Number 88 - english version

Unders tand. Advice. Enlighten.

Robin sofa with MosDesign tables

Content

PUBLISHERS & EDITORS

Brigitte Gadoury

Ginette Gadoury

ART DIRECTION

Ariane Mercure

THE EYES, EARS AND HEART

OF THE PROFESSION

While artificial intelligence applications are exploding left and right and raising some concern about the uniqueness of creativity going forward, amidst the reign of the digital age which knocks down walls and blurs the nature of human relationships, not to mention us coming out of the aftermath of this pandemic which has mobilized our relations during hard months of withdrawal and isolation, how refreshing it is to publish our annual People edition and to share with you these tales of talents!

Let’s meet these leading figures in design and architecture, business people, architects, designers, from here and elsewhere, free to think, to create, to innovate and to amaze, beyond all frontier.

Let’s see who’s who amongst the elite personalities newly appointed to the international jury of the GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN competition. Let’s mix business and pleasure and dive into the stories of those who dared to follow their dreams while stimulating the economy of a community. And let’s get up-close and personal with exciting and passionate professionals.

Our creative and editorial team joins us in saying “Thank you, thank you, a thousand times thank you” to the many talents featured in this issue. Thank you for your candor, your confidence and your shared insight.

May these stories of talents involved and dedicated to their profession inspire, surprise, move and teach us all. And after all, dear readers, let’s celebrate our talented peers who, together are changing the world, one project after the next, being the eyes, the ears and the heart of the profession.

Ginette and Brigitte Gadoury Co-Editors

ABOUT INTÉRIEURS

The magazine INTÉRIEURS founded in 1996, now publishes three special editions per year: two issues dedicated to the winners of the GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN competition and one so-called People issue which highlights the personalities and professionals who shape our environment and mark our industry. This paper version of INTÉRIEURS presents articles in French and English, while unilingual versions in the language of Molière or Shakespeare are available on the INT.design portal.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Hélène Goré

WRITING & TRANSLATION

Juli Pisano

WRITER

Madeleine Champagne

Nathalie Roy

Léa Peruzzo

Advertisement Production & Diffusion

DIRECTOR

Brigitte Gadoury

PRINT

Impresse inc.

International Development

DIRECTOR

Caroline Michaud

Subscriptions

int.design / abonnement info@int.design

450 651–3630

CANADA

25 $ + tx — 3 issues

40 $ + tx — 6 issues

INTERNATIONAL

80 $ + tx — 3 issues

125 $ + tx — 6 issues

ON NEWS STANDS

12,95 $ + tx par numéro / per issue

/ INTÉRIEURS Magazine is published three times a year by:

AGENCE PID

1080 rue Sainte-Hélène, Longueuil QC J4K 3R9 Canada

T : 450 651-3630

F : 450 651-8520 info@agencepid.com

Publication mail agreement number 40019406. Return all mail that cannot be delivered in Canada at the Publications Services.

Administration

CO-PRESIDENTS

Ginette Gadoury & Brigitte Gadoury

ACCOUNTING

Gestion Lynda De Grandpré inc.

Any reproduction of texts, illustrations and photos of the magazine is strictly forbidden. Even if all precautions have been taken to confirm the information contained in INTÉRIEURS magazine, it is agreed that the magazine cannot be held responsible of errors or acts of negligence in the use of this information.

Legal Deposit

Bibliothèque nationale du Québec, Bibliothèque nationale du Canada ISSN 1206–0208

Printed in Canada

No. 88

COVER Carousel by Jaime Hayón: A fairground ride with 15 million Swarovski crystals, located at Swarovski Kristallwelten theme park in picturesque Austria

B allisticArchitecture Machine, more commonly and simply known as BAM, is a multidisciplinary design studio with a dual corporate citizenship and offices now open and striving in Beijing, Shanghai and New York City.

The founding story of these rebels with a cause is a thrilling tale to tell. These guys and gals took me on a trippy ride along their memory lane, spoke freely of their successful design-thinking practice today and shared their thoughts about the future of landscape architecture.

A CREW FROM CORNELL

Meet Daniel Anthony Gass, Allison MacNeil Dailey and Jacob Schwartz Walker, the three original BAM founding partners, incidentally Cornell architecture coconspirators that decked the school halls with art installations back in the days of college.

JFK TO PEK

Sharing a strong background in art, architecture and craftsmanship, the trio took a leap to the other side of the world and opened a studio focused on architecture and landscapes, as well as large art installations. So where did they choose to elect home and office? Beijing, ladies and gents! Six thousand six hundred and eighty-six miles away from their college campus in Ithaca, New York!

BAM !

Allison MacNeil Dailey

Jacob Schwartz

Walker

Daniel Anthony Gass

Founding Partners Ballistic Architecture Machine (BAM) bam-land.com

THE THREE MUSKETEERS

So, who are these Voltron-like buddies turned partners, heroes of their own tale?

BAM’s founding partner, Daniel Anthony Gass, won the Merril Presidential Scholar Award in architecture studies at Cornell University. Dan has played a leading role in the formation of BAM’s landscape-based design approach and personally led many of BAM’s iconic projects from concept through construction. His work in BAM has been exhibited in the Venice Biennale, the Maxxi Museum, Reykjavic Modern Art Museum.

Allison MacNeil Dailey holds degrees in landscape architecture, architecture, and fine art. After Cornell, she turned to Harvard and landed a master’s degree in Landscape. Architecture and taught a seminar called DoodleTech, exploring intuitive‒analytical thought as expressed through doodles, resulting in visceral spatial and material propositions. BAM now implements this technique in their practice.

Designer Jacob Schwartz Walker focuses on the urban landscape in China. Originally trained as an architect at Cornell, Jake believes that architecture is only one of many tools in service of the greater landscape idea, and that landscape is the field and realm which requires the most design attention as cities all around the world densify and grow into mega-metropolises. Amen! At BAM Jake spearheads many of the BAM urban initiatives.

BACK TO THE START

“Our working relationship grew out of us making art installations together in public spaces on campus at Cornell,” Daniel tells us, recalling how everything blended together outside of studio classes. Serving the added benefit of party launch pretexts, the trio would embark on stealth installations around campus. “In this sense, design as ‘work’ or something that pays the bills came after design for us, poor students hanging out, making things and playing with public spaces.”

WORK, FUN, AND HOT AIR

While these early installations required a huge amount of work, they were always fun to focus on. “We would obtain some degree of approval from advisors for installations which we assumed were greatly improving the campus temporarily. However, some professors were agitated by our work and the challenges to the public space. They resisted our work to the point that for Martha Schwartz’s lecture installation we had to defend our actions academically to avoid being expelled from the school.”

KEEPING IT REAL

“Nowadays, around BAM studios we organize things to keep this sense of discovery of play and of hanging out, as the basis for working,” explains cofounder Gass. “Good ideas come from play and creativity comes from working with what we have at hand. At the same time we take play, and our work very seriously especially in detail and technical development.” And inspiring and freeing way to approach a day at the office, I’d say!

