The daily commute is rarely described as a luxury. But within Toronto’s iconic Toronto-Dominion Centre, Michel Arcand and Don Parker have completely reimagined the journey to work. Image courtesy of: Tom Arban Photography Transforming an underused concourse and a segment of underground parking into a state-of-the-art commuter wellness amenity, The Interchange prioritizes comfort, care, and personal dignity. This ambitious vision hasn't just reshaped the daily grind for tenants—it recently secured two prestigious ARIDO Awards, winning in both the Distinct (interior environments) and Craft categories. By elevating the everyday rituals of arrival, change, and renewal, The Interchange sets a new benchmark for workplace amenities, proving that design can champion health, inclusivity, and community right at the heart of the city. Engineering Safety Before Arrival For tenant commuters, secure access directly from the street and underground parking were a top priority. To address the complex arrival parameters, Michel Arcand and Don Parker took the uncommon step of engaging an Active Transportation Engineering consultant. The resulting recommendations completely reshaped curbs, traffic direction, and signage within the garage. A dedicated HVAC unit was even ingeniously integrated into the former parking structure—a massive technical feat given the tight space and strict building codes. The result is a seamless approach that establishes safety and clarity well before tenants even step foot inside the facility. “We approached The Interchange as a serious transformation project where various combined engineering disciplines, unique consulting services, and design solutions have a great impact on how people feel moving through the space” Don Parker Image courtesy of: Tom Arban Photography A Hospitality-Grade Metamorphosis The design traces a commuter’s metamorphosis from street entry to a refreshed, work-ready exit into Toronto’s underground PATH system. Rather than treating changerooms and showers as utilitarian zones, IN8 conceived them as high-end hospitality environments. The space extends the vocabulary of the modernist complex above, utilizing natural stones and Santos Rosewood veneer for warmth and durability. Environmental graphics, custom wallcoverings, and intuitive wayfinding unify the experience, connecting legibility to movement with clarity and rhythm. Human-centric features enrich this ethos of care: Equitable Spaces: Mirrored amenities for men and women are supplemented by a gender-neutral area, embedding equity as a baseline. Universal Accessibility: Adaptive bike racks and a generous universal washroom with an integrated shower and change table ensure the space is accessible to everyone. Daily Rituals Anticipated: Towel service, filtered water, ironing and steaming stations, and conversation privacy hoods cater to the practical realities of urban commuting. “The Interchange was always about more than utility. It was about creating a human-centred journey where wellness is part of the daily rhythm of work. To see that vision recognized by ARIDO — across both interior innovation and craft — is profoundly meaningful” Michel Arcand The Interchange Mural: Art in Transit Marking the facility's presence in the PATH is the ARIDO Award-winning concourse mural. Conceived in collaboration with Strange Colour and fabricated by Eventscape, the installation is a masterclass in detail. Spanning 45 feet of rosewood panels, the mural integrates exactly 2,792 solid brass standoffs. Each piece is brushed and angled to reflect the strategic wall-washing light above, capturing the brushed surfaces to amplify a sense of movement. Arranged in a fluid, wave-like geometry, the composition evokes crossing and motion, subtly echoing the patterns of bicycle treads. “The mural demanded a white-glove approach from concept through fabrication. Every alignment, every detail was intentional. Its recognition in the Craft category reflects the artistry and collaboration that elevate design into meaning. To receive awards for both projects underscores how design can connect workplace, amenity, and public realm into one holistic experience” Don Parker By uniting technical precision with material integrity, The Interchange reinforces Cadillac Fairview’s commitment to sustainable, design-driven environments. It stands as a testament to how clarity, order, and equity can be seamlessly embedded into heritage modernist settings—transforming the simple act of commuting into an experience of wellness and care. About Michel Arcand and Don Parker Michel Arcand and Don Parker are veteran design leaders with a combined 40-year legacy of industry recognition and excellence. Formerly the principal designers behind IN8 Design, they built a reputation for an innate design sensibility and a relentless attention to detail, specializing in the seamless integration of contemporary architecture, graphic design, furnishings, and fine art. Throughout their careers, Michel and Don have operated on the core belief that innovation arises from the meeting of different minds. Their work is characterized by a balance of high-level planning, disciplined management, and a deep understanding of budgetary requirements—ensuring that beauty never comes at the cost of performance. Following a successful collaboration on the Cadillac Fairview Management Office at the Toronto-Dominion Centre, Michel and Don officially joined Ray Inc. This transition marks a new chapter in their professional journey, bringing their exceptional expertise in commercial and residential interiors to the Ray studio. Today, they continue to focus on creating environments that foster connection and elevate the human experience, guided by a shared commitment to clarity, intention, and integrity. Press release source: PiTCH PR

After more than a decade immersed in the relentless energy of New York City, the clients behind the Avoca Condo were ready to come home. Seeking a space that honoured their fast-paced past while embracing their grounded future, they found a 1,200-square-foot sanctuary near Rosedale’s leafy Yonge and St. Clair corridor. Boasting excellent bones and serene park views, the canvas was there—but it needed vision. Image courtesy of: Julia Bewcyk Photography Enter Studio P Interiors brought in to reimagine the space from the inside out, the design firm meticulously restructured the standard two-bedroom, two-bathroom layout, crafting a home that is as emotionally resonant as it is beautifully resolved. Layout as the Foundation For Studio P, luxury begins with flow. Every inch of the residence was customized, rebalanced, and refined to reflect the nuances of modern urban living. "We always start with the layout. Before we think about finishes or style, we ask: how do you want to live here?” Priya Mitrovic, founder of Studio P Interiors This foundational approach sparked a series of transformative design interventions. By opening the once-closed galley kitchen to the main living area, the team created an expansive, light-filled entertaining zone—a masterclass in spatial reinvention. The Heart of the Home At the center of this newly opened space sits a sculptural island, anchored by a rare, plum-toned natural quartzite slab. Sourced early in the design process, this striking stone became the project's muse. It dictated the home's warm, saturated palette of terracotta, mint, and ink, proving that small spaces don't have to shy away from bold colour. Recognizing the limitations of condo kitchen storage, Studio P engineered a brilliant functional pivot. They kept the kitchen cabinetry intentionally minimal to let the space breathe as a visual centrepiece, seamlessly rerouting the functional load to a hidden hallway pantry. Curated, Purposeful Details Throughout the Avoca Condo, every gesture has intention, and every material serves a purpose. Studio P elevated the space by weaving in bespoke, architectural moments: The Ultimate Dining Nook: A custom floating banquette traces the U-shaped window wall, offering comfortable, cafe-style seating for up to eight without encroaching on the living area's footprint. Textural Contrast: In the living room, a custom marble fireplace surround is offset by recessed terracotta shelving. A polished nickel and leather-accented reading light hovers above, striking a perfect balance between utility and mood. A Dramatic Retreat: The primary suite departs from the ordinary with a full-wall velvet headboard in a deep cerulean, bringing softness, acoustic warmth, and a hint of cinematic drama to the sleeping quarters. Unlocking Potential In a market saturated with neutral palettes and safe choices, the Avoca Condo stands out as a testament to curiosity and craft. Nothing here feels ornamental or accidental. "This wasn’t about filling space. It was about unlocking it. It’s a smaller footprint, but we had fun with it. The clients didn’t want a white box, and neither did we. They were open to bold moves, and that allowed us to create something truly layered” Priya Mitrovic, founder of Studio P Interiors With its architectural flourishes and a palette that favours depth over neutrality, Studio P’s latest project proves that even the most conventional layouts can be transformed into deeply livable, breathtaking homes. ABOUT Studio P Interiors Studio P Interiors is a Toronto-based design studio celebrated for its ability to craft deeply personal and meaningful environments. With a philosophy that thoughtful design enriches everyday life, Studio P transforms ideas into spaces that seamlessly balance beauty and purpose. Known for their understated elegance and meticulous attention to detail, Studio P brings a refined yet approachable sensibility to every project, creating designs that connect people to their surroundings in lasting and impactful ways. Press release source: PiTCH PR

Inside the landmark Toronto-Dominion (TD) Centre, Michel Arcand and Don Parker, in collaboration with Ray Inc., have completed a stunning transformation of a management office for Cadillac Fairview. The project proves that a space can celebrate the strict discipline of historic modernist architecture while effortlessly serving the fluid, collaborative realities of contemporary workplace culture. Image courtesy of: Tom Arban The reimagined space functions as more than just a management hub; it serves as a dynamic, working showroom that underscores Cadillac Fairview’s leadership as a steward of world-class design. A Working Showroom Designed to Inspire Cadillac Fairview has operated management offices at the TD Centre since the mid-1980s. When team relocations prompted a redesign, the company saw an opportunity to lead by example. "Cadillac Fairview has held management offices at TDC since the mid-eighties. While the relocation was prompted by team moves, it was crucial to create a space that exemplifies innovative workspaces for the entire complex. The new office space showcases the collaborative areas with our large lunch room/cafe which is such a successful social hub. Our leasing team regularly brings prospective tenants on tours, and we also welcome existing tenants seeking inspiration for their spaces. We're extremely happy with our new space with its open, contemporary yet timeless design" The Cadillac Fairview Corporation Limited Image courtesy of: Tom Arban Honouring the Master of Modernism Stepping into the space, the influence of Mies van der Rohe’s original architecture is unmistakable. Michel Arcand, Don Parker, and Ray Inc. allowed the tower’s iconic five-foot grid to guide their approach, ensuring precise alignment of planning and proportion. By paring the interiors back to their essential elements and layering in carefully chosen materials, textures, and modern technologies, the team elevated both form and function. "Our intent was never to create an imitation of the past, but to let the building’s architecture and history inform how we move forward. Cadillac Fairview challenged us to deliver a space that balances performance and elegance in equal measure, and to do so with the clarity that defines this landmark address.” Don Parker Image courtesy of: Tom Arban Key Features: Empathy, Flexibility, and Green Design Flexibility, dignity, and spatial fluency are the driving forces behind the new layout. Partnering with Ray Inc.—a firm renowned for its innovation in experiential workplace design—Michel Arcand and Don Parker ensured that every element contributes to an efficient and inspiring environment. Highlights of the reimagined office include: Seamless Adaptability: A custom folding glass partition, engineered in Portugal for superior sound attenuation, allows the boardroom and reception area to function independently or merge into a massive event space. When opened, the partition disappears into integrated wood wall panels, preserving the room's architectural clarity. Spaces Built on Empathy: Tucked discreetly by the stairwell is a daylit, two-person lounge. Unbranded and emotionally neutral, it offers privacy for dignified departures or sensitive employment transitions—a quiet acknowledgement of the full spectrum of the human experience in the workplace. Egalitarian Collaboration: An open layout and warm material palette encourage casual conversation. Staff are given total choice without hierarchy, moving freely between acoustic phone booths, café banquettes, oversized work islands, a wellness room, and AV-equipped lounges. The "Living" Watercooler: Perhaps the most unexpected focal point is the fully irrigated living wall. Connected seamlessly to the café’s sump plumbing, it improves air quality while naturally fostering community. Staff have even developed a habit of talking to the plants—a lighthearted reflection of the office’s human-centric design. Overcoming Challenges for a Sustainable Future Achieving this level of refinement required clever problem-solving. Because the office is located on the second floor without gravity-fed plumbing systems, Michel Arcand, Don Parker, and Ray Inc. utilized pumped drainage solutions and systems-aware planning to preserve visual continuity. Targeting LEED Silver certification, the workspace prioritizes occupant well-being and environmental performance through low-VOC finishes, sustainable materials, and healthy workplace strategies. Furthermore, expansion zones to the north and south have been discreetly built in, future-proofing the office for seamless growth. This project was about striking a balance: honouring the rigour of modernism while making space for flexibility, empathy, and human connection. In many ways, the design demonstrates how corporate workplaces can adapt to new expectations while continuing to inspire” Michel Arcand With its delicate balance of restraint, high performance, and adaptability, Michel Arcand, Don Parker, and Ray Inc. have positioned Cadillac Fairview’s TD Centre office as a premier model for how heritage architecture can gracefully evolve into the 21st century. About Michel Arcand and Don Parker Michel Arcand and Don Parker are veteran design leaders with a combined 40-year legacy of industry recognition and excellence. Formerly the principal designers behind IN8 Design, they built a reputation for an innate design sensibility and a relentless attention to detail, specializing in the seamless integration of contemporary architecture, graphic design, furnishings, and fine art. Throughout their careers, Michel and Don have operated on the core belief that innovation arises from the meeting of different minds. Their work is characterized by a balance of high-level planning, disciplined management, and a deep understanding of budgetary requirements—ensuring that beauty never comes at the cost of performance. Following a successful collaboration on the Cadillac Fairview Management Office at the Toronto-Dominion Centre, Michel and Don officially joined Ray Inc. This transition marks a new chapter in their professional journey, bringing their exceptional expertise in commercial and residential interiors to the Ray studio. Today, they continue to focus on creating environments that foster connection and elevate the human experience, guided by a shared commitment to clarity, intention, and integrity. About Ray Inc. Ray Inc. is a Toronto-based interior design and project management firm recognized for its expertise in creating high-performing, people-focused environments. Established in 1987, the studio works across commercial, institutional, and mixed-use sectors, offering integrated services in interior design, relocation management, and pre-leasing support. Ray’s approach is rooted in collaboration and precision, translating client needs into functional, timeless spaces that reflect both purpose and identity. Press release source: PiTCH PR

