Schedule

Thursday, January 19

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9:30 AM

Wendy Hicken Founder
Interior Design Master Class

Powerful Ways to Keep Your People Motivated & Inspired

  • Building the Design Business

Speakers: Wendy Hicken of Interior Design Masterclass

Why should motivating and inspiring your team be a company-wide priority? In these uncertain times, now is the opportunity to unite and inspire your team using strategic vision and transparency, as well as prevent burnout. Learn how setting and sharing your vision will keep your team aligned, increase productivity, and allow everyone to grow in the same direction. Learn that, when you are transparent with your team about your operational priorities and goals, you empower them to make decisions in the best interest of your business.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Wendy Hicken Founder , Interior Design Master Class

Wendy is the brainchild behind Interior Design Master Class. She helps interior designers get laser-focused on building meaningful businesses that make them prosper and deeply satisfied. She believes that when we live more out of intention we stay in the driver’s seat of our life, and with a healthy cocktail of vision casting, action and cheerleading she motivates as much as she cracks the whip 

9:30 AM

Matthew Hickey Partner
Two Row Architect

Place-Keeping and Indigenous Values Working Towards Reconciliation

  • Big Ideas

Speakers: Matthew Hickey of Two Row Architecture

Two Row Architecture (TRA) has spent the last three plus years working with the TMU community (formerly Ryerson University) on several projects of multiple scales across the campus. TRA will share some of the ideas and values that came forward through consultation; discuss the processes that have been developed; and elaborate on decolonization within institutional systems.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Matthew Hickey Partner, Two Row Architect

Matthew is Mohawk from the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation, and is a partner at Two Row Architect where he has been practicing architecture for the past 16 years. At Two Row Architect the core work is Indigenous design and architecture, designing on and off reserve all over Ontario, Canada, and in the United States. 

Matthew’s focus is on regenerative and restorative design – encompassing ecological, cultural, and economic principles. His research includes Indigenous history in architecture of Northern & Middle America and the adaptation of historic sustainable technologies to the contemporary North American climate. 

He also believes in giving back; Matthew is a Director on the Board of Artscape, a Member of the Waterfront Toronto Design Review Panel, an Adjunct Lecturer at U of T Daniels, and an Assistant Professor at the Ontario College of Art and Design University.   

9:30 AM

Trisha Isabey Founder & Creative Director
Isabey Interiors

Building Successful Internal Culture with Isabey Interiors

  • Building the Design Business
Speakers: Trisha Isabey of Isabey Interiors
Achieving success is largely dependent on building the proper team. Understanding who your team is, and what their needs are is critical in providing them with access to proper support. Gaining knowledge and building relationships with your team members also allows you to plan for what additional skillsets you may need to bring on in the future.
In this presentation we will discuss building your team and relationships, layering your team with different skillsets, and understanding your team culture. These pieces will allow you to build beneficial partnerships, provide you with knowledge to hire ahead of the curve, and ultimately create a high-functioning, successful internal culture.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Trisha Isabey Founder & Creative Director , Isabey Interiors

Trisha Isabey is the Founder and Creative Director at award-winning Isabey Interiors. This sought-after designer shares more than a decade of experience, with a diverse and extensive portfolio including custom homes,multi-family developments and commercial projects. Her multi award-winning company specializes now in both residential and commercial designs, focusing on personality and style, while maximizing function and liveability. Trisha’s background as a professional stockbroker and financial planner made way for a career in interior design – not a huge stretch, given that her business acumen was matched only by her love of design. After more than a decade in the investment industry, she became an interior designer and founded Kelowna-based interior design firm Isabey Interiors. Trisha has successfully grown the team over the last decade at Isabey Interiors to become an award-winning design firm in Kelowna, BC, specializing in residential and commercial design, which is now ranked the largest interior design firm in British Columbia. Her firm Isabey Interiors was recognized with the Okanagan Housing Award of Excellence for Interior Designer of the Year, propelling the Isabey brand into the Okanagan and the surrounding community. Trisha has now expanded the Isabey Collective to offer a furniture and home decor store, called Furnish by Isabey Interiors, and a custom artisan gifting company called Furnish for You, as well as Isabey Home, a collaborative build and design company. The Isabey Collective is the evolution of 4 companies coming together, creating a complete home solution. These additions now bring the process full-circle for Trisha and her clients by servicing the entire build, from concept of construction drawings to complete furniture and decor packages.

9:30 AM

Susan Jefferson National Director of Workplace Strategy
SGH Design Partners

Workplace: Designing for the Shift to Hybrid

  • Building the Design Business

Speaker: Susan Jefferson of Smith Grimley Harris Design Partners Inc.

Future hybrid workplaces need to reflect a diverse mindset that can no longer rely on prescribed norms. The impact and success of remote work has blurred the lines of expectation and the role the physical office plays in culture, productivity, and well-being. Design and a strategic understanding of space is key in ensuring a successful outcome. Leaders are requesting straight forward and effective strategies that align real estate with the shift to hybrid work environments. This session will address the envision strategy process and findings developed over two intense years of disruption. This session is for business leaders, project managers and aspiring design strategy thinkers who are looking to achieve meaningful, design driven impacts to their workplace projects within a set of customized objectives.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Susan Jefferson National Director of Workplace Strategy, SGH Design Partners

Susan has extensive experience transforming workplace environments that meets specific and unique needs with a commitment to design excellence. As a strategic thinker she works upfront with all stakeholders to uncover and define real estate, human resource and business objectives that provide the framework for building creative and innovative solutions which drive the team forward. Susan excels at instilling trust and in doing so has established lasting partnerships. Having experienced rapid changes in the way we work, witnessing the impact this has had on workplace environments and understanding what are trends vs sound approaches brings a wealth of knowledge to the table.

9:30 AM

Russell Pollard Principal
Framework Leadership

Employer Brand: Leveraging Marketing and Workplace Culture

  • Building the Design Business

Speaker: Russell Pollard of Framework Leadership

Competing for talent has become even more of an intense challenge and business priority for leaders of interior design and architecture firms. This has been amplified through changed employee expectations of salaries and hybrid working balance, and by the great “reshuffle” or “great resignation” that has seen people switching jobs or occupations. Businesses can take a more strategic approach to recruitment and retention by actively managing their employer brand – both for current and prospective members of staff.

This presentation will introduce the concept of employer brand and provide a workable framework for clarifying and developing it to serve the needs of attendees’ businesses.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Russell Pollard Principal, Framework Leadership

10:30 AM

Pooya Baktash Co-Founder
Partisans and Serotiny
Ben Dreith Editor
Dezeen
Sabine Grimes Founder
Unison Group
Zahra Ebrahim Public Interest Designer and Urbanist
Monumental

The Future of Toronto: The Next 5 Years

  • Dezeen Trade Day

Speakers: Pooya Baktash (Partisans and Serotiny), Sabine Grimes (Unison Group Inc ), Zahra Ebrahim (Monumental) and Alex Bozikovic (Architecture Critic, The Globe and Mail). Moderator: Ben Dreith of Dezeen

This engaging panel of speakers will discuss what they feel the city of Toronto and Toronto’s design landscape needs in the next 5 years. This includes opinions and critical commentary on proposed projects, planning and bylaws, infrastructure, and community planning. How can design improve or solve some of the challenges the city is facing? This panel discussion will kick off the 25th edition of IDS Toronto. Whether you’re an architect, an architecture enthusiast, or just interested in the future of Toronto, this is a great opportunity to hear from some experts and contribute to the conversation. We hope to see you there!

Pooya Baktash Co-Founder, Partisans and Serotiny

Born in Tehran, Iran. Pooya Baktash studied Architecture at the University of Azad in Tehran, Iran, where he also worked at the renowned architecture firm EBA, recipient of the Aga Khan Award. In 2007, he came to Canada to pursue a Master’s degree at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture. Pooya has a record of achievement on major civic projects including the Revitalization of Union Station and Ontario Place. He co-founded PARTISANS in 2012.

Ben Dreith Editor, Dezeen

Ben Dreith is US editor at Dezeen. He is responsible for Dezeen’s architecture, interiors and design coverage in the US and the Americas. Ben was born in Colorado. Before receiving his master’s degree in English language at the University of British Columbia, he studied anthropology at the University of Denver. Ben has written widely about architecture and interior design. Prior to Dezeen, he was the managing editor for Canada’s NUVO magazine. 

 

Sabine Grimes Founder, Unison Group

Sabine Grimes is the founder and sole owner of Unison Group, an interior design firm.  

Over the past 20 years, Sabine has been part of numerous project teams, developing spatial concepts for over 50 hi-rise development projects around the world including residential, hospitality and mixed use. The aesthetic sensibilities of award-winning interior design and architecture firms that she had worked with in her formative years such as Yabu Pushelberg, KPMB Architects, and Burdifilek are ingrained in her approach and apparent in her work. Her areas of focus include international hotels, resorts, private residences, multi-faceted developments, yachts, branded residential developments and retail explorations. The thoughtfulness and care have formed the soul of design at Unison Group. Furthering this formative start and in addition to acting as an interior design consultant for numerous clients, Sabine had worked on the development team for a Fortune 500 and publicly traded company, taking time to understand the metrics behind good design and further developing its portfolio of properties. Furthering this still, Sabine has also worked in-house with one of Canada’s largest real estate developers overseeing the design architectural form, interior architecture and fit-out, ensuring that the operational and business requirements are met. 

Zahra Ebrahim Public Interest Designer and Urbanist, Monumental

Zahra is a public interest designer and urbanist, focused on shifting power to people who are underrepresented in decision-making processes. Her work has focused on participatory and community-led approaches to policy, infrastructure, and service design. Prior to Monumental, she built and led Doblin Canada (Deloitte’s Human-Centred Design practice), focusing on engaging diverse sets of stakeholders to use human-centred design to address complex organizational and industry challenges. Zahra also led one of Canada’s first social design studios, working with communities to co-design towards better social outcomes and leading some of Canada’s most ambitious participatory infrastructure and policy programs. Zahra has taught at OCADU, MoMA, and is currently an Adjunct Professor and Urbanist-in-Residence at the University of Toronto. She is the Board Chair for Park People, and a board member for the Canadian Urban Institute and the Toronto Arts Council. 

 

11:30 AM

Tatiana Soldatova Principal, Strategic Design
Syllable Inc.

Things They Don’t Teach You in Design School; Managing Difficult Relationships – Presented by ARIDO + IDC

  • Building the Design Business

Interior Designers can often face conflict with contractors, suppliers, building managers and clients that are tied to schedules, budgets, and performance. Many of these conflicts stem from the personal and sometimes emotional nature that exists with redesigning spaces. Our panel discussion led by, Carrie Burd, will discuss common relationship challenges experienced by interior designers and solutions and techniques to help practitioners handle human to create an amicable solution for all parties involved.

Speakers: Greg Quinn, ARIDO; Tatiana Soldatova, ARIDO; Isabelle Talbot, ARIDO
Moderator: Carrie Burd

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Tatiana Soldatova Principal, Strategic Design, Syllable Inc.

A tenacious leader with a passion in bringing great minds together on complex projects to push boundaries and innovate. Tatiana is highly focused on design research and business strategy.

She is passionate about the design profession and served on the Board of Directors at Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO). Having an entrepreneurial spirit she is also involved with Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) as a EO Accelerator Board Co-Chair.

With her downtime, Tatiana can be found in the Niagara Region tasting local wines, supporting Canadian slow fashion designers, and spending time with Syllable’s Chief Happiness Officer, Leila the Eurasier.

Tatiana graduated from Humber College with a Bachelors of Interior Design, and a Masters of Science in Strategic Design and Management from Parsons The New School of Design in NYC.

11:30 AM

Riz Dhanji President
RAD Marketing
Matt Kingston Executive VP - Development and Construction
H&R REIT
Anna Simone Principal
Cecconi Simone

Density by Design

  • Big Ideas

Speakers: Riz Dhanji of RAD Marketing, Anna Simone of Cecconi Simone and Matthew Kingston of H+R Reit.

As demands for housing, affordability, and sustainable buildings grow – timeless design prevails. The recent sales success of projects like One Delisle and King Toronto by Studio Gang and BIG, respectively – exemplify an appetite for design excellence on a grand scale. This panel of expert developers, marketers, and designers make the case that design cannot be lost in the changing tides of a city skyline.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Riz Dhanji President, RAD Marketing

With a team that has over 30 years of combined experience in Real Estate, RAD Marketing is one of the top Sales and Marketing Firms for pre-construction developments in the Greater Toronto Area and Canada.RAD Marketing has sold over $4 billion in pre-construction condo developments in Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and abroad, totalling more than 12,000 condominium suites: and the team is just getting started. Their unique sales and marketing approach to pre-construction condominiums has led to these developments being high-profile sellout successes. A few notable Toronto-based RAD Marketing projects include – Aura, Canada’stallest condo at 80 stories; KING Toronto, the iconic project by Westbank and Allied in collaboration with Starchitect, Bjarke Ingels; One Delisle by Slate Asset management, Leaside Common by Gairloch, the Shangri-LaHotel and Residences in Toronto; and the rebranded St Regis Hotel and residences. The key to their success has been implementing cutting-edge strategies to redefine the execution of sales and marketing for design-led preconstruction real estate, which has allowed for their developer client to achieve some of the highest revenue increases when compared to competing projects in the same neighbourhoods. RAD is the only team in Toronto working on some of the most iconic projects in the city with some of the world’s most famous architects including Bjarke Ingels of BIG and Jeanne Gang of Studio Gang. The talented team at RAD Marketing continues to execute on some of the most exciting projects throughout North America – being a driving force behind the evolution of these cities.

Matt Kingston Executive VP - Development and Construction, H&R REIT

A specialist in acquisition, development, redevelopment and repositioning of large multi-residential, office and commercial properties. Matthew’s career has included senior development roles with Mattamy Homes, Cresford Developments, Minto Properties, Primaris REIT and H&RREIT. At H&R REIT, Matthew built and expanded the acquisition, development and construction activities into a 7.5 million square foot portfolio of new density, across Canada. Matthew has a solid knowledge of the Canadian development industry and he combines it with an innovative approach to problem-solving.

Anna Simone Principal, Cecconi Simone

Anna Simone is co-founder of award-winning interior design practice Cecconi Simone Inc. She has led projects in the retail, corporate, hospitality and residential sectors worldwide, including Canada, the United States and overseas in Anguilla, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, India, and China. Projects range from large-scale, multi-unit condominiums to spa-resorts and boutique hotels to private residences for distinguished luminaries.

Anna has been guest lecturer and keynote speaker at numerous institutions of higher learning as well as design-related organizations and events throughout North America. She has acted as juror for various design competitions and participated in a number of community-outreach programs.

Anna and her work have been featured in numerous print and electronic publications, both nationally and internationally.

11:30 AM

Dmytriy Pereklita President and Co-Founder
dkstudio architects inc.

One Piece a Day: Recycling Yesterday’s Plastic Now

  • Climate Change & Social Responsibility

Speaker: Dmytriy Pereklita of dkstudio architects inc.

The presentation finds the required connection between architecture, design and cleaning the planet, while explaining it from the lens of the planet’s necessity to evolve to greener processes. Among many things, the presentation highlights dkstudio’s journey toward implementing its environmental initiative – One Piece A Day – and how with this vision, the firm is starting to think about smarter and more sustainable construction methods that involve reduction of plastic pollution.

 

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Dmytriy Pereklita President and Co-Founder, dkstudio architects inc.

Mr Pereklita is the President and Co-Founder of dkstudio architects inc. an international architectural practice founded in 2007 by himself and his partner Karen Mak. With offices in Toronto, Vancouver, and Hong Kong, dkstudio has been distinguished as the best corporate design + luxury retail firm in Canada consecutively for 4 years standing. Dmytriy is the principal in charge of design globally. His projects include internationally celebrated award winning designs such as the Gallery House located in Toronto, ON, which recently received the Best Of Canada Award for Residential Design and was included in Interior Design Magazine’s Best of Year 2021 publication. Notable projects include White Box office, Fume Scent Lounge (9 international awards including 3 Shop Awards Chicago 2018; Muse Awards 2019); Oxer Private hedge fund office in Hong Kong and the new Canada headquarters offices for Louis Vuitton in Toronto, and DeBeers, in Vancouver. Dkstudio’s success can be attributed to Mr Pereklita’s 29 years of experience in the industry and playing a significant role in iconic global projects including the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Bahrain World Trade Center as the Head Interior Designer, Dubai Gold Exchange and Dubai Diamond Exchange etc. Dkstudio is committed to sustainability. The Green build ITC office designed by dkstudio architects inc. in Bangalore, India received a LEED Platinum designation and the Prada showroom on Bloor St, Toronto ON is the largest retail store with a LEED Gold designation. Mr Pereklita is also the CEO and Founder of One Piece A Day, an environmental initiative established in 2017 based on fighting litter & plastic pollution globally. One Piece A Day is based on the fundamental concept of picking up one piece of litter a day through the company’s app. Currently, the app has recorded nearly 2.2 million pieces of litter since its launch in 2018. 

11:30 AM

Kimberley Williamson Vice President, Digital Strategy
Flying Camel

New Ways to Win on Social

  • Building the Design Business

Speaker: Kimberley Williamson of Flying Camel

It’s all about balance. Using social media to grow and support your design business is critical but a designer’s time is limited and they often find themselves with more pressing project and client matters to attend to. Kimberley will share the new frontiers of social media marketing for designers who are looking to maximize the impact of their social media efforts to help them reclaim time in their calendars and restore balance to their work life.

We will touch on: ways to leverage brand partnerships and influencers; which platforms to use for 2023, new tools to ensure success, setting personal and professional boundaries around social.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Kimberley Williamson Vice President, Digital Strategy, Flying Camel

Kimberley is a performance-obsessed marketing strategist specializing in digital and social media marketing. 15 years of experience across B2B categories including trade shows, professional associations, international home, and building products, hospitality, and luxury goods.