COME SAIL AWAY

Fellow Cornell pals and business partners Dan Gass and Jake Walker share another common passion other than design—and that would be sailing! Looking for opportunities to sail around China, the founding partners even organized a BAM Racing Team and are invited to compete at regattas from time to time. What a great way to bond as a team while soaking in the beauties of the world.

COLLEGE KIDS IN CHINA

So how does a tight-bond triforce go from Dragon Day in Ithaca, NY, to an office opening in Beijing in a New York minute? Like many stories, paths and signs led the way. “I studied Chinese in high school, and in college, I organized a summer trip with Nasrine Seraji for a studio trip around China,” Gass tells us.

Conspirators Jake and Allie joined in and, together, all three fully immersed themselves in the experience and the country by making art installations while the studio traveled around, intervening on the landscape along the way. They fell for everything, everywhere and all at once, and in only a matter of time, they were back in China to set up their first studio in Beijing in 2009.

A STAR IS BORN

“In our mind, Beijing was the ideal starting place simply because it felt less westernized than other cities in China. Given that our work is fundamentally focused about the public realm, and that there is an important socially progressive message in our work, we believed that placing ourselves in a more art oriented and political milieu versus an environment focused solely on business would be critical to upending typically held views about the value of landscape”, says Jake.

THE GAMBLE PAID OFF

Today, BAM Beijing studio is becoming, hands down, the best landscape design studio in China. While the fields of architecture, art, and engineering receive an enormous amount of attention from designers and clients in China, BAM believes urban landscape primes in importance, while still largely un-orunder designed.

When addressing the firm’s design values, landscape vision and evolution, Jake adds: “The Urban Landscape is everything outside of the buildings, and BAM is interested is in all the spaces in between; the edge conditions, boundaries, and periphery. BAM sees urban landscape as the true material of the city and believes that in the future, landscapes rather than buildings should be the true icons of the city.”

WHY LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE?

So how do three architecture major graduates end up soaring to commendable heights in landscapes? Well, in BAM’s opinion,

INSTALLATIONS AT CORNELL

BAM PARTNER GUANG JINGWEN (CENTER) AND THE BAM SAILING RACE TEAM

humans have an internal drive to connect to nature, even simply evoking the idea of nature has a positive effect on people’s state of mind and sense of wellbeing. The field (pun intended) of landscape architecture encourages social interaction.

WHY CHINA?

Furthermore, the sought-out agency feels landscape is the most important field of design in China because it deals with everything outside of and between the buildings, a realm which not only has the ability to diminish the adverse effects of rampant architecture and robotic urban planning but provides humanity with something which cannot be gained through the design of buildings and infrastructure alone.

In China, BAM goes on to argue, landscape is a better design field than in the United States simply because the Chinese culture developed from a garden culture. Period. Historically, Chinese gardens have hosted artists painting or writing poems, governors reflecting on social orders, and scholar contemplating life around them. Then and now, the garden is intertwined and linked Chinese cultural expression. By extension, the landscape is understood as a cultural medium that should be designed. In the United States, landscapes are not viewed through the same strong cultural lens.

ENTER A FOURTH POWER FORCE

Landscape architect Guan Jingwen was recently made the first employee turned partner since the original three founding members established the practice. Combining sharp negotiating skills with a sensitive political touch and an unwavering dedication to the highest quality of design work, her graceful and powerful leadership has propelled BAM forward as the best landscape architecture firm in China.

SHINING IN SHANGHAI

Striving on their success, calling on the necessity to see their

team grow, and as a way to mobilize and keep around great talented collaborators in the South of China and other parts, BAM opened a Shanghai studio in 2018.

Let it be said, BAM simply loves to work and act as a positive force of nature in China, in many regards, because of the richness of its diverse local cultures.

A LOVE STORY

A compelling anecdote here proves our point. In a nearby town to a working site, BAM’s team found a woven bamboo hat typically worn by the local people, a hat missing a center, but draped with a curtain around its edges. A sombrero, a visor, and a hijab, all mixed into one, in some sort. “We really liked this hat, it provided smart environmental controls for the user, and we thought maybe we can supersize this for the teahouse!”

Now, China and tea have a millennium-old love story in the works, there’s no secret about that! So, BAM developed a bamboo teahouse pavilion to sit within the wetland zone for the

TIANJIN 4A SPORTS PARK, TIANJIN, CHINA

LONGKING HAKKA HAT INSPIRATION

nearby factory workers to take breaks in the cool shade. A moment of bliss! Its screen wall blocks all architecture out of view and lets the workers on break focus all senses on the vegetation, the water… and the tea.

CULTURE-CONSCIOUS

“Culture is tricky,” Jake goes on to say. “Often, local people do not want to address their own culture. In many cases BAM is much more sensitive and interested in local cultural than the clients or local governments appear to be. Often places under development seem to want to erase their local history and envision a more aspirational future in which it is incorrectly assumed that a break from the past or current situations will give rise to a better future.”

According to BAM, the problem with denying one’s own local history is that when the eventual development does occur, a place which was once unique then turns bland, resembling any and every other new development across China.

STORYTIME INSPIRATIONS

For instance, the Chinese town of Daxing is known for its watermelons, and, where BAM’s park now flourishes, a watermelon field once laid. Yet far too often, this kind of history and culture is not what people want to be reminded of. The Tianjin Sports Park project was built on the site of an ancient town which was moved piece-by-piece up the Grand Canal and rebuilt as a facsimile by residents who had traveled from their original hometown Yixing.

These are ideas that BAM played heavily within earlier conception stages of each and every project. Yet, as they go through the process of becoming realized, the very things that can make a place unique are often the first ones to get removed. Food for thought and thought for change…

ABOVE & BEYOND NOSTALGIA

The way BAM sees it, we now live in a time in which environmental technology bridges the gap between outdated fossil fuel civilizations and more sustainable futures.

“Most people’s idea of sustainability in landscape is embedded within a nostalgic Garden of Eden mentality, where the earth is a self-ordering system and humans betray the system. The problem is that there is a visual idea about what nature and the landscape should look like in that unspoiled state. But in reality your trash, your electricity, your parking spaces, your sewage, all of these things are very real pieces of the urban landscape today.”

FROM ONE CAMPUS TO ANOTHER

“The amazing thing today is that we no longer have ‘landscape’ in the nostalgic sense. Every bit of landscape is in a way supported by humans to an ever-growing extent.” A great example is BAM’s recent campus design for the factories and offices of the world’s largest environmental equipment producer, the Longking Pro-Environmental Campus. To make this factory function, the landscape provides sewage filtration, heavy metal uptake, and runoff recapture.

BAM approached the Longking campus with a mission in mind: To design a landscape for its people, so they may work better and harder at making new technology continuously to clean up our other industries. How commendable!