In Toronto’s west end, a newly built Kingsway residence beautifully captures what happens when clarity, trust, and a shared vision guide every decision. Designed by Joan and Company Interiors for longtime clients Nathania and Mark, this home reflects the magic of an experienced design team dedicated to balancing breathtaking aesthetics with the beautiful, messy reality of family life. Image courtesy of: Lauren Miller Photography “Nathania reached out before they even bought the lot. She and her husband wanted more space for their family and asked me to view a few properties with them, both new builds and tear-downs, to help decide what would make the most sense. That early involvement shaped the entire process. Design was never an afterthought” Joan MacAlpine, founder and principal designer of Joan and Company Interiors. With the property secured, Joan and Company Interiors spearheaded the project from concept through completion, collaborating with TPM Custom Homes and For Walls a Roof to realize a vision that feels relaxed, refined, and enduring. A Vision Grounded in Real Life The core brief was clear: design a home that feels timeless and grounded, possessing the warmth and durability to support family life truly. For the studio, this meant balancing elevated craftsmanship with everyday comfort, ensuring the spaces could withstand the rhythm of children, pets, and constant movement without ever losing their elegance. “They wanted a home that feels effortless and inviting. The kind of calm and layered warmth that encourages people to gather and stay” Joan MacAlpine, founder and principal designer of Joan and Company Interiors. Natural light dictated the home's flow. A south-facing backyard guided the placement of the kitchen and great room, pulling sunshine deep into the living spaces. To introduce warmth and tactile richness, the team layered character-grade oak floors, a natural limestone mantle, tumbled marble tile, and flowing linen drapery. Traditional architectural elements—like crisp trim, classic mouldings, and a timeless staircase—were carefully balanced with contemporary furniture and millwork, resulting in a home that feels both historically established and refreshingly current. Design, Detail, and Determination True design expertise often reveals itself in the smallest, quietest moments. One of this home’s most distinctive details—the brass thresholds in the front hall—almost didn’t make the final cut. “Our brass was thinner than the flooring and could not sit directly on the concrete leveler as we had originally planned. Many would have removed it, but my team worked with our woodworker to engineer a custom hardwood base that could allow everything to be supported properly. It was built, plated, and installed within forty-eight hours. That level of precision is what defines our work. Designing a custom home requires a lot of problem solving and consistently shaping and reworking ideas that ultimately feel fresh, functional, and right” Joan MacAlpine, founder and principal designer of Joan and Company Interiors. That level of precision defines the studio's work. Designing a custom home demands relentless problem-solving, consistently reshaping and reworking ideas until they feel functional, fresh, and perfectly placed. Throughout the home, this exacting attention to detail is ever-present. Oak-trimmed arches gently frame key sightlines, while a striking limestone fireplace anchors the great room. Every finish was chosen with intention; every material was built to last. A Space of Her Own: The Snug Among the home’s most intimate spaces is "the snug"—a quiet front room conceived entirely for reading, reflection, and study. Positioned away from the bustling openness of the main floor, it acts as a necessary counterpoint, grounding the home with a profound sense of calm. “Our client is a lifelong learner and entrepreneur. We wanted the snug to reflect that spirit, warm, grounded, and purposeful. It’s where calm meets curiosity and where focus feels effortless” Joan MacAlpine, founder and principal designer of Joan and Company Interiors. Image courtesy of: Lauren Miller Photography A Collaboration Built on Trust This Kingsway build marks the fifth time Joan and Company Interiors has partnered with the Harrison family, having previously designed their family cottage, a former home, an office space, and Nathania’s Toronto movement studio, SAOR Studio. Over years of collaboration, their mutual trust has evolved into a seamless rhythm. “There’s confidence that comes with experience. Our client trusts our process, and we understand how they want to live. That trust gives us room to lead creatively and push design decisions that make a difference. It isn’t a showpiece, it’s a family home that works hard, looks effortless, and will only get better with time.” Joan MacAlpine, founder and principal designer of Joan and Company Interiors. For Joan and Company Interiors, collaboration is far more than a simple process; it is the absolute foundation of great design. This Kingsway home perfectly embodies the studio’s ability to unite fine craftsmanship with deep intuition, yielding spaces that are cohesive and enduring. About Joan and Company Interiors Joan and Company Interiors is a design studio based in Toronto’s west end, specializing in residential renovations and custom home builds. Founded and led by Joan MacAlpine, the studio is recognized for its thoughtful approach to design and its commitment to creating homes that balance beauty, function, and longevity. At Joan and Company, design is built on collaboration and trust. Every project reflects a clear understanding of how people live, resulting in interiors that are timeless, grounded, and unmistakably personal. Press release source: PiTCH PR

Lori Morris doesn’t just design rooms; she creates worlds. Entertainer’s Dream is a cinematic, fully immersive suite built for one thing: the ultimate hosting experience. Every inch of this space is designed to lead guests through a story of deep blues, shimmering brass, and soft velvet. It’s bold, it’s moody, and it’s unapologetically glamorous. Image courtesy of: Edward James That said, let’s discover the project room by room. The Grand Entrance The experience begins the moment you step onto the stairs. A sweeping, curved staircase acts as the star of the show, wrapped in deep blue textured walls that feel like high-fashion fabric. Above, a cascading crystal chandelier pours light down like "liquid glamour," reflecting off polished stone floors and custom metal railings. It’s a clear signal: you’ve arrived somewhere special. The Jewel-Box Lounge At the heart of the suite is the lounge—a space designed for conversation and cocktails. The Vibe: Rich, saturated blues and warm brass accents. The Details: Custom curved velvet seating fits the room perfectly, surrounding sleek brass coffee tables. The Light: A starburst crystal chandelier hangs overhead, casting a dramatic glow over lacquered surfaces and patterned pillows. It’s intimate, expensive, and incredibly cool. The Social Hub: The High-Gloss Bar Positioned perfectly between the theatre and the pool room, the bar is the "engine" of the party. Finished in a high-gloss blue lacquer, it features a curved marble countertop and mirrored shelves that make the glassware look like art. Blue glass pendants hang from above, while custom-upholstered stools ensure that the transition from room to room feels seamless. Two Worlds of Entertainment The bar connects two distinct spaces, depending on the mood of the night: The Cinematic Theatre: This isn't just a TV room; it’s a private cinema. With a 14-foot projection screen, tiered velvet sofas, and floor-to-ceiling drapery to perfect the sound, it’s built for total immersion. A marble-and-brass fireplace adds a touch of classic warmth to the high-tech space. The Pool Room: On the other side, competition meets fine art. A custom-felted pool table sits under a sculptural chandelier, surrounded by deep blue walls and custom woodwork. The highlight? A striking metallic Mona Lisa that keeps an eye on the game. Entertainer’s Dream is a perfect example of "layered luxury." By using a consistent palette of blues, brass, and velvet, Lori Morris has created a destination that doesn't just look good—it performs. It’s a place where hosting is treated as an art form and every evening feels unforgettable. About Lori Morris Lori Morris is a visionary artist who treats every room like a canvas, spending over 35 years reinventing the meaning of luxury from her Toronto home base for clients across North America. Instead of following fleeting trends, she follows her own fearless "No Rules" instinct to create her signature "LMD" style—a seductive blend of "Sexy French" elegance and sharp modern edge where if a piece is bold and beautiful, it belongs. She stands apart by hand-sketching every vision and collaborating with a team of over 40 master craftsmen to build custom furniture you won’t find anywhere else, specializing in a "layered luxury" that mixes rich textures like velvet, marble, and brass to make a space feel like a glamorous, warm hug. Her studio provides a complete high-touch concierge experience, handling everything from the very first architectural drawing to the final decorative pillow. This dedicated approach has earned her over 30 design awards and features in Architectural Digest, Forbes, and Elle Decor. Ultimately, Lori Morris has become the gold standard for those who want more than just a house; she turns dreams into masterpieces that seduce the senses and transform hosting into a legendary art form.

