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Ravine House: A Modern Sanctuary in Harmony with Nature
Just north of Toronto, perched on the edge of a wooded valley, sits Ravine House—a contemporary home that redefines what it means to live in harmony with nature. Rather than acting as a barrier against the outdoors or simply occupying a plot of land, this stunning residence acts as an immersive, beautiful mediator between comfortable domestic living and the natural landscape.
Toronto’s 2026 KEDD Neighbourhood Hop: Old Town, New Vision
On May 29th, as the sun began to set over the historic brick facades of Old Town Toronto, the streets took on a new, electric energy. The King East Design District (KEDD) Neighbourhood Hop—the highly anticipated annual event presented by DesignTO in collaboration with the Old Town Toronto BIA—was officially underway. For a few magic hours, the neighbourhood morphed into a sprawling, interactive playground for creativity and innovation.
The Albatross: a Modern Marvel in the Laurentians
In the heart of Quebec’s rugged Laurentians region, a new kind of home has taken flight. Located in the quiet community of La Conception, The Albatross is not just a house; it is a masterclass in modern residential design. Image courtesy of: Stéphane Groleau Created by the teams at MU Architecture in close collaboration with architect Anik Patry, this extraordinary home was built around a beautiful, simple idea: to place a modern family at the very center of a spectacular nat
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.
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.
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 - May 2026
Issue: May 31, 2026
The May 2026 issue of Forma The Magazine explores the powerful themes of rebirth and connection within our built environment. This edition highlights how thoughtful design bridges the past with the future by breathing new life into historic spaces. Readers will discover the stunning restoration of Toronto’s Allan Gardens Palm House , the adaptive reuse of La Caserne in Old Quebec , and Montreal’s industrial transformation with Vivre 2. We also examine modern living solutions, from the gentle urban density of Toronto’s Montrose Sixplex to Taktik Design’s refreshing approach to senior living at Cloria. Featuring insights on hands-on design education , a profile on Margaret Brosnan , and Luminaire Authentik's new lighting collection , this issue celebrates the human stories woven into the brick and light of today's architecture
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Latest Articles
The Birth of a Luminous Pinocchio: When Modernism Meets Molten Glass
During a prestigious tenure as the inaugural Designer-in-Residence at the Vignelli Center for Design Studies from 2023 to 2024, architect RZLBD, from Atelier RZLBD, was presented with a glowing challenge. Through an exclusive design workshop in partnership with the renowned Corning Museum of Glass, the assignment was clear yet demanding: ideate, design, and prototype a lampshade.
The Ēclos® Maitake Table: Nature Reimagined
When the worlds of innovative material design and visionary architecture collide, the result is often extraordinary. Such is the case with the Ēclos® Maitake Table, a stunning collaborative piece by global surface leader Cosentino and the acclaimed Patkau Studio.
Redefining Building Materials: The Power of Next-Gen Visualization
Designer Hsin Ting Chiu recognized this disconnect and developed an ingenious solution. Rather than spending millions of dollars building new software from scratch, Chiu reconfigured existing tools to create a highly practical, affordable, and visually stunning retail workflow.
Chez Lionel Arrives in Downtown Montreal: A Modern Twist on the French Brasserie
Just a few steps away from the bustling Bell Centre, a fresh take on the classic French brasserie has opened its doors. The new Chez Lionel, located inside a landmark building at 1250 René-Lévesque Boulevard, brings a contemporary pulse to a timeless dining style.
Elevating Women in Leadership: NFOE Architecture Welcomes Four New Partners
Founded in 1912, the Quebec-based architecture firm NFOE has spent over a century building a reputation for thriving in the most demanding environments. Recently, the firm marked an exciting milestone by appointing four new partners: Erika Landry, Vanessa Godin, Roxane Fortier, and Marie-Eve Cyr.
Plateau Kyoto Residence: A Montreal Home Meets Japanese Minimalism
When a compartmentalized single-family home in Montreal’s Plateau Mont-Royal needed a fresh start, local interior design firm Indee Design stepped in with a clear vision. The result is the Plateau Kyoto Residence, a striking home renovation that perfectly balances mid-century Montreal warmth with the calm beauty of Japanese minimalism.
Du Corail Residence: Living Within the Landscape
Designed by the Montreal-based studio Entre Quatre Murs, this contemporary 7,700-square-foot family home was carefully developed over four years. Rather than dominating the landscape, the house settles into it gently. The final design is the result of studying the natural site and carefully listening to the family who would call it home.
GKC Architecture’s Montreal Office: The Impact of Interior Design: Inside
It has been exactly one year since GKC Architecture & Design relocated its Montreal team to a fully redesigned office on Gary-Carter Street. Now, the firm is taking a step back to look at how the new space has actually changed the way they work.
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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