A BRIGHT FUTURE

Looking ahead into the future, BAM is thankful to see how the world is beginning to realize the climate predicament cannot be solved by a return to nostalgic ideas of “nature”. “For humans to improve our relationship to the earth, we need environmental technologies like those developed in Longking. We also need to understand the landscape needs to be both good for us and

FINITE/INFINITE GARDEN, BEIJING

for the planet. It can’t just pretend to heal the earth like it has since the 1970s.”

“We are very excited about our Waste to Energy plant in Shanghai, our largest piece of architecture to date. This is a super interesting project because it takes something no one wants, a

trash plant, and turns it into a museum and a park. Given the filtration technology has reached a point where the main byproduct is steam, the next step is making the public understand how important it is to get these closer to the source of the trash and thereby reducing the carbon created hauling.” And there you have it… BAM, BAM, thank you land! (Discover more about the Longking project in INTÉRIEURS 87, p.110)

TIANJIN 4A SPORTS PARK, TIANJIN, CHINA

ROOTS RUNNING DOWN FROM THE NORTH…

by Léa peruzzo

Founded in Montreal in 2018, Blanchette Architectes now goes under a different name, to represent what the firm has evolved into over the years. Meet blanchette archi.design. As driven as always by the desire to conceive rigorous designs, the team he leads develops quality projects of all scales, ranging from multi-residential to commercial and corporate architecture and design.

A CREATIVE UPBRINGING

At a very young age, Patrick starts to escape from reality and dive into an artistic universe. Going from theater to interior design, it was finally architecture that won over his multitalented creative self.

PEACE & QUIET UP NORTH

Let’s have a peek into his childhood memories, spent in Fermont, Québec. Yes, you read it right. The Far North mining town, home to the mythical linear wall that holds the town’s hotels and bars is where Patrick grew up. Imagine him today, in the great big city of Montréal, leading a firm with astonishing talent and growth.

SUMMERTIME FUN TIMES

As a young child, Patrick remembers spending summers in Val-des-Sources, near Asbestos, comfortably seated in his grandfather’s La-Z-Boy, binge-watching episodes of Dodo Déco and diving into the world of design. While religiously devouring each episode, a light bulb lit up and he found his calling, while family members were playing cards in the kitchen.

THE ROLE OF A LIFETIME

Patrick quickly became passionate about theater, decor, character building, atmosphere creation and scene direction while evolving onstage. He opted for theater in high school but was not called for auditions by a teacher who lacked in believing him up to the challenge. That being said, his passion for theater had not said its last word and would go on to play a significant role in his work.

A WHITE CANVAS, A PASSION

Moving from Fermont to Granby, Patrick constantly saw the layouts of the houses he lived in as white canvases to be played with. He would reimagine the layouts with each new home becoming a black canvas for the passionate young man eager to explore design. He began to question the spaces in which he lived and, from then on, felt the certainty that he is destined for an artistic career. The field of architecture followed…

MONTRÉAL IS CALLING!

After obtaining his high school diploma and experiencing the loss of his father, he left his native northern town of Fermont and traveled 1,218 km south to Montréal. Two years later, college days in the big city came with an immediate culture shock. Although he had never felt very far from the cultural richness of the metropolis as a young boy lost in the northern skirts of the province, he was hit then and there by the realization of the extraordinary geographical isolation he had experienced.

BREAKING ISOLATION

A life mission through design and architecture took form! Breaking isolation by creating spaces to promote and favor generations meeting and people sharing became his career motto, his leitmotif.

A TRIBUTE TO HIS ROOTS

Making his new life his own, without ever forgetting where he came from, Patrick made a name for himself through a deep respect for the nordicity of his upbringing, the unique landscapes and rigor of lines he encountered as a child accompany him in all the project he undertakes. The result is a signature recognizable for the balanced mastery of volumetric cutouts and for its use of black—the negative space black generates fascinates him in many ways. Plus, it’s a clever nod to pay homage to the work of the French painter and sculptor Pierre Soulages.

FOLLOWING ONE’S DREAM

Patrick’s favorite project? The one that makes him vibrate the most? Creating and upbringing blanchette archi.design! After years of working in various jobs, but terrified of the idea of entrepreneurship, it was those around him who encourage Patrick to take the leap. Now, five years later, the young firm, co-founded with Kevin Lavigne, General Manager and Associate Vice-President, the one that started out from scratch now has over twenty creative minds buzzing around daily.

AN INCUBATOR FOR TALENT

“I feel a true satisfaction in seeing all these talents gathered around a common project. Working as a team and accompanying others in the exercise of the profession is a real privilege of mine. Our work environment offers a healthy and transparent framework that makes me proud every day to contribute to the emancipation of these talents.”

A HANDS-ON LEADER

Seen as a positive and involved leader never afraid to roll up his sleeves, Patrick acts as a mentor, ensuring continuity and adherence to the firm’s core values. He also masters the art of never getting caught in a creative rut by continually feeding his thought process and imagination. From stimulating team brainstorming to enriching trips and adventures, he draws inspiration by remaining alert to his surroundings, to all these beautiful differences that unite us and by feeding his curiosity on a daily basis.

A CHAT WITH HIS YOUNGER SELF

If he could go back in time and talk to the creatively hungry younger version of himself, Patrick would, without hesitation, tell his young self to trust himself. “Your greatest strength tomorrow will lie within what you thought inaccessible to you, yesterday. Go for it! Charge into your destiny!”

A MILITARY-LIKE SCHEDULE

What does his reality look like? He cites weeks that pass at full speed with projects following one another, a talented and passionate team that fully embodies the agency’s founding values and an assistant who masterfully manages his busy schedule and adds breaks to it all to make sure he’s fully and properly oxygenated throughout the day. A military regiment! Patrick wouldn’t have it any other way!

HAPPY DAYS

His favorite “me time”? Soaked into a hot bath, watching the sunset after a long day while your partner cooks up a delicious dinner for two. Far from work and the buzzing of the city, in the calm of the countryside, is where the happy couple acquired a magnificent bicentenary house which they have fun redoing while respecting the vestiges of the past. His love for nordicity and straight lines here gracefully leaves room to the rich history of the place.

LA CEDRIÈRE

SEEING ERAS COHABIT

Sensitive and respectful of the space’s memory and traces of time, Patrick saw to compose and maintain, in his little nest, the dialogue between eras. A work of finesse, that shifted from the original vision he and his partner envisioned at the start of the project. While they had come into the house imagining a contemporary approach to renovations, the couple quickly found themselves running to antique shops to restore the place to its former glory days. The result is a very liberating collage of two eras that sees the soul of the place shine through.

A PASSION FOR THE PROFESSION

“What I love most about my job is the vocation I instill in it.” Firmly believing in the importance of giving back to the community and in collectively thinking about the spaces of the future so that they’d better serve the life of fellow citizens, way beyond simply exploring the material, Patrick cuts and assembles volumes and creates spaces that lead to sharing and mingling. Living together, bonding and co-experiencing. Well done!