Recognized in the industry for a relationship-driven approach to stakeholder management, team development and rainmaking on behalf of clients.

11:30 AM

Emily Grundy Designer Account Executive
Sherwin-Williams

Colour Forecast 2023 – Terra with Sherwin-Williams

  • Industry Trends

Speaker: Emily Grundy of Sherwin-Williams

The course will take the participant on a visual journey with stimulating imagery, factual statistics and perceptive research that supports the Residential 2023 forecast for colour and design trends. We will explore the drivers influencing future colour and design trends that include global, technological, historic, psychological, and economic factors with specific information on the four dominate colour stories for Biome, Lore, Nexus, and Origin.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Emily Grundy Designer Account Executive, Sherwin-Williams

Emily supports the residential interior designer market with colour and paint specifications, she also provides continuing education for designers and industry partners. She works with the Canadian design account team and is dedicated to the exploration of colour and trends with the Sherwin-Williams colour forecast team. Throughout her 10 + year career with Sherwin-Williams, Emily has become a certified presenter of the International Design Continuing EducationCouncil, an Industry Committee Member of the Interior Designers of Canada, a National Board member of the Decorators and Designers Association of Canada and an Emerging Professionals Committee member of the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario. She currently holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from OCAD University in Toronto.

12:30 PM

Claire Weisz Founding Partner
WXY
Ben Dreith Editor
Dezeen

In Conversation with Claire Weisz

  • Dezeen Trade Day

Speaker: Claire Weisz FAIA.  Moderator: Dezeen’s US editor Ben Dreith.

Claire Weisz FAIA is a founding partner of WXY, whose work as an architect and urbanist focuses on innovative approaches to public space, structures, and cities. Her firm, WXY, is globally recognized for its place-based approach to architecture, urban design, and planning, and has played a vital role in design thinking around resiliency.

Claire Weisz Founding Partner, WXY

Claire Weisz FAIA is a founding partner of WXY, whose work as an architect and urbanist focuses on innovative approaches to public space, structures, and cities. Her firm, WXY, is globally recognized for its place-based approach to architecture, urban design, and planning, and has played a vital role in design thinking around resiliency.

Ben Dreith Editor, Dezeen

Ben Dreith is US editor at Dezeen. He is responsible for Dezeen’s architecture, interiors and design coverage in the US and the Americas. Ben was born in Colorado. Before receiving his master’s degree in English language at the University of British Columbia, he studied anthropology at the University of Denver. Ben has written widely about architecture and interior design. Prior to Dezeen, he was the managing editor for Canada’s NUVO magazine. 

 

1:30 PM

Cedric Burgers Principal Architect
BURGERS ARCHITECTURE

Passive House: Future Thinking for High Performance Design and Comfort

  • Climate Change & Social Responsibility

Speaker: Cedric Burgers, Principal Architect at BURGERS ARCHITECTURE

 

Whether you are a tradesperson, designer or homeowner we will introduce you to the internationally recognized methodology to design thermally efficient building.
Drawing from our own architectural practice and the firm’s passive design work, and most importantly our own certified passive house, this seminar with introduce the foundations and theories behind passive design and why it is the world’s leading green accreditation system. Passive design principles can be applied to any commercial, residential or industrial building- from a modest home to the tallest skyscraper.

The seminar will cover everything from design principles, construction knowledge to lived experience, with a follow up Q and A to address participants’ individual specific questions.

 

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Cedric Burgers Principal Architect, BURGERS ARCHITECTURE

Architect AIBC, MRAIC, LEED AP, Accredited Passivhaus Designer

Cedric holds a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and a masters degree in Architecture from the University of British Columbia, where he also taught as an assistant professor in the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. He worked for the architect Daniel Liebeskind and Müller Knippscheld Wehburg Landscape Architects in Berlin, Germany after graduating. He has served on design review committees for the District of West Vancouver and the District of North Vancouver. He is now an Accredited Passivhaus designer, pioneering sustainability and low energy design in Vancouver.

1:30 PM

Coralie Olson Managing Partner
MASSIVart
Deborah Wang Artistic Director
DesignTO
Farida Abu-Bakare Director of Global Practice
WXY Studio
Marc Ryan Principal and Co-Founder
PUBLIC WORK

Building the Civic Public Realm

  • Climate Change & Social Responsibility

Speakers: Farida Abu-Bakare of WXY, Coralie Olson of MASSIVart, Marc Ryan of Public Work. Moderated by  Deborah Wang of DesignTO

Join the award winning, internationally recognized practices of WXY Studio (architecture and urban design), PUBLIC WORK (urban design and landscape architecture) and MASSIVart (creative placemaking and public art), for a deep dive on how the public realm contributes to a better city. Presentations will include significant projects from New York and Toronto, covering topics such as project lifecycles, the ROI of placemaking, prototyping, partnerships, and the continuous work that goes into making public space vibrant and inclusive.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Coralie Olson Managing Partner, MASSIVart

Coralie Olson is a strategic leader with 20 years of success in the Art and culture, Real Estate, Health & Wellness, Fashion, Luxury, FinancialServices and Technology industries. With a passion for business strategy &development, she believes in creating community and business impact by bringing arts & commerce together. As a Managing Partner at MASSIVart, a creative placemaking, public art consulting and production firm for the real estate industry, municipalities, bias and private sector she leads the Canadian and US business development strategy as well as providing client service and the overall management of all Canadian and US-based projects. She thrives on helping clients achieve their business objectives while supporting and collaborating with spirited, innovative and resourceful artists, designers and the creative community.

Deborah Wang Artistic Director, DesignTO

Deborah Wang (MFA, M.Arch, OAA) is an architect and curator based in Toronto, with a broad range of experiences in contemporary art, design and architecture that spans two decades. Alongside her role as Artistic Director of DesignTO, a non-profit arts organization best known for its annual design festival, Deborah recently launched her own architecture and design studio dw /a.

Farida Abu-Bakare Director of Global Practice, WXY Studio

Farida is a registered architect in Ontario and holds a Master of Architecture from Ryerson University and a Bachelor of Architectural Studies from Carleton University. She is the Director of Global Practice at the award-winning architecture, urban design, and planning firm; WXY. Farida has lived and worked throughout North America and Africa to build an extensive portfolio of community-driven projects. Farida is the emeritus Community Affairs Director of Atlanta’s NOMA Chapter (National Organization of Minority Architects). Her work with NOMA led her to co-found BAIDA (Black Architects and Interior Designers Association) a federal Canadian non-profit organization that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in the profession of architecture and interior design. Farida is passionate about contributing to the future of the profession in Canada and serves on the provincial self-governing body, the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) as an elected OAA Council member for a three-year term (2021-2023). Farida is a Sessional Lecturer at the University of Toronto – John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design as part of a multi-year initiative with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) based in Kumasi, Ghana.

Marc Ryan Principal and Co-Founder, PUBLIC WORK

Marc Ryan is a landscape architect and urban designer dedicated to the design of the public realm of cities. He is principal and co-founder of PUBLIC WORK, a Toronto-based office for urban design and landscape architecture focused on one of the foremost public topics today—the intelligent evolution of contemporary cities. Marc’s approach takes a critical ‘second-look’ at the terrain of our cities with fresh eyes, engaging the evolving role and potency of parks and public spaces in re-shaping the quality, performance, and vitality of urban environments. His designs are optimistic re-assessments of place; often creative revitalizations of the under-utilized landscapes, urban spaces and infrastructures that already exist, and – in other cases – newly created forms of collective space to support public life. Marc is educated in both landscape architecture and architecture and his design practice benefits from the intersection of these disciplines, with a commitment to the public realm. Through more than two decades of practice in Canada, the United States and Europe, he has provided leadership in the design of public realm projects in complex urban conditions that capture a dramatic new sense of place and provide meaningful community impact. Since co-founding PUBLIC WORK in 2012 together with Adam Nicklin, their office has emerged as a leading design studio who are innovators of transforming under-performing grounds into memorable urban landscapes.

1:30 PM

Karine Quigley Associate
Montgomery Sisam Architects
Antoine Buisseret Architect, Design Director
Lemay
Matthew Hickey Partner
Two Row Architect

Design for Health: Past and Future Strategies

  • Climate Change & Social Responsibility

Speakers: Matthew Hickey of Two Row Architecture, Karine Quigley Montgomery Sisam and Antoine Buisseret of Lemay. 

This seminar, featuring speakers from such top architecture firms as Mongomery Sisam, Two Row Architecture, and Lemay, will cover the ways in which we design for healthcare are evolving. From holistic approaches to the design of medical institutions to narrowing in on specific, acute care treatment facilities, this seminar unpacks learnings from the past and the positive steps being made moving forward.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Karine Quigley Associate, Montgomery Sisam Architects

Karine Quigley is an Associate of Montgomery Sisam Architects with a growing portfolio of notable healthcare and education projects. This work includes the Cayman Islands Long Term Residential Mental Health Facility, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health Phase 1C, Child and Parent Institute Functional Program Refresh, Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Science Master Plan and Phillips House Redevelopment. Regardless of building type, she is deeply invested in creating and promoting socially conscious designs that empower users and make a visible, viable contribution to the health and agency of people around the world.

Antoine Buisseret Architect, Design Director, Lemay

After beginning his career in London and Paris, Antoine Buisseret spent 18 years as design director and senior partner of a large French firm before moving to Canada. He has led the design and development of major hospital projects in France and internationally-including a children’s hospital in Ukraine, the University Hospital of Clermont-Ferrand, and major projects for the Assistance Public des Hôpitaux de Paris (AP- HP) including the rehabilitation of the Castaigne Neurology building at Pitié-Salpêtrière, the new Lariboisière and competition for the new Grand Paris Nord Hospital. Antoine is co-founder of the #Hôpitaldufutur research platform, which conducts forward-looking reflections on the challenges of building the hospitals of tomorrow. Professor of architecture and author of various publications, Antoine is also vice-president of the Union of Francophone Architects for Health (UAFS), of which he formed the Quebec branch that brings together the key players in health in Quebec. Antoine joined the architecture firm Lemay in 2022, where he holds the positions of design director and health market intelligence director. He is currently involved in the Chicoutimi hospital expansion project and conducts prospective work on innovation in the design of care environments.

Matthew Hickey Partner, Two Row Architect

Matthew is Mohawk from the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation, and is a partner at Two Row Architect where he has been practicing architecture for the past 16 years. At Two Row Architect the core work is Indigenous design and architecture, designing on and off reserve all over Ontario, Canada, and in the United States. 

Matthew’s focus is on regenerative and restorative design – encompassing ecological, cultural, and economic principles. His research includes Indigenous history in architecture of Northern & Middle America and the adaptation of historic sustainable technologies to the contemporary North American climate. 

He also believes in giving back; Matthew is a Director on the Board of Artscape, a Member of the Waterfront Toronto Design Review Panel, an Adjunct Lecturer at U of T Daniels, and an Assistant Professor at the Ontario College of Art and Design University.   

1:30 PM

Helene Oberman Managing Director
Interior Design Magazine
Andrew Sardone Editorial Director
The Globe and Mail Style Advisor
Jack Balderrama Morley Managing Editor
Dwell

In the News: Impactful Trends According to Design Editors

  • Big Ideas

Speakers: Helene Oberman of Interior Design magazine, Jack Morley of Dwell Magazine and Andrew Sardone of The Globe & Mail.

As senior editors of top publications, these three speakers must see and evaluate it all before any product or project makes the pages of their glossy magazines and inky broadsheets. Learn what is trending for 2023 and what will make the cut, keeping global political, social, and financial climates top of mind.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Helene Oberman Managing Director, Interior Design Magazine

After honing her knowledge of the decorative arts in the rugs and carpets department at Sotheby’s, Helene Oberman joined Interior Design in 2004 as the assistant to the editor-in-chief. Her natural talent for managing photographers, writers, and designers alike led to her 2008 promotion to Managing Editor, and in 2019 to her current position. Helene has served as a member of the Design Trust for Public Space Art Committee and is currently on the Advisory Board Steering Committee for the FashionInstitute of Technology Interior Design Department, the IIDA LeadersBreakfast Event Committee and the DIFFA Dining by Design Steering Committee.

Andrew Sardone Editorial Director, The Globe and Mail Style Advisor

Andrew Sardone is the editorial director of The Globe and Mail Style Advisor, which is marking 10 years of publication this spring. The magazine’s design features focus on how everything from art to wellness influences the look and feel of the spaces where we live, shop, dine and travel. Over the past decade, it has become an essential guide for Canadians curious about creative leaders and inspiring ideas in style. 

Jack Balderrama Morley Managing Editor, Dwell

Jack Balderrama Morley is a writer and editor with a background in architectural design.

1:30 PM

Dr. Soren Brothers Allan and Helaine Shiff Curator of Climate Change
Royal Ontario Museum
Dyonne Fashina Principal Designer
Denizens Of Design Inc.
Jeff Forrest Founder
STACKLAB and STACKABL
Adam Corneil Founder & CEO
Unbuilders Deconstruction & Heritage Lumber

Circular Economy: Putting the Three Rs to Work

  • Climate Change & Social Responsibility

Speakers: Jeff Forrest of Stacklab, Dyonne Fashina of Denizens of Design, Adam Corneil The Unbuilders and Dr. Soren Brothers of Royal Ontario Museum. 

Google “circular economy” and you will find the following definition: “The circular economy means moving away from the world’s current – and enormously wasteful – economic model of ‘take, make, throw away’, in which resources are extracted, turned into products, used, and discarded. It entails redesigning products to be more durable, reusable, repairable, and recyclable.” Meet three Canadian firms doing just that, in the realms of product and interior design, as well as architecture.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Dr. Soren Brothers Allan and Helaine Shiff Curator of Climate Change, Royal Ontario Museum

Dr. Soren Brothers is the Allan and Helaine Shiff  Curator of Climate Change at the Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto. He is also an Assistant Professor at the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Toronto. Soren’s research examines the effects of climate change on lakes, and how changes in aquatic systems can influence their greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. More broadly, he is interested in understanding how feedback loops and the transdisciplinary study of lakes can help us better understand and predict global tipping points that may accelerate anthropogenic climate change. Soren has worked on lakes in a diverse array of environments around the world, including the Nunavut tundra, Quebec’s boreal forests, and the Great Lakes. He is leading a Global Lakes Ecological Observatory Network initiative to improve understanding of the widespread greenhouse gas impacts of desiccation. He is also passionate about science communication and community outreach.

Dyonne Fashina Principal Designer, Denizens Of Design Inc.

Dyonne Fashina is Founder and Principal Designer at Denizens of Design; an Interior Design Studio specializing in commercial spaces in the realm of hospitality, workplace and retail. Her passion for design is rooted in her love for the arts, fashion, culture and architecture. Formally trained in both fine arts and interior design, she has achieved international recognition through a diverse range of projects. Recent work includes adaptable gathering spaces in landmark cultural institutions, such as the Gardiner Museum and the McMichael Canadian Art Collection. Dyonne’s starting point is always the identity and history of each space, foregrounding cultural sensitivity and partnering with local makers. Deep research and empathy in her design strategy bring quantifiable business value to every project. Dyonne thrives on finding meaningful connections to inspire everyone involved throughout the design process. She designs with compassion for the human experience, creating spaces that are not only thoughtful, but thought-provoking.

Jeff Forrest Founder, STACKLAB and STACKABL

Jeff Forrest is the founder of Toronto-based, multidisciplinary design practices STACKLAB and STACKABL. Recognized for his innovative approach to product, project, and everything in between, Forrest believes that the key to better living lies at the intersection of design, technology, and regional networks. Born in Calgary, Canada, Forrest initially studied Architecture at the New York Institute of Technology and the University of Calgary before a phone call from a friend compelled him to ride his Triumph 900cc motorcycle to a timber mill in Toronto. There, handling 200-year-old, excavated logs of native hemlock wood, opened Forrest up to a whole new world of natural resources and regional manufacturing, laying the groundwork for his earliest proofs of concept. 

 In 2013, he founded STACKLAB to explore a systems-based design practice. Since then, the studio’s wide-ranging body of work has won representation from North America’s top galleries and showrooms, as well as numerous international awards.  In 2021, STACKABL was born following a STACKLAB case study that identified inefficiencies in regional manufacturing methods and provided a use-scenario for waste products.  

A lifelong learner, Forrest continues to be guided by his ever-evolving understanding of manufacturing capabilities, material properties, and the latest digital tools to realize his vision for a better way of living; one that is rooted in minimum waste, and maximum productivity.  

Forrest’s resultant OBJECTS and PROJECTS represent his values. “Architecture is becoming a myopic, luxury offering. I’m interested in identifying problems and designing solutions,” he states. “Sometimes they look like architecture, sometimes objects, sometimes tech.” 

Adam Corneil Founder & CEO, Unbuilders Deconstruction & Heritage Lumber

Adam is a serial entrepreneur, a certified Passive House builder and a deconstruction & reclaimed wood expert. He flipped his first house at 16 with his father and after years as a green builder he launched Unbuilders Deconstruction in January 2018 and Heritage Lumber in 2020. Adam, and his companies, have the vision of a construction industry where deconstruction and remanufacturing replaces demolition and disposal. Passionate about his family, skiing, hiking mountains and spending as much time outdoors, he is committed to providing a sustainable future for generations to enjoy.

2:30 PM

Todd Bracher Founder
Studio Bracher
Ben Dreith Editor
Dezeen

In Conversation with Todd Bracher

  • Dezeen Trade Day

Speakers: Todd Bracher of Studio Bracher & Humanscale.  Moderated by Dezeen US Editor Ben Dreith. 

