone for the mood and emotional well-being of those who occupy that space. I am humbled to work with an incredible team who know and respect the power that design has on building a person’s self-confidence as well as helping one achieve and sustain personal success.

What is your work philosophy?

I swear by being authentic and honest in everything that I say and do in my life. People who know me know that I am always sincere and true to my word. In order to build and sustain strong relationships I believe in being trustworthy, ethical and authentic.

Our Clients

We create transformational spaces for a variety of clients focused in the workplace, hospitality, and retail industries.

Careers

If you are curious, purposeful, authentic, and fearless about your love of design, this is the place for you.

Let's chat.