Ten Years of Healthier Design: A Gala Celebration

Healthy Materials Lab turned ten this year, and we’re celebrating with a memorable evening of community, creativity, and commitment to a healthier future. 

Set within the lush gardens of Carroll Hall, we’re bringing together leading designers, makers, educators, and changemakers from across the globe. Join us for a late summer garden party on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, as we mark ten years of transforming design education and the building industry through material health advocacy, research, and innovation. 

We have gathered, and relied upon, the incredible creativity of Parsons, Performing Arts and countless others of The New School community to make this event an unusually imaginative event. 

The evening will begin with a variety of  lively performances by students and faculty from College of Performing Arts, followed by a dance party with a live DJ, bringing a high-energy finale to an evening of inspiration. Ticket packages are available here.

An exhibition of innovative materials and objects will also be a rare opportunity to own one-of-a-kind, health-minded pieces created by featured exhibitors, with bidding available both in person and online. The silent auction website is now open; you can start exploring and placing bids today. 

Whether you have supported HML from the beginning or are joining us for the first time, we invite you to be part of this milestone event. Ticket proceeds directly support our next chapter: expanding research, deepening advocacy, and growing resources to bring healthier design for everyone. 

For details on sponsorships, donations, or ticket packages, please contact our Assistant Director, Ahalia Persaud, at healthymaterialslab@newschool.edu. If you are not able to attend in person, you can participate by bidding in the silent auction from anywhere or making a donation directly to the Lab. 

Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 5:30pm to 9:30pm in Carroll Hall, 2 Vandervoort Place, Brooklyn, NY 11237.

The evening’s program includes:

• Curated exhibition of innovative, healthy materials, featuring select items available for auction, with bidding open online now
• 10 live musical performances by emerging and established artists
• Lively networking reception with garden fare and refreshments 
• Seasonal bites and cocktails from Brooklyn-based Pixie Scout, sourcing from our regional foodshed
• A special tribute to two of HML’s most dedicated champions
• Exclusive after-party with DJ, dancing, and late-night celebration (after-party tickets now available!)

We are proud to honor Kay Unger and Jamie Drake. 

Kay Unger, a powerhouse fashion designer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, has brought unmatched vision and generosity to the work of Healthy Materials Lab. Her advocacy continues to inspire and shape a healthier, more equitable design future.

Jamie Drake, the celebrated interior designer known for his bold aesthetic and deep understanding of both historical and contemporary interiors, has long been a spirited supporter of HML’s mission. His leadership and voice have helped elevate material health as a design imperative. 

Gala guests will experience work by a range of visionary material innovators from across the globe who are redefining what’s possible in design, including Other Matter, Heechan Kim, Hempitecture, Claudy Jongstra, Mushlume, Mycoworks, Duracryl, Salty Labs, Alkemis with Jamel Robinson, Energy Floors, and Eva Chen (MFA Textiles, Parsons). Several of these exhibitors have contributed rare or specially crafted pieces exclusively for the HML 10 Celebration silent auction, giving supporters a chance to take home a piece of healthier design history.

Ten years ago, Healthy Materials Lab began with a simple but radical goal: to make the built environment healthier for everyone, starting with the materials used to build affordable housing. Since then, we’ve developed tools, grown a global network, and educated tens of thousands of designers, architects, and builders to make informed, healthier choices. But the work has only begun. The next decade will be pivotal. With a growing network of professionals now committed to healthier practices, we see industry-wide transformation on the horizon. We need your support and partnership to keep pushing forward change.

There are many ways to participate: 

• purchase tickets and join us in Brooklyn
• donate to support our research, resources and advocacy
• place a bid in our silent auction, featuring rare, health-minded pieces shared especially for the HML 10 Celebration
• sponsor the event and align your brand with healthy, sustainable design
• share this event with friends, colleagues, and others who care about healthier spaces for all

With your support, we can design a future that is healthier for everyone.