Designing for Play, Every Day

Taking inspiration from design for children, designers can create spaces that spark childlike wonder for everyone. Interior design has the power to transcend functionality, becoming a medium for joy, discovery, and connection. This talk will explore how embedding playful touchpoints within interiors elevates the experience for people of all ages, engaging the senses and fostering meaningful interactions. By integrating environmental graphics, sculptural elements, interactive exhibits, and creative spatial dynamics, designers can craft environments that surprise and delight.

Elizabeth Von Lehe, NCIDQ, ASID

Interior Design Director

HDR

Elizabeth Von Lehe currently serves as Design Director at HDR, based in New York and developing projects across the country and internationally. An award-winning design leader with professional experience across multiple industries, Elizabeth champions a holistic approach to design, embracing not only the built form, but branding, curation and the development of user experience from every angle. An active member of ASID, she has served on the national board of directors, and served on a variety volunteer committees. Elizabeth also serves as a graduate mentor and adjunct professor for a special studio course with Institut Paul Bocuse in Lyon, France.

Hannah Straus

Senior Interior Designer

HDR

Hannah Straus is a senior interior designer at HDR, specializing in crafting high-impact exhibits, amenity spaces, branded environments, and other spaces where engagement and hospitality are paramount. Her story-driven vision helps develop projects from great concepts into reality - making them not only beautiful, but meaningful - and incredibly smart. Her experiences have spanned countless scales and projects, from small installations and exhibits through to design systems at a community scale.

This content will not be available until 06/09/2025 at 8:00 AM (EDT)