Dominica Kusmierczyk

Dominica Kusmierczyk, a graduate of the University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning, is one of two 2022 Kompas Fellows. Throughout her academic career, Dominica discovered a passion for the necessity of comfort and nostalgia in design. This passion has since been combined with a responsibility to integrate good design with the shifts resulting from Covid-19.

During her fellowship, Dominica plans to explore the vibrancy and interaction of tactical-urbanistic outdoor spaces. The pandemic has generated a greater push for life outdoors and Dominica’s research will involve observing what happens between facades within the city streets and sidewalks.

By evaluating these spaces, Dominica will identify what makes them successful. She seeks to define the fundamental design attributes that result in enhanced creativity, productivity, and positivity—with the expectation that elements of nostalgia are paramount.