A SPECTACULAR TURN OF EVENTS

“To serve as the stage manager for actors onstage,” voilà his theater training and love coming full circle and into his profession. May the show begin! His great sensitivity to the human race, to society and to the roles of the lines and structures in which we live are at the heart of his architectural approach. His vision? Valuing and designing our territory from an angle, properly and entirely his own.

MARIEVILLE

PATRICK BLANCHETTE AVEC SON CHIEN

A CINEMATIC FEEL

When entrusted with Le bar mineral project, Patrick starts off with a song as a source of inspiration that sums up the atmosphere of the future bar. His creative process engaged, the project takes shape in his head and from there a space is born. A space in which, and I quote, “Everyone is beautiful!” Here, his creative approach is based on many variants—light, sound, volumes and more.

IN SERVICE TO OTHERS

Station 03, which will soon see the light of day, is defined by the strength of its social role, ticking all the boxes of Blanchette’s rigorous approach. The project, he tells us, will be an important marker in the urban landscape and will allow for community actors to meet and greet their neighbors.

IN HONOR OF PIONEERS

Sensitive to the condition of women but also to that of marginalized groups, their inclusion and their place in society, his work is tinged with the heritage of important personalities of Quebec’s history. He thus honors these pioneers who dared to shake up the conventions of their time. Respecting the place of women in society and in art is to open the door to the inclusion of all.

© Agence Welldone BAR MINÉRAL

STATION 03

FLOWERS FOR BALANCE

Co-founding an award-winning agency did not satisfy the lust for desire of this born entrepreneur. It was then that Lavigne—a neighborhood Florist shop opened its doors in the Hochelaga district of Montreal. A total change of pace from Patrick’s busy daily schedule at the office. “I was so advised against opening a florist shop. My entourage told me that I was going to lose my clientele who would find that I had diluted myself. Well, I turned the other way and muted the words of discouragement. Today, I enjoy a fresh flower a day!”

FROM A SEED TO A FARM

So, why stop there? You guessed it. Patrick and his partner in crime and in pleasure took the gamble to seed flowers on their land and launch the Poirier Flower Farm. Who dares not, succeeds not! A second season of flowers blooming countryside is expected, come sunny days!

AN ABSOLUTE PRIDE

The ultimate pride? “Watching people appropriate the spaces I designed, making it their own and testifying to the encounters created. He could write plays about these success stories…

PHOTO D'ÉQUIPE

BY Madeleine Champagne

Cheryl Broadhead is the proud Principal of one of Vancouver’s larger interior design firms, known under the trade name BYU, the agency she cofounded was originally called Bob’s Your Uncle Design, a common British expression meaning “and there you have it!”

AND THERE YOU HAVE IT!

Cheryl and cofounder Ada Bonini’s sense of humor as well as their desire to stand out from the market offer shines through.

MY FIRST IMPRESSION

Before talking to Cheryl, I did as everybody does, typed her name into a search engine and found her portrait first. My immediate impression was striking. What a strong presence! A poised, thoughtful, wise-looking lady, with a hint of vintage à la Louise Brooks.

MY FOLLOW-UP IMPRESSION

The Toast of V-Town

Obviously, when I caught up with her by videoconference, this was my first question of all. Where does this gaze come from? She burst out laughing and confessed: “At the time, I wanted to project the image that comically named agency was in fact a very serious design firm.” She goes on to add some truth: “In reality, I’m the loud one around the office, the one laughing all the time!”

© Aaron Aubrey

THE STORY BEGINS

Cheryl started her design career in Vancouver while still attending university, Kwantlen Polytechnic in Richmond, BC. After working in the field for a few years in Vancouver, she moved to Toronto for a change of pace and scenery. After three harsh winters, Cheryl and Ada decided to start a business together with Cheryl returning to Vancouver.

A PROUD MAMMA

When asked what sits on her office desk, we see two large computer screens in the foreground and, on the left, a photo of a charming little girl. It’s her daughter Elshaday, now 16 years old. She is her joie de vivre and her stimulation daily. She has an open mind, she tells us. Tolerant of differences, she likes to create, and like any other self-respecting teenager, to assert herself!

FLOWER POWER

In a drawer near her, I see her perfume, a concoction signed Michael Kors. I imagine it as floral, friendly and cheerful as the power woman before me.

AN ALLY FOR ALL

Her favorite color, I dare ask her. Gray, she answers. And before a slight incredulous squinting of my eyes, she bounces back and… enumerates that gray is in no way a boring color. There is pearl gray, steel, slate, anthracite and tutti quanti! “The best of allies to bring out a touch of fiery colors, such as reds or yellows”…

YABBA DABBA DOO!

As a child, Cheryl loved to devour the Flintstones cartoon in which the story unfolds in a modern time looking Stone Age in which extinct animals coexist with cavemen. Fred Caillou reminded her of her own father, able to fix everything in a nick of time. Her hero!

EVERYTHING IS INSPIRATION

With a smile on her face, she reveals that she is inspired by many things. Traveling around the world, witnessing a cherry tree blossom, discovering innovative architectures and, although the city is becoming more and more lively, Cheryl admits being perfectly happy amidst the laid-back atmosphere of Vancouver. “My city is one of the most fabulous in the world… especially on a sunny day!” And for a well-deserved vacay? La bella Italia!

TAKING RISKS

This lady loves risk! She embraces it and welcomes it with open arms. A telling example? When Cheryl and Ada landed the contract for Ginger, a condominium complex in the heart of Vancouver’s Chinatown, they wanted the interior to reflect the building’s colorful location and dynamic history. They went all out and did not hold back!

THE CELESTIAL EMPIRE

As proof of the matter, the main hall is bathed in Chinese New Year red and reveals a fire dragon painted on one wall, while a giant wooden and metal abacus hangs from the ceiling as if it were floating in space and time. Each floor has a different color scheme, with walls and accents painted “Rahda Red,” “Jade Aqua,” “Green Tea” and so forth. As for every unit entrance door, they are covered with a life-size black and white snapshot of a random Chinatown scene captured in the gist of the moment by an urban and local photographer. Although the developer was apprehensive at first, the bet paid off and was a complete success! Cheers to that!

RIVER DISTRICT DESIGNED BY BYU

CHERYL AND HER DAUGHTER ELSHADAY

THE AMAZING BRENTWOOD, DESIGNED BY BYU

BYU HERE & NOW

Today, the original co-founder of Bob’s Your Uncle Design Ltd runs the business known as BYU and has overseen its growth into one of the most respected and trusted interior design studios in Canada.

Its field of expertise includes multi-use residential projects. When speaking of the present, only one word is repeated over and over: “space, space, space.” Noting changes in the demands of said condo residents, common fitness and yoga areas are now created. And if kitchens, and bathrooms are sometimes becoming smaller, they nevertheless are also becoming more luxurious, hence keeping their title of alpha rooms.

