Then there is Montréal—a city that, for twenty years, has chosen to "govern" itself. In June 2006, the Québec metropolis became the first city in North America and only the third in the world to join the UNESCO Creative Cities Network in the field of design. Two decades on, that designation has proven to be far more than a badge of honour. It has become the philosophical spine of an entire urban project.

Humans spent 99% of their evolutionary history adapting to the natural world. Today, we spend roughly 90% of our lives inside sealed, climate-controlled boxes. This massive shift has left us chronically stressed, fatigued, and disconnected.

Winner of the 2026 Award of Excellence in Architecture from the Quebec Association of Architects, the Aubé House is more than just a beautifully designed residence. It is a physical timeline—a space where a rich family history meets breathtaking modern design.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Gabriel Fain Architects provides a brilliant answer with the Montrose Sixplex. Completed in 2026, this six-unit rental housing project in Toronto shows how smart design can gracefully add homes to a community while perfectly matching its existing character.

The renowned architecture and design firm Provencher_Roy is taking a major step to support the future of the built environment. The firm recently announced the launch of the Claude-Provencher Excellence Scholarship, an annual initiative designed to empower emerging talent in architecture and related design fields. Image courtesy of: Provencher_Roy Created to honour the profound legacy of co-founder Claude Provencher (1949–2022)—a leading figure in Canadian architecture—the sc

House of Farr, designed by Zanjani Architect, is a striking architectural project shaped by intentional volumetric composition and a refined dialogue of materials. Conceived with the goal of creating a home that feels both grounded and enduring, it stands as an unmistakably contemporary retreat that balances bold design with quiet sophistication.

As the editorial team behind Forma The Magazine, we attend our fair share of industry events. We have to confess, sometimes trade shows can feel repetitive—a sea of standard, uninspiring exposition booths. We arrived expecting more of the same, but what we experienced over the last two days at the Living Luxe Design Show 2026 proved that assumption wrong.

As the boundaries between conditioned interiors and the unfiltered exterior continue to blur, CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati and Veneta Cucine have introduced a provocative response. Debuting at Eurocucina during Milan Design Week 2026, OLTRE is less a piece of furniture and more a domestic infrastructure—a system designed to "flow" through the landscape like a river.

Toronto is set once again to become the epicentre of Canadian luxury and style. From April 16 to 19, 2026, the highly anticipated Living Luxe Design Show (LLDS) returns to the Toronto Congress Centre, promising an experience that goes far beyond the traditional trade show format.

Éclos® introduces a new category of mineral surfaces with zero crystalline silica, a high proportion of recycled material, and a breakthrough layered design system enabled by Inlayr® technology. The innovation is the result of extensive research and testing, including more than 28,000 hours of R&D and over 1,500 hours of product testing by Cosentino’s Research, Development, and Product teams.