Designed by the architectural studio S-IAD, the Coulee House is a stunning earth-bermed home uniquely inspired by the dramatic landscape of Southern Alberta. What is a Coulee? A regional term describing a small valley, deep ravine, or gully carved by rivers over time. Characterized by steep banks and undulating slopes, coulees serve as natural oases offering shelter and refreshment to life travelling down to the river’s edge. While deeply rooted in this specific Albertan landscape, S-IAD’s brilliant conceptual design could easily adapt to similar geographic environments around the world. Image courtesy of: S-IAD The Concept: A Journey Through the Landscape Coulees snake their way from the mountains to the prairies, serving as natural oases that offer shelter and refreshment to the life that gathers at the river's edge. This downward journey directly inspired the home's earth-bermed design. Just as one descends into a natural coulee, residents step down into the home to find a central gathering space at its base. From this sunken core, S-IAD mapped the region's diverse landscape onto the home's architecture. Both in form and function, the design meanders from the depths of the coulee, up through the productive prairie plains, into the rolling foothills, and finally erupts into the snow-capped peaks of the mountains. The Coulee Core and the Four Quadrants At the heart of the home is the Coulee Core—a grand, double-height gathering space. Its defining feature is a concentric, sunken seating area positioned directly beneath a massive oculus, flooding the center of this underground home with brilliant natural light. The rest of the home acts as a ring around this central core, broken into four distinct quadrants based on the compass points and the region's topography: The Prairie Quadrant (East - Productivity): Dedicated to work and health, this quadrant houses the office, gym, and kitchen. Much like the flat prairie plains, it maintains a low profile. It is almost completely buried, utilizing slim horizontal apertures and light wells to capture the sunrise. The Foothills Quadrant (South - Engagement): Gently rising from the earth with curved forms, this area is designed for social connection. It includes the dining room, living room, patio, and pool. Large windows invite abundant natural light and direct interaction with the surrounding landscape. The Mountain Quadrant (West - Retreat): Lifting out of the earth with peaked, mountain-like forms, this section is a private sanctuary. It encompasses the bedrooms and en-suites, featuring expansive windows that allow residents to take in the western sunsets. The Northern Quadrant (Support): This area houses the home’s auxiliary spaces, including the garages, storage rooms, and a home theatre—spaces strategically placed where natural light is not required. Smart, Off-Grid Sustainability S-IAD designed the Coulee House as a fully off-grid haven, utilizing a mix of active and passive sustainable technologies: Active Energy: A localized solar array sits atop the crest of the coulee, enjoying year-round sun exposure to power all of the home's electrical needs. Geothermal Climate Control: Beneath the structure, vertical geo-exchange earth tubes provide highly efficient heating and cooling. Passive Insulation: The earth-bermed walls and green roof offer incredible natural insulation, using the earth's thermal mass to heavily moderate the indoor temperature. Strategic Shading: Circular massing and excavated apertures naturally regulate heat gain. Vertical shading on the east and west mitigates harsh sunlight, while horizontal southern elements block summer heat but welcome the low-azimuth winter sun. High-efficiency glazing further stabilizes the climate. Dual Water Management: Captured storm water is used to supplement the home's greywater needs, while fresh drinking water is drawn from an electric well located at the base of the coulee, where the natural water table is at its highest. Naturally Grounded Materials The exterior composition of the Coulee House is defined by the landscape itself. Native prairie grasses and shrubs cover the green roof, seamlessly blending the structure into its environment. Because the home is built into the earth, S-IAD utilized highly durable concrete to withstand soil moisture and the elements. Using board-formed concrete techniques, the walls achieve a rustic, textured aesthetic that beautifully emulates the raw stone of the regional mountain peaks. About S-IAD S-IAD (Synergy Initiative of Architecture + Design) is an architectural studio dedicated to discovering the "synergy" within every project. The firm believes that the best designs emerge from the intersection of client desires, environmental stewardship, and site-specific constraints. The firm’s founder, Graham Ouwerkerk, brings a unique perspective to his work, having been raised with a hands-on understanding of construction and an academic background that includes a Master's in Architecture from the University of Calgary. As a Certified Passive House Designer and LEED Professional, Ouwerkerk views every building as an opportunity for environmental leadership. Through S-IAD, he continues to push the boundaries of how modern homes can coexist beautifully and responsibly with the natural world.

“A well-designed space isn’t just seen—it’s felt. It creates a moment where people recognize themselves within it.” There is often a moment—rare, almost imperceptible—when a space simply feels right. No explanation, no justification. Just alignment. For Rojin Aval, that moment has been the constant thread running through everything, from a childhood drawing on silk fabric to the layered, immersive environments she creates today. Her first act of creation wasn’t architecture. It was instinct. A piece of yellow curtain fabric became a canvas. A large flower anchored a hand-drawn landscape. Texture emerged from crayons and small plastic fragments. Even then, composition mattered—not as a learned rule, but as something felt. An early understanding that elements must relate, that balance is something you sense before you define. Soon after, objects gave way to space. Furniture was rearranged, rooms subtly reimagined. Without language or theory, she was already exploring one of design’s most complex ideas: how environments influence emotion. That same curiosity followed her to Canada, where she found herself shaping her parents’ first home, inspired by television rather than textbooks. It wasn’t “design” yet. It was something quieter—a desire to create spaces that simply felt right. And that desire never left. The Discipline Behind the Instinct What has changed is not the intention, but the depth of understanding behind it. A pivotal moment came during her time working on a full residential renovation in Toronto. For the first time, Rojin Aval wasn’t just observing space—she was reading it. Structures revealed their logic. Constraints became visible. Design shifted from surface to system. It was no longer about arranging, but interpreting. Not just imagining, but resolving. From that point forward, her work began to carry a different kind of weight—one grounded in both clarity and accountability. This evolution wasn’t without friction. Early in her career, she found herself navigating overlapping roles, balancing the demands of a renovation company while quietly building her own studio. The pressure was constant, and at times overwhelming. But it exposed something essential: the gap between an idea and its execution. That gap became her focus. Precision in communication. Control over process. A deeper responsibility for the outcome. Design, she realized, is not complete when it is conceived—it is complete when it holds, in reality, exactly as intended. Minimal, But Never Empty At first glance, her work might be described as minimal. But that would only tell part of the story. Her spaces are restrained, yes—but never bare. There is always a layer beneath the surface. A quiet density shaped by material, light, and proportion. Influenced in part by her Persian background, her approach reflects a sensitivity to atmosphere: environments that reveal themselves slowly, never all at once. Light is not an addition—it is a tool. Materials are not finishes—they carry presence. Each project is anchored by a singular moment, a sculptural or spatial gesture that gives identity, while everything around it remains composed and intentional. The result is a careful tension: clarity paired with depth, stillness balanced by movement. Because for her, design is not static. It is something you move through. Designing from the Human Core Every project begins in the same place. Not with drawings, but with people. Before form, before layout, Rojin Aval observes. How someone lives. How they move. What feels natural, and what doesn’t. The goal is not to impose a vision, but to uncover a rhythm. Only once that rhythm is understood does the structure begin to take shape. Flow, hierarchy, proportion—these come first. The visual layer follows later, built on a foundation that already makes sense. Even when faced with conflicting ideas—when a client’s request doesn’t align with her instinct—her approach remains grounded. She doesn’t override. She translates. Often, what a client asks for is not what they truly need. The real task is to uncover the feeling behind the request and guide it toward a more resolved outcome. Because when intention is clear, decisions become easier. And when decisions are clear, the space holds. Movement, Stillness, and the In-Between Outside of work, movement shapes her thinking. Dance, in particular, plays a quiet but significant role. It teaches awareness of timing, of pause, of flow. And this choreography carries directly into her spaces. Transitions are not accidental. Moments of compression and release are deliberate. There is an unspoken rhythm to how a space unfolds. Even her approach to creative blocks reflects this mindset. She doesn’t force solutions. Instead, she steps away—looking to fashion, food, or unexpected sources for inspiration. Not to replicate, but to reinterpret through the lens of human experience. Because clarity, she believes, doesn’t come from pressure. It comes from alignment. Toward Something Larger Looking ahead, her vision is not simply growth—it is expansion with intention. As Design Principal of Aval The Label and Co-Founder of Studio X Interiors, Rojin Aval is moving toward more architectural, high-end residential and commercial projects, where ideas can be explored on a greater scale. At the same time, she is building systems—integrating new technologies, refining processes, and shaping a practice that is as operationally strong as it is creative. But beyond projects, there is a broader ambition. A platform. A community. A design language that extends beyond individual spaces into something more immersive—perhaps even experiential installations where light, material, and sound converge into complete environments. Not just spaces to occupy, but moments to step into. What Remains If there is one constant in her work, it is intention. From that first childhood composition to the spaces she designs today, the question has always been the same: Does it make sense? And does it feel right? When those two align, nothing more is needed. And perhaps that is what defines her work most clearly—not what it shows, but what it leaves behind. A sense of quiet clarity. A feeling that stays. Discover more about Studio X Discover more about Aval The Label

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. Image courtesy of: Zanjani Architect Anchored to the Landscape The architecture is organized as a series of low, horizontal volumes that extend confidently across the lush site. This deliberate horizontality anchors the home to the earth, establishing a calm, composed street presence. The surrounding landscape, largely consisting of mature, existing greenery, informed the architectural response; the home was designed to blend seamlessly with its natural context while maintaining a distinct and confident identity. A carefully edited material palette creates dynamic contrast while maintaining absolute visual cohesion. The exterior is defined by: Sleek Cladding: An interplay of smooth, light grey panelling and deep charcoal accents. Textured Wood: Warm, vertical timber slats that bring an organic touch to the modern geometry. Striking Stone: A dramatic, linear black marble accent pillar carved with vivid white veining, serving as a monolithic focal point. Even highly functional elements are treated as integral architectural components. The three-car garage, rather than dominating the façade, is seamlessly absorbed into the overall composition through consistent lines, flush dark doors, and material continuity. Image courtesy of: Zanjani Architect A Threshold of Light and Colour The entry sequence was designed to be an experience in itself. From the street, the dark linear stone wall naturally guides movement toward the entrance, reinforcing the home’s strong directional language. A recessed threshold sits beneath a deep overhang that extends the exterior architecture directly into the interior, creating a distinct moment of transition and shelter. Upon crossing the threshold, the double-height foyer emphasizes the grand experience of arrival. Here, the exterior's vertical wood slatting continues inward, wrapping the structural walls. This warm, organic texture is brilliantly contrasted by a vibrant, mid-century modern yellow accent chair, offering an unexpected and delightful pop of colour. Expansive, black-framed glazing is carefully positioned to balance openness with privacy, allowing natural daylight to shape the interior spaces while maintaining a visual connection to the street. Curated Luxury and Interior Continuity The "refined dialogue of materials" promised by the exterior is masterfully executed inside the home, creating spaces that range from bold and moody to warm and serene. The Culinary Center: The kitchen is a study in sophisticated, dark aesthetics. Sleek, handleless grey cabinetry provides a clean backdrop for the room's centrepiece: a stunning black marble waterfall island. Echoing the exterior's accent pillar, this stone features dramatic white veining and is elevated by a base of fluted, light-toned wood. An undulating, modern chandelier illuminates the space, adding a touch of metallic warmth. The Wine Enclosure: Showcasing a seamless blend of luxury and lifestyle, a prominent, floor-to-ceiling glass climate-controlled enclosure serves as a modern wine cellar. Framed in black and featuring warm interior lighting, it acts as both a functional storage space and a piece of structural art adjacent to the living areas. Serene Private Quarters: Moving away from the bold public spaces, the private quarters embrace softer, warmer tones. A bespoke vanity area features light oak flooring, warm beige vertical wood panelling, and a floating minimalist desk. A round, illuminated mirror and a quilted cream leather stool complete this tranquil, highly tactile vignette. Timeless Simplicity Ultimately, House of Farr reflects the belief that truly timeless residential architecture does not rely on fleeting trends. Instead, it emerges from disciplined detailing, strong proportions, and a quiet, unwavering confidence in simplicity. About Zanjani Architect Zanjani Architect Inc. is an ISO 9001-certified, full-service architecture firm distinguished by its commitment to visionary design and technical excellence. Specializing in luxury single-family residential architecture, mixed-use developments, and master planning, the firm has built a reputation for a client-focused, collaborative approach that prioritizes both aesthetic impact and functional efficiency. Under the leadership of its founder, the studio delivers high-calibre projects informed by extensive professional experience in both Canada and Switzerland. As a licensed member of the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) and the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC), Zanjani integrates contemporary design principles with a disciplined attention to detail, ensuring every project is a masterpiece of architectural ingenuity. The firm’s creative reach extends beyond structural design through its affiliated "After 6 Design Studio," which focuses on bespoke product design and custom furniture. This holistic approach to the built environment has garnered international recognition, with the firm’s work featured in world-renowned publications such as the Robb Report (Spain), Bolig Eksklusiv (Denmark), and Design at Home (France), as well as being featured on CBC Radio Canada. From initial feasibility studies to final construction, Zanjani Architect Inc. remains dedicated to developing innovative spaces that are as enduring as they are contemporary.