Join acclaimed industrial designer Todd Bracher for an engaging keynote presentation on Dezeen Trade Day at IDS Toronto. Bracher will be in conversation with Dezeen’s US editor Ben Dreith as they explore Todd’s design ethos and key designs in his career as Creative Director for Humanscale. Bracher’s strategic approach to design helps Humanscale leverage their unique assets to achieve market growth, increase revenue, elevate brand engagement, and update product portfolios for a contemporary audience. His work strikes a rigorous balance between science, wellness and contemporary culture. Todd is a veteran in the industry with over 22 years of experience in the international design scene. His studio, founded in Milan in 1999 and now based in New York City, draws upon the international experience and network Todd built over two decades of living, working, and teaching in New York, Copenhagen, Milan, London and Paris.

Location: Caesarstone Main Stage, complimentary attendance included with trade registration.

*This Keynote presentation has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Todd Bracher Founder, Studio Bracher

Todd Bracher is a part designer, entrepreneur, and scientist. He leverages these tools to lead opportunities that affect the human condition for the better.
He is the founder of Studio Bracher, an award-winning design and strategy firm with two decades of experience creating innovative products, building meaningful brands, and bringing game-changing experiences to life, from insight to realization.

Ben Dreith Editor, Dezeen

Ben Dreith is US editor at Dezeen. He is responsible for Dezeen’s architecture, interiors and design coverage in the US and the Americas. Ben was born in Colorado. Before receiving his master’s degree in English language at the University of British Columbia, he studied anthropology at the University of Denver. Ben has written widely about architecture and interior design. Prior to Dezeen, he was the managing editor for Canada’s NUVO magazine. 

 

3:00 PM

Zenon Radewych Principal
WZMH Architects
Yuliia Fedorenko Architect
WZMH Architects
Anastasiia Kalinichenko Architect
WZMH Architects
Evheniia Biriukova Architect
WZMH Architects

Rebuilding Ukraine One Modular Component At A Time

  • Climate Change & Social Responsibility

Featuring Zenon Radewych of WZMH, Yulia Fedorenko, Anastasiia Kalinichenko, and Evheniia Biriukova.

As the war in Ukraine rages on, the cities across the country see massive destruction. According to the data of the Embassy of Ukraine in Canada, around 61M square meters of residential space or over 121,000 buildings have been either fully or partially destroyed, leaving millions in urgent need of aid with their cities.
Through a proprietary modular construction method, a collaboration between Canadian and Ukrainian architects plans to restore the spaces of life in a war-ravaged country by tearing out damaged sections of apartment buildings and replacing them with prefabricated residential units. This panel will discuss how the proposed architectural solution of WZMH Architects and its innovation lab Sparkbird has a potential to ‘repair’ buildings in an economical and sustainable way – and on a compressed timeline – what led to the creation of the project and the significance of this cooperation, which aims to address the housing crisis and create communities that are fit for the future.

*Full proceeds from this seminar will be donated to WZMH’s charitable partner of choice.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Zenon Radewych Principal, WZMH Architects

Zenon has directed multi-disciplinary consultant teams on some of WZMH’s largest projects. He has a strong record of performance, meeting tight schedules on fast-track projects, including mission critical facilities, corporate office buildings and hospitality developments such as Caesars Windsor. Zenon brings energy, enthusiasm, and rigour to the management of each project in which he is involved. His strength in organizational clarity is paralleled by the speed of his response. He welcomes and thrives on new challenges and spearheaded the development of the firm’s prefabrication-modular-offsite construction sector with the invention of the Intelligent Structural Panel (ISP). In 2017, Zenon founded the firm’s research and development lab (Sparkbird) which focuses on smart building technologies. Zenon joined WZMH in 1995 and became a Principal of the firm in 2007. He holds a Bachelor of Technology in Architectural Science from Toronto’s Ryerson University.

Yuliia Fedorenko Architect, WZMH Architects

Yuliia worked as an Architect in Kharkiv (Ukraine), before the war started and completed numerous projects including the design and construction of a major public park which integrated numerous architectural concrete elements. Yuliia has participated in numerous international design competitions related to both commercial, public and residential projects. Since arriving in Canada, Yuliia worked with a team of architects and engineers to design and detail a prefabricated concrete modular housing solution for North America and soon after integrated this idea for rebuilding Ukraine. Yuliia is currently involved in the design of various projects including data centres and student housing. Yuliia holds a Master of Architecture degree and is currently completing her PhD in Construction and Civil Engineering.

Anastasiia Kalinichenko Architect, WZMH Architects

Before moving to Canada, Anastasiia worked as an Architect in Ukraine and was involved in the design of projects in Ukraine, UK and Norway. Over the course of her career, Anastasiia participated in numerous architectural competitions. After the start of the war in Ukraine, Anastasiia relocated to Canada and joined the WZMH team where she is working on the design of numerous projects, including Microsoft data centres.

Evheniia Biriukova Architect, WZMH Architects

Ukrainian architect and interior designer. Obtained degree at Dnipropetrovsk State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture in 2011. Winner of International architectural Youth Competition CANactions in 2012. Completed internship in architecture and engineering Buro Happold in Berlin, Germany. Has more than 10 years of experience in architecture and interior design with projects in Ukraine, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Russia, Georgia. In 2022 moved to Canada and began working with WZMH Architects.

3:00 PM

Dayna Bradley President
TPL Lighting
Sharon Portelli Executive Director and Registrar
ARIDO
Anna Simone Principal
Cecconi Simone
Julie Phillips President + Partner
Flat Iron Building Group Inc.
Behnaz Assadi Landscape Designer and Assistant professor
JA Architecture Studio

The Power of Women in Design & Construction

  • Building the Design Business

Speakers: Anna Simone of Cecconi Simone, Dayna Bradley of TPL, Behnaz Assadi of Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design/ Ja Architecture, and Julie Philips of Flatiron Construction. Moderated by Sharon Portelli of ARIDO. 

Let’s talk about resilience. This seminar, moderated by ARIDO’s Sharon Portelli, will explore the avenues our esteemed panel of speakers took to thrive in a male-dominated industry. All bases will be covered: education, in-the-field training, barriers they had to overcome, and the success of creating businesses to call their own. Julie Phillips of Flatiron Construction will speak about her experience in the world of development, while Dayna Bradley gets candid about the architectural product industry. With 40 years of interior design under her belt, we also welcome Anna Simone, of Cecconi Simone; and covering architecture, as well as academia, is Behnaz Assadi of Ja Architecture and Daniels Faculty. Bring your notebooks – there is plenty of information and inspiration to be taken away.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Dayna Bradley President, TPL Lighting

Dayna is President at TPL Lighting, a lighting agency serving the GTA. As a top performing Executive Leader offering 25+ years of experience modernizing business operations, transforming internal work cultures, and driving sales through business development, Dayna is responsible for setting the strategy for TPL, driving new business to the agency and having oversight for all operations of the business. Prior to joining TPL, Dayna enjoyed over 20 years in the commercial furniture industry where she achieved great success leading Canada’s largest Haworth dealership. Recognized as an influential change leader, Dayna brings her robust business acumen and expert communication skills to TPL. She is comfortable challenging the status quo, shaking things up and pushing people outside of their comfort zones to innovate for great results. As a hands-on mentor who builds best-in-class teams, Dayna’s personality and leadership style fosters open communication as she creates inclusive, empowered and collaborative work environments. Dayna sits as the co-chair of the ROI Program for ARIDO, is an active member of Toronto CREW and is an advocate for women and girls with her involvement in Bridgenorth and the Canadian Women’s Foundation.

Sharon Portelli Executive Director and Registrar, ARIDO

Sharon has worked in the not-for-profit sector since 1997, starting in the financial sector with the Institute for Advanced Financial Education. In 2011, she transitioned to the design and construction sector in the role of Executive Director and Registrar with the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO). Her professional experience includes the development and enforcement of qualification standards for professions, regulatory frameworks and lobbying for public policy in support of safe interior environments in Ontario. Starting in 2014, Sharon led several projects intended to provide a more inclusive and fair pathway into qualifying as an interior designer in Ontario through competencies-based frameworks. In 2020, ARIDO undertook a commitment to the advancement of equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility within ARIDO as an organization, the profession and the community.

Anna Simone Principal, Cecconi Simone

Anna Simone is co-founder of award-winning interior design practice Cecconi Simone Inc. She has led projects in the retail, corporate, hospitality and residential sectors worldwide, including Canada, the United States and overseas in Anguilla, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, India, and China. Projects range from large-scale, multi-unit condominiums to spa-resorts and boutique hotels to private residences for distinguished luminaries.

Anna has been guest lecturer and keynote speaker at numerous institutions of higher learning as well as design-related organizations and events throughout North America. She has acted as juror for various design competitions and participated in a number of community-outreach programs.

Anna and her work have been featured in numerous print and electronic publications, both nationally and internationally.

Julie Phillips President + Partner, Flat Iron Building Group Inc.

Julie Phillips is the Partner & President of Flat Iron Building Group, a provider of real estate solutions and design-build services predominantly within the workplace, retail, and hospitality sectors.

Julie values open mindedness, continuous improvement, and community. She has one vision: to change the way people work for the better. She is focused on create a team with courage to ask the right questions and never settle for the easy answer. A team that trusts each other based on a solid foundation of honesty and openness. Every day she strives to overcome whatever is in the way to get to something better. She is driven to change the perception of the industry and to move the dial on equality, knowing there is a long way to go. Ultimately, to create a community of people, not just places, that keep us together and elevate everyone who comes through Flat Iron’s doors.

With over 20 years experience, she comes at the AEC industry with a diverse perspective, having spent her early career in different industries. She is a firm believer that best business practices transcend industries and is therefore always sampling new ways to improve and streamline project delivery. She has a unique perspective on diversity and inclusion and how to rally teams for greatest impact. Read more about Julie in this recent article from Authority Magazine about thriving as a woman in a male dominated industry.

Behnaz Assadi Landscape Designer and Assistant professor, JA Architecture Studio

Behnaz Assadi is a Landscape designer and a founding partner at JA Architecture Studio. She is currently an Assistant Professor at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design at the University of Toronto.

Behnaz’s interested is in the unpredictability and open-ended-ness of landscape processes, large scale interconnected ecological systems, and multi-scalar resilient design approaches that aim to mitigate the effect of climate change. Her work explores the agency of landscape architecture beyond disciplinary confines. Her current multi-disciplinary practice, professional experience at offices such as OMA, and her educational background provides her with a level of versatility and comfort in crossing traditional disciplinary boundaries to teach and practice in both landscape architecture and architecture. At JA, Behnaz situates the studio’s architectural interest in iconography, geometry, form, and tectonic pursuits within the broader context of landscape, ecology, and climate change. The studio has achieved a repertoire of built works, research projects, and award-winning competition entries. The latter includes Bauhaus Museum in Dessau (2015); Guggenheim in Helsinki (2015), Kaunas Concert Center (2017); four Canadian Architects Awards (2015, 2018, 2020 & 2021) and two Progressive Architecture Awards (2021 & 2022). Most recently JA was named an Emerging Voice, by The Architectural League of New York and a 2022 Design Vanguard by Architectural Record. JA’s work has been published widely and exhibited both nationally and internationally.

Behnaz holds a Master of Landscape Architecture from University of Toronto and a bachelor’s degree in fine arts from University of Tehran.

3:00 PM

Myriam Tawadros Senior Associate
KPMB Architects
David Constable CDO
Kindred Works
Tim Blair CEO
Kindred Works

Reimagining Housing with Kindred Works and KPMB

  • Climate Change & Social Responsibility
Speakers: Tim Blair of Kindred Works, David Constable Kindred Works and Myriam Tawadros of KPMB. 
Kindred Works is the leading partner for reimagining rental housing in Canada.
By leading a coalition of values-aligned partners, including KPMB Architects, we’re building beautiful, sustainable and attainable rental housing for generations to come.
We are building a scalable model to deliver housing for at least 34,000 by 2037, one third of which will be below market rent.
We aim to be a Net Positive company by 2030, innovating new approaches to every aspect of environmental sustainability.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Myriam Tawadros Senior Associate, KPMB Architects

Myriam Tawadros joined KPMB Architects in 2002 after graduating from the University of Toronto, where she received both the RAIC Student Medal and AIA Henry Adams Medal. Since joining the firm, Myriam has been instrumental in guiding projects from inception to completion. She brings a keen ability to deliver a client’s vision in the planning of a building through all phases of design and construction. Her portfolio includes urban, residential, and institutional projects, including the Ryerson University Master Plan, Canada’s National Ballet School, and The Joseph L. Rotman School of Management Expansion, all in Toronto. She recently completed the development of the prestigious Park Hyatt Toronto hotel and private residences, a project that celebrates an iconic landmark in our city while reimagining Toronto’s complex urban fabric. As Senior Associate, Myriam is currently leading the team creating and designing a portfolio of residential projects for Kindred Works that are building inclusive and sustainable communities while providing affordable housing across Canada.

David Constable CDO, Kindred Works

David Constable co-leads Kindred Works, which is creating a Canada-wide portfolio of rental housing focusing on a balance between environmental, social, and financial sustainability. He practiced architecture for over 20 years, most recently as a Principal of KPMB Architects in Toronto and brings international experience leading and managing projects in the US, Canada and Ireland including a series of complex projects across the sectors of culture, education, commercial office and residential development. His design and project management approach prioritizes the integration of low carbon solutions with high standards of design excellence and functionality.
In parallel to project work, David has advanced his expertise in the integration of intelligent sustainable design and engineering strategies to propose net zero design solutions that contribute to reversing the effects of the building industry on the planet.

Tim Blair CEO, Kindred Works

Tim Blair co-leads Kindred Works, which is creating a Canada-wide portfolio of rental housing focusing on a balance between environmental, social and financial sustainability. Prior to launching Kindred Works he has nearly 20 years’ of real estate investment banking and private equity experience in Canada’s top institutions in senior executive roles. Tim has worked on complex commercial and mixed used residential development projects across Canada and globally. Tim has completed over $8 billion in projects across the Americas and Europe.
He is a graduate of the School of Planning at the University of Waterloo, where he is a regular guest lecturer, and holds an MBA from the University of Western Ontario’s Richard Ivey School of Business.

3:00 PM

Paolo Ferrari Founder
Studio Paolo Ferrari
Jamie Phelan Creative Director, Principal
The Design Agency
Maryam Siddiqi Journalist

Hospitality and the Changing Face of Luxury with DesignAgency and Studio Paolo Ferrari

  • Industry Trends

Speakers: Jamie Phelan of DesignAgency and Paolo Ferrari of Studio Paolo Ferrari.  Moderated by Maryam Siddiqi of Discover Provenance. 

The pandemic threw the hospitality industry quite the curveball. Now that people can go out and about again, how do you engage and entice a population that has essentially become languid after three years of nesting? Hospitality has changed and with it the face of luxury has, too. And it extends well beyond good service. Trends with lasting power in this category include youthfulness and fun, holistic wellness, sustainability, “bleisure,” and “remoteness.” Hear from the best in the realm – DesignAgency and Studio Paolo Ferrari – as these visionaries discuss where the design of destinations is headed and why.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Paolo Ferrari Founder, Studio Paolo Ferrari

Internationally recognized, Studio Paolo Ferrari is a practice at the cutting edge of international design. Today the studio works with prestige and emerging luxury brands or through private commissions on hospitality, retail, and residential projects, delivering highly considered guest experiences, through attention to detail and full immersion, into worlds both luxurious and distinct. A distinctive, vision-forward approach has defined Ferrari’s output as he continues to collaborate with industry-leading clients all over the world. With the ever-expanding presence of the digital, Studio Paolo Ferrari believes in pursuing work where experiential worlds evoke a quality of awe. Through a user-centric design approach, which emphasizes ritual and artistry, Studio Paolo Ferrari occupies the rare space where timelessness and courageous invention coexist. The studio is currently involved in projects throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Throughout his career, Ferrari has worked with luxury heavyweights including Accor, Raffles, St. Regis, 1 Hotels, Four Seasons & LVHM.

Jamie Phelan Creative Director, Principal, The Design Agency

Based in Toronto, Jamie has more than 15 years of experience designing award-winning commercial projects across the globe.

Since joining Design Agency in 2011, Jamie has worked with many of the studio’s foundational clients including Generator, Hyde/SBE, Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, Fitzrovia, NeueHouse, The Drake Hotel and Dimensions.

As Creative Director and Principal, Jamie provides strategic vision and oversight to our Toronto team. She is a trusted advisor to clients, and collaborates with team members to drive curiosity and innovation, designing and executing impactful, forward-thinking projects.

Jamie received a Bachelor of Commerce from McGill University, after which she moved to New York to study interior design at Parsons School of Design

Maryam Siddiqi Journalist

Maryam Siddiqi has more than 15 years experience as a lifestyle journalist, specializing in travel and design. She is the former Lifestyle Editor of The Globe and Mail. Her work has appeared in The Globe, National Post, Chatelaine, Report on Business and Elle Gourmet, among other publications, has won Digital Publishing Awards, Society for Newspaper Design awards and been nominated for National Magazine Awards and a Webby Award.

3:00 PM

Mikael Sydor Architect
ERA Architects
Adam Corneil Founder & CEO
Unbuilders Deconstruction & Heritage Lumber
Rui Felix Landscape Architect
ERA Architects
Elsa Lam Editor
Canadian Architect
Grace Coulter Sherlock Architect, Principal, Regional Director
Lemay

Adaptive Reuse: What is it, what does it look like, & where is it headed

  • Climate Change & Social Responsibility

Speakers: Adam Corneil of The Unbuilders, Rui Felix of ERA Architects and Mikael Sydor ERA Architects and Grace Coulter Sherlock of Lemay. Moderated by Elsa Lam from CDN Architect.

