Lisa Sauvé

Lisa Sauvé serves as Assistant Professor of Practice at the University of Michigan's Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning. She teaches core courses including Real Estate Design and Development Fundamentals (URP 390), Design and Urban Inquiries (UT 230), and Professional Practice (ARCH 583) across multiple semesters through Fall 2025.

Her research focuses on community-driven urban interventions, with expertise in placemaking strategies for social equity and sustainable housing innovation. Key projects include HOMES Campus—a community hub for beverage production—and HouseParty, a festival addressing housing crises through public engagement. Her work bridges academic theory with practical applications in Detroit's urban landscape.

• Crain's Detroit Notable Women in Design (2020)
• Forbes Next 1000 (2021)
• AIA Michigan Young Architect Award (2021)
• UM Taubman College Outstanding Recent Graduate (2021)
• AIA Detroit Building Design Honor Award (2022)
• Architizer A+ Awards Special Mention (2025)

As Principal/CEO of Synecdoche design studio and founder of Do Good Work (501c3 nonprofit), Sauvé actively mentors emerging creatives while serving as Ann Arbor Planning Commissioner. Her industry collaborations span award-winning projects like Michigan Central Station rehabilitation and Gamma Piercing MKE's sustainable retail design.