In collaboration with: GXGprojects The architecture and design world is buzzing right now. If you believe the endless stream of online videos, artificial intelligence is about to do everything for us—from the first conceptual sketch to the final cost breakdown. Honestly, after watching some of those flawless, hyper-speed demonstrations, I’m starting to think the videos themselves are generated by AI. The hype is intoxicating, but the reality on the ground—where rigorous documentation, exact measurements, and building codes actually matter—is far more sobering. I recently decided to cut through the noise and put AI through its paces across my own workflow. I wanted to see exactly what it could handle when applied to real projects. Here is the truth about where the technology actually stands today. Concept Generation: The Sweet Spot Let’s start with the positive, because this is where AI is, without a doubt, the top tool in the arsenal. We all hit a wall sometimes. You're tired, staring at a difficult room, and you just don't know how to resolve the furniture layout or the initial flow of the space. In these moments, AI is perfect. It can quickly bounce back multiple options, allowing you to pick the one that sparks an idea, which you can then manually adapt to the strict demands of your actual project. It’s fantastic for creating concept presentations, with one major caveat: you have to review everything twice. If you feed the AI too much information at once, it gets confused and will inevitably make mistakes. But as a brainstorming partner, it is unmatched. Renders: The Middle Ground Renders are a little bit better than some of the other technical outputs, but they still suffer from a bizarre lack of real-world context. For instance, if a window is behind the "camera" and not directly visible in the shot, the AI often fails to calculate the natural light coming from it, leaving the space looking flat and artificial. The finishes frequently look surreal or completely impractical for actual procurement. Worst of all, trying to get the AI to adapt or tweak a specific detail to match the exact output you want is an exercise in frustration. It stubbornly fights your vision instead of refining it. Cost/Material Estimations: The Frustration There is a very low ceiling on what you can actually trust when it comes to budgeting and material takeoffs. Yes, an AI tool can reliably count the number of windows and doors, or spit out a total square footage. Beyond that? Don't bother. When dealing with complex, varied materials, I found myself spending significantly more time trying to set up the software parameters than it would have taken to just do the work manually. Pulling up a PDF reader or firing up AutoCAD to take actual, precise measurements is still faster and infinitely more reliable for a professional scope of work. The Disaster: Drawings If you value precision, keep AI far away from your floor plans. The technology has a glaring blind spot when it comes to spatial reality and basic rules. I've seen it try to cram a washroom into a space that couldn't hold a broom closet, simply stretching the dimensions on the page to make a bed magically "fit." It doesn't understand functional clearances, let alone the rigorous demands of zoning bylaws and building codes. When it comes to drafting, it is currently a mess of errors and out-of-bounds geometry. My final thought I want to be precise about one thing: we are talking here about PDF and CAD drawings, not BIM. When we talk about Building Information Modelling (BIM), these specific problems don't really exist. In BIM, we already input all necessary information and parameters as we build the model. The "information" is already baked in. My experience with these AI limitations applies to the attempt to automate the translation and generation of standard 2D drawings and static files. The industry chatter might focus on how AI will effortlessly take over the profession, but right now, it's not replacing the hard work of technical design and compliance. It is an incredible tool for when you need a creative spark, but when it comes to the real work of bringing a building to life, your own expertise is still the only thing you can trust. About GXGprojects GXGprojects is an international design and architectural studio built on a simple yet ambitious idea: designing your dreams. Originating in Turin, Italy, the practice was founded through the collaboration of creative minds focused on transforming ideas into tangible, real-world solutions. Today, the studio operates across Italy and Canada, combining European design sensibility with a global perspective. At its core, GXGprojects is more than a design service—it acts as a partner throughout the entire creative and construction journey. Each project begins with a deep understanding of the client’s lifestyle, goals, and vision. Rather than imposing a predefined style, the studio develops tailored solutions that feel personal, intentional, and grounded in real needs. The studio offers a complete range of services, including architectural design, interiors, 3D modelling, rendering, and immersive virtual tours. Through advanced visualization tools, GXGprojects enables clients to experience spaces before they are built, turning concepts into clear and realistic visions. Beyond design, GXGprojects supports project coordination and execution, connecting clients, contractors, and regulatory processes. This hands-on approach ensures clarity and efficiency from concept to completion, resulting in spaces that are both refined, buildable and deeply connected to those who inhabit them.

For decades, the design, architecture, and engineering worlds have followed a strict, sequential script: learn first, practice later . Students spend years perfecting theory in academic bubbles, only to graduate and crash into the hard realities of budgets, building codes, and client demands. But what if education and practice weren’t isolated stages, but a shared ecosystem? A recent collaboration in Toronto proves this isn’t just a nice idea—it’s a better business model. By pairing Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) fourth-year interior design students with Mason Studio and student housing developer HOEM , the Practice Before Practice exhibition lets emerging designers tackle real building outcomes before they even graduate. The result? A massive win for both the seasoned pros and the incoming talent. Here is why this model is the future of design. The Developer’s Edge: Why Pros Need Fresh Eyes For established firms and developers, bringing students into a live project isn’t charity—it’s a strategic advantage. Professional practices naturally develop blind spots; they get used to doing things " the way they've always been done ". Students disrupt this operational inertia. They Challenge the Status Quo : Free from industry baggage, students question the fundamental "whys" behind standard choices, reopening creative doors that veteran teams might have prematurely shut. They Foster a Culture of Testing : The presence of eager, emerging talent encourages professional studios to experiment more openly rather than rushing to the safest, fastest resolution. They Create a Seamless Talent Pipeline : Working side-by-side acts as a live audition. Developers get to cultivate and hire a future workforce that already understands their specific workflows and culture. The Student’s Reality Check: Theory Meets Execution For students, stepping into an active developer’s environment is the ultimate reality check. Academia is great for conceptual thinking, but it shelters students from the complex negotiations required to actually build something. In the real world, success relies less on unrestrained creativity and more on ruthless problem-solving. Constraints Cure the "Blank Page" : Real-world limitations—like material weight, durability, and strict budgets—don't stifle imagination; they focus it. These constraints pushed TMU students to master practical fabrication techniques, such as CNC milling and working with steel. Ego Takes a Backseat : In a university studio, projects are often expressions of personal taste. In the field, a designer’s value is rooted in executing a client's vision. Students learned to trade ego for strategic execution. Confidence Through Agency : Real projects require making tough calls. When faced with complex, high-tech suggestions for a lighting installation, the TMU students weighed the timeline against the mechanics and confidently advocated for sticking to their original, highly functional design. They didn't just learn design; they learned pushback. The Old Way vs. The New Blueprint The Traditional Academic Model (The Old Way) Historically, design education has kept students isolated within university studios. Their work is largely unbounded, relying on hypothetical "blank page" scenarios where the primary goal is often personal creative expression. Because students are separated from the industry, transitioning into the professional world can feel jarring, and networking is frequently reduced to awkward, forced mixer events rather than genuine connections. The "Practice Before Practice" Model (The New Blueprint). In contrast, this new approach integrates students directly into active, live developer projects. Instead of being intimidated by a blank page, students find their creativity catalyzed by real-world constraints like budgets, physics, and client demands. The focus shifts from personal expression to the strategic execution of a shared vision. As a result, networking happens naturally—it becomes an organic byproduct of daily collaboration and shared problem-solving with seasoned professionals. Building the Invisible Foundation Perhaps the most lasting impact of this model is the rapid development of soft skills. When students have to communicate with developers, professors, and tradespeople actively, they learn to navigate competing agendas, ask sharper questions, and take feedback on the chin. It also demystifies networking, proving that it isn't about putting on a facade—it’s about genuine curiosity and doing good work together. The collaboration between TMU, Mason Studio , and HOEM is a clear blueprint for the future. By dissolving the boundary between the classroom and the construction site, we can give emerging designers a safer runway to launch their careers, while injecting real estate projects with bold, unconstrained thinking. Image courtesy of:   Mason Studio Practice Before Practice shouldn't just be an exhibition; it should be the new global standard. Why This Partnership Matters This publication aims to highlight the tangible benefits of bridging the gap between academia and industry. By integrating student talent into real estate development, we aren't just teaching design—we are accelerating the growth of the next generation of architects and developers. This model provides firms with a fresh, creative engine while giving students a high-stakes environment where their ideas can actually take shape. But we aren't done yet. To understand how this collaboration felt on the ground, read our exclusive interview with Esther Bailey , a fourth-year Interior Design student at TMU, and Stanley Sun , Co-Founder and Creative Director at Mason Studio . They dive deep into the challenges, the breakthroughs, and what it’s really like to work at the intersection of theory and practice. From Studio to Site: A Conversation on "Practice Before Practice" The Design Director’s Lens: A Conversation on "Practice Before Practice"

