Toronto's Interior Design Show: A Look into the Future of Urban Spaces

The 25th edition of the Interior Design Show in Toronto emerged as a platform for Canadian designers and architects to showcase their forward-thinking visions for the cities of the future. Amid rapidly changing urban spaces, these innovative design solutions focused on the challenges of housing and workspaces.

'Future Neighbourhood': A New Vision for Urban Living

The 'Future Neighbourhood' installation stood as the centerpiece of the event, presenting a nuanced and practical vision for future cities. Joanne Chang of SDI Design, in collaboration with Q4 Architects, proposed a new design for multigenerational living, focusing on aging in place. The model featured a 3D home design emphasizing universal accessibility and a rezoned neighbourhood for harmonious family living. This design comes at a time when amendments in Toronto's bylaws have facilitated the construction of additional units on residential lots, potentially increasing the density of nearly 900,000 homes in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Modular Housing: A Smart and Sustainable Solution

Noam Hazan's company, Blokk, introduced a prefabricated modular housing unit at the event, promising material, labor, and time savings with a swift construction timeline of just one week. Similarly, Aaron Budd from SVN, in partnership with Two Step Homes and CABN, designed a modular housing cabin with a low carbon footprint and passive design. The concept, made of mass timber, offers a solution for temporary affordable housing on city land.

Innovative Workspaces: Promoting Presence Equity and Wellness

Beverly Horii of IA Interior Architects delved into 'presence equity' in hybrid workplaces, introducing a design equipped with immersive technology. The concept aims to balance the experience of remote and in-office employees, ensuring equal opportunities and visibility for all. Along the same lines, Tatiana Soldotova's firm, Syllable, underscored the importance of biophilic design for mental health and wellness in office spaces. Safoura Zahedi's installation, 'Journey through Geometry,' took a spiritual approach to design, exploring the pluralistic aspects of geometric patterns. Horii also highlighted the potential of biodegradable materials like mycelium in sustainable design.

Interior Design Show: Fostering Change and Connection

The Interior Design Show, held from January 18 to 21 in Toronto, served as a significant platform for discussing innovative solutions to urban design challenges. The event aimed to inspire change and foster connection in the design community and beyond, with various installations and discussions on the future of neighbourhood design. As the world grapples with the implications of rapid urbanization, the insights shared at the event underscore the importance of innovative and sustainable design in shaping healthier, more inclusive cities.