The 2024 Interior Design Show (IDS24), presented by Miele, announces its lineup of keynote speakers, welcoming top international and local designers to the Cosentino Main Stage this January. Celebrating its 25th edition, IDS24 expands with the addition of new features and stellar entertainment for the infamous Opening Night Party. Experience the return of the Interior Design Show when IDS24 takes place January 18 – 21, 2024 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, North Building.
Keynote Speaker Announcements
Dezeen Day – Thursday, January 18, 2024
In Conversation with Alison Brooks
Join USA Editor of Dezeen, Ben Dreith, in conversation with Alison Brooks. Originally from Ontario, Alison joins IDS24 from London, UK, where she founded her eponymous practice in 1996. Brooks has built works encompassing urban design and housing, public and private projects and installations including London’s The Smile. She is the only architect to have received the profession’s three most prestigious UK awards: the RIBA Stirling Prize, Manser Medal (twice), and the Stephen Lawrence Prize. Her work reflects a commitment to generous, inclusive city-building and a uniquely sculptural design language beautifully demonstrated in her recently completed Cohen Quadrangle for Exeter College, Oxford. Current large scale urban projects in Canada include a sixty-storey tower in Toronto’s Quayside development, and a 1M sf mixed-use urban quarter in the City of Surrey, BC. Ben and Alison will discuss her inspiration; her career journey; the future of the studio; and being a Canadian architect abroad.
Shaping the Future with Circular Design
Hear from three product innovators who are at the forefront of the circular economy conversation. As we become increasingly aware of the consequences of single-use products, these designers are finding unique ways to reconsider the journey and life cycle of materials. Russell Greenberg’s Stickbulb is reclaiming timber from New York building demolition and turning it into lighting products. Guy Snover’s Cyrc, based in Montreal, creates 3D printed homewares from recycled plastic. And Ranee Lee’s DESIGNwith has turned a storefront in Toronto’s Eaton Centre into a design lab for the democratisation of design learnings in environmental and social sustainability. US Editor of Dezeen, Ben Dreith, leads the conversation.
AZURE Trade Talks – Friday, January 19, 2024
Capture: The Art & Technique of Architectural Photography
AZURE Senior Editor Stefan Novakovic moderates this talk with architecture photographers Ema Peter and Younes Bounhar that delves into the many ways to successfully capture the essence of a project for publication. Over the past 12 years, Peter has worked with firms across North America while her images have been published in AZURE, Architectural Digest, Objekt International, Dwell, Wired, The New York Times and many more. One half of the photography studio Doublespace, Bounhar has covered projects by firms as diverse as MacKay-Lyons Sweetapple, Zaha Hadid, KPMB and FBM.
Interior Design and the Changing Climate
How can interior designers and architects embrace solutions that take into account climate change while simultaneously promoting health and wellness? Which tools can they use to source low-carbon materials? How can layouts (Passivehaus or otherwise) be maximized for cross-ventilation and access to sunlight? What are some of the new ways to incorporate biophilia into workplaces and homes? This talk moderated by AZURE’s Elizabeth Pagliacolo will feature experts in the field including Keilhauer’s Joshua Belczyk, Vanessa Fong, and Perkins and Will’s Martha Del Junco, and will seek to answer these questions and more.
In Conversation with Marva Griffin
Marva Griffin is IDS’ International Guest of Honour. Marva is a design legend who founded Salone Satellite, the world’s biggest showcase of young designers, which is part of Milan’s Salone del Mobile. For 25 years she has played a pivotal role in launching the careers of design superstars who have gone on to create some of the best recognised products in the world. Born in Venezuela, Marva moved to Milan and worked in design and furniture before joining Salone in 1990. Join Marva and AZURE’s Elizabeth Pagliacolo as they discuss her unusual career path, how she has championed many generations of designers, and how breaking into this discipline has changed over the last quarter of a century.
In Conversation with Oskar Zieta
Oskar Zieta’s innovative, inflated metal furniture is an art form and a feat of engineering. The iconic PLOPP stool was developed with his revolutionary FiDU manufacturing process, and has one numerous accolades including the Red Dot Design Award. Join Oskar and AZURE’s Eric Mutrie to hear about the inspiration behind his process, the growth of his studio, and Poland’s evolving role in the European design industry.
The Globe & Mail Saturday – Saturday, January 20, 2024
The Future Neighbourhood
The Interior Design Show’s Future Neighbourhood exhibition comes to life on stage with a group of contributors who have imagined the impact of technology, wellness and culture on the interiors of the (near) future. While some of the ideas they’ve explored may be conceptual and experimental, this discussion highlights the real-world implications of a space that can help us feel connected, stimulated and inspired. This session features Aruna Dutt, Safoura Zahedi, Beverley Horii, and Tatiana Soldatova.