Interview with:  Esther Bailey In our previous feature, we explored the "Practice Before Practice" model—a collaboration between Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), Mason Studio, and developer HOEM—that is redefining design education in Toronto. By placing students directly into the high-stakes environment of live development, the project aims to replace academic isolation with real-world execution. But how does this transition feel from the inside? To dig deeper, we sat down with Esther Bailey , a fourth-year Interior Design student at TMU. In the following interview, Esther shares her journey from the conceptual freedom of the classroom to the rigid, yet rewarding, constraints of professional development. The Professional Pivot: Transitioning from Studio to Site How did it feel stepping out of the classroom and into a professional developer's environment? Was it intimidating, or more exciting than you expected? At first, it was more exciting than intimidating, as it was introduced to our class in a studio context. But as the work progressed and the scope of the project really sank in, I started to notice the gap between what I could imagine on paper and what could actually be built. Very early on, there is definitely a dissonance between what is drawn on paper and what can actually be realized, which I do appreciate because of the conceptual push that this type of training provides. What I’ve learned is that with design, and especially design-builds, there comes a point where you have to stop being purely creative and instead channel that creativity into being a problem-solving machine to tackle all the technical challenges that emerge from the initial ideation phase. Experiencing this in a professional environment really highlighted the balance between vision and practicality and made me appreciate how much professional design is about navigating that tension successfully.  What was the biggest difference between designing for a school project and presenting your ideas to an actual developer? I want to say authorship is the keyword here. Technically, there is no validation stronger than the authorship you have over a school studio project done entirely on your own and in your own taste. Yet, in terms of the weight that such a hypothetical project carries in legitimizing your place as a designer, it’s actually quite light. Our professor, Jonathon Anderson, emphasized the importance of authorship for designers at the beginning of the semester. He also emphasized letting go of your personal vision for the client’s vision. The interesting thing about authorship in design is that your value as a working designer often increases the more you are involved in realizing someone else’s vision. At first, this might seem counterintuitive, but I see it as a metaphor for how collaboration should work: each of us contributing our expertise toward a common goal. As designers, we provide a valuable skill, and it’s often the constraints of a real project—what pushes our skills into action—that make our value most apparent.  Did you receive any feedback from the developer that completely shifted how you approach interior design? What was that piece of feedback, and how did it make you feel at the time? As I mentioned during the panel discussion, we had a mid-term review with HOEM, Superkül, and Mason Studio, where we presented our design for a manual-turning light object. The feedback was enthusiastic and offered suggestions that could have completely shifted the direction of our project. At that point, about 95% of the design needed to be finalized to begin prototyping, but the feedback we received was still at the ideation stage. After the review, our team met and decided to set aside the suggestions involving motor mechanisms and more complex technological interventions. I felt this adjustment was necessary to realistically achieve our goals. There was a brief moment of reflection on the proposed edits, but we collectively agreed that, given our timeline, it wasn’t the best move. We were confident that our original concept could fulfill HOEM’s vision for the space. By the time of the final presentation, there was no mention of the midterm suggestions, which to me affirmed that our project was strong from the start.  The Reality Check: Navigating Constraints Did working with a developer change how you look at constraints like budgets, building codes, or client demands? How did that affect your creative process? Working with a developer cleared up questions I had about budgets and client demands. I found that constraints actually make things easier for me—I think many creatives can agree that nothing is more intimidating than a blank sheet of paper when you’re first brainstorming. Too much freedom can feel like none at all. Constraints aren’t restrictions on creativity, but rather a shift in design thinking. For example, when we were designing a piece that had to be both durable and functional, we had to figure out how to support the weight of heavy materials while still allowing parts of it to move. Each requirement pushed us to new avenues of problem-solving, which led us to learn new fabrication techniques, such as working with steel rods and bearings or learning CNC milling. This experience made my creative process more strategic and resourceful, without limiting imagination.  In your opinion, how important is it for design and architecture students to understand the developer’s mindset before they graduate? I have a feeling it is very important, and I say that because I don’t think I have fully grasped the entire picture yet. There is a kind of gap between education and practice, which this project helped reveal. In school, students often work with ideal precepts in mind and have the freedom to explore personal taste. In reality, there are many more constraints and far less room to apply a personal style, especially at the beginning of a career. While it is important to develop your own design values, it is equally, if not more, important to understand how to apply them to real problems, which requires careful optimization.  Building Bridges: Education vs. Industry Do you feel universities and colleges do enough to create these kinds of industry bridges, or is your experience a rare exception? I can only speak from my experience, and I haven’t attended any other post-secondary programs, but from what I’ve seen, these kinds of industry connections are quite rare. Opportunities to work directly with professionals in ways that meaningfully shape your projects don’t happen often, and when they do, they’re incredibly valuable for understanding real-world constraints, expectations, and problem-solving strategies. I hope to see this model become more common in the future.  How do you think these collaborations could be improved to better benefit both students and developers? I think these collaborations could be strengthened by giving students a clearer understanding of the industry earlier in their education. This includes learning how projects are actually developed and the systems behind design, built from developers themselves as guest speakers, not just focusing on conceptual design within the studio. An interior design degree is less applicable if it remains purely theoretical, so students would benefit from more practical exposure that can get us thinking about how to materialize theory in real projects, especially toward the end of the program before entering practice. I cannot fully speak from a developer’s perspective, but simply recognizing students as potential contributors could open up new ideas and opportunities. Inviting emerging designers into professional conversations brings a fresh point of view. Having the HOEM team present at the start of the semester was especially valuable because it gave us a clear understanding of how they operate, what the project involved, and how they approach their work. Unlike typical critiques from guests in the design field—that still stay in a hypothetical space and can be very subjective and unnecessarily intimidating at times—this felt grounded in real constraints and expectations. It felt like both sides were working toward a shared outcome, and that dynamic could become even stronger as this type of collaboration becomes more common.  The Long Game: Networking and Career Edge How has this experience shaped your professional network? Did it open doors or lead to connections you wouldn't have made otherwise? I became more comfortable speaking with people in the industry as I grew more familiar with real-world projects. Instead of feeling pressure to impress professionals, I realized the best way to connect with people as a student is to embrace my lack of knowledge in their area of expertise. This allowed me to engage on a more genuine, human level, which I believe led me to opportunities like being a part of the panel discussion for the opening night of Practice Before Practice at Mason Studio!  Do you feel this collaboration gave you a competitive edge as you prepare to enter the job market? Yes, I definitely benefited from this project in terms of network expansion and portfolio, as it was design practice, not design theory. The soft skills I gained from this experience are what I want to emphasize; a huge portion of the work is how you engage with people across the numerous decisions you have to make throughout the design process. Proactively communicating with my team, professor, developers, and designers trained me to be able to ask better questions, present clearly, and respond to feedback  If you could give just one piece of advice to a first-year interior design or architecture student about networking, what would it be? The term “networking” is pushed so often that it can feel like talking to the right person will set you up for life. In reality, it is not that useful unless you know what you want from the people you are speaking to. If you are anything like I was in my first year and felt completely lost and unsure (I still am, just not as badly as three years ago), take time to understand your interests and explore the different paths your degree can lead to. That process naturally leads to questions like, “How do I get there?” Then, when you attend events, you have questions to ask people who are in overlapping fields with your interests. People enjoy talking about their work, and those conversations are often more valuable than research. You may even realize that something you thought you liked is not actually for you. Ultimately, focus on understanding what interests you, or at least what does not. Take your time with that. Do not try to impress people. Be curious, be genuine, and aim to learn something from every interaction!  Why This Partnership Matters This publication aims to highlight the tangible benefits of bridging the gap between academia and industry. By integrating student talent into real estate development, we aren't just teaching design—we are accelerating the growth of the next generation of architects and developers. This model provides firms with a fresh, creative engine while giving students a high-stakes environment where their ideas can actually take shape. But the conversation doesn’t stop with the student experience. To understand the broader impact on the industry and the professional mechanics of this model, continue to our next feature. We sit down with Stanley Sun , Co-Founder and Creative Director at Mason Studio , to explore the strategic benefits and the challenges of mentoring the next generation. Discover how this collaboration is redefining the standard for professional practice and what happens when established firms open their doors to the "theory" of the classroom. Practice Before Practice: Why the Design Industry Needs to Break the Classroom Bubble The Design Director’s Lens: A Conversation on "Practice Before Practice" About Esther Bailey Esther Bailey Currently completing her Bachelor of Interior Design at Toronto Metropolitan University (Class of 2026), Esther possesses an academic foundation defined by a strong work ethic rooted in her Korean upbringing. This disciplined approach informs her current professional development as an intern at Mason Studio, where she is refining a design philosophy centred on functional cohesion and narrative consistency. Rather than adhering to a fixed signature style, Esther focuses on executing projects that respond thoughtfully to their exterior context and existing interior conditions, using colour, geometry, and layout to heighten the occupant’s experience—ranging from moments of profound stillness to vibrant engagement. Esther’s professional ambition is to create spaces that leave a lasting impression on those who inhabit them, moving beyond the industry trend of designing primarily for the camera. She is particularly drawn to the power of transient moments—such as runways, events, and spatial interventions—where atmosphere, emotion, and memory are the primary design outcomes. Ultimately, she aims to contribute to the field by shifting the focus toward a truly human-centred, experiential design language, where the success of a space is measured not by how it is seen, but by how it is felt and remembered.

Interview with:  Stanley Sun In the first part of our series, we examined the mechanics of the "Practice Before Practice" exhibition—a bridge between Toronto Metropolitan University students and the professional world. We heard from the student perspective on the "culture shock" of real-world constraints. But for an established firm, bringing students into a live workflow is more than a mentorship opportunity; it is a calculated disruption of professional inertia. To understand the "why" behind this model, we spoke with Stanley Sun , Co-Founder and Creative Director at Mason Studio , about the strategic value of fresh eyes and the reality of ideas that must "survive." Motivation and Vision: The "Why" Behind the Collaboration What sparked the idea to bring students into your professional workflow? Was it a desire to give back, or did you see a specific need for "fresh eyes" in your current projects?  It wasn’t driven by a sense of giving back. It came from recognizing a gap in how the profession is structured.  Education and practice operate in sequence, but the quality of design depends on how ideas are tested, challenged, and translated into reality. By the time designers enter practice, many of their habits are already formed. Bringing students into a live project earlier creates a different condition. It introduces new perspectives into the work, but more importantly, it exposes emerging designers to the consequences of their decisions much sooner. That shift benefits both sides, as well as the industry as a whole.   Do you view these collaborations as a responsibility of established designers, or as a strategic advantage for your business? It’s a strategic advantage. It allows us to access ways of thinking that are less conditioned by industry norms, while also shaping how emerging designers understand the realities of practice. That combination produces stronger outcomes.  At the same time, it builds a more direct connection between talent and the profession. That has long-term value, not just for hiring, but for how the industry evolves. The Balancing Act: Managing Mentorship vs. Deadlines How did you balance the role of mentor with the role of designer? Was it difficult to let them experiment or "fail" while working under a professional deadline? We avoided positioning it as mentorship in the traditional sense.  The work was treated as part of a real project, which meant ideas had to be tested against actual constraints. Some moved forward, others didn’t.  Allowing ideas to fail within that context is important. It’s where the learning happens. The balance comes from creating enough structure to keep the project moving, while leaving room for exploration within it. How did you teach the more technical aspects of the job, like client management and financial limitations, without stifling their creative spirit?  Rather than teaching those aspects in isolation, they were introduced as part of the design process by Professor Jonathon Anderson.  He was the course instructor and led the designers to cost, coordination, and learn how to manage client considerations. Creative Collision: The Value of "Limitless" Thinking Students often bring a "limitless" academic mindset. Did their lack of traditional constraints push you to rethink solutions you might have otherwise approached conventionally? Yes, but not because their ideas were unconstrained. It’s because they question assumptions that are often taken for granted.  In practice, many decisions become normalized over time. Students tend to ask why those decisions exist in the first place. That can reopen lines of thinking that would otherwise remain closed.  Not every idea translates, but the questioning itself is valuable. What was the most surprising observation a student made that actually influenced a final design or strategy? One of the more consistent contributions was the ability to question spatial and programmatic assumptions.  Students often approached the project without being anchored to precedent. That led to proposals that reframed how certain spaces could be used or experienced, particularly in shared and social areas.  In some cases, those ideas influenced how we thought about flexibility and user engagement within the project. Organizational Impact: Culture and Firm Growth In your experience, what is the biggest "culture shock" students face when moving from a studio setting to a professional firm? In school, ideas are often evaluated on clarity and intent. In practice, they are evaluated on whether they can survive.  Students are not always prepared for how many variables shape a decision, from cost, coordination, client priorities, timelines, and competing agendas. The work becomes less about expressing an idea and more about sustaining it under the pressure of stakeholders. Did this collaboration change your own perspective on how a design team should be structured? Not significantly in terms of structure. It reinforced a way of thinking rather than a way of organizing.  What became more important is recognizing that valuable contributions can come from outside the conventional boundaries of a project team. It’s less about redefining roles and more about being open to when and how different voices are introduced into the process. How has working with these students influenced your own professional growth or the firm’s culture? It has reinforced a willingness to test ideas more openly and to keep conversations moving forward.  There is more openness to questioning assumptions, exploring alternative approaches, and allowing discussions to evolve rather than resolving them too quickly. That mindset supports a more progressive and exploratory culture within the studio Industry Critique and Future Evolution Having seen the students' work, where do you think academia is succeeding, and where is it falling short in preparing them for the "real world"?   Academia is strong in developing conceptual thinking and the ability to generate ideas.  Where it is less aligned with practice is in preparing students for the complexity of implementation—how decisions are made, how projects move forward, and how ideas are negotiated across multiple stakeholders.  That gap is not necessarily a failure, but it is where more integration between education and practice can be valuable. If you were to do this again, what would you change to make the experience even more impactful for the students? The value of the experience extends beyond technical skill.  What matters more are the less measurable aspects.  Their confidence, communication, judgment, and ability to navigate real situations are all developed with these programmes. These are the qualities that shape how designers operate in practice.  Creating more opportunities for students to build those soft skills and to develop a sense of agency within the process would make the experience more impactful.  These are lasting results that will stay with the designer throughout their career.   Why This Partnership Matters This publication aims to highlight the tangible benefits of bridging the gap between academia and industry. By integrating student talent into real estate development, we aren't just teaching design—we are accelerating the growth of the next generation of architects and developers. This model provides firms with a fresh, creative engine while giving students a high-stakes environment where their ideas can actually take shape. But the theory is only the beginning. To discover the specific benefits this collaboration brings to the industry and to see how it looks from the perspective of a rising designer, read our exclusive interview with Esther Bailey , a fourth-year Interior Design student at TMU. She dives deep into the challenges, the breakthroughs, and what it’s really like to navigate the transition from classroom theory to professional practice. Practice Before Practice: Why the Design Industry Needs to Break the Classroom Bubble From Studio to Site: A Conversation on "Practice Before Practice" About Stanley Sun Stanley Sun is the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Mason Studio , where he applies a sophisticated blend of scientific inquiry and humanistic sensitivity to the field of interior design. His professional perspective is uniquely shaped by a diverse academic background in the biological sciences, fine arts, and interior architecture, allowing him to analyze the built environment through a lens of human behavior and physiological response. This interdisciplinary approach is particularly evident in his critical study of lighting and its sensory impact, as he explores how the physical qualities of a space can profoundly influence how people think, feel, and interact. With an extensive portfolio of work spanning Canada, the United States, Europe, and China, Sun has honed a global design sensibility that prioritizes meaningful impact and cultural relevance. Whether leading large-scale hospitality projects or intimate residential designs, he focuses on a full-sensory understanding of space that balances technical functionality with an extraordinary attention to detail. Beyond his studio practice, he is a dedicated advocate for design as a tool for social and community progress, having shared his multidimensional philosophy as an educator at Toronto Metropolitan University and as a frequent juror for international design competitions.

