Pride and the Power of Place

Pride Month is a time to honor the strength, joy, and resilience of the LGBTQ+ community — to highlight the unique experiences of queer people, and to emphasize that everyone deserves to feel a sense of belonging. At IIDA, we know that design has a profound impact on one’s experience of the world; the spaces we create and inhabit shape who we are, how we connect, and what we make possible.

This year, we asked three LGBTQ+ members to share a place that makes them feel proud. From a comforting local library to a gym where sweat and support coexist, to a lovingly restored home filled with chosen family, these stories speak to the power of design not just to serve, but to affirm. As these members remind us, the most meaningful spaces are the ones where everyone feels safe, seen, and celebrated.

Chloë Aalsburg, IIDA
Interior Designer, C2AE
Vice President of Communications, IIDA Michigan Chapter

One space that makes me feel incredibly proud is my childhood library, which I recently had the honor of renovating. Libraries have historically been one of the main community gathering places, serving as community hubs, providing free education, and a place for belonging and connection, which feels more essential now than ever. I often felt isolated growing up, an experience that many queer people share. The library was one of the few places where I felt safe.

Being able to redesign that space was deeply meaningful. The new design is vibrant and playful, while still honoring the building’s historical roots. Which almost feels like a metaphor for queerness itself. While we constantly evolve, we must always stay connected to our past.

Chloë Aalsburg, IIDA
Interior Designer
C2AE

Looking back to the origins of Pride, I think of the trans BIPOC activists who were trailblazers of our community. The resilience, joy, and community that queer people bring — that energy is what I hope to bring to each library and community I work with. I always strive to create spaces that uplift and empower everyone.

Steven Hawes, IIDA
Interior Designer, Gensler
President-Elect, IIDA Carolinas Chapter

A designed place that makes me feel proud is my CrossFit gym. Aesthetically, it is actually a well-designed space — open, moody, and energetic. But more importantly, it is where I have found personal growth, strength, and a sense of belonging. Fitness has become a key part of my life, and the gym serves as both a physical and emotional outlet. It is where I show up for myself, challenge my limits, and find clarity after long days. What makes this space even more meaningful is the diverse community it holds. People from all walks of life come together with a shared goal of self-improvement, and that creates an unspoken bond rooted in encouragement and respect.

Steven Hawes, IIDA
Interior Designer
Gensler

As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, it is powerful to be in a space where I feel supported, seen, and uplifted, not only through shared sweat and grit but through genuine connection. This gym reminds me that design is not just about how a place looks, it is about how it makes you feel. The right environment can build confidence, inspire progress, and foster real community. That is what good design does. And that is why this place makes me feel proud.

Julianne J. Peters, IIDA
CEO and Founder of the Design Success Network
IIDA Pennsylvania/New Jersey/Delaware Chapter

My partner and I bought a historic Victorian twin in Philadelphia and spent six months rehabbing it before being able to move in. We collaborated on the design and did much of the work ourselves, shaping every room with intention. The layout is flexible with adaptable furniture that lets us host everything from cozy movie nights to big dinner parties, and with enough bedrooms for hosting many out-of-town guests. More than anything, our home is a gathering place filled with laughter, connection, and care — it’s where our chosen family can show up fully and feel safe being themselves. There are still a few projects around the house to be done, but I’ve never felt prouder of a place than this one!