Creative Capital

Design 99

Gina Reichert and Mitch Cope founded Design 99 in 2007 to investigate new models of contemporary art and architectural practice. Initially occupying a retail storefront space, the studio situated itself in the public realm, offering over-the-counter design consultations for 99¢ per minute and marketing $99 house call specials. Now working from their homebase in Detroit, the team continues to investigate the functionality of art and aesthetics in their neighborhood. Since 2008, Cope and Reichert have been developing the Power House as a test site for ideas and methods, lo- and hi-tech building systems, and a point of conversation for the entire neighborhood. Design 99 has exhibited widely, including at the Van Abbemuseum, Smart Museum, the Venice Biennale and Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit. The team has been featured widely in the press, including The New York Times, CNN, NPR, I.D. and Dwell magazines.