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. Image courtesy of:   Tom Arban Photography But this building isn't just about striking looks. Opened in 2022 and renamed in December 2024, the 345,000-square-foot tower is a cutting-edge hub for mathematics, computer science, and data science. It brings 3,000 students, faculty, and staff together under one very green, highly innovative roof. Here is what makes the Duan Family Center a true architectural and educational game-changer. Project Credits & Details Location : 665 Commonwealth Ave, Boston, MA Client :  Boston University Architect :  KPMB Architects Design Team Lead : Bruce Kuwabara, Marianne McKenna, Luigi LaRocca, Paulo Rocha Landscape Architect :  Richard Burck Associates Inc. General Contractor :  Suffolk Construction Size : 345,000 square feet (19 stories) Completion : December 2022 (Renamed Duan Family Center in 2024) Sustainability : LEED Platinum Certified, 100% Fossil-Fuel Free Image courtesy of:   Tom Arban Photography A Vertical Campus Built for Connection Forget isolated departments and closed-off corner offices. The Duan Family Center is designed as a "vertical campus" that practically forces great ideas to collide. The Academic Neighbourhoods : The layout is highly intentional. The lower floors are dedicated to math and statistics, the middle floors house computer science, and the top floors feature open, interdisciplinary spaces and public venues. The "Irresistible" Staircase : A massive, ribbon-like staircase weaves through 13 floors of the building. It encourages people to walk, talk, and skip the elevator, sparking serendipitous encounters between different departments. Spaces to Create : With 12 classrooms, two computer labs, an incubator hub, and a ground-floor café, there is a space for every type of work. Whiteboard walls line the core of the building, inviting students to sketch out their next big idea on the fly. Views and Light : Triple-glazed floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light and offer expansive, inspiring views of the Charles River, reminding students to stay connected to the natural world even as they work in the digital realm. Boston’s Greenest Giant The Duan Family Center isn't just eco-friendly; it is a pioneer. As Boston’s largest sustainable and operationally fossil-fuel-free building, it achieved the highly coveted LEED Platinum certification. It proves that massive urban architecture can be fiercely green. Zero Fossil Fuels : You won’t find a single gas line connected to this building. Even the on-site dining uses electricity for cooking. Geothermal Power : The building is heated and cooled by a massive closed-loop geothermal system, featuring 31 boreholes drilled 1,500 feet into the earth. Smart Shading : The distinctive diagonal louvres and sawtooth mirrored facades aren't just for show. They minimize solar heat gain in the summer and keep the building warm in the winter, reducing energy consumption by an impressive 30%. Climate Resilient : Because it sits close to the river, the building is elevated five feet above Boston’s sea-level rise guidelines to protect against future flooding and storm surges. Bringing Nature Up : Eight outdoor terraces with native plants help reduce the urban heat island effect, retain rainwater, and give students a breath of fresh air. Real-World Impact Since opening its doors, the Center has done exactly what it was built to do: advance research, build community, and drive innovation. It has become a dynamic crossroads for the entire university, intersecting with arts, business, law, and engineering. The facility has already helped attract $3 million in grants for data science initiatives and has hosted community-driven events such as the Civic Tech Hackathon, which uses data science to tackle major issues like climate change and social justice. Best of all, it's fostering a diverse new generation of tech leaders—women now make up 40% of matriculating students in BU's data science programs. The Duan Family Center is more than just a place to go to class. It is a literal and symbolic crossroads that proves what happens when human-centred design, bold architecture, and a deep commitment to the planet all come together. Image courtesy of:   Tom Arban Photography Awards 2025 FRAME Award 2025 Green GOOD DESIGN Award 2024 New England Architecture Award 2024 AIA Canada Design Award (Honourable Mention) 2024 Kyoto Global Design Award 2024 American Architecture Award 2024 BLT Built Design Award 2024 AN Best of Design Award (Editor’s Pick) 2024 Ontario Association of Architects Design Excellence Award 2024 ACEC Engineering Excellence Award 2024 ACEC/MA Engineering Excellence Award 2024 Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat Award of Excellence 2023 Harleston Parker People’s Choice Award 2023 Metropolis Planet Positive Awards (Honourable Mention) 2023 Interior Design, Best of Year Awards, Large Higher Education category 2023 INSIDE Festival 2023 World Architecture Festival (Shortlist, Completed Buildings: Higher Education and Research category) 2023 Canadian Interiors’ Best of Canada Award 2023 EBC EBEE Award 2020 Canadian Architect Award of Merit 2019 Architizer A+ Awards Jury Winner About KPMB Architects Founded in 1987, KPMB is an internationally recognized Canadian architectural practice dedicated to designing built environments that catalyze positive change. For over three decades, the firm has evolved from a "collaborative adventure" into a multifaceted practice of over 130 professionals, completing more than 31 million square feet of projects across sectors, including education, healthcare, arts and culture, and sustainable development. KPMB is guided by four core values—evolution, collaboration, community, and design—which anchor its commitment to solving the complex challenges of the 21st century. The firm’s work is characterized by a balance of aesthetic excellence and rigorous standards for sustainability and social equity. This dedication has earned KPMB over 400 awards, including 18 Governor General’s Medals, Canada’s highest architectural honour. In 2021, the firm marked a significant milestone in its evolution by expanding its leadership team, naming seven new partners to join founders Bruce Kuwabara, Marianne McKenna, and Shirley Blumberg. Supported by KPMB Lab, an internal incubator for research and innovation, the firm continues to push the boundaries of regenerative design, digital integration, and climate-responsive architecture to improve the lives of the communities it serves.

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. The event kicked off on Thursday with a sold-out opening night party that was nothing short of electric. The space was buzzing with over 4,000 people, live music, incredible food, and a room filled with top-tier designers, architects, and visionaries. If you have any appreciation for luxury design, let us be very clear: you cannot afford to miss this event. We returned on the second day for the 2026 Exhibitors, arriving two hours before the doors opened to the public—eager to experience the show as our readers would, to witness what the exhibitors were showcasing, and to step into their booths to see firsthand what each company had to offer. Impossible to miss, the overhead larger-than-life artistic installations—including a magnificent blue jay and a prismatic, glowing butterfly—guided our path. What you need to know is that there are no "standard booths" here. Every single space is 100% curated. They are immersive, thematic masterpieces that push the absolute limits of luxury design. Here is a breakdown of what awaits you inside, categorized by the stunning trends we witnessed. Slabs, Tile & Floor: The Stone Age of Luxury We stopped in our tracks at the CAVA booth, where a life-sized, intricately detailed motorcycle—carved entirely from solid grey marble—sat beside a bespoke marble cigar lounge. It was a remarkable feat of craftsmanship. Meanwhile, Cosentino anchored their space with a massive, breathtaking forest-green stone island, topped with vibrant, cascading floral arrangements. The stone and slab work at this show proves that natural materials are the ultimate canvas for luxury. Kitchen: The Culinary Lounge The kitchen is no longer just a place to cook; it is a high-fashion lounge. JennAir completely reimagined the space with glowing, backlit Onyx islands, downdraft cooktops built right into the stone, and refrigerators concealed behind monogrammed leather panels. Another standout was a moody, romantic kitchen setup featuring rich, dark burgundy floral wallpaper paired seamlessly with matte black cabinetry and warm copper fixtures. From "Surf's Up" artificial turf backdrops to grand, glowing stone backsplashes, these kitchens are pure royalty. Bath: The Wellness Sanctuary The future of the bathroom is highly personalized wellness. We saw Kohler pushing technological boundaries with multi-sensory digital shower systems, heated smart toilets, and elegant cold plunge ice baths designed for the home. Visually, the spaces are just as stimulating. One of our favourite displays featured a bold, 3D textured wall of protruding spheres, framing a chic, terracotta-pink freestanding tub. It was minimalist, playful, and undeniably luxurious. Furniture: Smart Sophistication Sophistication meets ultimate functionality in the furniture category. We walked through immaculate, dark-wood built-in systems that seamlessly blended home office practicality with plush, inviting lounge seating. The styling is moody, sleek, and designed to make a statement while remaining incredibly comfortable. Outdoor: Blurring the Lines Backyard entertaining has received a massive upgrade. Exhibits from Stonelife and Life Living showcased how to bring indoor luxury into the open air. We saw beautifully constructed outdoor bars, gorgeous landscaping, and incredibly innovative, high-tech patio tables with integrated solar and digital features. The Designers: Shaping the Future The talent on display from the designers themselves was palpable. A very special nod goes to Lawrence Park Development, which created a stunning showcase to highlight emerging artists. With a cohesive "Rome" theme, these young designers were given a platform to build out breathtaking vignettes that prove the future of luxury design is in exceptionally capable hands. A Final Note: The Fashion Show As a design and architecture magazine, we don't traditionally cover fashion. However, when the Toronto Fashion Academy puts on a runway show of this calibre right in the middle of a design expo, it demands to be talked about. The lines between textile and architecture completely disappeared. The garments weren't just dresses; they were walking, breathing masterpieces. Models glided gracefully in wearable sculptures—including a colossal, breathtaking golden-feathered headpiece that looked like it belonged in a museum. They wore these pieces not just as clothes, but as pure art. This article wants to give you a fast view over the event of the month, an event that a lot of people will talk about for many and many days ahead, but we understand perfectly that we can't include everything in a single article. Our opinion? If you don't have anything better to do this weekend—and trust us, it's very hard to find something more important to do—just stop by, you will not regret it. Our sincere opinion? It is smart, engaging, and relentlessly beautiful. If you are renovating, building, or simply searching for that ultimate spark of inspiration, get your tickets. Prepare to be wowed!

