More Than a School, a Place of Possibility
Kintsugi Village was never intended to be just another school. From the beginning, it was envisioned as a vibrant community where education, creativity, and human connection could flourish. Co-founders Paul Spiegelman and Hamsa Yaqo imagined a destination where children feel empowered, families feel supported, and neighbors come together.
Rather than constructing something entirely new, the team chose to honor the past by transforming an existing school building into a dynamic early childhood education and community hub. The revitalization preserved the spirit and history of the space while creating new opportunities for learning, belonging, and growth.
The transformation was made possible through a collaborative effort between NBS, Smith System, Fomcore, AMQ, JLL, and Neumann/Smith Architecture. Through donated furnishings and services, collective expertise, and a shared investment in the mission, each partner played a crucial role in shaping the physical environment and experience of the children, educators, and Detroit community.
Inspired by the philosophy of Kintsugi, the Japanese art of repairing broken objects with gold, Kintsugi Village embodies the belief that restoration can create something even stronger and more beautiful than before. That philosophy extends beyond the building itself, reflecting a commitment to nurturing resilience, celebrating progress, and creating opportunities.
Following the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education, the environment serves as a co-teacher, encouraging discovery, imagination, and connection. Flexible classrooms, hands-on learning environments, and gathering spaces invite children to explore, create, and learn through experience. Because learning and teaching are never one-size-fits-all, the space is designed to embrace and support diverse needs.
The first floor features classrooms and experiential play environments that support a range of learning styles and developmental needs. Furnishings were carefully selected to provide the comfort, flexibility, and freedom students need to stay focused, engaged, and active throughout the day, while giving educators the ability to reconfigure spaces as needed. Adaptable seating, varied table shapes, calming colors, and dynamic layouts encourage independence, peer interaction, and active participation. The second floor offers collaborative programming with an art incubator, catering kitchen, makerspace, meeting rooms, and wellness areas, while the third floor is a flexible space for events and larger meetings.
“Working with NBS was seamless from start to finish—thoughtful, responsive, and truly on point every step of the way,” said Hamsa Yaqo, Co-founder of Kintsugi Village. “The spaces they helped bring to life feel both beautiful and functional. Our classrooms are loved by the kiddos and there’s a special energy throughout the building that we’re so grateful for.”
Today, Kintsugi Village shows how thoughtful design and strong partnerships can create opportunity, build community, and inspire lasting impact.
Learn more about Kintsugi Village: kintsugivillage.org/
