Register Now for Accredited Seminars

Our virtual programming, proudly presented by NewTechWood, is now live with 20 accredited sessions, spanning a variety of topics, from designing for inclusivity to designing death. Kicking off the week-long programming is a session on Fostering Change with Karin Bohn, Founder and Creative Director of the award-winning House of Bohn design studio and star of the Netflix series Restaurants on the Edge.

The amazing thing about design is that it can spark new ways of thinking, even behaving. It can foster change and promote inclusivity by encouraging us to not only experience space in a certain way, but also each other. There are endless elements that can be incorporated into a space. It’s through design that we celebrate art, history, story, and culture. With purpose and intention, design can make spaces that bring people together. Attend this fast-selling talk, proudly brought to you by Livingspace!

Access the Digital Fair!

Registration is now open to access the floor of the virtual fair, where you can connect with trade professionals and the design community at large. Network with fellow attendees and exhibitors by using the direct messaging feature or setting up 1:1 video meetings with designers and brands, old and new — all from the comfort of your office or home. This is where our community will be the week of October 1-8 and it’s completely free. Can’t wait to ‘see’ you there!

UNStudio

Tuesday, October 6 | 9 AM – 10 AM

Amsterdam-based UNStudio has worked internationally since its inception and has produced a wide range of work, from public buildings to infrastructure, offices to residential, and products to urban master plans. With their focus distinctly placed on the future, in 2018, the practice founded a sister company, UNSense, an arch-tech company that aims to create impact by developing technology and innovative solutions that improve the quality of life for individuals, communities and the planet.

In light of the challenges society is facing, Ben van Berkel, Founder of UNStudio, and Astrid Piber, Partner of UNStudio, will present on the integral and human-centric approach to health, nature, flexibility and technology that have helped to form this successful, multi-faceted firm.

Image details: UNStudio

The One Image

Monday, October 5 | 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM

In a sea of images overwhelming us every day, how do we create impact? How do we create an image that stops people in their tracks? In the last five years, the visual world has changed dramatically. Standing out from the crowd sometimes depends on that one shot that is executed to perfection. Every day, with over 1 billion images uploaded to magazines, blogs, and social media channels, it is becoming more and more challenging to get your project noticed.

In this talk, proudly presented by Robinson Lighting & Bath, photographer Ema Peter will give a few tips on how you can stand out, what the expectation of the viewer is, and how you can create an emotional response and tell a story.

Image credit: The Collective You

Architecture, Access, and Inclusion

Monday, October 5 | 12 PM – 1 PM

What does it mean to provide access, and how do we move from designing for accessibility toward designing for inclusivity?

Melissa Higgs, Partner at HCMA Architecture + Design, will explore this topic. With a focus on public buildings, Melissa will share the collective experience of her firm, get into the ways architecture and design often fall short, and offer a call to action for designers to make inclusivity a critical part of their work.

Image details: Melissa Higgs

The Architecture of Memories

Thursday, October 8 | 12 PM – 1 PM

The session, presented by Venelin Kokalov, Design Principal of Revery Architecture, will discuss the important social dimension of architecture as the facilitator of place and event, space and memory. Architecture bestows places with deeper meaning and significance. Through an exploration of some elusive aspects that people may not consider at the start of the design process, this session will demonstrate with real case studies how architects have the capacity to create conditions that influence social behaviours and emotions.

Image credit: Ema Peter

Poliform

Poliform is currently a leading player in the international furniture scene. The highly successful result of an adventurous enterprise, the company has always based its vision on the search for quality by updating its lines in keeping with all that is good in contemporary lifestyle trends.

This event is part of the “Italian Design Days @ IDS” organized by ITA Italian Trade Commission, the Consulate General of Italy in Vancouver, and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada-West.

Image details: Poliform Vancouver

Van Dop Gallery

Leanne M. Christie experiments with a hierarchy that places supremacy on brushstroke, then colour and finally composition without retreating into abstraction. Christie’s paintings have become easily identifiable by the powerful use of white, the myriad of greys, the vigorous brushwork that dances on the edge of abstraction, and the exploration of the urban streetscape as the catalyst of culture. Visit the Van Dop Gallery in New Westminster for a private tour of Leanne’s work and learn more about the services and network of artists within the gallery.

Image details: “The Working River” by Leanne M. Christie

Austin Kitchens

Join us at the Austin Custom Kitchens gallery to experience “The Art of Staycation” event. Explore what’s new from their preferred partners: Urban Bonfire, Nickels Cabinets, Midland Appliances, and Cambria.

The Art of Staycation will explore the natural wonders of both interior and exterior design and how to maximize the experience within and around our homes.

Please note that there will only be online pre-registration and the capacity will be monitored and controlled. The Austin Kitchens team will be serving refreshments and hors d’oeuvres in prepackaged form, for everyone’s enjoyment and safety. Register today!

Image details: Austin Kitchens/Urban Bonfire

LightForm

Iconic, innovative, and inspiring: there is a reason Italian lighting design has been at the forefront of the lighting industry for decades. Celebrated for their mastery of craftsmanship over a plethora of materials, lauded for their cutting-edge designs, awarded for their experimental innovations, and admired for their ability to infuse objects with irony and whimsy, Italian lighting designers capture our imaginations because they continuously push boundaries to inspire new generations and define the contemporary design. Come discover Italian lighting design at LightForm!

This event is part of the “Italian Design Days @ IDS” organized by ITA Italian Trade Commission, the Consulate General of Italy in Vancouver, and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in Canada-West.

Image details: LightForm