Canada’s architectural glass industry is preparing to gather once again for Top Glass 2026, the nation's definitive trade conference and expo for glazing professionals. Now in its 13th year, the event hosts hundreds of glazing contractors, glass fabricators, architects, specifiers, and building engineers for an intensive, highly technical program laser-focused on building with glass. Designed with busy executives' schedules in mind, Top Glass offers a compact, highly accessible experience. The focus is squarely on glass and glazing for ICI (Industrial, Commercial, Institutional) construction, including curtainwalls, storefronts, commercial windows, entrances, and fenestration for large custom homes. Importantly for industry professionals, the technical sessions are recognized by most professional organizations for continuing education credits, with attendance certificates provided for easy self-reporting. GET YOUR TICKET NOW. CLICK HERE Event Kickoff: Exclusive Plant Tour Date: Wednesday, April 29, 2026 Location: Tri-Temp Glass, Scarborough, ON The event officially kicks off with an exclusive behind-the-scenes plant tour of Tri-Temp Glass. Leveraging over 100 years of combined staff experience, Tri-Temp has been taking on unusual, difficult, and highly specialized custom safety glass jobs since 2007. Attendees will get a firsthand look at cutting-edge tempering and fabrication innovations. Please note: Registration for the plant tour is now officially closed. For those already registered, safety footwear is strictly required, and transportation is not provided. Main Conference and Tradeshow Date: Thursday, April 30, 2026 (Registration opens at 9:00 AM) Location: The International Centre, Mississauga, ON The main event takes place at the International Centre, conveniently located next to Pearson Airport. This year features an overflowing trade show floor with over 80 of Canada's top glazing supply vendors, giving attendees hands-on access to the latest materials and manufacturing technologies. Beyond the exhibit hall, attendees can sit in on a robust lineup of expert-led, highly technical seminars aimed at tackling today’s biggest industry challenges: 10:00 AM – The Cross-Country Codes and Standards Update : Amy Roberts, FGIA Canadian Codes and Advocacy Director, offers an inside look at recent and upcoming changes to Canada’s architectural glass codes, AAMA standards, and commercial building codes from coast to coast. 11:00 AM – Building the Digital Advantage : Achille Ettorre, author and former senior executive, will discuss the possibilities of AI in glazing design and fabrication. He will provide practical pathways for modernizing your business and improving margins without disrupting daily operations. 2:00 PM – Enough Rope to Hang It With : Find out how a GTA glass installer executes work no one else can. Raymond Carle, co-founder of Excel Projects, will present real-world case studies comparing facade access methods—tackling the ongoing debate of rope access versus scaffolding for massive 700+ lb glass replacements. 3:00 PM – VIG Explained : The secrets of Vacuum Insulating Glass (VIG) revealed! Arthur Huard, a Toronto-based specialist representing LuxWall, will explore how highly insulating 8mm-thick VIG panes achieve R18 insulating values, rivalling the thermal performance of traditional solid walls. Celebrating Industry Excellence At 1:30 PM, the Ontario Glass and Metal Association (OGMA) will take the stage to recognize amazing projects in Ontario. Top Glass is proud to host the OGMA Awards of Excellence, judged by an independent panel of architects. Two major awards will be presented: one for outstanding design and another for outstanding execution of an aluminum and glass architectural project. Plan Your Visit Whether you are looking to source new suppliers from the 80+ vendors on the floor, gain technical insights, earn continuing education credits, or network with the brightest minds in Canadian glazing, Top Glass 2026 is the place to be. Pre-registration is encouraged, but tickets will also be available for purchase at the door. Parking at the International Centre is completely free. GET YOUR TICKET NOW. CLICK HERE

In collaboration with: Mariya Anwar Image courtesy of:   Zoque Wahid , Mariya Anwar Project Overview The AIA Coastal Virginia Pop-Up Park at the ForKids  Landmark Center in South Norfolk is a temporary, community-driven urban intervention designed to support families experiencing homelessness through trauma-informed design. Developed in partnership with ForKids, the project builds on the success of the previous “Block Party” initiative, expanding its vision to create a vibrant, safe, and engaging environment for children and families. The 11-week project brought together over 80 volunteers from 13 AEC firms, organizations, and academic institutions, ultimately serving more than 150 children and families. The initiative demonstrates how small-scale, temporary design interventions can foster meaningful social impact and community connection. Design Concept The overarching theme of the project, “Butterfly Garden,” draws inspiration from the pollinator gardens surrounding the Landmark Center. Symbolizing transformation, resilience, and growth, the theme aligns closely with ForKids’ mission of helping families “thrive, not just survive.”Within this broader framework, the project featured four installations: Caterpillar Bench, Chrysalis Canopy, Flower Wall, and Butterfly Sculpture, each contributing to an immersive and cohesive spatial experience. Image courtesy of:   Mariya Anwar Role & Contribution Mariya Anwar served as the Design Lead for the Flower Wall installation, collaborating with Zoque Wahid. She was responsible for overseeing concept development, graphic design, stakeholder coordination, and production execution from design to execution. She also facilitated meetings, managed timelines and budgets, sourced materials, and incorporated stakeholder feedback while planning a day-of program to engage participants meaningfully. Her work combined illustration, placemaking, and community engagement, including learning CNC fabrication. Her approach focused on transforming an underutilized side lot into a vibrant, interactive environment that encourages engagement, emotional expression, and play. Image courtesy of:   Mariya Anwar Site Background The side lot of the ForKids building was previously neglected and visually uninviting, despite being a key point of entry. The adjacent sidewalk, heavily used by visitors entering the building, makes this area a key focal point. The space lacked engagement and did not serve the needs of residents, children or visitors. A major challenge was aligning the client and stakeholders with the design vision, which required clear communication, compelling visual presentations, and iterative feedback sessions. However, this underutilized space presents a valuable opportunity to be transformed into a vibrant, family-friendly environment where the community and children can engage, play, and enjoy a more welcoming atmosphere. Inspired by the Flower Wall concept, the installation radiated warmth and positivity, creating a tactile, interactive environment that encouraged exploration and social interaction among children and families. Design Approach The intervention centred on creating an interactive, sensory-rich environment using bold colours, tactile elements, and educational components. The design, themed around a Butterfly Garden, transforms an underutilized Dumpster wall into a vibrant “Flower Wall” and repurposes three transformer boxes into colourful, engaging features facing the parking lot. The goal is to create an inspiring, playful, educational, and value-driven space for children. Given that the Flower Wall is made of bricks, careful attention was paid to selecting fun, positive-energy colours that are visually appealing. The wall’s two main features are the “Flower of Emotion,” an interactive spin wheel that helps kids learn about expressing their feelings, and the “Flower of Kindness,” a value-driven game that teaches the importance of kindness. These focal points are surrounded by smaller, spinable, playable flowers, forming a lively mural that includes butterflies, abstract clouds, and a sun, making the wall come alive with engaging activities. The adjacent sidewalk also features playful games to enhance the experience for kids, visitors, and the community upon arrival. The second component of the design focuses on integrating the transformer boxes with the overall theme. Each side is painted with colourful, captivating designs that evoke curiosity and surprise, creating delightful moments for those passing by. These transformer boxes transform into cheerful installations, serving as “happy encounters” within the side lot. They invite people to pause, engage with the artwork, and experience a sense of connection. These design elements, drawn from the Flower Wall, radiate positivity and warmth, offering children and the community a welcoming, playful space to explore and enjoy. Materials & Fabrication The installations utilized durable and cost-effective materials suitable for outdoor conditions. Painted brick surfaces, weather-resistant coatings, and repurposed infrastructure elements such as transformer boxes were used to ensure longevity and safety. The design emphasized modularity and ease of installation, allowing volunteers to efficiently construct and assemble the installations within the project timeline. Sustainability Features The project incorporates sustainable strategies through adaptive reuse and community-driven construction. Existing site elements, including walls and utility boxes, were repurposed rather than replaced, reducing material waste. The temporary nature of the intervention allows for flexibility and future adaptability, while the use of low-cost, locally sourced materials minimizes environmental impact. Community participation further reinforces social sustainability by fostering ownership and engagement. Impact & Outcomes The Pop-Up Park successfully transformed a neglected space into a vibrant community hub. Children and families actively engaged with the installations, interacting through play, movement, and exploration. The project hosted STEAM activities, performances, and community programming, further activating the space. It received recognition through the AIA Coastal Virginia Merit Award for Placemaking and was featured in media outlets, including WAVY-TV 10 and WTKR News. The intervention demonstrates how thoughtful, small-scale design can support emotional well-being, foster inclusivity, and create lasting social impact. Team & Credits Core Pop-Up Park Team Community Engagement & Coordination: Bernadette Keplinger, Jonathan Hiser, Sharon Manana Production Leads: Lorin Schwartz, Gary Bright, Brendon Glover Event Visuals: Mario Gandia, Steven Griffin Collaborator: Zoque Wahid Organizations: AIA Coastal Virginia (AIACoVA) ForKids Awards: AIA Coastal Virginia Design Award 2025 Gallery Media Features and Mentions: ForKids Website Feature Hanbury Feature   AIA Coastal Virginia feature Flower Mural Wall featured by ForKids    Day of Event, Pop-Up Park   Project Overview