Designing Canada 2024: Living in the Multi-verse
If there’s one term that captures interior trends today, it’s “Multi.” Multifunctional, multigenerational, multi-use and multiunit spaces pack in all the needs of modern life, but how do you create a multifaceted living space that still feels cohesive and represents your sense of style? Creatives Tura Cousins Wilson, Chad Burton, and Krisette Santa Maria featured on The Globe and Mail’s 2024 Designing Canada list of top architecture, interiors and housewares talents tackles how to create a hard-working and handsome home.
Ten Years of the Fogo Island Inn: A design legacy
For a decade, the Fogo Island Inn has helped develop a community of artists and craftspeople off the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador and invited visitors from around the world to experience the contemporary evolution of outport design. The team behind Fogo Island Workshops will share their experiences as part of Canada’s most talked about design destination and how they create furniture and home accessories that distil its values and natural beauty. This talk will feature Michael Murphy, Janet Langdon, and Ernst Hupel, moderated by Andrew Sardone.
House & Home Sunday – Sunday, January 21, 2024
The Design Talks with Lynda Reeves on House & Home Sunday return to IDS24. Join Lynda Reeves in conversation with three remarkable designers on the Cosentino Main Stage.
Brian Gluckstein: SIGNATURE MOVES
Get tips from the master on finding a great mix. Always a crowd favourite, Brian describes his recipe for the quietly elegant rooms he’s known for. He shares his best design advice and weighs in on
House & Home’s top trend predictions for 2024. Bring your design questions and expect some fun conversation between old friends.
Christiane Lemieux: HOME AS A SANCTUARY
You know her from DwellStudio, Ellen’s Design Challenge, and now Lemieux et Cie. Christiane spun the casual style of the NYC loft into one of the biggest design looks of the past two decades. Her collections at retail, her books and her online store are only part of the story of this entrepreneur and design powerhouse. Hear her tips on how she creates a minimalist, nurturing retreat.
Aly Velji: GLOBAL VIBES, A NEW LOOK FOR LAYERED ROOMS
Learn how Aly creates rooms inspired by his rich cultural heritage through the unique lens of a Calgary-based designer. Hear his story and learn more about his fabulous collaborations with Urban Barn and Rollout. Bring your design questions!
IDS24 Features and Opening Night Party
Future Neighbourhood
This new, immersive installation on the show floor will allow visitors to experience how design will continue to adapt to and shape our lives. This showcase feature takes the form of a 2,000-square-foot structure built with a Toja Grid System. The experience starts by walking into a central ‘street’ which intersects the neighbourhood; from there, visitors can walk into six installations by different designers.
Housing is a big topic in the Future Neighbourhood. SvN’s ‘Housing the Unhoused’ presents a pilot program with homebuilders and not-for-profits coming together to supply temporary accommodation. The installation takes the form of a 1:1 dwelling. SDI Design and Q4 Architects’ ‘Transform’ addresses the issues of aging in place through the lens of urban planning, and explore how rezoning can lead to an increase in inter-generational living on the same plot of land – illustrated through a sculptural 3D model of a standard North American neighbourhood plan. Noam Hazan Design Studio launches ‘Blokk’, a prefab housing system that allows single-family home owners to create affordable, easy-to-build accessory dwelling units, generating income for owners and increasing housing stock.
Following 365 days of travel across Islamic regions to study geometric patterns in architecture and handcrafts, Safoura Zahedi presents “Journey Through Geometry” — an immersive installation that explores geometry as a spiritual design tool and invites people to contemplate, connect, and partake in a spatial meditation.
IA Interior Architects present “Be Anywhere. Together” – an immersive experience transcending physical boundaries, exploring how designed environments can now be both digital and analogue. It will be a sensory oasis and a social hub, constructed from biodegradable materials including mycelium bricks and lighting.
Syllable reimagines the workplace as a hub of well-being and support with their project “meLo”. In the modern day office, employees have to consider environmental and emotional responsibility, creating workplaces that foster personal growth, creativity, and a blend of personal and social.
The boom of pre-fabricated buildings in all forms continues across Canada, and is becoming an important construction method and building typology. This feature lets visitors explore the interior of prefabs by three companies – each presenting distinct business models – with the units clustered around a clearing of trees and benches.
Backcountry Hut sells complete units to customers to create the ultimate dwelling and wellness experience in a natural setting. They will present their A-frame and sauna modules.
CABN creates net-zero housing units ranging from a garden studio to an entire home. They present HUTT, an accessory building with built-in solar technology.
Arcana has built a series of beautifully designed and furnished prefabs in Muskoka. The mirrored cabins are available for nightly rental, to escape to nature.
Opening Night Party
The biggest design party of the year returns, bringing together over 6,000 design aficionados for a night of connecting with the design industry and enjoying show floor entertainment. The Party on opening night is set to kick off a milestone show on Thursday, January 18 from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., with live entertainment featuring DJ Phillippe, DJ Armand Digdoyo, DJ Ace Dillinger, and performances by Canada’s Drag Race stars Miss Moço, and Tynomi Banks.