THE KEY TO SUCCESS

BYU’s secret is to get involved early in the process, as soon as permits are submitted and to start working with architects and engineers as well as developers and their marketing teams. “My team and I select everything from finishes to plumbing and lighting fixtures, and we work with electrical and mechanical engineers to ensure we meet a building’s energy needs and water restrictions.”

P.S.

Truth be told, the name Bob’s Your Uncle Design truly expresses the character of this hard-working, fun-loving agency. Need I add that she is also a dog lover and that the office sometimes has her two canine accomplices running around? Marvelous!

988 WEST BROADWAY, DESIGNED BY BYU BYU OFFICE

©Provoke Studios

* Find out more in our complementary article, page 116.

Ginette Caron

Life In

Graphic Designer

Ginette Caron Communication Design ginettecaron.it

& Love

Michele Reginaldi

Architect & Visual artist

Quattroassociati michelereginaldi.it quattroassociati.it

par/by Madeleine Champagne

HER

Let’s meet Ginette Caron, a Québec graphic designer who graduated from Concordia University. Born into a family of architects and graphic designers, she benefits from a solid artistic heritage. In the early ’80s, after working for a few years in Montréal, Ginette flew to Europe where she traveled from one graphic design studio to the other for several months before settling in Italy. She became Benetton’s director of design and, later, led Prada’s institutional graphics before founding her own studio in Milan: Ginette Caron Communication Design.

HIM

Now let’s turn to her partner, Michele Reginaldi, a well-known Italian architect and visual artist in Milan. Born in Teramo, Italy, Michele is the father of a series of self-made brass form studies, also called constructions, which have grown to include over 120 individual pieces. He was an associate partner at Gregotti Associati, a renowned architecture firm. In 1990, he created the Milanese architecture studio Quattroassociati and in 2012, he founded the RDY Milano-Shanghai architecture studio.

TOGETHER

Now imagine Ginette and Michele in a studio located in the former refectory of the basilica of Saint-Ambroise, designed by Bramante, known for having also created the dome of the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, whose refectory preserves Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper.

For many projects here and there, the couple form a team.

The loving tandem composed of Québec graphic designer Ginette Caron and Italian architect and artist Michele Reginaldi sign projects in architecture, graphic design, sculpture and design that are both daring and constructive. Here’s a peek into a partnership that thrives on the love of co-creating.

MORFEMI SCULPTURES EN PAPIER / MICHELE REGINALDI / CONSERVATEUR GINETTE CARON

ÉCCOLE GIANNI RODARI, CÔME-ITALIA

-MARTIN HEIDEGGER, German philosopher (1889–1976).

MILANO MAGNIFICO

Their creative adventure takes place in the beautiful city of Milan, where they work and live. A city that has grown to be an inexhaustible source of inspiration for them.

HAND IN HAND

Ginette Caron often plays a curator and graphic designer role in showcasing Michele’s sculptures. Such was the case with the exhibition of more than 150 paper sculptures entitled Morphèmes that took place at the Unifor showroom in Milan.

She also partnered with Michele in the adventure of the pavilion of the Holy See for the Universal Exhibition in Milan in 2015. Here is a white grotto covered in all-white holy scriptures which could only be read through their cast shadows… “Manna from heaven,” as Ginette puts it!

Ginette went on to expand the experience of the pavilion with a personal and ambitious project “Il Viaggio della Parola,” meaning the conservation, regeneration and relocation around the world of the twenty-five holy scriptures from the Expo’s Holy See pavilion.

FEEDING OFF EACH OTHER

Sometimes their collaboration works through a mirror effect, as they do not work in tandem. Together, they exchange their ideas in a dialectic spirit in order to clarify their vision and achieve common goals. This approach stimulates their creativity and allows them to connect two-and three-dimensional aspects from the outset.

Thanks to this collaboration, Ginette and Michele designed environments for exhibitions and major events within fairs. This

“A project is a person’s way to anticipate his own possibilities and manage to understand the structures of the world.”

VATICAN CITY / PAVILION EXPO MILANO 2015 / MICHELE REGINALDI (QUATTROASSOCIATI ARCHITETTI) AND GINETTE CARON

was the case for a collaboration for GMS (Gruppo Mauro Saviola) where Ginette and Michele rebuilt a forest focused on the theme of “secret voices in the woods.” Their dynamic partnership has been the key to their success and has enabled them to carry out innovative and inspiring projects in the field of design, communication and architecture.

A CHURCH TURNED HOTEL

Michele’s latest masterstroke is the recent realization of the NH Collection Milan CityLife hotel, built around a deconsecrated Neo-Renaissance church in Milan.

This iconic new hotel is located right in the heart of Milan’s futuristic CityLife district and is a clever mix of modern and old elements. This construction is a real journey through history, urban redevelopment and innovation. It is steeped in almost 100 years of history, which gives it a unique soul.

Transforming a church into a place of hospitality was the challenge Michele proposed to his client. A demanding professional challenge, to say the least, its results exceed expectations in every way. The team managed to reinterpret the spaces of the hotel while preserving the spatial characteristics of the existing building. They also respected the decorative apparatus and the most significant architectural elements, thus affirming a principle of continuity and permanence in the historical development of this architecture.

AN INSPIRED VISUAL IDENTITY

A glimpse into Ginette’s recent project to commemorate the 75 th  anniversary of Canada-Italia diplomatic relations, 1947–2022.

As visual identity is an important tool for conveying a message and unifying multiple forms of communication, commissioned by the Government of Canada, the graphic image had to be recognizable while always being different so as not to relegate the official Canadian logo to the background.

It was also to be used interchangeably by the two governments to identify their respective commemorative events, either the Canadian Embassy in Rome or the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was to represent in a graphic way the harmony of bilateral exchanges, the positive encounter, the friendly, flourishing and fruitful relations between the two countries.

HÔTEL NH COLLECTION MILAN CITYLIFE

Rather than simply creating a logo, Ginette pushed the order to the development of a communication system in which are found the graphic characteristics common to the two flags, their shared geometric shapes and colors. The brand images developed emerge from a meeting within a common generative identity, declined on all elements of communication and marketing.

Accomplice was the inspiration of a Lao Tseu quote: “It is what is missing that gives purpose to things.” A vase is made of clay but it is the void created inside it that makes it fit for purpose.

A TAD CURIOUS

How did Ginette and Michele discover design, one wonders?

For Michele, it was an artistic practice he discovered in high school, and during afternoons spent with a carpenter or a ceramist after school.

For Ginette, it dates back to the age of 5, when her grandfather asked her if he should draw their initials in Gothic or English letters in order to distinguish the four balloons he had given to the kids.

“I was completely fascinated by the depth of choices and this enthusiasm for typography stuck with me,” she says.

A SMIDGE INDISCREET

What sits next to their computer?

Michele has a pencil, an eraser and a decimeter, while Ginette has a small ceramic sun, a souvenir from Sicily. “The sun is soul shining daily,” she adds. Moreover, Michele loves his pencils so much that in the event of an announced scarcity, he would prudently make an ample supply of them.