In collaboration with: Martin Landscape & Design Imagine stepping out your back door and into a private, luxurious wellness retreat. That was the exact vision behind The Crescent Backyard Spa Project. Image courtesy of:   Martin Landscape & Design The Martin Landscape & Design team was tasked with a complete backyard renovation, transforming a blank canvas into a cohesive, spa-inspired oasis designed equally for deep relaxation and elevated entertaining. Through careful planning, premium materials, and a commitment to the client’s vision, the team brought this multi-functional paradise to life. Grounded in Symmetry A core request from the client was a strong sense of symmetry. Looking at the space, the entire layout is meticulously designed around the home's centerline. This creates an immediate sense of order and calm the moment one walks out the back doors. To build this foundation, the team laid down 1,500 square feet of elegant interlocking stone, creating a clean, modern pathway that draws the eye directly into the heart of the yard. To address the property's natural grade changes, they constructed a 40-foot retaining wall. The Martin Landscape & Design team didn't just want this to be functional; they designed it to create integrated, natural seating opportunities for hosting larger groups. Two beautiful basalt slabs were also incorporated to add organic texture to the hardscaping. Image courtesy of:   Martin Landscape & Design The Ultimate Spa Experience To truly earn the title of a "Spa Project," the amenities had to be spectacular. To balance these needs, the design divided the main patio into dedicated zones for wellness and gathering: The Secret Sauna : A major highlight of the yard is the sleek, modern custom sauna from the Secret Sauna Company. Because of the structure's size and the property's layout, the team successfully craned the unit into its final resting place and wired all the necessary electrical requirements to ensure it was ready for use. The Pergola & Spa Zone : Beside the sauna, a custom wood and black-metal pergola was built to perfectly frame the client's hot tub, providing a sheltered, intimate space to unwind. The Dreamcast Firepit : Anchoring the center of the patio is a stunning, natural gas fire bowl from Dreamcast. Surrounded by modern outdoor seating, it serves as the perfect symmetrical focal point and gathering hub for crisp evenings. Setting the Mood with Smart Lighting A spa retreat is all about ambiance, and this project truly comes alive after the sun goes down. This project integrates premium, app-controlled landscape lighting throughout the property. From the elegant mushroom pathway lights guiding the way to the warm uplighting accenting the pergola and fresh plantings, the client has complete control. Using their mobile device, they can easily manage scheduling and dial in the perfect mood for any occasion. Image courtesy of:   Martin Landscape & Design A Project to be Proud Of Every landscaping project comes with its own unique challenges—from grading issues to craning in large custom structures—but overcoming them is what the Martin Landscape & Design team does best. The team couldn't be happier with how this cohesive, modern retreat turned out, and more importantly, how much the clients love their new backyard spa. Abou t Martin Landscape & Design Martin Landscape & Design is a professional landscaping company based in Squamish, British Columbia, serving the Sea to Sky corridor (including North Vancouver). The company is well-regarded in the Squamish community, frequently receiving 5-star reviews for its craftsmanship and "people-first" communication style. Clients often highlight their efficiency and their ability to keep work sites clean. They specialize in "West Coast living" designs, emphasizing high-quality Canadian materials and durable construction. Their services include: Hardscaping : Natural stone driveways, hand-laid flagstone, and interlocking stone pads. Structures : Retaining walls (wood or stone), custom wood structures, and raised garden beds. Outdoor Living : Patios, walkways, and fire pits (wood, propane, or natural gas). Specialty Installations : They are a Certified Nootka Sauna Installer and offer installation for outdoor showers, cold plunges, and full spa consultations. Softscaping & Lighting : Artificial turf and professional Kichler landscape lighting.

Your next big idea starts here. Visit Terraviva. [ENTER NOW] At the geographical and cultural crossroads of Italy and Slovenia, a new vision for urban living is taking shape. The city of Gorizia—a place where distinct histories, languages, and cultures have long intertwined—is preparing for its next chapter of urban evolution. PRIZE FUND: 22,000 € 1ST PLACE: 12,000 € 2ND PLACE: 5,000 € 3RD PLACE: 3,000 € 5 Golden Mention: Coupon for a Free Membership* 10 Honourable Mentions: Coupon for a Free Competition* * The total of the mentioned coupons is 2,000 € DATE: Closing date for project submission: 17 April 2026 - 14:00 (London Time) Announcement of the winners: 18 May 2026 - 11:00 (London Time) PARTICIPANT : Everyone (No professional qualifications required) COST: 139 €** **Subscribe from €19/month for unlimited access to multiple competitions. Enter the RE-GEN GORIZIA Architecture Competition, an ambitious call to designers and urban planners around the world to rethink one of the town's largest residential areas: the Sant’Anna district. From Peripheral Neighbourhood to Urban Laboratory Historically, border towns face unique spatial and social challenges, and Gorizia is no exception. Currently, the Sant’Anna district is characterized by fragmented spaces and underused green areas. The RE-GEN GORIZIA competition challenges participants to flip this narrative. Instead of viewing Sant’Anna as a disconnected, peripheral neighbourhood, the competition asks designers to treat it as a laboratory for urban innovation. The ultimate goal? To forge a new model of contemporary living where design, ecology, and community seamlessly intersect. The Core Challenge: Crafting a Cohesive Masterplan Participants are tasked with developing a comprehensive masterplan that fundamentally redefines the identity of the Sant’Anna district. The competition highlights several key pillars that submissions must address: Reconnecting Fragmented Spaces : How can disjointed urban pockets be stitched back together to create a cohesive community fabric? Reimagining Green Infrastructure : The district possesses a vast but underutilized system of parks and open areas. Designers must propose interventions that breathe new life into these green spaces, utilizing sustainable and inclusive design strategies. Revolutionizing Accessibility : A modern city is a connected city. Participants must rethink pedestrian and cycling routes to make Sant’Anna highly accessible, reducing reliance on cars and binding the neighbourhood tightly to the rest of Gorizia. A Call for Contemporary Urban Innovation The questions posed by RE-GEN GORIZIA are highly relevant to modern urban planning globally. How do we make aging residential districts sustainable? How do we build inclusive public spaces that serve diverse communities? For architects, landscape designers, and urban planners, RE-GEN GORIZIA is more than a design contest. It is a unique opportunity to shape the future of a border city and set a precedent for sustainable, community-driven regeneration everywhere. By focusing on ecology, human-scale connectivity, and inclusive design, the competition is not just about making Sant’Anna look better; it is about making it work better for its residents. It is an invitation to prove that thoughtful architecture can heal urban fragmentation. Your next big idea starts here. Visit Terraviva. [ENTER NOW]

Your next big idea starts here. Visit Terraviva. [ENTER NOW] The "Garden City" of Milanino is about to witness a metamorphosis. The historic Water Tower, a silent sentinel that has watched over the district for decades, is the subject of a bold new architectural call to action. No longer content to let this landmark fade into decay, the Water Tower competition invites visionaries to breathe new life into its vertical frame. PRIZE FUND: 16,000 € 1ST PLACE: 8,000 € 2ND PLACE: 4,000 € 3RD PLACE: 2,000 € 5 Golden Mention: Coupon for a Free Membership* 10 Honourable Mentions: Coupon for a Free Competition* * The total of the mentioned coupons is 2,000 € DATE: Closing date for project submission: 30 April 2026 - 14:00 (London Time) Announcement of the winners: 01 June 2026 - 11:00 (London Time) PARTICIPANT : Everyone (No professional qualifications required) COST : 109 €** **Subscribe from €19/month for unlimited access to multiple competitions. This isn’t just a restoration project—it’s a reimagining of what community infrastructure can be in the 21st century. From Industrial Relic to Cultural Catalyst The challenge is as vertical as it is versatile. Participants are tasked with transforming a structure built for utility into a contemporary cultural hub. The goal? To create a space that is alive, accessible, and essential to the daily lives of Milanino’s residents. The competition seeks proposals that balance historical reverence with modern experimentation across several key areas: Internal Versatility : Designing flexible cultural rooms, coworking spaces, and exhibition zones within the tower's unique footprint. The Public Realm : Creating "micro-plazas" and outdoor gathering spots that integrate the tower with the surrounding neighborhood. Vertical Vistas : Utilizing terraces and elevated spaces to offer new perspectives on the Garden City. A Beacon for the Community The core question of the competition is provocative: How can a vertical structure serve as the heartbeat of a neighborhood? By hosting year-round events, creative workshops, and social initiatives, the tower is intended to become an "architectural catalyst." It’s an invitation to move beyond the traditional "look-but-don't-touch" approach to historic preservation and instead embrace innovation and social connection. Competition Objectives at a Glance: Renovation : Full interior and exterior overhaul Identity : Respecting history while fostering a "new identity". Connectivity : Linking the tower to the social fabric of Milanino Sustainability : Ensuring the space is usable for all generations, daily. Join the Transformation The Milanino Water Tower competition represents a rare opportunity for architects and designers to turn a symbol of the past into a beacon for the future. It is a chance to prove that even the most specialized industrial structures can be repurposed into vibrant, human-centric landmarks. The aim is not merely to restore an abandoned building, but to give it a new identity—one that respects its historical value while embracing experimentation. Your next big idea starts here. Visit Terraviva. [ENTER NOW]

Your next big idea starts here. Visit Terraviva. [ENTER NOW] In an era where travellers increasingly seek silence over spectacle and immersion over isolation, the Openair Suites (OAS) international architecture competition emerges as a pivotal challenge. Set against the dramatic, volcanic backdrop of Mount Etna, this competition invites designers to redefine the "slow-living" experience through the lens of modular, sustainable architecture. PRIZE FUND: 8,000 € 1ST PLACE: 3,000 € 2ND PLACE: 2,000 € 3RD PLACE: 1,000 € 5 Golden Mention: Coupon for a Free Membership* 10 Honourable Mentions: Coupon for a Free Competition* * The total of the mentioned coupons is 2,000 € DATE: Closing date for project submission: 10 April 2026 - 14:00 (London Time) Announcement of the winners: 11 May 2026 - 11:00 (London Time) PARTICIPANT : Everyone (No professional qualifications required) COST: 99 €** **Subscribe from €19/month for unlimited access to multiple competitions. The Vision: More Than Just a Room The Openair Suites concept isn't just about designing a building; it’s about creating a recognizable hospitality identity. Participants are tasked with developing a cohesive architectural language that feels at home in the wild yet remains distinctively "OAS." At the heart of this challenge is the Architectural Brandbook. This document serves as a manifesto of "smart guidelines" that ensure every suite, cluster, and outdoor path feels like part of a unified network. Whether a suite is nestled in a vineyard or perched on a lava field, its DNA—its materials, light play, and form—should be unmistakable. The Testing Ground: La Fucina di Vulcano While the vision is global, the prototype is local. The competition focuses on La Fucina di Vulcano, an existing rural hospitality complex at the foothills of Etna. This site serves as the "living laboratory" where designers must prove their concepts can coexist with a powerful, ancient landscape. The requirements for these prototypes are clear: Lightweight Construction : Minimal disruption to the existing soil and ecosystem. Reversibility : The ability for the architecture to be removed, leaving the land as it was found. Spatial Quality : Balancing the "raw" feeling of nature with the high-end comfort of a luxury suite. Design Challenges: The Two-Module System Participants must design two distinct prototype suite modules. These aren't just isolated pods; they are part of a coherent architectural system. The goal is to explore how small-scale architecture can become a powerful tool for experience-driven hospitality. Successful entries will need to address: Climate Sensitivity : How does the design respond to the microclimate of a volcanic region? Intimacy vs. Openness : How can a guest feel completely private while simultaneously feeling "at one" with the vast agricultural surroundings? Scalability : How do individual suites form a "cluster" that defines a collective outdoor space? Why It Matters: Architecture as an Experience Openair Suites is more than a competition; it is an exploration of how contemporary design can shape a slow, immersive, and authentic way of inhabiting rural landscapes. By moving away from heavy, permanent structures, OAS paves the way for a future where hospitality elevates the land rather than consuming it. In the shadow of Mount Etna, the next generation of architects is being asked to answer a fundamental question: How can we stay in nature without leaving a footprint, yet leave a lasting impression on the soul? Your next big idea starts here. Visit Terraviva. [ENTER NOW]