Adaptive reuse refers to the process of reusing an existing building for a purpose other than which it was originally built or designed for. Hear from three Canadian architectural firms building businesses based on what is so much more than a buzzword – they will argue it is the necessary way forward for architectural design. Hosted by Canadian Architect magazine editor, Elsa Lam, with presentations from ERA, Unbuilders, and Lemay, the seminar will witness the concept of adaptive reuse put to work in projects spanning – and shaping – Canada.

 

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Mikael Sydor Architect, ERA Architects

Mikael is a registered Architect (OAA, MArch, B.A.S) and Senior Project Manager at ERA Architects in Toronto, Canada. His role focuses on the conservation and adaptive reuse of existing buildings. Notable projects include the University of Alberta’s historic Dentistry-Pharmacy Building and the high-performance retrofit of the Ken Soble social housing tower in Hamilton. Leading the digital documentation team at ERA, which is focused on cultural heritage including existing buildings, sites, and landscapes, Mikael is also involved in research projects exploring digital documentation and Heritage BIM integration. He has contributed to peer-reviewed papers on the topic.

Adam Corneil Founder & CEO, Unbuilders Deconstruction & Heritage Lumber

Adam is a serial entrepreneur, a certified Passive House builder and a deconstruction & reclaimed wood expert. He flipped his first house at 16 with his father and after years as a green builder he launched Unbuilders Deconstruction in January 2018 and Heritage Lumber in 2020. Adam, and his companies, have the vision of a construction industry where deconstruction and remanufacturing replaces demolition and disposal. Passionate about his family, skiing, hiking mountains and spending as much time outdoors, he is committed to providing a sustainable future for generations to enjoy.

Rui Felix Landscape Architect, ERA Architects

Rui Felix, OALA, CSLA, is a landscape architect and ISA Certified Arborist at ERA Architects. He holds a Bachelor of Design with Distinction from the Environmental Design Program at OCAD University (2013) and received the Master of Landscape Architecture degree at the University of Toronto, where he won the ASLA Student General Design Honour Award for his 2015 thesis.

At ERA, Rui specializes in landscape revitalization and adaptive re-use of cultural heritage landscapes and post-war apartment neighbourhoods with a focus on community engagement, participatory design processes, and low-impact development, with a record of projects that have positively contributed to more resilient, healthy and complete neighbourhoods. Rui is a frequent contributor to the Centre for Urban Growth and Renewal researching and developing urban design best practices for the revitalization of postwar apartment tower sites. He has also led several other public realm improvement and city park projects, leading from initial feasibility assessments through to project execution.

Rui is also a Board Member for the Toronto Regional Conservation Authority’s Regional Watershed Alliance, and a Sessional Lecturer at the University of Toronto’s Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design.

Elsa Lam Editor, Canadian Architect

Elsa Lam is the editor of Canadian Architect magazine. She trained in architecture at the University of Waterloo, obtained her post-professional Master of Architecture from McGill, and completed her PhD in Architectural History and Theory at Columbia University in New York City. She is the co-editor of the book Canadian Modern Architecture, 1967 to the Present. Lam is a Fellow of the RAIC and an Honorary Member of the OAA.

Grace Coulter Sherlock Architect, Principal, Regional Director, Lemay

As Lemay’s regional director for Western Canada and an Architect with Lemay, Grace oversees all stages of the design process, providing the team with guidance, creative direction and support. An exceptional design strategist and communicator, she is often called upon to lead and inform the development of challenging typologies. Her diplomatic approach and relentless creative drive inspires the creation of sustainable, human-focused places. Grace has designed a wide range of award-winning architecture and interior design projects across Canada, with her work centered on the research and dialogue surrounding inclusive design models. Grace teaches at the University of Calgary, School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape and is part of the leadership team on a joint research project between FLDWRK +SAPL exploring Climate Havens and ClimateResiliencies in Canadian cities. She is a registered Architect in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba with work ongoing across the country.

Friday, January 20

My Cart

9:30 AM

Kevin Katigbak Principal, Strategy Director
Gensler
Sarah Midanik President & CEO
The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund
Dennis Ng Senior Director, Workplace Design and Experience
CIBC
Danny Roy Intern Architect, Planner
Brook McIlroy

The Future of Workplace Design: Inside CIBC’s New Office Spaces

  • Big Ideas

Speakers: Danny Roy of Brook McIlory, Kevin Katigbak of Gensler, Dennis Ng of CIBC and Sarah Midanik of the Downie Foundation. 

Two office towers, 3 million square feet – CIBC Square was a major investment and massive undertaking. With approximately 15,000 staff under two roofs, the financial giant spared no amount of research while preparing a workplace dedicated to its people, their health, and wellness. To create an exceptional work environment filled with forward-thinking features, CIBC called upon Gensler to take on a “hospitality-inspired approach” to its futuristic amenity spaces. CIBC also called upon Brook McIlory, with in-depth consultation from The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, to build a legacy room. This flexible and welcoming corporate space is designed with Indigenous elements to promote reconciliation. It has all the makings – could this be the workplace of the future? Hear from CIBC, Gensler, Brook McIlroy, and The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund and decide for yourself.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Kevin Katigbak Principal, Strategy Director, Gensler

Kevin is a Principal and Strategy Director at Gensler‘s Toronto office. For more than a decade, he has worked with innovative companies as a Senior Strategist, helping them create and implement high-performance, people-focused workplaces that leverage both changing technologies and shifting employee expectations. With a professional background that combines architecture, communications, user research, and business strategy, Kevin brings a broad skill set, multidisciplinary perspective, and rigorous analytical process to each project. He leads teams that focus on developing real estate and workplace strategies to support businesses and communities, as well as on creating programs to help organizations manage the changes associated with new technologies and workplace settings. Kevin holds a Master of Science, Environmental Design &Engineering from The Bartlett, University College London.

Sarah Midanik President & CEO, The Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund

Sarah Midanik is an Indigenous professional who is passionate about increasing capacity and social impact within Indigenous communities. A member of the Métis Nation of Alberta from the historic Métis settlement of St. Albert, Sarah is a member of the Cunningham family. She is currently the President & CEO of the Gord Downie & Chanie Wenjack Fund, anational charity that seeks to build cultural understanding and create a path towards reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. A dedicated volunteer, Sarah currently sits on the national board for the boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and the Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business advises the Indigenous Professionals Association of Canada and the Indigenous Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship and is a founding Member of the newly created Honouring Nations Canada Circle of Advisors which is a collaboration between Fulbright Canada and the Harvard Project on American Indian Economic Development. She also serves on the CRA’s Advisory Committee on the Charitable Sector. Sarah is currently completing her MBA in the Indigenous Business and Leadership program at Simon Fraser University and was named one of The Peak’s Emerging Leaders of 2022.

Dennis Ng Senior Director, Workplace Design and Experience, CIBC

Dennis Ng is an Architect and Interior Designer leading the translation of CIBC’s Enterprise vision into interior and brand experiential design across corporate offices and retail spaces. In addition, Dennis leads the development of an integrated design framework for client and workplace experience, seeking innovative solutions in design, technology, culture, and brand, and how all these aspects fit together to provide the best foundation for client and employee experience to grow. For the design of CIBC Square, Dennis lead a “hospitality inspired approach” for the design of the office, leading the specialty space design and co-leading the workplace design.

Danny Roy Intern Architect, Planner, Brook McIlroy

Danny Roy is an Intern Architect and Planner at Brook McIlroy and is part of the Indigenous Design Studio with the firm. He is Cree Métis from the northern community of Sakitawak (Île-à-la-Crosse, Saskatchewan) and is a member of English River Dene Nation in Treaty 10 territory. He holds a Master of Architecture degree from the University of Calgary and a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree from the University of Saskatchewan in Regional and Urban Planning.

As a planner and intern architect, Danny works in multiples scales of projects, from master planning to interior design. Bringing years of experience in engagement and land-use planning, Danny works closely with communities to ensure their respective values, histories, and cultures are reflected in the built environment. Currently, within the Indigenous Design Studio, Danny is working on multiple projects with Indigenous communities including the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, Lac des Mille Lacs First Nation, Sheshegwaning First Nation, as well as several projects for municipalities, urban Indigenous organizations, and post-secondary institutions involving multiple Indigenous rights-holders and community groups.

Through his work, he hopes to help advance innovative and sustainable approaches to community design and Indigenous design-thinking in the built form of all scales through placemaking and placekeeping efforts.

9:30 AM

Andrew King Chief Design Officer
Lemay & Principal at FLDWRK
Jamie Miller Director of Biomimicry
B+H Architects
Caelan Tatz Creative Strategist & Interior Designer
McKinley Studios

Incubators, Think Tanks & Internal Research Labs: What’s the ROI? with B+H, Lemay, and Black Chamber

  • Climate Change & Social Responsibility

Speakers: Caelan Tatz of McKinley Studios, Jamie Miller of B+H and Andrew King of Lemay and FLDWRK

This seminar will explore the growing trend of embedding incubators, think tanks and internal labs into architecture practices. Caelan Tatz of Black Chamber, Jamie Miller of B+H, and Andrew King of Lemay lead such research-driven departments and will explain how they are funded and structured and, if proof really is in the pudding, share recent findings and resultant designs.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Andrew King Chief Design Officer, Lemay & Principal at FLDWRK

A fellow of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada, Andrew King is recognized as a first-class leader in Canadian design practice and education. He has led multiple interdisciplinary teams and taken charge of pan-Canadian training initiatives involving architecture, art, exhibits, film and theatre. Andrew spent the first decade of his career in Europe, working in Seville, Budapest, Berlin and London, where he completed a mentorship program with Zaha Hadid, as well as in Berlin, where he lived for eight years. Andrew has been published in international art and architecture journals and been rewarded with several design awards: the Prix de Rome (2003), the Canadian Architect Award of Excellence (three times, in 2000, 2010and 2017) and two American Institute of Architecture Progressive Architecture Awards of Excellence (2012). He was also named one of Canada’s design leaders by the Globe and Mail in 2003. With his undeniable talent, Andrew stimulates creative thinking and new design models at Lemay as he augments the firm’s visibility from coast to coast, working on large-scale projects such as Place des Montréalaises, Humaniti, Espace 67 and St. Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal.

Jamie Miller Director of Biomimicry, B+H Architects

Jamie Miller is the Director of Biomimicry at B+H Architects. He is also the President of the award-winning sustainability consultancy, Biomimicry Frontiers, and the Founder of the Biomimicry Commons, an education and incubator space that Fast Company named a “World Changing Idea.” He holds a PhD in engineering, focusing on urban resilience and systems-based biomimicry and was the co-lead of OCAD University’s biomimicry program. Jamie has been working in the field of biomimicry since 2004. He’s been trained by Janine Benyus and various Indigenous Elders on the deeper principles of nature and continues to focus on the practical application of this time-tested genius to the built environment and to the shift in our relationship with nature. 

Caelan Tatz Creative Strategist & Interior Designer, McKinley Studios

Caelan Tatz leads Black Chamber, McKinley Studios’ creative strategy division. She graduated from Mount Royal University with a Bachelor of Applied Interior Design, winning numerous awards and scholarships, including the Alberta Association of Architects President’s Medal. In her nine years with McKinley Studios, she has worked on interior design projects at a multitude of scales, spanning retail, residential, multi-family, hospitality, and workplace sectors. Additionally, she has been integral to the development of Black Chamber, thanks to her intuitive ability to hone narratives and forge strong connections between concepts to align multiple stakeholders.

Within the studio, Caelan works closely with projects teams to integrate Black Chamber thinking and values-driven positioning into the DNA of all of mknly’s architecture and design projects. For Black Chamber clients, she has helped major developers define and position large scale mixed-use, multi-family, and retail developments across Western Canada. A believer in the power of words and story-telling, she has authored critical “Weaponized Propaganda” reports that have been invaluable negotiating tools for key stakeholders.

In addition to her diverse roles at McKinley, Caelan is frequently invited to be a guest critic at Mount Royal University’s Interior Design and U of C’s Masters of Architecture studios.

9:30 AM

Frances Martin-DiGiuseppe Founding Principal
Q4 Architects Inc.
Alex Bozikovic Architecture Critic
The Globe and Mail
Janna Levitt Partner
LGA Architectural Partners
Jaegap Chung Partner
studio JCI

The Missing Middle: Where did it go and how do we get it back?

  • Climate Change & Social Responsibility

Speakers:  Janna Levitt of LGA, Jaegap Chung of Studio JCI and Frances Martin-DiGuiseppe of Q4 Architects. Moderated by Alex Bozikovic of the Globe and Mail. 

Mid-rise development has been dwindling in North America since the 60s and our cities are feeling the loss. This seminar explores what “Missing Middle” means, how and why we got here, and why it is so important to rectify the situation considering the need for better planned and designed densification and gentrification. Hear from three GTA architects taking the cause to heart and offering replicable solutions to communities and the citizen developer alike.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Frances Martin-DiGiuseppe Founding Principal, Q4 Architects Inc.

Frances is deeply committed to creating real homes for real people. Passionate about responsible architecture with a social mission, she has dedicated over 35 years to creating truly livable, ordered and harmonious spaces that transform the lives of their inhabitants. Leading some of the most successful New Urbanism innovations in the GTA over the past two decades, the new typologies she has created are often imitated by others and adopted as standard. She has been not only a pioneer but a leading voice in the Missing Middle movement throughout the Greater Toronto Area. Frances launched Q4 Architects in 2004 with the belief that thoughtful architecture has the power to enhance the human experience. As a leader and mentor, she works hard to instill this personal source code into every project that the studio creates.

Alex Bozikovic Architecture Critic, The Globe and Mail

Alex Bozikovic is the architecture critic for the Globe and Mail. He is an author or editor of three books: the bestseller 305 Lost Buildings of Canada; Toronto Architecture: A City Guide; and House Divided. He won the 2019 President’s Medal for Media in Architecture from the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada for his journalism.

Janna Levitt Partner, LGA Architectural Partners

Janna Levitt co-founded LGA Architectural Partners (formerly LevittGoodman Architects) in 1989. She views architecture as an essential tool for creating living, working, and learning environments that improve people’s lives. At LGA, she has led the design of numerous projects that address the Missing Middle, including single-family to multi-unit conversions, infill development, and laneway housing. Janna is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Waterloo School of Architecture and the University of Toronto Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design. She lectures widely on architecture and the arts and is an active jury member and panellist on architectural and urban design issues across the country. She is currently collaborating with Michael Piper, Assistant Professor at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto) on a research project titled ‘ReHousing the Yellowbelt,’ funded by Neptis-funded. This study combines academic research methods with on-the-ground practical knowledge to produce avisually compelling guide for infilling new housing in Toronto’s low-riseneighbourhoods.

Jaegap Chung Partner, studio JCI

Jaegap Chung is a Founding Principal of Studio JCI, one of Toronto’s highly respected architecture firms designing and building over 8 million square feet of residential projects annually. Recognized for his leadership as an architect, Jaegap is an advocate for bolstering classic and timeless projects that contribute to the social, economic, and cultural fabric of the built environment.

With over 20 years of extensive experience in high-end residential design, Jaegap’s innovation and project leadership spans varying scales, neighbourhoods, and municipalities, including: the acclaimed Hill and Dale Residences in Rosedale; an award-winning adaptive re-use of a 1980’s mid-rise office building situated across LCBO Summerhill; a series of co-living projects across Toronto with Core Development Group; Artform Condominiums and Arte Residences in Mississauga, as well as 1 Jarvis in Hamilton with EMBLEM; Gibbard District in Napanee with ABNA Investments and Doornekamp Construction; and a multi-phased rental development at Dufferin Eglinton LRT Station with Clifton Blake Asset Management; among other large-scale transit-oriented communities across the province.

Jaegap is currently co-leading a new venture designed to introduce low rise community infill developments in Toronto.

Jaegap’s work has been influential in shaping several City of Toronto municipal planning policy initiatives in support of encouraging the design and construction of Multiplexes and Mid-rises, and has been an active participant in the City of Toronto EHON initiative.

Born in South Korea, and raised in Southern India, Jaegap earned his Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Toronto. He currently resides in North York with is life and business partner Sue Jean Chung, two teens, and their beloved dog Benji.

9:30 AM

Samantha Duha Collaborator
Duha Group

Colour, Material & Finish Design Directions 2024

  • Industry Trends
Speaker: Samantha Duha of the Colour Hive. 
The global macro driver of environmental concern informs two diverse stories.The first, Soon, explores the effects and responses to global warming against a backdrop of agitation for change. Designers have an important role here, both in ameliorating the effects and in communicating the need to prevent further damage. Visually arresting, this materials-driven story with a striking colour palette takes inspiration from the effects of the sun, stark shadows, and harsh landscapes.An equally pressing concern is waste. For many designers, the issue is uncomfortable, with a conflict between the drive to create and the need to stem the excesses of consumerism.The second story, Heartbreaker,takes a crafted, slow approach, arguing for thoughtful design that rejects inbuilt redundancy, and the idea that if we make something beautiful enough it will continue to be cared for and appreciated. Here, we look for objective beauty built on order, with an underpinning of structure that creates the illusion of effortless perfection.

 

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Samantha Duha Collaborator, Duha Group

Colour Hive is a creative agency recognized internationally for its accurate colour and trend forecasting for the design industry. As colour and trend forecasters we provide our clients with an accurate insight into upcoming trends in colour, materials and design to help strengthen brands and the product development process. Based in London and operating globally, our strategies and services can help  businesses to increase revenue and explore new markets. Colour Hive is also the publisher of MIX Magazine; a quarterly working tool providing colour and trend information two years ahead of the season. 
 
Colour Hive is a member of the Duha Group, which is a Winnipeg based, family-owned third generation business operating since 1949. Today we are in the business of colour – trend forecasting, graphic design, colour consultancy, colour palette development, and the manufacturing of innovative printed colour collateral for the global paint, automotive, fashion, and cosmetic markets. Today, Duha and it’s partners are located in 8 countries servicing customers in over 130 countries globally. 

