No biggie, but architect and interior designer Michael Johnson II, FIIDA, AIA, NOMA, is quietly helping shape the future of workplace design. Though the associate principal and director of interiors at Hickok Cole doesn’t box himself into one market sector—or one way of thinking. Mike describes himself as “a creator of emotional experiences through the built environment,” applying that mindset across everything from high-end corporate interiors and healthcare to higher education and base-building repositioning projects, always with health, wellness, diversity, equity, and inclusion woven into the foundation.

At the core of Mike’s work is the belief that design should say something meaningful about the people using a space—their culture, values, ambitions, and lived experiences. That same people-first perspective has fueled his leadership outside the studio, too. A past president of IIDA Mid-Atlantic Chapter, Mike helped co-found the chapter’s leadership development program for emerging professionals and served as an advisor for diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts before being elevated to president-elect of the IIDA International Board of Directors for 2026–2027.

For Mike—who has also been an active member of the National Organization of Minority Architects (NOMA) since 2019—DEI isn’t a trendy buzzword or corporate talking point. It’s embedded in how he listens, collaborates, and designs. That ethos is reflected in projects like his pro bono, award-winning LGBTQ+ Community Center in D.C., as well as the highly anticipated transformation of National Geographic Society’s headquarters into the Museum of Exploration, opening in June 2026. “As a D.C. native, I take pride in contributing to the city’s evolution,” Mike says.

Here, the thoughtful architect, designer, and low-key car enthusiast (ask him about his 1971 Corvette Stingray) talks curiosity, creative risk-taking, bourbon-fueled inspiration, and why safe design is usually the least interesting option.

What’s your design philosophy?

Design is a tool for empowerment, not decoration. I lead with a mindset often attributed to Walt Whitman: “Be curious, not judgmental.” I listen first, understand deeply, then translate that into a space that reflects something true and tells a story you feel before you can explain.

What’s one design “rule” you love to break?

“Keep it safe.” That rule has probably held back more projects than bad budgets ever could. I want tension, contrast, and one moment that makes you pause. If a space asks nothing of you, it’s forgettable.

What’s an distinct source of inspiration you’ve drawn from lately?

Bourbon. It shows up raw and a little aggressive, like it skipped the warm-up and went straight to bold decisions. Give it a minute, and it becomes layered and complex. You don’t fully know why it works, but you keep going back. At least, that's what I do! The best ideas have that same depth.

What’s something you’ve always wanted to learn but haven’t gotten around to?

Furniture-making. It was the one class I planned to take in college that got canceled. I love sketching bold ideas, but builders have to answer to reality. I respect that gap and would love to hone the craft.

What music do you listen to while working?

Outkast’s Aquemini stays in rotation. There’s something about that psychedelic, layered sound that helps me go deeper in my thinking. When I need to lock in creatively, that album pushes me to stay fearless with my work.