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From Fire Station to Center Stage: The Rebirth of La Caserne
Nestled in the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage district of Old Quebec, a historic building is embarking on an exciting new chapter. La Caserne, originally built in 1912 as a fire station and famously expanded in 1996 for Robert Lepage’s artistic laboratory, Ex Machina, has been transformed once again. Now home to the youth theatre company Les Gros Becs, this iconic space has been reimagined as a vibrant cultural hub designed specifically for young audiences.
UQAM’s Pavillon de Design Wins the Prestigious Prix du XXe Siècle
Great architecture does more than simply house people; it shapes how they learn, create, and connect with the world around them. Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) has long understood this, and the architectural community agrees. Recently, UQAM’s iconic pavillon de Design was awarded the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s (RAIC) Prix du XXe siècle, a prestigious honour that recognizes the most outstanding and enduring architectural achievements of the last century.
Quebec’s Sleek New Biomedical Lab: Form Meets Function
Medical laboratories are often defined entirely by their complex, technical needs, leaving little room for architectural beauty. However, the new Montérégie Central Laboratory in Quebec completely rewrites that rule. Designed by the architectural firms NFOE and Archi–, this cutting-edge facility proves that high-tech infrastructure can be surprisingly elegant.
10 Interior Design Trends Redefining Homes in 2026
Keeping a pulse on design shifts is essential for curating a modern space. Whether one is planning a complete renovation or a simple room refresh, understanding the latest aesthetic movements ensures that a space feels current rather than dated. This year, the focus is firmly on timeless elegance, historic architectural charm, and deep personalization.
Meet the Duan Family Center: Boston University’s Fossil-Fuel-Free Masterpiece
Welcome to the future of the university campus. Towering 19 stories over the banks of the Charles River, the Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences at Boston University is impossible to miss. With its bold, cantilevered blocks that look like a giant stack of books, it has completely transformed the Boston skyline.
The Cracks in the Foundation: China’s $100 Billion Real Estate Collapse and the Warning Bells Ringing in Canada
The global economy is built on a foundation of confidence, but in China, that very foundation is visibly cracking and crumbling. The numbers involved are almost too large to comprehend for the average person. Since the crisis began to take hold in 2021, Chinese real estate developers have failed to repay more than $100 billion in debt.
E-Magazine - April 2026
Issue: April 30, 2026
The April 2026 issue of Forma The Magazine explores the rapid evolution of the architectural landscape through the lens of sustainability, heritage, and cutting-edge innovation. This edition spans diverse scales and sensibilities, featuring everything from fossil-fuel-free urban landmarks like the geothermal-powered Duan Family Center to resilient coastal retreats in Nova Scotia designed to withstand the forces of nature. We delve into the delicate balance between memory and modernity, showcasing projects that integrate nature directly into living spaces and community-driven designs that support social well-being. By highlighting these visionary works and material breakthroughs, this issue serves as a comprehensive guide to the future of a more conscious, responsible, and connected built environment while celebrating global luxury.
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Latest Articles
Vivre 2: The Story of New Life into Montreal’s Industrial Past
Transforming a former industrial district into a welcoming residential neighbourhood is one of the toughest challenges in modern city planning. Too often, new developments bulldoze the past to build the future, erasing the unique character of a neighbourhood. However, a new residential project in Montreal is flipping the script.
Taktik Design is Redefining Senior Living at Cloria
What if architecture could change the way we look at aging? In Beloeil, the newly designed shared spaces of the Cloria residence are doing exactly that. Designed by Taktik, this fresh approach to senior living leaves outdated conventions behind. Instead of rigid schedules and clinical spaces, the design encourages autonomy, freedom, and a vibrant sense of community.
Educational Complex Sirius: A Miniature City for Learning
When we think of a typical school, we usually picture a single, large building with long hallways and uniform classrooms. The Educational Complex Sirius takes that traditional idea and turns it completely upside down. Recently named a finalist in the 2025 WAF Future Projects: Education awards, Sirius is not just a school—it is a decentralized urban campus designed to function as a vibrant "miniature city."
Building the Cities of Tomorrow: Cityfi Joins Forces with CannonDesign
When we think about the future of our cities, it is not just about the buildings that fill the skyline. It is about how people move, how communities connect, and how urban spaces adapt to a changing world. Recognizing the need for this big-picture thinking, the global design firm CannonDesign has officially welcomed Cityfi into its consulting practice.
