The Design House Experience, a Lagos-based initiative showcasing the economic and social value of Nigerian design, is highlighting how the creative industry can support local makers, develop emerging talent, strengthen communities and create commercial opportunities ahead of Design Week Lagos 2026.
The initiative combines a live space transformation, a seven-part documentary mini-series and a practical programme for emerging designers. It is unfolding at Design House, an official satellite location for Design Week Lagos 2026, scheduled to hold across Lagos from October 18 to 25.

The project documents the transformation of a real creative space, offering audiences an insight into the processes behind interior and product design, including material sourcing, budgeting, design decisions, collaboration, setbacks, problem-solving, and installation.
The documentary series, which launched in September 2026, airs weekly on YouTube and DesignHouse.ng ahead of the festival.

The transformation is being led by the Design House team, Design Lead Ferdinand Asakome, and a network of Nigerian designers, makers and specialist collaborators.
Founder of Design House, Osaru Alile-Abraham, said the initiative aims to broaden public understanding of the contribution of interior design to everyday life and the wider economy.
“For us, it is important to use space to tell stories, but also to educate audiences about what interior design can actually do. Design can help build communities, strengthen hope and improve how people experience everyday spaces. Strategic design decisions can also create a real return on investment by improving both the space itself and the experience of the people who use it,” she said.

According to the project and operations manager at Design House, Lulu Obinwa, documenting the transformation provides an opportunity to showcase the creative work that often goes unnoticed after a project is completed.
“So much of the creativity lives in the process itself – the people, the ideas, the conversations, and the details that usually disappear once a project is finished. We want people to experience that journey with us,” she said.
The initiative also includes a Creative Intensive, a practical programme designed to equip emerging product designers from across Nigeria with skills in design thinking, product development, mentorship and practical making.
Developed in collaboration with the Office of the Special Adviser to the President on Art and Culture and coordinated by Sukanmi Adeniyi, people and resource lead at Design House, the programme challenges participants to identify needs within the facility and develop furniture, products and functional objects in response.

The process takes participants from concept development towards commercially viable solutions.
Special adviser to the President on Art and Culture, Moriam Ajaga, said initiatives such as The Design House Experience could strengthen the connection between Nigerian creativity, enterprise and economic opportunity.
“What Design House is doing is important because it creates a practical bridge between culture, creativity and opportunity. By giving emerging designers a space to learn, receive mentorship, experiment, make and collaborate, initiatives like this help strengthen Nigeria’s creative ecosystem while demonstrating how our culture and creative talent can translate into products, enterprise and experiences with real economic value,” she said.

Design House was established as a free co-working, community and rest space for designers, providing an environment for creatives to work, exchange knowledge, build relationships and develop collaborations.
Its operations are guided by the philosophy of Create, Connect, Rest, with technology forming part of the infrastructure supporting creative work and collaboration.
The project also brings together organisations and businesses across Nigeria’s design industry. The Interior Designers Association of Nigeria (IDAN) is an institutional partner, supporting the initiative’s focus on education, professional development and industry growth.
Other participating designers, makers, brands and collaborators include CC Interiors Studio, Interstyle Ceramics & Homes, ORAC Nigeria Limited, Color Sense, Triangle Audio Visual, Vivano Beddings, Scent and Sensory, Bargain Kitchen Appliances and Heph Design, among others.

The experience forms part of Design Week Lagos 2026, themed “Making A New Africa: From Material to Market.”
The theme examines how African ideas, materials and creative talent can move through design and production into products, businesses and commercially viable opportunities.
As an official satellite location, Design House will contribute to the festival through its transformed space, documentary series, Creative Intensive and community-focused activities.

The initiative will culminate during the festival with a finale screening and gathering at Design House, bringing together participating designers, makers, collaborators, partners and members of the creative community.
Through the project, the organisers seek to demonstrate that the value of African design extends beyond finished interiors and products to include the people, skills, businesses, materials and communities developed throughout the creative process.