A QUESTION OF COLOR

Tons of shades surround them, but what color are they undeniably drawn to?

For Ginette, it’s pink in all its nuances, in particular the intense and deep side of pink associated with seduction, tenderness, as well as the sweetness of childhood and youth.

As for Michele, he is drawn to golden yellow, a vivid and highly saturated shade of yellow that sits somewhere between amber, brass, copper and yellow on the color wheel.

A TROUBLESHOOTING SOLUTION

Do they have any tips for getting out of a creative rut?

Michele turns to other disciplines, while Ginette lets the project rest and does something that will completely distract her. After a while, it starts from scratch several times.

LOGO FOR THE 75° ANNIVERSAIRE DES RELATIONS DIPLOMATIQUES CANADA-ITALIE PAR GINETTE CARON EXPOSITION COSTRUZIONI SCULPTURES EN LAITON, ORATORIO DELLA PASSIONE SANT’AMBROGIO, MILANO MICHELE REGINALDI - CONSERVATEUR GINETTE CARON

A PIECE OF CAREER ADVICE

Finally, what is the best career advice they received and wish to share?

For Ginette, it is to cherish the teachings of masters and to construct them in one’s own language.

For Michele, it is to observe, observe some more and understand the environment around us.

A PROVEN SYNERGY

So what words come to mind to explain the proven synergy that resides amongst them?

Ginette’s the first to answer: “We did so many great projects together where both expertise, graphic design and architecture, were fundamental.” I am thinking of store concepts for Benetton and Versace or traveling international exhibitions for Bulgari. Or the naming, logo and signage that fit like jewels into the architecture of an office building such as the 16 in the center of Milan (Quattroassociati architetti).

Michele adds: “Graphics and architecture are two artistic disciplines whose fields of application often find mutual synergies in their expressive definition. Lines, structures, shapes and colors, from surfaces to volumes and vice versa, through intuitive paths, study and interpret space and its inherent morphological capacities, in relation to the specific cultural contexts on which they intervene.”

It is thanks to this constant interaction that concepts and forms are defined in their representative, symbolic and communicative aspects. Technical translation is consolidated by a working method common to both professions as the result of complex interactions between artistic practices that interpret our reality. All is said!

A FINAL WORD

Questa è una coppia molto stimolante!… What an inspiring couple indeed!

THE 16, EDIFICE À BUREAUX, MILAN / SIGNAGE BY GINETTE CARON

GINEVRA / LAMPES POUR FIRMAMENTO MILANO / MICHELE REGINALDI

Katerine Daoust

Katerine Daoust, a renowned interior designer and owner of Daoust Design firm, is a calm force in the field of interior design. Her reputation is established through her award-winning high-end residential projects at the Grands Prix du design in 2021 and 2022. In 2016, she was also honored with the Heritage Merit Award and the Recognition Award from the City of SaintEustache for the restoration of the Gentle House, a historically significant location where she established her practice. As an interesting fact, this ancestral residence, which has undergone numerous transformations over time, served as a refuge for 70 Patriots during the 1837 rebellion.

CREATIVE WOMEN

Founded in 2005 “for connections and challenges,” Daoust Design brings together a team of six creative women. Katerine Daoust, to quote her own words, brings “fuel to the fire”: a true dynamo, she oversees the management of the company and the team, projects, clients, prospecting, and the vision... Alouette!

The schedules are filling up and the projects are flowing at a fast pace. The majority of them come from word-ofmouth referrals, and this has been the case for several years.

ELSEWHERE IS A FERTILE GROUND

She gathers ideas during her yearly trips abroad. Although she is in constant communication with her office, the distance provides a healthy perspective and results in greater depth in projects and a sure way to take them where she hasn’t gone before. The art history classes she took at UQÀM allow her to see the world in a different light, much to the delight of her clients.

“It's great to create, but content needs support. The rich and diverse history is our driving force. It enables us to make connections, transpose elements into our projects and methodology, in an obviously contemporary way. I find in the spaces we design and in the forms, light, and colors, impressions of travel, of places.”

PACKED WITH INSPIRATION

“My clients are discerning and well-informed. They firmly believe in their project and entrust us with their confidence. Witnessing their profound dedication to their ideas only amplifies my appreciation for it all! As I prepare for a trip, many eagerly await my return, curious about the treasures I may unveil from my suitcase.”

Born in 1981 in Vaudreuil-Dorion, in a working-class family, 42-year-old Katerine Daoust, the eldest, has a 38-year-old sister who works in a food cooperative and a 40-year-old brother who is a heavy machinery operator. Their parents worked hard to provide for their children's needs. “My parents always encouraged me to nurture my passion for creation. They were hardworking and served as a model of perseverance for me.”

THE ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT

Embodying the family values instilled in her and daring to pursue her dream, she enrolled in interior design at LaSalle College in 2001 without telling her parents. Faced with the reality and unable to afford her tuition, they took care of her supplies, books, and transportation.

“Years had passed since I earned my college degree, and at the age of 38, my parents surprised me with a modest one-thousand-dollar check, symbolizing their support in my education. This gesture holds immense significance for me, and I am profoundly grateful.”

PHOTO TAKEN DURING A TRIP TO MOROCCO.

Katerine Daoust Founder | Senior Designer Daoust Design daoustdesign.ca

TRAVELING INTERIORS

BY Nathalie Roy

A FISH IN WATER

She feels right at home in design. The courses are not too technical for her, who, in her opinion, is not at the top of the class. However, that doesn't prevent her from receiving an award for excellence at the end of her studies.

A STUDENT JOB

To pay for her courses, she works at a hardware store and then at Benjamin Moore. This work experience proves to be a strategic professional stepping stone. Already, she is developing a bold personal brand.

“What I loved about Benjamin Moore was their in-home service. We would visit clients to choose colors and plan their renovations to enhance their living spaces. It was the same at the hardware store. I made a name for myself during those university years, which allowed me to start quickly thereafter.”

STARTING A BUSINESS

She launches CK Design in 2003 with a colleague from Benjamin Moore who has become a close friend, but they quickly realize that their management styles are incompatible. Katerine Daoust then reestablishes the company, which becomes Daoust Design in 2005.

“I have been setting goals for myself for 20 years, learning from my strengths and weaknesses. I know how to surround myself with the right people, which allows me to spend time with the people I love (family and loved ones) and also reserve some time for myself.”

A QUIET REVOLUTION

The company is presently collaborating with a partner to craft an inn in the Eastern Townships. This opulent boutique hotel, Daoust-style, promises an exquisite blend of grace and fluidity. Its design emanates the audacity and resourcefulness of its creators while distinguishing itself through its functional allure, elegance, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

SHARING AND TRANSMISSION

Also a mentor in her own way, Katerine is very generous with her time at the office. She enjoys sharing her knowledge and leveraging her experience for the benefit of all. In 2016, she also taught a course (Interior Design IV) at Inter-Dec College. Many of her students continue to follow her, and she also keeps track of their progress. "I loved the experience and greatly enjoyed working with these young individuals. Among them, many are now thriving in the field of interior design. It's truly rewarding."

