Dokes Design Architecture (DDA) is a Black-Owned and Woman-Owned Architecture and Interior Design firm based in Detroit, Michigan. We design equitable, creative solutions that bring people together — fostering connection, care, and the overlooked possibilities in every community we serve.

OUR PURPOSE

To transform lives with integrity and care through a holistic, human-centered approach to design creating equitable, inspiring spaces that bring people and community together, fostering connection, joy, and overlooked possibilities.
We find untapped potential in overlooked places. Through adaptive reuse and thoughtful, even playful design, we transform underused buildings into vibrant spaces preserving what matters while imagining what's next.

OUR VALUES

  • Integrity. Architecture is more than designing buildings. We work to understand the people, missions, and communities behind every project, and we build lasting trust with the clients we serve.
  • Collaboration. We design with people, not just for them translating our clients' goals into spaces that are functional, inspiring, and equitable.
  • Impact. We measure success not only by the projects we complete, but by the positive, lasting impact our work has on communities.

OUR APPROACH

Equitable Design. We design for the full range of people who use a space across ages, abilities, and cultural backgrounds and we engage the community throughout the process. That shows up in our work.

Inspiring Spaces. We balance form and function to create environments that work hard and feel good using natural light, materials, and a sense of place.

Community & Connection. We design places that bring people together and reflect the identity and heritage of the communities they serve.

Kimberly Dokes | Founder, Principal

Dokes Design Architecture was founded by Kimberly Dokes, a registered architect and licensed builder in the State of Michigan and a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB). A graduate of Tuskegee University's School of Architecture, she has been recognized as one of Crain's Detroit Business' Notable Women in Design. She built DDA from the ground up into a collaborative, mission-driven studio — pairing design expertise with leadership and a deep commitment to community and mentorship. Her experience spans multi-family housing, educational facilities, office renovations, adaptive reuse, and large-scale capital improvement programs across the Detroit region.

MEET THE TEAM

DDA has curated a team of exceptional design talent who work
collaboratively to develop impactful and bold design solutions.  This group of visionaries are dedicated to continued growth that is supported by the DDA ecosystem.

Received her bachelor of Science in Interior Design from Georgia Southern University, a CIDA and NASAD accredited program. She began her Interior Design journey in Detroit, MI working for mid to large size architectural firms, learning the design process and the importance of a broad product knowledge for innovative interior solutions. With 14 years of experience, Danielle has enjoyed a variety of interior types. She has developed interior design work for multi-family (new construction and existing), recreation/youth centers, historic preservation, office renovations, tenant build-outs, multi-million-dollar single-family residential renovations and new builds, custom kitchen designs and custom furniture designs.

Zakia’s journey began early, when she discovered a love for design rooted in mathematics. Whether she was explaining the mechanics of a volleyball rally or styling an at-home photoshoot, she communicated best through formulaic visuals. With that interest shaping her career path, she pursued a Bachelor of Science in Architecture at Lawrence Technological University. The program’s technology-driven curriculum expanded her interests to include software and tools that boost design productivity, capability, and efficiency.