9:30 AM

Cathy Knott Director of Interior Design
Hariri Pontarini Architects
Michael Conway Associate Partner
Hariri Pontarini Architects
Sam Dufaux Principal
SvN
Andre D’Elia Partner
Superkül

Master Planning: The Right Ways Forward

  • Climate Change & Social Responsibility

Speakers: Andre D’Elia of Superkul, Sam Dufaux of SvN, Cathy Knott of Hariri Pontarini and Michael Conway of Hariri Pontarini.

Master planning, or the regulatory framework that controls uses, circulation, open space, and the two-dimensional relations between public and private space, is changing. Traditionally top-down and infrastructure-forward, new from-the-ground-up concepts are revolutionizing cities. This seminar will examine recent master plans by three heavy-hitting architecture firms that exemplify new ways of thinking, including “cohesive design,” “landscape-first,” and “holistic design” approaches that build professional relationships, benefit communities, and influence interiors and the environment.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Cathy Knott Director of Interior Design, Hariri Pontarini Architects

Cathy has spent over 25 years in the Interior Design industry. Over the course of her career, Cathy has worked with and led some of the most sought-after internationally acclaimed design studios in Toronto. As Director of Interior Design, Cathy is instrumental in the leadership of the Interiors team and plays an integral role in each project to ensure a successful outcome. Cathy has been involved in a wide array of projects ranging from mixed-use development, corporate office, hospitality, retail,multi-unit residential, & private residences. With her recent contribution to the City of Toronto’s “Growing Up Guidelines: Planning for Children in New Vertical Communities”, Cathy has helped shape the vision and performance standards that will guide future communities within the City of Toronto.

Michael Conway Associate Partner , Hariri Pontarini Architects

Michael Conway has nearly 20 years of experience in developing designs for large, urban mixed-use projects. His skill and interest lies in seamlessly weaving new developments into the existing fabric of the neighbourhoods and cities within which he works. Conway’s recent projects stand as testament to his versatility and his ability to navigate the challenges posed by complex, urban sites, including: The Well, a 7.7 acre mixed-use development that creates a new district in the heart of downtown Toronto; the CTBUH award winning King Portland Centre, a 438,000 square foot (40,692 square meter) commercial and residential development; and FIVE: Condos, a 46-story residential tower set above a restored heritage building.

Sam Dufaux Principal, SvN

Sam Dufaux is a Principal at SvN. Prior to SvN, he was an Associate Principal at WORKac in New York City, where, for 10 years, he led many of the firm’s built projects, public works, commercial and residential projects. Sam currently leads key firm projects and research across all scales with a focus on the integration of architecture, landscape, and ecological systems for a post-carbon world. He received his Master’s degree from Columbia University in New York after earning his Bachelor of Architecture degree in Switzerland, where he is a licensed architect. Sam is currently an Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design at the University of Toronto and has taught at Columbia University. 

Andre D’Elia Partner, Superkül

Since founding Superkül in 2002, Andre has built a firm, alongside Meg Graham, known for delivering high-performance design, unparalleled quality and constructability, and exceptional client service for projects across sectors, including single-family and multi-unit residential, commercial, mixed-use, and academic. Andre’s affability, pragmatism, and integrity are matched by his deep knowledge of construction detailing and sequencing, sustainable design, and the redevelopment of heritage and existing properties at all scales. A committed advocate within the profession, he volunteers his time and expertise as a member of the Toronto Community Housing Design Review Panel, an OAA mentor, and university lecturer and conference speaker. Andre received his Bachelor’s from Carleton University’s School of Architecture.

11:30 AM

Wayne Swanton Managing Principal
Janet Rosenberg & Studio Inc.
Lorraine Johnson Writer
Gerardo Paez Alonso Lead, Landscape Architecture
SvN

The Landscape-First Design Approach with SvN, Brook McIlroy, and Janet Rosenberg Studio

  • Climate Change & Social Responsibility

Speakers: Gerardo Paez from SvN, Danny Roy of Brook McIlory,  and Wayne Swanton of Janet Rosenberg Studio. Moderated by Lorraine Johnson

Landscape decisions are often made at the end of the design process in projects related to the built environment. This panel explores the benefits and opportunities of leading with landscape – allowing the site itself to provide the framework and guidance for all the design decisions that flow from place. Using examples of projects at different scales – from large to small –this group of experienced panelists demonstrate the value of a life-centric, rather than human-centric, approach.

 

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Wayne Swanton Managing Principal, Janet Rosenberg & Studio Inc.

Wayne Swanton is a landscape architect and the managing principal at Janet Rosenberg & Studio in Toronto. Over his 30-year career, Wayne has effectively managed the completion of high-profile projects including the campus Master Plan for the University of Manitoba, the Master Plan for First Gulf’s East Harbour in Toronto, and Town Hall Square in Yorkville, Toronto. Wayne is currently leading the Redevelopment of the Kìwekì Point(formerly Nepean Point) in Ottawa for the NCC, as well as collaborating on master plans for several large-scale mixed-use redevelopment projects including Agincourt Mall in Scarborough and Cloverdale Mall in Etobicoke. These city-building opportunities leverage connections to existing transit, parks and open spaces to create complete, connected, safe and vibrant mixed-use communities. Wayne is also currently a member of the City of Vaughan’s Design Review Panel, imparting professional advice on landscape architecture and urban design matters that affect the public realm.

Lorraine Johnson Writer

Lorraine Johnson is the author of numerous books on regenerating habitat with native plants, including the recently published A Garden for the Rusty-Patched Bumblebee (co-authored with Sheila Colla) and 100Easy-to-Grow Native Plants for Canadian Gardens. Lorraine is active with many non-profit organizations and community groups engaged with urban agriculture and protecting biodiversity, particularly pollinators. Lorraine was the founding and long-time editor of Ground: Landscape Architect Quarterly, published by the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects. She is active in municipal advocacy around legalizing urban hens and in reforming grass and weeds bylaws in support of biodiversity.

Gerardo Paez Alonso Lead, Landscape Architecture, SvN

Gerardo is a Landscape Architect with more than 17 years of experience working in both, the private and public sector designing parks, streetscapes, and open spaces, where infrastructure, urban design and landscape architecture are seamlessly integrated. Since joining SvN in 2022, Gerardo has been involved in large scale landscape master plan studies and also detailed public realm design developed through a landscape first approach in Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean. Notable projects underway that put landscape strategy at the forefront of design include the Durham Meadoway Visioning Study, Latiz Park in Mexico, Polo Park Mall Master Plan in Winnipeg, Shoppers World Brampton, Rail Deck Reset in Toronto and the public realm spaces for Metrolinx’s Ontario Line stations.

11:30 AM

Monty Stauffer Senior Process and Materials Designer, Kohler WasteLAB
Kohler Co.
Kimberley Seldon Advocate in Chief, Business of Design
Principal and CEO, Kimberley Seldon Design Group
Marla Baker Business Development Specialist + Design Community Advocate
Founder of MARLABAKER.ca

Falling in Love with Industrial Waste – KOHLER WasteLAB

  • Climate Change & Social Responsibility
Speakers: Monty Stauffer of Kohler WasteLab & Kimberley Seldon of Business of Design™, Q&A by Marla Baker of MARLABAKER.ca
During this presentation, participants will learn about the history, vision and mission of WasteLAB, including how circular economy principles are shaping product development and processes. In addition, participants will discover what waste streams are being utilized as new materials, how they are combined and processed into new products including tile and decorative items, and how designing with such products differentiates the work and brings social responsibility and purpose forward to our clients.
Learning Objectives:
• Discover the history, vision and mission of WasteLAB;
• Understand how Circular Economy principles are shaping product development and processes in the WasteLAB and how this differs from a traditional linear manufacturing model;
• Understand the new processes that are used in the WasteLAB to turn industrial waste streams into decorative tile, accessories and other products

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Monty Stauffer Senior Process and Materials Designer, Kohler WasteLAB, Kohler Co.

With an education in fine arts and design and more than 10 years at Kohler Company in new product development, Monty is considered a leader amongst a small group of elite makers within the organization. From an early passion for rebuilding vintage motorcycles and surfboards, Monty learned how to quickly make simple tools and machines with which to experiment and test ideas. As a ceramic artist with his own small production studio, Monty on a regular basis produces small custom collections. It is against this vast experience in the practicalities of how we make objects that Monty brings a series of special skills to the Kohler WasteLAB. Monty’s primary role is to develop and guide aesthetic and design decisions, advance processes as well material investigation that can be used in production. In addition, he makes the needed dies and tools and where necessary equipment that support advanced development and production.

As a designer, there are many choices to make, but working with waste streams brings unique challenges and opportunities that have to be considered every day as the WasteLAB rethinks and reshapes traditional manufacturing. The focus of the WasteLAB is to create exceptional products from discarded industrial materials.

The Kohler WasteLAB started as a question: What if we looked at waste differently – as an opportunity for innovation? It is through answering this question that Monty as both a designer and a maker is pushing a new kind of innovation that furthers the Kohler Design and Sustainability Journey.

Kimberley Seldon Advocate in Chief, Business of Design, Principal and CEO, Kimberley Seldon Design Group

Kimberley Seldon is a designer, broadcaster and writer who advocates for spaces that celebrate the people who live in them. Educated at California State University and trained in Toronto, she has been in private practice since 1991. Based in Toronto and Los Angeles, the award-winning Kimberley Seldon Design Group today creates exceptional living spaces for exceptional people throughout North America. In 2004, Kimberley founded Business of Design – an online learning platform for independent designers – to share what she’s learned about how professionalism powers creativity. She continues to coach and speak to aspiring designers around the world, and to be inspired by their passion. 

Marla Baker Business Development Specialist + Design Community Advocate, Founder of MARLABAKER.ca

Marla is a Business Development Specialist and Design Community advocate. Known as a matchmaker in the industry Marla connects Architects and Designers with the brands, services, events and seminars that are meaningful to them. Marla produces results for the companies she represents while supporting and understanding the needs of the Design Community. Marla is the founder of MARLABAKER.CA a Business Development Sales Agency representing luxury brands and services to the Architecture & Design Community. Marla is an IDS loyalist and has provided quality seminars and panel discussions for the last 10 years.

11:30 AM

Vanessa Fong Principle Architect
VFA Architecture + Design // Studio Morro
Maggie Bennedsen Associate
Kohn Shnier architects
Timothy Mitanidis Architect
creative-union.network

Big Ideas on Transforming Small Footprints

  • Climate Change & Social Responsibility
Speakers: Vanessa Fong of VFA, Timothy Mitanidis of Creative Union Network and Maggie Bennedsen of Kohn Shnier.
Small homes on small sites, cramped interiors without reasonable storage or intuitive circulation – dear Toronto, we love you and the daily challenges you pose for interior designers and architects. Hear from three of the best firms tackling these sticky situations: Vanessa Fong Architects, Creative Union Network, and the OG of small space design, Kohn Shnier. In this candid seminar, the speakers will disclose their tricks of the trade – circulation, storage, and illusion – as they walk the audience through three Toronto projects each. From condos and apartments to laneway suites and even mid-sized homes, these speakers will provide plenty of brilliant ideas on how to maximize your next small space project.

 

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Vanessa Fong Principle Architect, VFA Architecture + Design // Studio Morro

Vanessa is the Principal Architect at VFA Architecture + Design an innovative architecture and interior design studio specializing in holistic, contextually specific, and forward-looking custom design. In 2022, she established Studio Morro which brings together architecture, interior design and construction management under one roof – changing the way the built form is delivered to clients via an architecture-led process. A graduate of McGill University with over a decade of architectural experience, Vanessaremains is a curious explorer – innovation in design and constructability along with the need to create spaces that positively impact human health and wellness are at the core of the VFA studio. A strong believer in giving back to the community, Vanessa has served five years as a Council member for the Ontario Association of Architects, the governing and regulatory body for architects in Ontario; four of those years as OAA Vice President Communications, driven by a belief in the architectural community’s obligation to educate the public and decisionmakers about the value of architecture. Vanessa also sat as Chair of the Design Industry Advisory Committee, a think tank and cross-disciplinary research group which promotes the strategic value of design and the contribution of designers from all disciplines to economic, social and environmental goals.

Maggie Bennedsen Associate, Kohn Shnier architects

Maggie Bennedsen (BES, BArch, OAA)  is a Senior Associate at Kohn Shnier architects with more than twenty years of experience leading teams on both residential and institutional projects. Most recently Maggie has completed work as Project Architect on the U of T University College Revitalization and Infrastructure Upgrade. She played a key role on the Claude Watson School for the Arts and was project architect on the Fraser Mustard Early Learning Academy. Maggie has also completed a number of award winning residential projects including the Scarboro Residence, Walker Residence, Brookfield House, Laneway House as well as the Dundas Mixed-use building. Maggie lives in a small house she designed with her husband – she knows from experience how to live large in a small space.

Timothy Mitanidis Architect, creative-union.network

Timothy insists that true beauty in architecture and design can only emerge through the deployment of dynamic responses to a multitude of project constraints. The causative social, economic, and cultural systems which are constantly at play in the world around us must be thoughtfully addressed and carefully balanced to create a truly inspiring aesthetic which exists in harmony with the forces responsible for its creation.

As a Graduate of Architecture programs at Ryerson University in Toronto and The Städelschule in Frankfurt, Timothy has accumulated varied experiences studying and working both at home and abroad. Working for many design focused firms, including Toronto’s Vogel Architect and UN Studio in Amsterdam, Timothy applied learned skills during an extended stint at Stevens Group Architects primarily planning and designing public transportation lines and stations, including the Eglington Crosstown LRT.

For the last 10 years Timothy, in collaboration with partner Claudia Bader, has built up the Creative Union Network, focusing on the efficient residential design and challenging established dogmas with innovative approaches to housing people. Our long-term focus is the study and development of a middle ground between single family residences and large-scale condominium projects, presently absent from Toronto. By weaving thoughtful design together with the inherent qualities of existing neighbourhoods we aim to introduce gentle infill projects that can integrate into neighbourhoods and promote the importance of community connections by recognizing the importance of the established context.

11:30 AM

Alvin Wayne Interior designer
Alvin Wayne Interiors Inc
Abe Chan Design Partner
ACDO
Helene Oberman Managing Director
Interior Design Magazine

Interior Design: What Clients Want Now

  • Industry Trends

Speakers: Alvin Wayne from Alvin Wayne and Abe Chan of ACDO.
Moderator: Helene Oberman of Interior Design Magazine.
*Please note that Nike Onile is no longer able to participation in this session. 

Since the pandemic, the priorities of interior design clients have shifted. With re-set perspectives, the idea of the “forever home” deeply resonates more powerfully than keeping up with trends. Our panel of experts – Nike Onile, Alvin Wayne, and Abe Chan – discuss the movement towards intentional purchases, timeless and holistic solutions, and sustainable choices, as well as how the role of the interior designer as collaborator has become more prevalent than ever. Watch as they show how these themes manifest in incredible interiors that will stand the test of time.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Alvin Wayne Interior designer, Alvin Wayne Interiors Inc

Alvin Wayne is a New York City-based interior designer who believes everyone deserves to live in luxury. He is known for his ability to infuse modern and timeless design with natural and organic elements with pops of personality. Alvin’s design education and years of luxury retail has contributed to his overall design aesthetic, along with his love of music, art and fashion. Alvin Wayne Interiors (AWI) has been featured in ArchitecturalDigest, NBC open house, HGTV, Apartment Therapy, Essence, and Ebony magazine.

Abe Chan Design Partner, ACDO

Abe Chan, founder and design partner of ACDO, is a Canadian designer whose life and work finds its roots across the world. His enduring ties across Asia and America serve to inform his work, as does his expansive background in design. Holding a Masters of Architecture from the Rhode Island School of Design, Abraham began his own firm after a ten year tenure at internationally acclaimed design firm Yabu Pushelberg.

Helene Oberman Managing Director, Interior Design Magazine

After honing her knowledge of the decorative arts in the rugs and carpets department at Sotheby’s, Helene Oberman joined Interior Design in 2004 as the assistant to the editor-in-chief. Her natural talent for managing photographers, writers, and designers alike led to her 2008 promotion to Managing Editor, and in 2019 to her current position. Helene has served as a member of the Design Trust for Public Space Art Committee and is currently on the Advisory Board Steering Committee for the FashionInstitute of Technology Interior Design Department, the IIDA LeadersBreakfast Event Committee and the DIFFA Dining by Design Steering Committee.

11:30 AM

Udo Schliemann Principal Creative Director
Entro
Vedran Dzebic Head of Research & Development
Entro

The Art and Science of Placemaking with Entro

  • Big Ideas

Speakers: Udo Schliemann and Dr. Vedran Dzebic of Entro Communications. 

Entro’s Udo Schliemann, Principal Creative Director, and cognitive neuroscientist Vedran Dzebic, Head of Research and Development at Entro, bring their unique perspectives to the practice of placemaking. In this talk, Udo explores the ways in which placemaking elements such as branded environments, experiential graphics, wayfinding, and identification for public spaces can help to create a sense of belonging, and, ultimately, places people love to visit, live, gather, play, and work. Vedran shares the results of a recent academic research study that measures the value and impact of placemaking and proves a positive return on investment for placemaking interventions. Join Vedran and Udo as they discuss the role of quantitative data and designers’ intuition during the design process.

 

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Udo Schliemann Principal Creative Director, Entro

Udo brings 36 years of experience to Entro, specializing in identity development, corporate communications, and signage and wayfinding design. Udo’s unique approach to design problems, fostered by the mentorship of renowned German artist Anton Stankowski, combines artistic and poetic sensibilities to create powerful designs that elevate the everyday experience.

