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From Italy to North America: An Architect’s Vision for a Borderless Design Community

  • Jan 27
  • 4 min read

Architecture is more than just buildings; it is the dialogue between a structure and the people who live within it.


Hi, I'm Giuseppe, an Italian architect driven by a singular, expansive vision.


My journey as an architect began in Italy, but it has since crossed oceans, evolving from a digital experiment during a global lockdown into a tangible new venture in the heart of Canada. This is the story of how a simple idea to connect professionals has grown into Forma.


The Italian Origins: SAEDcom

In 2020, the world stood still. As the COVID-19 pandemic forced us into isolation, I felt a growing need to bridge the gap between the academic world and the professional construction industry. In Italy, I launched SAEDcom (Students, Architects, Engineers, Designers, Community), a platform born from the desire to create a virtual meeting place for the entire construction supply chain.


SAED was designed to be an open ecosystem. It wasn't just a blog; it was a hub where students could find video tutorials on essential software like Archicad, Revit, 3DS Max, Twinmotion, etc, where professionals could share industry insights, and where contractors and engineers could connect. The philosophy was simple: knowledge should be free.


We offered courses, competition alerts, and technical resources without barriers or paywalls, creating a vibrant community that thrived on collaboration during a time of separation. Unfortunately, fate was unkind to SAEDcom. Only a few months after its launch, the new venture was closed for multiple reasons that had nothing to do with its original mission.


Bold black and red text reads "SAED" and "COM" with professions: Students, Architects, Engineers, Designers, on a white background.

The experiment: Domus North

Life, much like a design project, often takes unexpected turns. Three years later, I relocated to Canada, immersing myself in the North American construction field. Working directly on sites gave me a new perspective on the industry—different materials, different climates, but the same fundamental passion for creating spaces.


However, the urge to build a community never left me. I realized that the need for a shared space to exchange ideas was not unique to Italy; it was universal. This realization gave birth to Domus North on December 25th, 2025.


That was the evolution of that initial vision, adapted for a global audience with a Canadian heart. It is a free, curated platform and digital magazine dedicated to the evolution of the built environment.


Our mission is to democratize the conversation around architecture, interior design, and urban planning. Unlike exclusive publications that gatekeep content, Domus North is an open stage.


Vertical red line on a black background, with a red arrowhead pointing right near the top, creating a minimalist and bold visual.

The Turning Point: From a Blog to a Voice

What began as a personal experiment quickly transformed into something much larger than I had anticipated. The true turning point came when I opened the "Submit Your Article" section.


I expected a slow trickle of interest. Instead, I found a flood of passion.

Every day, more professionals, students, and enthusiasts began reaching out, eager to share their research, their designs, and their stories. It became undeniably clear that Domus North was no longer just a blog; it had evolved into a community demanding a bigger stage. The vision I had back in Italy with SAEDcom was finally coming to fruition here in North America, fueled by a collective desire to share knowledge.


To honor this growth and the diversity of voices joining the platform, I realized we needed an identity that truly reflects who we have become.


Reborn as Forma The Magazine

Today (February 07, 2026), I am proud to announce that Domus North is officially evolving into Forma The Magazine.


The name "Forma" ("Shape" in English) is a Latin noun meaning shape, form, figure, appearance, beauty, or pattern. It represents the essence of what we do—we give shape to ideas, to spaces, and to careers. This rebranding marks a significant expansion of our mission. We are moving beyond a standard blog format to become a comprehensive daily resource for the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry.


What to Expect from Forma: We are widening our lens to cover the entire spectrum of the built environment. Our daily content will now include deep dives into:


  • Design Disciplines: Architecture, Interior Design, Landscape Design, and Urban Planning.

  • Technical Mastery: BIM, Software tutorials, and the latest in Sustainability.

  • Professional Growth: Career advice, Education, and industry Events & Expos.

FORMA The Magazine logo in bold black font, featuring a red horizontal line through "FORMA" on a white background. Mood is professional.

A Daily and Monthly Companion

In this fast-paced digital age, how we consume information matters. To ensure you stay connected to the pulse of the industry, Forma is launching two major initiatives:


  • The Daily Newsletter: A quick, insightful dose of inspiration and news delivered straight to your inbox every morning.

  • The Monthly Magazine: A curated, online publication featuring our best articles, exclusive interviews, and showcased projects, designed to be savoured like a traditional architectural digest.


The Vision Remains: A Borderless Community

While the name has changed and the scope has widened, the heart of this project remains the same. Just as I envisioned in 2020, knowledge at Forma will remain accessible. We are building a bridge—not just between the World and North America, but between the student and the master, the dreamer and the builder.


This is your platform. Whether you want to read about the latest sustainable materials, learn a new software skill, or publish a project you’ve poured your soul into, there is a place for you here.


I invite you to join us in this new chapter. Subscribe to our newsletter, read the new monthly edition, and most importantly, submit your voice.


Welcome to Forma. Let’s shape the future together!


Fun Fact: During its operational period, SAEDcom averaged 4,000 monthly visits from over 1,000 unique users. The platform’s impact was recognized by prominent Italian publications, including Habitante and Jobsora.

 
 
Forma The Magazine issues on an office desk, city view

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Great design bridges past and future, creating spaces that evolve with us.

Our built environment is in a constant state of beautiful evolution. At Forma, we believe that architecture and design are deeply personal—they dictate how we live, grow, and connect across every stage of life. As a community of designers, architects, engineers, trades, builders, suppliers, students and creators, we are constantly tasked with bridging what was with what will be. Whether we are exploring innovative new builds, thoughtful restorations, or the visionary people shaping our industry, our mission remains the same: to look beyond the aesthetics. We invite you to explore the human stories woven into the brick, light, and landscapes of the spaces we inhabit. Thank you to everyone who reads, contributes, and shares in this vision.

Giuseppe Gutta
Founder of Forma The Magazine

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