Interior Designer Michelle Jacobson’s Passion for Pairing Style with Sustainability

With over three decades of experience in the industry, interior designer Michelle Jacobson has developed an ethos that pairs design and sustainability that was inspired by early life experiences, motherhood, her fellow colleagues and even the International Codes® (I-Codes).

This summer, she was named the American Society of Interior Designers’ (ASID) 2024 Volunteer of the Year and was also featured in the New York School of Interior Design’s (NYSID) Atelier Magazine where she highlighted the designer’s responsibility in driving the development of safely manufactured interior design materials.

When she isn’t designing for her firm, MLJacobson Design, which services Michigan, Florida, Colorado and New York City, she teaches residential and sustainable design at NYSID. She’s also a reviewer for Fitwel, the pioneering real estate platform driving health insights in building, ESG performance and the well-being of building occupants.

Here we take a look at her path as an artist and interior designer, including her more recent involvement with the International Code Council’s Sustainability Membership Council.

A Journey to Sustainable Design

At just 17 years old, Jacobsons’s experiences with darkroom chemicals and sourcing local, responsibly grown groceries sparked her interest in the connection between humans and their environment. However, she didn’t immediately pursue education or work in design and sustainability. She graduated from college with a bachelor’s degree in English before working a stint in tech sales with Toshiba during the ‘80s.

A lack of creativity in her role inspired Jacobson to go back to school with plans to find something where she could tap into her artistry. In 1993, she entered the interior design industry by pursuing a second bachelor’s degree in interior architecture. She then took a leave from her program once she became pregnant, and becoming a mother reinforced some of Jacobson’s early interests in avoiding toxins and sourcing responsibly.

With a new perspective, she no longer focused solely on the colorways of materials that she used for design, but on whether the items were made with harmful chemicals. Jacobson had a second child, and through a babysitter’s club in Michigan, landed a few interior design opportunities.

The Importance of Learning and Education in Sustainability and Interior Design

By 2015, “sustainability” was the new buzzword, and Jacobson was fully invested. She learned as much as possible and pivoted towards becoming an advocate for more sustainable practices within the interior design industry.

“I realized that there’s a lot I could learn about the materials we use when we’re building [with chemicals] like fiberglass and formaldehyde,” said Jacobson. These elements, which can be found in rug sprays and wood stains, are used to extend the life of interior design products during travel and within our homes.

Inspired to learn more, she pursued higher education: a master’s degree in sustainable interior environments from NYSID. She began studying and working with colleagues in the interior design industry, who introduced her to the Code Council.

She officially joined as a member of the Code Council and has been an active participant over the last three years, specifically with the Sustainability Membership Council (SMC) and Residential Code Interpretation Committee (RCIC).

“She is one of the newest members of the Sustainability Membership Council, and in the short time I have known her, I have been so impressed by her drive, intelligence and willingness to jump right into any initiative,” said Jerica Stacey, Director, Technical Training, Code Council.

As part of the SMC, she is currently working on two subcommittees, one focused on developing and compiling resources for new Governing Committee members and another on expanding the Certified Sustainability Professional credential.

Her time with the Code Council has deepened her passion for coexisting with environments through construction, architecture and interior design. The I-Codes have influenced her artistry, inspiring her to work towards developing a group for professionals of all backgrounds to learn more about sustainability.

When asked what advice she would offer to someone entering the design and/or sustainability industries now, Jacobson said, “Education is key.” Staying abreast of the changes within the sustainability industry is what allows design professionals like her to keep others informed as well.

Through her work, the designer-teacher-advocate continues to deepen her passion for a more aware style of design that prioritizes safety and community.

“The more that you know about sustainability, the harder it is to stop believing in it or using it.”

The I-Codes, developed by the Code Council, are a family of fifteen coordinated, modern building safety codes that help ensure the design and construction of safe, sustainable, and affordable structures. Learn more, here.