At Entro, Udo has directed the design and development of signage and wayfinding programs for an impressive list of national and international clients and developed a number of corporate identity programs. Udo’s immense talent has garnered a long list of industry awards.

Udo served as Chairman of the 2011 SEGD Conference in Montreal, and, in 2017, Udo was elected to become a member of the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts.

Vedran Dzebic Head of Research & Development, Entro

Vedran leads the research and development practices at Entro. His work sits at the intersection of cognitive neuroscience and environmental design. Through the use of innovative techniques and technologies such as virtual reality, computer vision and machine learning, he explores how the physical environment shapes how we think, feel and behave. By applying rigorous yet human-centred research perspectives, he advances the mandate of building stronger connections between people and place. His expertise ranges from the study of visual complexity within urban environments, to biophilic design, to the role of emerging technologies in shaping how we think about our surroundings.

12:30 PM

Bonnie Hvillum Founder
Natural Material Studio
Elizabeth Pagliacolo Editor in Chief
AZURE Magazine

Natural Material Studio

  • AZURE Trade Talks

Speakers: Bonnie Hvillum in conversation with Elizabeth Pagliacolo of AZURE Magazine

Natural Material Studio is a Copenhagen-based design, research and consultancy practice founded in 2018. Through a material-led approach centered around the properties and qualities of often discarded or under-utilized natural resources, Natural Material Studio explores material limitations and opportunities in order to create novel design solutions.

Bonnie Hvillum Founder, Natural Material Studio

Natural Material Studio is a Copenhagen-based design, research and consultancy practice founded in 2018 by material and interaction designer, Bonnie Hvillum. The studio is driven by a desire to change our collective understanding, relation and perception of materials. They do so by working from a renewable and circular point of view, with both science, biology, chemistry, design and art as our building blocks. Forever forward-thinking, their work revolves around the principles of circular design – reuse, recycle, renew and rethink. Through a material-led approach centred around the properties and qualities of often discarded or under-utilized natural resources, Natural Material Studio explores material limitations and opportunities in order to create novel design solutions. Today the studio design bespoke objects and installations, supply designers and brands with natural materials, as well as offering material research, consultancy, teaching & design for companies around the world. The studio collaborates multidisciplinary with scientists, experts & craftsmen from various fields to reach an uncompromising quality.

Elizabeth Pagliacolo Editor in Chief, AZURE Magazine

Elizabeth Pagliacolo is the Editor in Chief at Azure magazine. A National Magazine Award–winning writer, she has reported on design fairs around the world, covered prominent architecture projects, including Odile Decq’s restaurant at the Paris Opera Garnier and Snøhetta’s entrance pavilion for the 9/11 Museum in New York, and reported on new trends and technologies, from the emergence of LEDs to the evolution of sustainable concrete. She also interviewed the leading lights of modern architecture and design, such as Patricia Urquiola, Lawrence Scarpa and Walter Hood, and participated on design juries in Toronto and New York. From 2016 to 2017, she was the Director of Programming for EDIT: Expo for Design, Innovation and Technology, which took place from September 28 to October 8, 2017. The 10-day festival was produced by the Design Exchange, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme. She has also written for Canadian Architect, Azure, Designlines, Frame, the Globe and Mail, Metropolis, Interior Design and enRoute Edition.

1:30 PM

David Peterson Architect
David Peterson Architect Inc
Elizabeth Margles EVP Marketing and Community
Material Bank

Specifying Sustainability, Sustainably

  • Innovation & Technology Trends

Speakers: Liz Margles of Material Bank and David Peterson of David Peterson Architects

Pandemic supply-chain issues, the climate crisis, affordability, and client demands – there’s a lot to reconcile when specifying for interior design and architectural projects. When it comes to making sustainable material choices, specifying sustainably – meaning from close-to-home – is the ideal but not always an option, or even the right choice. Hear from architect David Peterson, an expert in biophilic design, as he explains how he approaches his projects from a site-first perspective, and how he circumvents specifying roadblocks with guiding principles. And hear from Elizabeth Margles of Material Bank as she presents how it, the world’s largest material marketplace, helps put sustainable products into the hands of global clients, sustainably, and reveals what environmentally-friendly materials are currently trending.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

David Peterson Architect, David Peterson Architect Inc

David Peterson is a Canadian architect and educator that has focused on housing. His published writings and projects reflect his view that architecture should serve people and the urban ecological environment they inhabit. We see this in his carefully crafted houses and multi-residential architecture that continues to evolve toward a deeper relationship between design and well-being.

Elizabeth Margles EVP Marketing and Community, Material Bank

Elizabeth Margles oversees all marketing and community building activities at Material Bank, the world’s largest sampling and search platform designed exclusively for designers and architects, powering the design industry and connecting brands to professionals and building profile for both. Liz was previously Chief Marketing Officer for Humanscale, based in New York City, and Vice President of Marketing for Caesarstone North America. Liz has also headed Marketing for the Loblaw Corporation for Joe Fresh Style and PC Home, Holt Renfrew, and Porter Airlines – always focusing on building brands and services that anticipate, identify and deliver needs to consumers and businesses alike.

1:30 PM

Kimberley Seldon Advocate in Chief, Business of Design
Principal and CEO, Kimberley Seldon Design Group
Marla Baker Business Development Specialist + Design Community Advocate
Founder of MARLABAKER.ca

It’s Payday! with Kimberley Seldon

  • Building the Design Business

Speaker: Kimberley Seldon of Business of Design™, Q&A by Marla Baker of MARLABAKER.ca

You love what you do and you are good at it. But guess what? You deserve to be paid for it, too. Not only that, but you deserve to be paid well. In this seminar, we’re going to talk about Salary, which is the fixed, regular payment you receive for your hard work as an interior design professional. Sounds simple, but do you know what most designers are earning? Not what they are charging…. what they are earning?
Every full-time interior design professional deserves a salary that is six figures. Year after year, without fail. That’s the goal.
In this course, you will learn:
• the benefits of paying yourself first
• a disciplined approach to the financial health of your business
• a plan to break the 6-figure salary barrier

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Kimberley Seldon Advocate in Chief, Business of Design, Principal and CEO, Kimberley Seldon Design Group

Kimberley Seldon is a designer, broadcaster and writer who advocates for spaces that celebrate the people who live in them. Educated at California State University and trained in Toronto, she has been in private practice since 1991. Based in Toronto and Los Angeles, the award-winning Kimberley Seldon Design Group today creates exceptional living spaces for exceptional people throughout North America. In 2004, Kimberley founded Business of Design – an online learning platform for independent designers – to share what she’s learned about how professionalism powers creativity. She continues to coach and speak to aspiring designers around the world, and to be inspired by their passion. 

Marla Baker Business Development Specialist + Design Community Advocate, Founder of MARLABAKER.ca

Marla is a Business Development Specialist and Design Community advocate. Known as a matchmaker in the industry Marla connects Architects and Designers with the brands, services, events and seminars that are meaningful to them. Marla produces results for the companies she represents while supporting and understanding the needs of the Design Community. Marla is the founder of MARLABAKER.CA a Business Development Sales Agency representing luxury brands and services to the Architecture & Design Community. Marla is an IDS loyalist and has provided quality seminars and panel discussions for the last 10 years.

1:30 PM

Heather Belsey Architect
CannonDesign
Vanessa Zaffari Architect
CannonDesign

Symbiosis: Merging Design and Healing

  • Climate Change & Social Responsibility

Speaker: Heather Belsey and Vanessa of Zaffari of CannonDesign

 

Imagine a building that can boost immune response, lower blood pressure, or speed medication efficacy. By tapping into biology, we can trigger these specific outcomes in a new approach to design and sustainability. We have been talking about how ‘technology’ can shape the future of care but we have forgotten a powerful technology we depend on every day. With over 3.8 billion years of research and development, Nature has already figured out the solutions to all of the problems facing humanity.
In this talk, we’ll explore a new approach to achieving high-performance healthcare facilities using the symbiosis of the natural and the man-made. We’ll explore the 6 categories of symbiosis: Systems, Senses, Signals, Cycles, Biomes, and Genomes to uncover new ways to boost patient recovery times, boost immune response and lower pain med needs. We will begin to understand how to embrace biology as the ultimate technology to develop a new approach to healthcare design in order to transform how we provide care.

 

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Heather Belsey Architect, CannonDesign

Heather Belsey is a passionate architect and healthcare planner who strives to understand how humans experience buildings and how those buildings in turn interact with the broader world. With over 10 years of experience in architecture, what gets Heather up in the morning is the desire and passion to ensure that at the end of the proverbial day, she has done everything she can with the skills and education that she has to leave the earth a better place than what it was when she came into it. She believes that architecture should give back to humanity and the world rather than stealing from it. She is a member of the sustainability team at CannonDesign, an innovative architecture firm that avidly endeavours to deliver high-performance spaces and buildings that espouse their philosophy of “Living-Centered Design”. In all of her roles, Heather works diligently to identify creative solutions to design problems that not only meet the needs of the client but also sets out to leave the world a better place.

Vanessa Zaffari Architect, CannonDesign

1:30 PM

Melanie Robinson Senior Digital Consultant
BIM Academy

BIM Explained & Best Practices

  • Innovation & Technology Trends

Speaker: Dr. Melanie Robinson of BIM Academy.

Join Dr Melanie Robinson as she uncovers digital twin technology, its place in the building information modelling (BIM) environment and why digital twinning is the art of the future.

A digital twin is digital replica of a physical built asset, created using real world data to produce simulations that can predict how an object or process will perform. It can be integrated with the internet of things, artificial intelligence and software analytics for example, to enhance its output.

With the advancement of machine learning and factors such as big data, these virtual replicas have become incredibly valuable for BIM delivery in modern construction and engineering processes to drive innovation and improve performance. This is a genius new art form that is transforming the way we design, build and operate the building stock of today and that of tomorrow.

 

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Melanie Robinson Senior Digital Consultant, BIM Academy

Melanie is a Senior Digital Consultant at BIM Academy, specializing in Building Information Modelling (BIM) and information management according to ISO 19650. She is leading business development in Canada and for healthcare in the UK. She manages several projects across multiple sectors within the UK and internationally, and works closely with clients to develop bespoke digital strategies for project and asset management. Melanie’s interests include change management, standardization, and digital collaboration, and also acts as Regional Lead for Newcastle-upon-Tyne for Women in BIM.

1:30 PM

Enda McDonagh Principal
Montgomery Sisam Architects
Daniel Ling Director and Principal
Montgomery Sisam Architects

Sustainable and Affordable Housing: Passive House, Net Zero and Other Strategies

  • Climate Change & Social Responsibility
Speakers: Enda McDonagh and Daniel Ling of Montgomery Sisam Architects and Sean Botham of City Housing Hamilton.
Inflation coupled with rising interest rates are leaving an increasing number of Ontarians
vulnerable in an already exclusive housing market. Affordable and supportive housing are
among the top development priorities these days, spurred on by joint incentives by the federal
and provincial government. These building types are challenging. They have to be contextual
and inclusive. They have to be economical in their design and operations. They also have to be
efficient, resilient and responsible in the face of climate change – something the CMHC is
further incentivising through its funding program. To this end, many investors are setting
aggressive energy and emissions targets. They are demanding highly insulated, airtight
envelopes to reduce heating and cooling loads, and are exploring renewable energy sources to
reduce their impact and dependency on the grid.
This presentation looks critically at affordable and supportive housing and current energy
mandates across different municipalities. It considers the different opportunities for sustainable
design that are being explored and implemented in response to these mandates. It also
considers sustainable design programs as related to different construction models. Finally, it
offers examples of several affordable housing projects in different stages of development, and
key lessons learned through the evolution of this work, including the first modular passive house
project in Ontario. These high-caliber projects are an important response to a pressing social
problem. But more than that, they demonstrate the necessity and feasibility, regardless of
program, budget or scale, of climate-conscious development.

 

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Enda McDonagh Principal, Montgomery Sisam Architects

Enda McDonagh is a Principal at the Toronto-based practice Montgomery Sisam. Enda came to Montgomery Sisam twelve years ago with an impressive pedigree of work overseas. He has since helped guide a number award-winning projects in mental health, formative education, higher education and transitional housing. He is committed in his practice to deliver architecture that performs at the highest standards – functionally, technically, and environmentally. Enda is currently managing Phase 2 of the City of Toronto’s pioneering modular supportive housing projects and is a key facilitator in blending high-quality design and advanced building science with the latest construction techniques to create more resilient, responsive homes for vulnerable Ontarians. Enda is a certified PassiveHouse Consultant.

Daniel Ling Director and Principal, Montgomery Sisam Architects

Daniel Ling is an award-winning architect and a Director of Toronto-based practice Montgomery Sisam. Over the last 20 years, Daniel has worked across many industry sectors, with a focus on social and civic infrastructure projects. He is an impassioned advocate for positive city-building and believes in design that celebrates diversity of scale, of built form, of open space, of people and of experience. And he is widely recognized for his hands-on practice that invites meaningful dialogue between all project stakeholders. Daniel is a former member of the Infrastructure Advisory Board for the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. He currently sits on the City of Brampton Urban Design Review Panel.

2:30 PM

Stefan Novakovic Senior Editor
Azure Media
Ian Rolston Founder
Decanthropy

Dismantling Design

  • AZURE Trade Talks

Speakers: Ian Rolston in conversation with Stefan Novakovic of AZURE Magazine

Ian Rolston is an humanist, equity analyst, leader, speaker, and interior designer. He has collaborated with leaders of industry across three continents and has worked for transformative interior design firms in Canada and in the US across multiple sectors. Rolston’s studio workshops, executive training, and project collaborations help leaders design better spaces to Life in.

Stefan Novakovic Senior Editor, Azure Media

Stefan Novakovic is a Toronto-based writer and editor specializing in architecture and urbanism. Stefan is a Senior Editor at Azure Magazine, and previously served as Associate Editor at Canadian Architect, and Assistant Editor at UrbanToronto.ca. His writing has also appeared in a wide range of publications, including Canadian Interiors, Designlines, Building Magazine, the New York Review of Architecture, Torontoist and others.

Stefan has also appeared as a speaker at the Architecture and Design Film Festival, Toronto’s Interior Design Show, the Ontario Association of Architects Conference, the University of Toronto Munk School’s Walter Gordon Symposium on Public Policy, and Architect@Work International. He has also presented original research at the 46th Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada Conference. He is the winner of a Canadian National Magazine Award (B2B) and a Canadian Online Publishing Award.

Ian Rolston Founder, Decanthropy

Decanthropy is an equity innovation studio engineering change for brands, businesses and built environments. The studio develops and executes human-centered strategies to solve the right problems at the right time.  Led by Founder, Ian Rolston, the studio works with executive leadership teams to shift thinking, to establish strategies that embed structural equity throughout organizations and projects. Ian Rolston is a humanist, equity analyst, leader, speaker, and interior designer. He has collaborated with leaders of industry across three continents and has worked for transformative interior design firms in Canada and in the US across multiple sectors. Rolston’s studio workshops, executive training, and project collaborations help leaders design better spaces to Life in. Decanthropy. Equity engineers for social impact.

3:30 PM

Meg Graham Partner
Superkül
Ashley Rumsey Founding Partner and Managing Director
Mason Studio
Stanley Sun Co-Founder and Creative Director
Mason Studio
Rowley Mossop Founder
Innovia Partners

From Start-up to Stardom: Making Your Design Business Work

  • Building the Design Business

Speakers: Rowley Mossop of Innovia Partners, Meg Graham of Superkül, Stanley Sun and Ashley Rumsey of Mason Studio. 

If you are an entrepreneurial architect or interior designer that is striking out on your own, restructuring your business, or even legacy planning, you will not want to miss this seminar. Hosted by Rowley Mossop of Innovia Consulting, listen in as mid-career, powerhouse practices Superkül and Mason Studio share the trajectory of their businesses and how they are planning for what is next. From carving out space for creativity to people management to producing at a higher level, this revealing seminar covers organizational best practices that are invaluable to firms at every level.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Meg Graham Partner, Superkül

Widely respected within Canada’s architecture and real estate communities, and known for her design acumen, rigour, and hands-on approach, Meg co-leads Superkül’s thriving practice, overseeing the firm’s residential, commercial, academic, institutional, and mixed-use projects. A mentor and design advocate, Meg has taught architecture at the University of Toronto since 2001, is Co-Chair of the City of Toronto Design Review Panel, and sits on numerous boards, panels, and juries. She received a Bachelor’s from the University of Waterloo, winning the AIA Gold Medal in her thesis year, and holds a Master in Design Studies from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.

Ashley Rumsey Founding Partner and Managing Director, Mason Studio

Ashley Rumsey brings the highest level of standards to both the design vision of projects and to the management of the Mason Studio team. An advocate of purposeful design, Ashley has been a key part of the development of Mason Studio’s innovative research-based process. She ensures design decisions are thoughtfully evaluated based on their potential contribution to the end user, design process, and client’s goals. Her collaborative approach ensures a broad-based perspective, leveraging the skills and knowledge of the entire team to fully inform each design project. Ashley has successfully led projects in China, North America and the Middle East. Most recently, she was the lead designer for the award-winning hotel project Kimpton Saint George, Toronto. As a respected leader in the Canadian design community, Ashley has also been featured in international design media and regularly participates in thought leadership at notable conferences and events.

Stanley Sun Co-Founder and Creative Director, Mason Studio

Stanley Sun is a Co-Founder and Creative Director of Mason Studio, an international, award-winning interior design firm based in Toronto. Stanley Sun’s design vision is informed by a unique blend of formal studies in human sciences, fine arts and interior design training. Approaching each new design challenge with a combined scientific and humanistic perspective, he first observes how people experience and react to the built environment to then create a rational and intuitive design solution. Of particular interest to Stanley’s practice is the science of light, and the physiological and psychological response people have to lighting.