PROJET BLU / EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR DESIGN CREATED BY DAOUST DESIGN

IN PURSUIT OF TIME...

Lately, her time devoted to creation has only represented five percent of her daily to-do list and she intends to remedy this by seeking council on administrative topics and devoting more time to projects and creation. In the past five or six years, she has established a strong alliance with Pierre Leroux, a mentor who previously held the position of Executive Vice President of Human Resources and Corporate Affairs at Saputo. She frequently consults him for advice on various aspects, including guidance on different paths and opportunities for personal development.

“Pierre helps me channel my energy in the right places. Balance, for me, means being flexible in the face of unexpected situations, having realistic expectations, and making the most of the present moment. In fact, I prefer listening to people talk about their projects and dreams rather than being occupied with human resources management and accounting.”

THE CRAFTSMANSHIP MINDSET

Katerine Daoust asserts that she is not a designer but a craftswoman. She has worked on stained glass projects with her father. The approach of someone who creates with their own hands is what she finds truly authentic. She aims to let the materials and natural elements speak for themselves; terracotta, natural stone, and wood. She has collaborated with ceramicist Pascale Girardin to design special serving plates for the office, and she regularly incorporates her own creations into her work. She still vividly remembers their first meeting, deeply impressed by the exceptional quality of her craftsmanship.

“I first met Pascale Girardin during my studies when she was just starting out. I had created a model, and she had made colorful ceramic tiles. She has grown without ever compromising the quality of her work! I visited her studio before leaving for Morocco. Her work is always inspiring, always accessible, and yet so unique.”

THE DAOUST BRAND

Each year, they embark on a different project by partnering with local

PROJET BLU / EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR DESIGN CREATED BY DAOUST DESIGN

DINNERWARE SET CREATED BY CERAMICIST PASCALE GIRARDIN

© Stephany Hildebrand

artisanal companies. These collaborations allow for the production of various products such as cookies, chocolates, and even honey, which are then offered as Christmas gifts to clients.

THE DISCIPLINE OF AN IRON LADY

For Katerine Daoust, everything becomes a goal that she calmly achieves, despite the wave of personal and professional activities. So it's no wonder that she took up running at the invitation of her brother, who has already completed six triathlons. She managed to complete a half-triathlon as part of a relay team, including running, swimming, and cycling. Last year, she also ran a half-marathon of 21 km with a friend.

“Just back from Morocco, jet lagged, I went for a short 10 km run. I run everywhere and whenever I have time and desire. I love to put on the shoes and, go!… especially when traveling. Running clears my head and allows me to deal with the daily grind. It’s a way for me to surpass myself!”

EASE THE SAIL!

As an enthusiast of water skiing, Katerine Daoust took on a new challenge last summer and, alongside her partner, completed two levels of sailing courses on a Laser 1 sailboat. This type of vessel is known for being challenging to handle, but it is also ideal for learning to sail because any mistakes have immediate consequences!

“The falls are tough! This summer, we plan to advance to level three, as the goal is to practice and have a sailboat. I love the water, and being close to the water is essential to me.”

STATIONERY LOVER!

In love with books, the scent of paper is her passion. Katerine Daoust accumulates stacks of paper, cardboard, and a variety of drawing and watercolor pencils on her workspace. Even if she doesn't have time to use them at the moment, she can never have enough.

BROMONT / INTERIOR CREATED BY DAOUST DESIGN.

“As soon as I smell paper, cardboard, and the tip of a pencil, like in the Nota Bene store, I can linger there for a long time. I am in love with papers and I collect them. Maybe one day, I will be able to try out all the mediums.”

“It's funny... the house I live in used to belong to the display decorator at Eaton on Sainte-Catherine Street. My office (the Gentle House) used to belong to the painter Georges Boka. Often, when I rent apartments abroad, they are places previously inhabited by architects or artists. Always places where a lot of creativity takes place.”

LE QUAI / INTERIOR BY DAOUST DESIGN

Bertrand Derome

What do the roles and responsibilities of Bertrand Derome, General Director of the World Design Organization, look like and entail? A picture is worth a thousand words...

THE EARTH TREMBLES

In response to the earthquakes that struck Turkey last February, and prior to visiting in person, he convened an online meeting with some eighteen Turkish members from educational institutions, professional associations, and industry.

AWAKENING THE RENEWAL

The observation? Certain companies are ready to contribute to the production of makeshift housing for the disaster-stricken and, in the long term, in the reconstruction of the 10 devastated cities, affecting over 10 million people. These are significant challenges, according to Bertrand Derome, “ensuring the return of the skilled individuals and craftsmen who were forced to leave their region, and for the cities, to regain their former vitality.”

INVOLVING THE NEXT GENERATION

“The Turkish Industrial Designers Association invited us to hold a board meeting at their premises and to take part in workshops. This led to the joint launch of a design challenge between Turkish and Canadian universities. The meetings will take place on our virtual platforms this summer. We will accompany the participants and provide them with experts, including a manager from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.”

HIS ORIGINS

Born in Montreal in 1974, Bertrand Derome grew up alongside his elder sister. From an early age, they learned the importance of making choices, questioning themselves, and honed the art of debate by engaging with their father, a scientist and meteorologist, and their mother, trained in psychosociology and criminology.

HIS

BEST YEARS

After a collegiate journey that spanned from the sciences to the arts, passing through the humanities, the future graduate of the Université de Montréal (UdeM) chose the field of industrial design. Creating at will, these were his best years.

DARE DARE

As a study project, he created an integrated pedal recycling system designed for the kitchen, called Tri-cycles (1997-1998). In a project to design and build a chess board game, going against the grain of the other students in the group, he enjoys emphasizing the social aspect of the game by developing new rules rather than designing the pieces.

A LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

“A defining moment for me was when my godmother returned from Italy with Il Conico by Alessi (1979), a stainless steel kettle with a cylindrical shape at the base, featuring a sleek and efficient design. Its round and wide base effectively captures all the heat from the heating element and, due to its shape, concentrates it above. It's a superb object designed by architect Aldo Rossi. At that moment, it became clear to me that one day I would create a product like that.”

IN EXPLORATORY MODE

Pursuing his own projects, he joined the engineering firm STO, where he headed the design department from 2000 to 2004. Then, at Artopex, at a time when sustainable procurement policies were emerging in the furniture industry, he benefited from the opportunity to immerse himself in research and analysis of product life cycles and their impact on the environment.

“I love this image from philosopher Michel Serres, who sees humanity as a vast canvas where each individual contributes to building or destroying links. I appreciate the perspective of constructing what will serve others tomorrow.”

