Millions of tons of furniture end up in landfills every year—some recyclable, some reusable, and some simply wasted. How are manufacturers working to change this? Beyond reducing waste, how does sustainable furniture design add value to our spaces and businesses? Join industry experts from Haworth, Humanscale, Hightower, and Green Standards as they discuss the future of sustainable furniture, innovations that are shaping the industry, and how sustainable design can come full circle.

How does a brewery balance craft and conservation? What steps does Boulevard take to reduce its environmental footprint? How can sustainability shape the future of brewing? Join us for an inside look at Boulevard Brewing Co.’s commitment to eco-friendly practices and learn how each pint is brewed with the planet in mind.

Join us for an exclusive look inside the transformation of The Aladdin Hotel, one of KC’s historic landmarks, into a reimagined mixed-use space. This panel discussion will explore the challenges of restoring a century-old building, the creative solutions shaping its future, and the opportunities it presents for downtown revitalization. Following the conversation, tour the active construction site and see firsthand how history and modern living come together in this exciting redevelopment.

The McMansion is one of the most universally recognized symbols of American excess. However, far from being a solely American phenomenon, the McMansion has since been replicated all over the world, from the UK to Oman, Serbia to China. But what really is a McMansion and how did these bad manors come about in the first place? After eight years of studying the phenomenon through the blog McMansion Hell, the architecture critic Kate Wagner is ready to present her findings.

The Hallmark Art Collection, one of the most enduring corporate collections in the United States, has inspired Hallmark’s staff since 1949. We invite you to explore this innovative and private collection, discovering the stories behind the art that has fueled creativity and connection across generations. Experience firsthand how these works, including pieces ranging from Salvador Dali to Kehinde Wiley, continue to shape Hallmark’s creative legacy.

After years of planning and months of review, the Nelson-Atkins invites you to join us for the museum’s momentous next chapter. At the Selection Celebration: A Winning Design for Building Belonging, we will unveil the winner chosen from the six finalists in our global architectural competition.

Adobe is back in KC with another Create Now event. Join us for an exciting and inspiring evening where you’ll connect with fellow local creatives and dive into the latest innovations in Adobe Creative Cloud design tools. Create Now is your chance to meet other creators, explore fresh collaborative opportunities, and get an exclusive preview of cutting-edge technologies. Experience the newest features in Photoshop and Illustrator, while discovering the game-changing potential of Adobe Firefly and the effortless flow of Adobe Express to elevate your creative process. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to enhance your skills and ignite your creativity!

Babes Helpin' Babes works with company leadership and employees to address, discuss, and solve problems of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the creative industry. In this class, Babes Helpin’ Babes consultants Abby Kallenbach and Maddy Best will recap the meaning and history of DEI, discuss the political and social climate around DEI today, and use data to understand how the commitment to DEI has evolved.

Interested in rediscovering Downtown Kansas City? In the last few years, KCMO has committed to implementing infrastructure improvements throughout the city to better accommodate multimodal travel. During this biking tour, we’ll explore the diverse types of transit and the solutions the city has integrated to encourage visitors and residents to experience the city in a new way.

PSU ID Seniors will highlight the culmination of their work in the interior design program from the Pittsburg State University Interior Design Program, School of Construction. Stop by Working Spaces in the Crossroads to enjoy an evening of design.

ArcD Presents will highlight recent student works in architecture, interior architecture, industrial design, photography, animation & illustration, and visual communication design from the University of Kansas School of Architecture & Design. Stop by Mammoth in the Crossroads to enjoy an evening of design inspiration.

Made in Manhattan showcases outstanding, recent student work and initiatives in interior design, interior architecture, furniture design, and industrial design from the Department of Interior Architecture & Industrial Design at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS. The exhibition, hosted at the Crossroads Hotel, will be anchored by an opening event on Friday, April 25th. The opening will highlight the most recent exceptional work from our students while also celebrating the milestone anniversary of 100 years of Interior Design at K-State.

Furniture designer and builder Matt Castilleja will share how his Castilleja Studio became one of the only high-end furniture brands in the history of Kansas City to achieve national representation in the most elite designer showrooms. He will also describe why it is still a struggle, and how humble beginnings in his grandmother’s midtown, two-car garage still informs Matt’s direction moving forward, plans for future growth, and the importance of family.

Join us with local artist and designer, Paulina Otero for a fun, hands-on workshop where you’ll personalize your own piece of wearable art. Choose from over 40 charms to create a necklace, bracelet, or keychain—no experience required. All materials for a piece with five to six charms are included in your ticket!

Time to get painting and creating a community art project for a local nonprofit! Hosted by the Pittsburgh Paint Company, this event is a fun and creative afternoon learning new artistic paint techniques, collaborating with others, and ultimately creating a large painted canvas to donate to a local nonprofit organization. NO artistic abilities required - this event is for everyone!

Embark on an exciting Scavenger Hunt through the historic Columbus Park neighborhood in Kansas City! This one-of-a-kind adventure invites you to explore the area’s architectural heritage while uncovering hidden details and fascinating history. As you make your way through Columbus Park streets, you’ll search for distinctive architectural features, solve clues, and learn about the neighborhood’s cultural evolution.

In this workshop, Lifted Logic will show how strategic design and a focus on UX/UI can help businesses achieve better results. Through a combination of theory and practical demonstrations, attendees will see how aligning design with business goals can maximize conversions, create efficiency, and provide real value. By the end, participants will understand how design is not just about aesthetics but a critical business tool that turns web traffic into leads and revenue.

Every building has value—from its materials to its history—and every project is a chance to address social and environmental challenges. Join Nakita Reed, a preservation architect who is a Senior Associate at Quinn Evans, as she discusses her journey into the profession and delves into why building reuse is climate action.

Kansas City’s history comes from the river and its bottomland, which both supported industries that propelled it into a modern city. During this rise was a transitional moment of innovative architecture and design when transportation connected the geography of the area, which this presentation will depict and explore.

This discussion explores the challenges and opportunities in integrating sustainability into sports facility design. The session offers actionable insights and case studies to inspire more sustainable approaches in the sports sector.

Join us for a panel interview featuring the five finalists of the FIFA World Cup 26™ Kansas City Poster Contest. After an overwhelming response of over 100 submissions across Kansas and Missouri, these artists were selected for their creative designs that celebrate the region’s role in the global soccer event. Each finalist will share insights into their artistic journey and process, offering a unique behind-the-scenes look at how they energize and celebrate the design community.

Celebrate 125 years of history at Kansas City’s iconic Folly Theater with a peek behind the curtain! Experience the theater’s rich story of architectural evolution, lighting innovations, and remarkable renovations that saved it from demolition. From its vaudeville roots to its role as a modern-day arts hub, see how design has shaped this iconic venue with this KC Design Week exclusive happy hour and behind the scenes tour.

Get ready to experience the thrill of rapid ideation and design under pressure in "Design Dash: Sprint to the Finish," where the high-stakes energy of a design sprint meets the competitive format of a reality show challenge. In this interactive two-hour event, participants will be grouped into teams of 2-4 and given a surprise design brief. Each team will have just one hour to create a viable solution, from ideation to prototype, all while responding to time-sensitive prompts and creative "twists." It’s a fast-paced, collaborative showdown that will test both creativity and adaptability.