Throughout his career, Stanley has led major interior design projects across Asia, North America and Europe. As an advocate for Canadian design, Stanley has been published widely and has participated as a keynote speaker at leading design conferences.

Rowley Mossop Founder, Innovia Partners

Rowley Mossop leads the Innovia Partners team and is a trusted advisor to clients in the AEC industry, across Canada and in the U.K.. Innovia helps clients develop strategies for growth, succession, mergers and acquisitions, and organizational change. The team provides ongoing advisory to make sustainable transformation happen. Leveraging a deep understanding of the needs of creatively-driven professionals, Innovia provides the tailored guidance and tools for practice leaders to both envision and invest in a sustainable future for their organizations. Rowley’s background in the disciplines of business, media, design, and architecture informs Innovia’s unique approach to the challenges and potential of creative businesses.

Rowley is a Rotman MBA, holds a diploma from the Ontario College of Art and Design, and has a B.E.S. (Architecture) from the University of Waterloo.

 

3:30 PM

Amanda Large Principal
doublespace photography inc
Stefan Novakovic Senior Editor
Azure Media
Karen Kang Lifestyle & Education, Content Partnerships, North America
TikTok
Candice Houtekier Founder & Director
Art Collision

Best Face Forward

  • Big Ideas

Speakers: Stefan Novakovic of Azure magazine, Amanda Large of Doublespace Photography, Karen Kang of TikTok and Candice Houtekier of Art Collision. 

In the day of the self-made influencer, we all may think we can and know how best to present our work. But is your imagery telling the right story, are your social media platforms gaining you the right views, have you figured out how to get out in front of an editor? And are you ready to take that first step into the metaverse? Our four experts – Amanda Large of Doublespace Photography, Stefan Novakovic of Azure magazine, Karen Kang of TikTok, and Candice Houtekier of Art Collision – share best practices on how to put your projects forward, from that first photo to a published feature to social engagement.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Amanda Large Principal, doublespace photography inc

Amanda is a professional architectural photographer based in Toronto. As an architect by training, she is passionate about the impact of our surroundings on us; how they shape our moods, our experiences, and our worldview. As a photographer, her aim is to encourage people to reconsider their environment, find beauty in the everyday, and see spaces in a different light. Amanda and her partner Younes Bounhar established Doublespace Photography studio in 2012.

Stefan Novakovic Senior Editor, Azure Media

Stefan Novakovic is a Toronto-based writer and editor specializing in architecture and urbanism. Stefan is a Senior Editor at Azure Magazine, and previously served as Associate Editor at Canadian Architect, and Assistant Editor at UrbanToronto.ca. His writing has also appeared in a wide range of publications, including Canadian Interiors, Designlines, Building Magazine, the New York Review of Architecture, Torontoist and others.

Stefan has also appeared as a speaker at the Architecture and Design Film Festival, Toronto’s Interior Design Show, the Ontario Association of Architects Conference, the University of Toronto Munk School’s Walter Gordon Symposium on Public Policy, and Architect@Work International. He has also presented original research at the 46th Society for the Study of Architecture in Canada Conference. He is the winner of a Canadian National Magazine Award (B2B) and a Canadian Online Publishing Award.

Karen Kang Lifestyle & Education, Content Partnerships, North America, TikTok

Karen Kang is a seasoned design professional with extensive experience in the creative industry. She is currently a part of the Lifestyle & Education Partnerships, North American team at TikTok, where she helps media, brands, and organizations develop their content strategy on platform. Karen was previously the Managing Director & Head of Content at IDS Canada, where she led the brand and focused on strategic growth, partnerships, content, and community advocacy. She has also worked in fashion, bringing brands such as Free People and Betsey Johnson to the Canadian market. Karen has been a member of the Dwell on Design Advisory Group in Los Angeles and is a Strategic Advisor for Open-Ended Design. She has also been a speaker, moderator and guest lecturer at the University of Indiana, Summit in Toronto, the Technology and Design Lab at the London Design Festival. She has been interviewed by leading publications such as BNN, Business of Home, The Globe and Mail, Office Insights, CBC, Dezeen, Elle Canada, Financial Times, Stir World, and Monocle.

Candice Houtekier Founder & Director, Art Collision

Candice Houtekier is a virtual reality and crypto enthusiast and the founder of Art Collision, a Toronto-based marketing agency specializing in digital tools, metaverses, and VR. She has a background in art history and video game studies, having completed an MA in Art History and a minor in video game studies at the University of Montreal in Canada. Houtekier’s thesis focused on the landscape experience in video games. As a futurist, she is dedicated to exploring and constructing new virtual realities in order to develop, transform, and enrich the international art market. Houtekier is an experienced team leader with excellent communication skills and a track record of building partnerships and closing sales. She has worked with a range of clients, including art organizations and tech companies, to help them host art events and exhibitions in the virtual world. In addition to her work at Art Collision, Houtekier is also a metaverse explorer, having been interested in virtual reality since 2016. As a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, Houtekier is committed to expanding women’s voices through strategic partnerships. She has had the opportunity to partner with Meta (formerly Facebook) and has consulted with the Canadian government on the Canadian Digital Adoption Program (CDAP). Houtekier is also active on social media, with a presence on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Born and raised in France, Houtekier immigrated to Canada to pursue her studies in art history. She has since made a name for herself in the art world, using her expertise in emerging technologies to bring artists and collectors into new virtual realities. With her vision of a healthy ecosystem where all businesses can thrive in the metaverse, Houtekier is at the forefront of the intersection of art and technology.

3:30 PM

Walker McKinley Founder
McKinley Studios
Jackson Wyatt CEO and Founder
CABN

Coast to Coast Prefab Solutions: From Second Homes to Community Building

  • Climate Change & Social Responsibility

Speaker: Walker McKinley from Commonplace and Jackson Wyatt from CABN.CO

After half a century of promises, modern green prefab is finally having its moment. CABN and Commonplace are two fascinating examples of companies using the latest technologies and materials to build low-impact homes that tread lightly and avoid upfront carbon emissions both upfront during construction, and operating emissions for the decades that follow. This session will look at what makes prefabrication a better way to build, but also what these two companies are doing to advance the art and science.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

 

Walker McKinley Founder, McKinley Studios

Jackson Wyatt CEO and Founder, CABN

Jackson Wyatt leads CABN, building upon immense success as founder and previous head of design and manufacturing for a global sustainable products company, Greenlid, for which he built 50+ innovative products distributed in 10,000+ stores across North America and 25 countries worldwide.

A clean tech expert in the end-to-end design, development, and delivery of net-zero solutions, Jackson has shifted his expertise in consumer-packaged goods to a scaled component manufacturing strategy for sustainable and affordable housing solutions. Alongside the expert CABN team, Jackson works to create an affordable and sustainable housing solution that preserves our environment through a human-centred design, innovating the housing industry for the future.

3:30 PM

Matthew McCormick Founder & Creative Director
Matthew McCormick Studio
Eric Mutrie Senior Editor
Azure Magazine
bahar ghaemi Creative Director of Products
Yabu Pushelberg
Christian Lo Founder
Anony

Spotlight: Next-Gen Canadian Lighting

  • Industry Trends

Speakers: Christian Lo from Anony, Bahar Ghaemi from Yabu Pushelberg, Matthew McCormick from Matthew McCormick Studio, and moderated by Eric Mutrie of Azure magazine.

Canada’s most exciting lighting designers discuss the thinking behind their incredible bodies of work. From starting out with a strong idea to navigating technical challenges and finding the right manufacturing partner, they illuminate the secrets to balancing a great concept with the commercial appeal that is critical to a successful business. Along the way, the panelists will discuss how they got into lighting, their major sources of inspiration and where they see the industry headed next. Everyone from budding industrial designers to professional specifiers will enjoy this seminar.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Matthew McCormick Founder & Creative Director, Matthew McCormick Studio

Matthew McCormick, Founder and Creative Director – Matthew McCormickStudio Matthew’s mind sees the potential in everything around him. Inspired by shape and form, intrigued about composition and always considering the impact of his designs, each of his creations is an expression of well-informed vision and a finely tuned technical understanding of engineering and manufacturing. Matthew infuses passion into every project by working collaboratively with designers and architects, creating lighting as unique as the spaces themselves. With the ability to take a simple idea and shape it into a compelling installation, his dedication to curiosity forms his process, material manipulation and conceptualization. From a simple, stand-alone fixture to large-scale illuminated art installations, each piece and project is well-considered and consciously created. As a philosophy, he believes that it’s not the sum of the parts – it’s the intrinsic value of how they’re put together.

Eric Mutrie Senior Editor, Azure Magazine

As a Senior Editor at AZURE, Eric reports on contemporary design. After studying architecture in university, he developed a lasting enthusiasm for telling stories about the built environment. Over the course of his media career, he has interviewed industry leaders, identified new trends at international design fairs, and cast a spotlight on the emerging talents who are moving the world forward. His past roles have included positions at Sharp and Designlines, and he has also written for Cottage Life, the Toronto Star, and Sotheby’s INSIGHT. From 2018-2019, he volunteered as a tour guide for the Toronto Society of Architects. Eric has also moderated panels at New York’s International Contemporary Furniture Fair and Toronto’s Architecture and Design Film Festival.

bahar ghaemi Creative Director of Products, Yabu Pushelberg

Bahar Ghaemi establishes the strategy and creative vision of Yabu Pushelberg’s Product Design department. Working closely with the Founding Partners, Bahar leads the growth of the studio’s furniture and product divisions through identifying, interpreting, and translating creative ideas into thoughtful goods.

Trained at OCAD in Graphic and Furniture Design, Bahar holds a deep interest in understanding how people see and interact with the world. Infusing personality and charm into each touchpoint of her work, she brings people and their environments closer together. Beginning as an Industrial Design intern post-graduation, Bahar’s role evolved to Department Lead and onward to become the studio’s first Creative Director of Products. Today, the department develops bespoke pieces for Yabu Pushelberg’s international projects and crafts collections for the world’s most notable furniture brands, including Molteni&C, B&B Italia, Salvatori, and Ligne Roset.

EDUCATION OCAD University, Bachelor of Design

Christian Lo Founder, Anony

Anony is a lighting and product design studio founded in 2014 by Christian Lo. Lo’s refined design aesthetic belies the complexities she considers as part of her creative process. Her interest in utilizing the latest technology and manufacturing processes is combined with an honest and timeless approach to a product’s life cycle, judicious use of materials, minimal manufacturing, and ease of use. Through this philosophy, Anony hopes to create products that produce an emotional response similar to the appreciation felt for the utilitarian, well-designed objects of the past.

3:30 PM

Maya Desai Associate Professor and Chair, Environmental Design
OCAD University
Wei-Han Vivian Lee Director, Master of Architecture
University of Toronto, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design
Christine Scott Founder
The Accomplice Project

Decolonizing the Design Industry: How to authentically diversify student bodies and workforces

  • Big Ideas

Speakers: Wei-Han Vivian Lee from Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design, Christine Scott of Accomplice Project and Maya Desai of OCAD U.

Design is, despite being a global practice, a predominantly white industry. Knowing that siloed, homogenous outlooks, educations, and approaches do not yield the most informed decisions, the question is: “How did we get here and how do we make changes? Our presenters – Maya Desai, an urban designer and professor at OCAD U, Vivian Lee, an architect and professor at Daniels Faculty, and Christine Scott, a consultant and founder of Accomplice Project – will discuss how best to authentically diversify the workforce, usher in the next generation of designers, and why this is great for the bottom line.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Maya Desai Associate Professor and Chair, Environmental Design, OCAD University

Maya Mahgoub-Desai is the Chair of Environmental Design at OCAD University and the Senior Urban Designer for Moriyama Teshima Architects. Maya teaches in the Graduate Design for Health program, and her research investigates themes related to health and the built environment, inclusive pedagogy in studio education, and promoting local cultural practices to inform sustainable landscape, urban design and development practices in the Middle East and South East Asia. Maya also serves on several committees for non-profit organizations that focus on equity in the Architecture & Design professions and community health.

Wei-Han Vivian Lee Director, Master of Architecture, University of Toronto, John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design

Wei-Han Vivian Lee is a registered architect in the U.S. and Canada and the director of the Master of Architecture Program at University of Toronto Daniels Faculty. As founding partner of LAMAS, Lee brings to the studio her background in painting and on-going research on the role of craft in the age of digital architecture as related to issues of labor, professional practice, and vernacular traditions.

Christine Scott Founder, The Accomplice Project

A senior leader in Canadian Marketing and Advertising, “CScott” has dedicated her career to modelling leadership with awareness, empathy, and a focus on empowerment. Most recently, Christine founded The Accomplice Project, a business and creative consultancy operating on the principles of equity, representation and the dismantling of oppressive structures in her business solutions. Her work has spanned across the world, including the US, the UK and Asia, and she knows first-hand the power of intellectual diversity. She had led the strategic charge for some of the biggest brands on earth and been a key player to agency growth in her previous roles. Christine collaborates with OCAD University as a mentor to graduating students, and as a member of their Academic Advisory Committee, Advertising Program. She is a member of the Black Talent Initiative and is a Judge for the RBC Women of Influence Entrepreneur Awards.

4:30 PM

Shirley Blumberg CM OAA FRAIC AIA Founding Partner
KPMB Architects
Omar Gandhi Principal
Omar Gandhi Architect
MFA BFA Jordan Bennett Artist
Artist at Jordan Bennett Art
Elizabeth Pagliacolo Editor in Chief
AZURE Magazine

From the Ground Up: Designing the new Art Gallery of Nova Scotia

  • AZURE Trade Talks

Speakers: Jordan Bennett, Shirley Blumberg, Omar Gandhi and moderated by Elizabeth Pagliacolo

Shirley Blumberg, Omar Gandhi, and Jordan Bennett believe collaboration is the key to unlocking powerful design solutions. Together, the group discuss their collective process imagining a new art gallery for Nova Scotia. Drawing on their shared values, and diverse perspectives, this talk investigates how three award-winning designers create in harmony through a unified approach.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Shirley Blumberg CM OAA FRAIC AIA Founding Partner, KPMB Architects

Shirley Blumberg is a founding partner of KPMB Architects and a Member of the Order of Canada for her contributions to architecture and community. She has designed many of the firm’s noteworthy and award-winning projects that range in scale, from interiors to architecture and planning. In addition to her academic and cultural projects, she has also focused on social justice work in affordable housing. She is currently working on such projects as the competition-winning Montreal Holocaust Museum, an affordable residential community in Toronto, and prototypical housing for the northern Indigenous community of Fort Severn in Ontario, Canada. Several years ago, Shirley began a conversation with like-minded colleagues that became BEAT – Building Equality in Architecture Toronto – a grassroots initiative to promote equality for women in the profession that has since grown to include chapters across Canada.

Omar Gandhi Principal, Omar Gandhi Architect

Omar Gandhi is the Principal of Omar Gandhi Architect, an architectural practice founded in 2010 with small teams in both Halifax and Toronto. In its early years, the studio was awarded the Canada Council for the Arts Professional Prix de Rome, was included in Wallpaper* Magazine’s Architects Directory, and Omar himself was named as one of Monocle Magazine’s ‘Most Influential Canadians’. Omar was chosen as one of the Architectural League of New York’s ‘Emerging Voices’ of 2016 and in 2018, was appointed the Louis I. Kahn visiting Assistant Professorship in Architectural Design at the Yale School of Architecture. Most recently, Omar Gandhi Architect was the recipient of a 2018 Governor General’s Medal in Architecture for its work on Rabbit Snare Gorge and honoured as the only Canadian practice in Architectural Record Magazine’s 2018 Design Vanguard. In 2020, the studio was part of the team awarded the new Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and in 2021, completed the revitalization of one of Canada’s most Iconic landmarks, Peggy’s Cove. Omar was made a Fellow of the Royal Architectural Association of Canada in 2022.

MFA BFA Jordan Bennett Artist, Artist at Jordan Bennett Art

Jordan’s ongoing practice utilizes painting, sculpture, video, installation and sound to explore land, language, the act of visiting, familial histories and challenging colonial perceptions of indigenous histories, stereotypes and presence with a focus on exploring Mi’kmaq and Beothuk visual culture of Ktaqamkuk. In the past 10 years Jordan has participated in over 75 group and solo exhibitions nationally and internationally. He has been the recipient of several awards and honours, a Hnatyshan Foundation REVEAL award, presented with the 2014 Newfoundland and Labrador Arts Councils Artist of the Year and named as one of the artists in the 2014 Blouin ARTINFO’s Top 30 under 30 in Canada. His artwork is in multiple private and public collections, including the National Gallery of Canada, and his large-scale installation “Tepkik” won the Lieutenant Governor General Masterwork Award in 2020. Most notably he has been long listed for the 2015 and 2016 Sobey Art Award, was shortlisted for the 2018 Awards and was a long list winner in 2020. The artist is a 2019 recipient of the Van Houtte Masters’ Fund Program, is partnered with IOTA Studio Gallery, and working on several projects with various artistic collaborations, including a design collaboration for the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia architectural build, a public art commission for the Zatzman Sportsplex in Dartmouth, NS, the design of a new park and public artwork for Waterfront Toronto (2024).

Elizabeth Pagliacolo Editor in Chief, AZURE Magazine

Elizabeth Pagliacolo is the Editor in Chief at Azure magazine. A National Magazine Award–winning writer, she has reported on design fairs around the world, covered prominent architecture projects, including Odile Decq’s restaurant at the Paris Opera Garnier and Snøhetta’s entrance pavilion for the 9/11 Museum in New York, and reported on new trends and technologies, from the emergence of LEDs to the evolution of sustainable concrete. She also interviewed the leading lights of modern architecture and design, such as Patricia Urquiola, Lawrence Scarpa and Walter Hood, and participated on design juries in Toronto and New York. From 2016 to 2017, she was the Director of Programming for EDIT: Expo for Design, Innovation and Technology, which took place from September 28 to October 8, 2017. The 10-day festival was produced by the Design Exchange, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme. She has also written for Canadian Architect, Azure, Designlines, Frame, the Globe and Mail, Metropolis, Interior Design and enRoute Edition.

