Meet the visionaries behind High Point’s 313.Space | People to Watch

Seeing a need for a community-driven design destination in High Point, Rudi Nijssen and Dominique Sente delivered with the opening of 313.Space last year. New exhibit space in High Point always creates a buzz, but 313.Space is atypical. “High Point is the heart of the American design industry, but we saw an opportunity to do something different: a light-filled space that celebrates art, design and craftsmanship, with good hospitality at its core,” said Nijssen, who said he and Sente wanted it to feel more like a home or a design salon. The couple’s vision for 313, which sits on six and a half acres on Centennial Street, is evolving. They want to surround the outdoor spaces with a community garden, walking paths, beautifully designed greenhouses and tiny homes where people can slow down, connect and be inspired by nature. They are in talks with like-minded vendors for a bespoke line of paint, exclusive wellness products, design-forward gym equipment and residential greenhouses. “It has evolved into more of a shared platform than we initially imagined, and that’s been the most exciting part,” Nijssen said. They are also partnering with Growing High Point, a local nonprofit committed to urban agriculture that benefits under-resourced areas, and with HPxD to keep High Point vibrant during off-market times. “That is our ultimate dream … a full community,” said Sente.