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The award-winning Dancing Line Chaise prototype designed by Jennifer Kolstad, Global Design & Brand Director at Ford Land, in partnership with Jaime Velez in 2008, is now part of the permanent collection at The Henry Ford Museum. The work was created for the Contemporary Arts Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, as part of a group exhibit of chairs designed by architects.  The design illustratively depicts the repose of a human body using laminated bent plywood – a paper line drawing.

In her role at Ford Land, Jennifer oversees the design of our global portfolio of branded environments, connecting people and driving human productivity. The chaise reflects Jennifer’s continual exploration of how people interact with objects and space.

The Dancing Line Chaise won first place in the furnishings category of the Chicago Chapter ASID Design Excellence Awards for 2008 and a silver medal in the Spark Design & Architecture 2008 awards.

Jennifer Kolstad, Global Design & Brand Director at Ford Land, was awarded the Luminary of Distinction Award from the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) for 2023.

This honor reflects Jennifer’s commitment to creating workspaces that connect people and drive human productivity.

Khoi Vo, Chief Executive Officer of ASID, had this to say about this year’s group of distinguished winners: “ASID is proud to honor the projects and people who design to impact and improve the lives around us. Across firms, individuals, and projects, ASID’s National Award winners exemplify our core values of design excellence, advocacy, thought leadership, and community. We congratulate all our winners and thank them for their outstanding contributions to making the world a better place through design.”

This latest award comes as no surprise to us at Ford Land. From the start, Jennifer’s dedication to creating workspaces that deepen human connection has been an inspiration to us all.

We congratulate Jennifer and her team. They are a driving force that powers the work of Ford Motor Company.

Ford Land and Ford Motor Company are established thought leaders in the world of workplace environment and how it can affect productivity, mood, and mindset. Ford Land Global Design & Brand Director, Jennifer Kolstad was invited to speak at the Science Summit of the 78th United Nations General Assembly in New York City on September 19, 2023.

The conference explored the emerging concept of “Brain Capital,” which emphasizes the role of cognitive skills and abilities in accomplishing socio-economic objectives. Sessions were led by a wide range of neuroscientists, designers, researchers, entrepreneurs, policymakers and other stakeholders. Panelists discussed how the “Brain Capital” approach of investing in human cognitive capacities and skills can help address some of society’s most pressing challenges, ranging from behavioral health to growing knowledge economies.

Jennifer was a panelist in the “Brain Capital and the Built Environment” session. The discussion explored how insights from brain science and building science can come together to build brain capital. The environments in which we live and work play a major role in building brain capital. Elements like lighting, views, acoustics, land use and thoughtful planning have a big impact on our mental, cognitive and social health.

As an invited NASA Luminary, Jennifer spoke on her “Brain to Building Framework” as a design tool for off-planet habitation. Her participation in the event helped to further advance our understanding of how the built environment impacts mental health. Stressing the role of design ideals in helping people thrive, Kolstad said, “Beauty isn’t gratuitous, it’s essential to our well-being.”

To watch the panel, please visit Brain Capital and the Built Environment (panel).

To honor 120 years of mobility innovation, Ford is celebrating in new and exciting ways. One of the most unique is a special anniversary tasting menu based on 1930s-era recipes. This tasty bit of Ford history is available this summer through July 21st at Ford Land properties throughout Southeast Michigan as a special experience for employees to enjoy. 

“We’re always focused on improving the workplace experience, and one of the ways to do that is through offering really good food,” said Ford Senior Executive Chef Scott Simpson. “Not only is Ford trying to find new ways to fuel the industry, we’re trying to find new ways to fuel the employees who are creating those vehicles.”

Inspired by a 1930s-era Ford soybean cookbook, as well as the former Ford Times magazine, the special 120th anniversary menu will feature items like soups, cheesecakes, the iconic Maurice Salad, and one of Henry Ford’s personal favorites: a delicious soybean chocolate chip cookie. The menu adds a unique element to Ford’s 120th anniversary, by modernizing classic recipes and bringing to life some much appreciated culinary history. 

And that’s the goal: reviving the same excitement Henry Ford brought nearly a century ago. He was so impressed by the multifaceted uses of soybeans that he was willing to wear an entire outfit, made just from the beans. Not only were the soybeans versatile enough for what he needed, it became his mission to continually expand his knowledge and experiences. In his eyes, soybeans were protein rich, easy to grow and offered up many unique capabilities that extended beyond just the food. Before long he was serving dinner guests an all-soybean menu that included soybean cheese-stuffed celery, apple pie topped with soybean sauce, soybean coffee, and soybean ice cream.

Thanks to Henry Ford’s adventurous spirit, employees throughout Southeast Michigan are getting a taste of history with this time-honored culinary experience.