Saturday, January 21

My Cart

11:00 AM

Fernando Laposse Product Designer
Fernando Laposse
Andrew Sardone Editorial Director
The Globe and Mail Style Advisor

Creative spotlight: Fernando Laposse

  • The Globe & Mail Saturday

Speakers: Fernando Laposse, in conversation with The Globe and Mail Style Advisor editorial director Andrew Sardone 

The work of Mexico designer Fernando Laposse focuses on environmental crisis and the loss of biodiversity. He speaks often about the transformative power of design to help solve the ecological problems that the world is facing. At IDS, he will explain how that’s possible and highlight how resetting the way we look at the potential of humble materials – from corn leaves to loofah – can help designers and homeowners build more sustainable spaces.

Fernando Laposse Product Designer, Fernando Laposse

Fernando Laposse (1988) is a London-based Mexican designer, he trained in Central Saint Martins as a product designer.

Fernando specializes in transforming humble natural materials into refined design pieces. He has worked extensively with overlooked plant fibres such as sisal, loofah, and corn leaves.

His works are the result of periods of research that are developed into objects where materials and their historical and cultural ties to a particular location and its people take center stage. He often works with indigenous communities in his native Mexico to create local employment opportunities and raise awareness about the challenges they face in a globalized world.

His projects are informative and educational addressing topics such as the environmental crisis, the loss of biodiversity, community dissolution, migration and the negative impacts of global trade in local agriculture and food culture. He does so by documenting the issues and announcing possible resolutions through the transformative power of design.

His projects have been exhibited in the Triennale di Milano, Cooper Hewitt Design Museum, The Design Museum in London, Victoria and Albert, the World Economic Forum and Miami Basel to name a few.  His work is held in the permanent collections of the V&A and SF Moma.

Andrew Sardone Editorial Director, The Globe and Mail Style Advisor

Andrew Sardone is the editorial director of The Globe and Mail Style Advisor, which is marking 10 years of publication this spring. The magazine’s design features focus on how everything from art to wellness influences the look and feel of the spaces where we live, shop, dine and travel. Over the past decade, it has become an essential guide for Canadians curious about creative leaders and inspiring ideas in style. 

1:00 PM

Daej Hamilton Founder, and Principal Designer
Daej Hamilton
Chad Falkenberg Co-Founder
Falken Reynolds
Megan Cassidy and Jane Son Founders
CASSON
Odessa Paloma Parker Writer, Editor, Stylist and Educator

Designing Canada 2023: Living better

  • The Globe & Mail Saturday

Speakers: Kelly Reynolds and Chad Falkenberg (Falken Reynolds, Vancouver), Daej Hamilton (Daej Designs, Toronto), Megan Cassidy and Jane Son (Casson Hardware, Toronto). Moderated by The Globe and Mail style contributor Odessa Paloma Parker.

How do you love – and live with – good design that values comfort and practicality as much as style? For the 2023 edition of The Globe and Mail’s annual Designing Canada list, we’re redefining what “liveability” means in interiors. On stage, style contributor Odessa Paloma Parker interviews a panel representing top designers, makers and retailers who will share how they create beautiful spaces that work for everyday life.

Image credit: The Collective You

Daej Hamilton Founder, and Principal Designer, Daej Hamilton

Based in Toronto, founder, and principal designer, Daej Hamilton started this company at 22 years old. Luxuriating in her 11th year of woodworking, her pieces reflect the timeless, mid-century, modern aesthetic. Using some of the finest woods, her work is designed, and hand crafted to complement form and function. 

“I knew from a young age that I wanted to make things. After watching my mom study Interior Design, I was completely intrigued by furniture. From the grain on tabletops, to how a chair can be the center of attention in any room, I was mesmerized. 

I started woodworking in the sixth grade. I continued my education in woodworking throughout the rest of middle school and all four years of my high school career. My first year of post-secondary education began at Sheridan College in their Craft and Design: Furniture program. I later went to Humber College to immerse myself in their Industrial Woodworking Program. In December 2016, I graduated and received my diploma as an Industrial Woodworking Technician. 

Not having any examples of furniture makers/designers that looked like me, put me in a position to be that example for others. I find that a lot of the time, people need to be shown that their goals and aspirations are valid; they need to know that they can succeed in a field that may not look like it’s ‘for them’. With that being said, my goal is to inspire.” 

Daej Hamilton 

Chad Falkenberg Co-Founder, Falken Reynolds

Chad Falkenberg was introduced to design amidst his Albertan farm boy upbringing, where he vividly recalls architectural cardboard models of their farm house and stacks of fabric samples his family’s interior designer friend kept in the basement. He left the homestead to acquire a degree in business, then worked abroad in Northern Europe, where he was exposed to the region’s Scandinavian architecture and design. Chad later attended the Istituto Europeo di Design in Barcelona, where he explored Southern Europe’s whimsical aesthetic as typified by Antonio Gaudi. In 2007, Chad returned to Vancouver and apprenticed with acclaimed designer Robert Bailey. Falken Reynolds is a Vancouver-based interior design practice centred on private residences. With a global perspective and a highly personal approach, we are dedicated to creating authentic and contemporary spaces shaped by the distinct lives and experiences of our clients. Clean lines, craftsmanship and deeply considered details are hallmarks of the practice. We design environments to exude quiet confidence; a feeling achieved through a balance of seemingly disparate qualities—modernity and warmth, richness and restraint, sophistication and levity, intentionality and surprise. We are deeply curious about each client—their culture, values, communities, and travels. Exploring their story is how we discover the voice of each project, and translate it into an intimate and authentic home. Our clients embrace this inquisitive approach for the personality it brings into their daily spaces.

Megan Cassidy and Jane Son Founders, CASSON

CASSON is a Toronto based architectural hardware supplier specialising in modern, minimal and well-designed products. Founded in 2017 by architects Megan Cassidy and Jane Son, CASSON brings beautiful hardware to modern built environments. With combined thirty plus years of experience, Cassidy and Son pride themselves on sourcing and designing architectural hardware carefully selected to withstand the trend cycle. CASSON is proud to be women owned and operated. 

Odessa Paloma Parker Writer, Editor, Stylist and Educator

Odessa Paloma Parker is a freelance writer, editor, stylist and educator. She is currently the Contributing Art Editor at Style Advisor, the lifestyle-centric subscriber publication of The Globe and Mail; and she is also the founder of Opaloma, an arts and culture platform for groovy folks. 

Her previous roles include Fashion News Director at FASHION Magazine; Fashion Editor for The Globe and Mail; and Head of Content for a trio of cannabis brands. Her journalistic expertise has been acknowledged by a National Magazine Award nomination, and she has served on the nominating committee for the Canadian Arts & Fashion Awards and a curatorial e-panel for London Fashion Week. 

For the Fall 2021 semester, Odessa developed and delivered a course called ‘Storytelling and Design’ at X University. She also co-founded the event Vintage Crawl Toronto a decade ago.  

3:00 PM

Andrew Sardone Editorial Director
The Globe and Mail Style Advisor
Treana Peake

In Conversation with Treana Peake of Obakki

  • The Globe & Mail Saturday

Speaker: Treana Peake Founder of OBAKKI in conversation with The Globe and Mail Style Advisor editorial director Andrew Sardone.

Obakki and its founder, Treana Peake, are redefining the way Canadians consider craft and sustainability when shopping for their homes. What makes the Vancouver-based marketplace stand out is how it highlights the thoughtful stories behind the objects that surround us. Peake and The Globe and Mail Style Advisor editorial director Andrew Sardone will discuss why those details matter and how she works with artisans to bring economic stability to their communities by allowing them to focus on craft and creativity.

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Andrew Sardone Editorial Director, The Globe and Mail Style Advisor

Andrew Sardone is the editorial director of The Globe and Mail Style Advisor, which is marking 10 years of publication this spring. The magazine’s design features focus on how everything from art to wellness influences the look and feel of the spaces where we live, shop, dine and travel. Over the past decade, it has become an essential guide for Canadians curious about creative leaders and inspiring ideas in style. 

Treana Peake

Treana Peake’s passion for travel and eye for design, combined with her lifelong dedication to making a difference in the world, inspired her to launch Obakki in 2005. The Obakki Foundation, its philanthropic counterpart, followed shortly thereafter. For decades she has traveled the globe, always on the lookout for opportunities to wander off the beaten path to connect with people and their stories.

From remote villages in Mexico to the world’s largest refugee resettlement area in Uganda, Treana consistently forms lasting relationships with Obakki’s artisan partners. She is committed to preserving, progressing and celebrating diverse craft cultures from around the world—while also creating sustainable change.

Recognized as an influential speaker in the field of social entrepreneurship, Treana has spoken about modern philanthropic solutions in front of the U.S. Congress and the United Nations, and has been featured as a TED Talk presenter speaking on the power of selfless giving. In addition, her hands-on work in the field has been recognized and endorsed by UNICEF and The Carter Center.

Treana has travelled to Africa over 70 times, often with the Obakki Foundation, where she’s formed partnerships with people and communities that have lasted decades.Under her leadership, the Obakki Foundation has helped over 3.5 million people, empowering individuals and communities who are committed to creating change.

And today more than ever, Treana’s mission to champion the importance of purpose-led slow design is truly reflected through her daily collaboration with Obakki’s global family of artisan partners.

Sunday, January 22

My Cart

11:00 AM

Brian Gluckstein Principal
Gluckstein Design Planning
Lynda Reeves President
House & Home Media

Timeless Style: Tips from a Master

  • House & Home Sunday

Come and meet our House & Home Designer of the Year and hear his inspiring story of a three-decade career designing for some of Canada’s biggest names, here and abroad. Brian shares his personal views on what it takes to make it in design. Learn his signature style and hear tips on finding your own. We’ll debate the trends — good and bad.

Speakers: Brian Gluckstein in conversation with Lynda Reeves 

*This conference session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Brian Gluckstein Principal, Gluckstein Design Planning

Since founding his eponymous firm over three decades ago, Brian Gluckstein has created thoughtful and sophisticated interiors, mixing elements from different styles and periods with a forward-thinking approach. Catering to a prestige client base and known for his signature timeless yet soulful spaces, Gluckstein is involved in all stages of the interior process, working with clients to conceptualize their dream space, and then bringing that vision to life. Gluckstein’s work has appeared in publications that include Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, House and Home, and House Beautiful. His first book, Brian Gluckstein: The Art of Home, was published by Figure 1 in 2018 and is available in bookstores everywhere. In 2022, Gluckstein was named Designer of the Year by House & Home magazine. His Gluckstein Home product collection, available exclusively at Hudson’s Bay, has brought his sophisticated aesthetic to a wider public since 1999. In 2021, he launched Gluckstein Elements, a collection of fixtures and finishes with Home Depot Canada.

Lynda Reeves President, House & Home Media

Lynda Reeves is one of Canada’s leading personalities in the fields of interior design, decorating and lifestyle trends. A former teacher and interior designer, Lynda launched House &Home magazine in 1986 as Canada’s first design and decorating magazine. Today, the magazine is Canada’s most widely read design publication, reaching over 2.2 million readers primarily across Canada and the U.S.A. Through its digital channels, website, videos and line extensions, the House &Home brand now reaches over 9.4 million design lovers every month. House &Home’s French-language website and social media brand, Maison & Demeure, features unique editorial content from the Province of Quebec. H&H also publishes special single-topic magazines that frequently appear on North American newsstands and digital platforms.“House & Home with Lynda Reeves,” Canada’s first daily design and lifestyle show, was launched and hosted by Lynda for 10 seasons. Lynda now appears on episodes of House &Home’s online TV series and makes frequent guest appearances speaking about design on television and at live events. Over the years, H&H’s branded merchandise has been licensed by retailers such as HBC and most recently by the TJX banners HomeSense, Winners and Marshalls. H&H collaborates with Scotties on their House &Home Designer Series collection of facial tissue boxes. Lynda is the Principal Designer of the Lynda Reeves Design Studio, an in-house design firm she founded to promote talented young designers. LRDS offers design services to a select group of residential projects. For more information about Lynda or to request an interview, please contact Gillian Atkins: gatkins@hhmedia.com p of residential projects.

1:00 PM

Jackie Kai Ellis Designer
House Special
Lynda Reeves President
House & Home Media

Through a Stylist Eye: Creating Beautiful Rooms

  • House & Home Sunday

Speakers: Jackie Kai Ellis in conversation with Lynda Reeves

Some of our most famous designers of all time were stylists, first and foremost — think Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein and, most recently, Athena Calderone. Creating a room that resonates or a vignette that grabs the eye is about learning the rules and when to break them. Jackie’s rooms have graced the cover of House & Home and, now that she’s living in Vancouver, she brings a fresh West Coast vibe to the spaces she creates. Hear her story and learn her favourite styling tips to try at home.

*This keynote session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Jackie Kai Ellis Designer, House Special

Jackie Kai Ellis is a designer, entrepreneur, pastry chef, author, lifestyle & travel writer, advice columnist and the host of the new docu-series, House Special, which explores Chinese Canadian history through small-town Chinese restaurants. She is best known as the founder of Vancouver’s Beaucoup Bakery, for the design of her homes, such as APT La Fayette in Paris, and her bestselling memoir, “The Measure of My Powers: a Memoir of Food, Misery and Paris.” She lives in Vancouver and Paris. More on Jackie can be found at @jackiekaiellis and www.jackiekaiellis.com

Lynda Reeves President, House & Home Media

Lynda Reeves is one of Canada’s leading personalities in the fields of interior design, decorating and lifestyle trends. A former teacher and interior designer, Lynda launched House &Home magazine in 1986 as Canada’s first design and decorating magazine. Today, the magazine is Canada’s most widely read design publication, reaching over 2.2 million readers primarily across Canada and the U.S.A. Through its digital channels, website, videos and line extensions, the House &Home brand now reaches over 9.4 million design lovers every month. House &Home’s French-language website and social media brand, Maison & Demeure, features unique editorial content from the Province of Quebec. H&H also publishes special single-topic magazines that frequently appear on North American newsstands and digital platforms.“House & Home with Lynda Reeves,” Canada’s first daily design and lifestyle show, was launched and hosted by Lynda for 10 seasons. Lynda now appears on episodes of House &Home’s online TV series and makes frequent guest appearances speaking about design on television and at live events. Over the years, H&H’s branded merchandise has been licensed by retailers such as HBC and most recently by the TJX banners HomeSense, Winners and Marshalls. H&H collaborates with Scotties on their House &Home Designer Series collection of facial tissue boxes. Lynda is the Principal Designer of the Lynda Reeves Design Studio, an in-house design firm she founded to promote talented young designers. LRDS offers design services to a select group of residential projects. For more information about Lynda or to request an interview, please contact Gillian Atkins: gatkins@hhmedia.com p of residential projects.

3:00 PM

Tommy Smythe Co-Founder
TOM
Lynda Reeves President
House & Home Media

Finding your Perfect Mix: Tips and Trends

  • House & Home Sunday

Speakers: Tommy Smythe in conversation with Lynda Reeves

Tommy and his team at TOM Design Studio are producing some of the freshest rooms on our pages that still fit the “classic” mode. What makes a room up to date but still timeless? When are trends to be embraced and when should we pass? Hear Tommy’s best advice for finding your own perfect mix.

*This keynote session has been submitted for OAA and IDCEC accreditation. Accreditation details will be updated once confirmed.

Tommy Smythe Co-Founder, TOM

Tommy’s contagious enthusiasm and fun-loving approach to decor and renovating have made him an international design world favourite.

A career spanning more than 25 years has left few stones unturned in getting the message of meaningful, practical and beautiful design to his many followers through television, print media, social media and popular speaking engagements. Tommy is known for his warm and personal mixture of fine art, vintage, antique and modern furnishings pulled together with a cutting-edge colour sense. In February of 2020, along with long-time collaborators Lindsay Mens and Kate Stuart, Tommy established TOM, a full service design collective focusing on residential and commercial projects in Canada, the U.S. and abroad.“I work closely with clients to create a feeling of timeless elegance and gracious living in soulful environments. Rooms should feel as though the furniture and art within were collected over time and with a sense of personal history.“Impatience is the enemy of good design.”

Lynda Reeves President, House & Home Media

Lynda Reeves is one of Canada’s leading personalities in the fields of interior design, decorating and lifestyle trends. A former teacher and interior designer, Lynda launched House &Home magazine in 1986 as Canada’s first design and decorating magazine. Today, the magazine is Canada’s most widely read design publication, reaching over 2.2 million readers primarily across Canada and the U.S.A. Through its digital channels, website, videos and line extensions, the House &Home brand now reaches over 9.4 million design lovers every month. House &Home’s French-language website and social media brand, Maison & Demeure, features unique editorial content from the Province of Quebec. H&H also publishes special single-topic magazines that frequently appear on North American newsstands and digital platforms.“House & Home with Lynda Reeves,” Canada’s first daily design and lifestyle show, was launched and hosted by Lynda for 10 seasons. Lynda now appears on episodes of House &Home’s online TV series and makes frequent guest appearances speaking about design on television and at live events. Over the years, H&H’s branded merchandise has been licensed by retailers such as HBC and most recently by the TJX banners HomeSense, Winners and Marshalls. H&H collaborates with Scotties on their House &Home Designer Series collection of facial tissue boxes. Lynda is the Principal Designer of the Lynda Reeves Design Studio, an in-house design firm she founded to promote talented young designers. LRDS offers design services to a select group of residential projects. For more information about Lynda or to request an interview, please contact Gillian Atkins: gatkins@hhmedia.com p of residential projects.

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