The Rebirth of Toronto's Historic Palm House: A Century of Sunlight
For more than a century, the Allan Gardens Palm House has been a glowing jewel in the heart of downtown Toronto. Built in 1910 and standing as one of Canada’s last remaining Edwardian-era glass conservatories, this architectural landmark has long been a beloved green sanctuary for the city.
Luminaire Authentik’s New FORMA Collection
Lighting is no longer just about illuminating a room; it is about making a statement. Luminaire Authentik has recently unveiled FORMA, a striking new collection that sits perfectly at the intersection of minimalism and postmodernism. With FORMA, light transforms into a visual language of its own.
Steal the Look, Kill the Industry: Why Design Piracy is Canadian Furniture’s Biggest Threat
The "Made in Canada" label on a piece of furniture isn't just a geographic fact—it’s a declaration of quality, ethical labor, and material integrity. But as international "fast-furniture" floods the market, the domestic industry is leaning heavily on an unsung hero to survive: Intellectual Property (IP).
Margaret Brosnan
If her personality were a piece of furniture, she says she would be a big, wooden kitchen table. It is a fitting metaphor for an interior designer whose ultimate goal is to be approachable, comforting, and a unifying force for the people around her. For this designer, creating a beautiful home is not just about picking the right paint colour; it is about bringing people together through intentional, thoughtful design.
Featured Competitions
Portugal Long Table Restaurant - €10,000 - Registration Deadline 09 December 2026
Global architecture competition organizer Buildner has officially launched the Portugal Long Table Restaurant competition, inviting architects, designers, and creative thinkers from around the world to answer these questions. Set against the lush, rural landscape of northern Portugal near Braga and the Cávado River, this unique brief challenges participants to explore the intersection of architecture, food, and place.
Tactical Urbanism - €10,000 - Registration Deadline 30 October 2026
In the world of city planning, we often think of "change" as a decade-long process involving heavy machinery and massive budgets. Tactical Urbanism NOW! 2026 is here to challenge that sluggish status quo. This competition isn't looking for the next concrete monument; it’s looking for the "urban hack"—the lightweight, temporary, and ingenious intervention that proves a better city is possible right now.
Kinderspace - €10,000 - Registration Deadline 28 October 2026
This innovative competition invites architects, designers, and creative minds from all backgrounds to rethink traditional classrooms. The goal is simple yet profound: design a modern kindergarten space that nurtures creativity, ensures well-being, and inspires the next generation of young learners.
Villa Gioia - €10,000 - Registration Deadline 23 October 2026
In the quiet town of Bedizzole, nestled near the shores of Lake Garda, stands a testament to Northern Italy’s rural history. Villa Gioia, once a grand estate defined by its gardens and service buildings, is now the focal point of a profound architectural challenge: Adaptive Regeneration. The competition invites designers to transform this historic complex into a contemporary retirement residence, proving that "old age" and "old walls" can together create a vibrant, modern fut
Ruinas de Quilmes - €9,000 - Registration Deadline 16 October 2026
The Sacred City of Quilmes, tucked away in the Calchaquí Valleys of Argentina, is more than a mere archaeological site; it is a profound testament to the resilience of the Diaguita-Calchaquí people. Now, a new international competition—Ruinas de Quilmes: The Contemporary Open-Air Museum—is calling upon the global design community to rethink how we engage with this ancestral landscape.
Call of the Sea - €8,000 - Registration Deadline 09 October 2026
Imagine a village where there is no land. No paved roads, no soil underfoot—just the rhythmic pulse of the tides beneath wooden planks. This is Torosiaje, a remarkable Bajau settlement in North Sulawesi, Indonesia. The Call of the Sea architecture competition isn’t asking for the next five-star glass resort. Instead, it’s a challenge to design something much more profound: a bridge between two worlds.
Situér Milano - €7,000 - Registration Deadline 02 October 2026
Design is rarely about a single object; it is about the conversation between elements. Situér Milano, a brand synonymous with industrial elegance and metalwork mastery, is opening its doors to a new chapter. The Situér Milano Design Challenge invites architects and designers to move beyond the "standalone piece" and instead conceptualize a coordinated mini-collection—a family of objects that speaks a singular, sophisticated language.
MicroHome 2026 - €100,000 - Registration Deadline 30 September 2026
In an era defined by "more"—more square footage, more technology, more noise—the Kingspan MICROHOME 2026 invites a radical pause. Now in its landmark 11th edition, this competition serves as a manifesto for the power of the small. We are not just asking for a floor plan; we are asking a fundamental question: Can less be more?
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