IL CONICO / KETTLE DESIGN BY ALDO ROSSI

© Alessi

INDUSTRIAL DESIGN, EVERYWHERE & ALWAYS

BY Nathalie Roy

Bertrand Derome General Manager World Design Organization (WDO) wdo.org

A BATTLE HORSE

Bertrand Derome has made eco-design his battle horse. He became involved with O2, an international network of designers interested in sustainable development issues, which had a branch in Montreal. Through his contacts, he joined the Product Development Institute (IDP) in 2006 as an eco-design advisor. His role involved meeting with company executives to conduct assessments and propose responsible innovation strategies. The team in Montreal, initially consisting of seven people, quickly grew with support from the Ministry of Economy, Innovation, and Energy. They developed training programs, some of which were sponsored by companies like RONA. From 2011 to 2019, he served as the Director-General of the Institute.

“It was like retiring (for the first time...), because being a consultant at IDP was no longer a job, it meant being paid to do what I was passionate about: helping companies evolve. But when I took over as general manager of IDP, I thought I'd be able to bring the whole organization around to sustainable development. But that was not to be.”

A WORLD OF DISCOVERIES

In his free time or in his professional capacity, exploration is a leisure activity for Bertrand Derome. It is also an opportunity for him to listen and understand the unique realities of different cultures. In collaboration with UNIDO, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, he explores how artisan communities can develop their brands, export them, while preserving their ancestral knowledge. His current organization, WDO, and UNIDO have a long history of collaboration, jointly organizing the first UN conference on design and signing the Ahmedabad Declaration on development through design in 1979. This strengthened collaboration has led him to pursue international development projects that he has dreamed of launching for a long time.

“When asked where I would like to return, I say it's wherever I haven't been yet. I love discovering new things; I'm a documentary geek.”

PASSION-TRANSFORMATION-IMPROVEMENT

After remaking the world during his studies and tasting creation in complete freedom, he was confronted with the day-to-day reality of a design studio during an internship in Milan in 1998. Focusing solely on the aesthetic dimension of the product weighed heavily on his mind, as he passionately sought greater depth in his creative gesture. A sentiment, he believes, shared by many industrial designers.

BUYING IS VOTING

“What gets me out of bed in the morning is the feeling that we can bring about transformations by being engaged in addressing issues. The book 'Acheter, c'est voter' by Laure Waridel crystallized what I was doing: boycotting or favoring brands based on my values. This conviction could have led me towards more activist NGOs. However, I felt that I could have more influence through design by working with the industry rather than against it. Many choose industrial design because we are not satisfied with the status quo. In our practice, we can provide alternatives that are as appealing as they are culturally acceptable and desirable. Industrial designers must now embrace this mission.”

“One of the pillars of sustainable development that is not discussed enough, as I have observed after working for too long on the technical aspects of sustainable development, is the cultural pillar.”

“Wanting to satisfy the user to such an extent can have an impact on the environment and society. It is necessary to strike a balance.”

WARKA WATER RECEIVED THE WORLD DESIGN IMPACT PRIZE AND IS AN ALTERNATIVE WATER SOURCE DESIGNED TO SERVE RURAL POPULATIONS LOCATED IN ISOLATED REGIONS WHERE CONVENTIONAL PIPELINES AND INFRASTRUCTURES WILL NEVER REACH AND WHERE WATER IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM WELLS.

A PARALLEL UNIVERSE

What could be better, between two ZOOM meetings, than to loosen the mind and fingers on the bass or double bass, “the bass providing the link between rhythm and melody,” he says, “keeping the musicians firmly anchored.”

“I play jazz. With my friends, it's rock. When I was in Cégep, some friends approached me about forming a band. I had the intuition that bass was what I needed. Three months later, we did our first show at the end of the school year at Collège Stanislas.”

VALUES TRANSMISSION

Family life is already busy in the company of his teenagers: a 16-year-old “young man” who is 6'3" tall and a 19-year-old daughter. He is happy to have joined WDO in 2019, with its headquarters located in Montreal - his second retirement - at a time when his children were more independent and their mother was flexible with arrangements due to his monthly field and international travel.

“It's funny, I don't seem to have pushed the kids too hard, but my son is enrolled in Cégep in industrial design and my daughter is contemplating two possible university admissions: psychology and art.”

FROM ICSID TO WDO

The International Council for Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID) was founded in 1957 by national professional associations and design promotion organizations from around the world, including the Association of Industrial Designers of Canada (ACID). Over time, design schools have joined the organization, as have members of industry and, more recently, cities, a level of government that

can exert great influence on quality of life and sustainable development. At the same time, the scope of industrial design has broadened considerably, prompting the association to revise its name to reflect the practice and its community.

“The term 'industrial' was removed from the organization's name to make it inclusive and remain relevant. The user-centered practice and process taught in industrial design not only focus on product design but also extend to services, systems, experiences, and even public policies.”

THE STORY OF AN ORGANIZATION

In the summer of 2022, accompanied by two members of the WDO Board of Directors, Bertrand Derome travels to Brighton, Great Britain, to consult the WDO archives.

They explore, among other things, who the founding members of the organization are and the contrasting visions of design, between those who advocate for the designation of “industrial aesthetics” and those who argue for the term “design,” derived from designo, which encompasses both drawing and project, inten-

WDC CAPE TOWN - CITY HALL

tion and purpose. Today, we know which current has made its mark, and with the current evolution of design practice, the relevance of this choice is greater than ever.

The archives also reveal how the desire to improve the world we live in, to tackle social, cultural and environmental issues, has always been part of designers' DNA. Long before the term sustainable development emerged, the organization was setting up Interdesigns, two-week design charrettes during which designers from all over the world join forces to tackle local issues. Since 1971, over 40 such projects have developed innovative solutions to issues ranging from bread production and distribution in the former USSR to small community living and housing in Canada.

Passionate about international development since his childhood, Bertrand is proud to be able to contribute to the development of programs that have the potential to directly impact the quality of life in communities. As the pandemic hit hard, the WDO team

launched a series of Design Challenges to engage the design community in pressing issues. The first one, in partnership with IBM and Designers For America, attracted 5,500 designers who wanted to participate, with over 300 being part of the working teams that would develop concepts to better manage the pandemic (communication campaigns, protective equipment, assistance applications for vulnerable individuals), all made available for free. Another Design Challenge was implemented to assist UN Women in Southeast Asia in developing programs aimed at changing behaviors leading to violence against women, an area where design is not always expected but makes perfect sense.

The latest of WDO's impact initiatives, to which Bertrand is proud to contribute, is called World Design Protopolis. This program, which emerges from WDO's biennial World Design Capitals program, will be awarded to Bangalore. This emerging city, whose population is growing much faster than its infrastructure can support, wants to use design to enhance its ability to meet the needs of its population, whether in terms of water access and management, mobility, housing or waste management. The 5-year project will involve not only the local and international design community, but also all the stakeholders who can benefit from working together, in a structured design process and with the support of public decision-makers for the implementation of projects.

WDO is a non-governmental organization that has consultative status with the United Nations and its agencies on design matters. It brings together over 190 member organizations in 2023, representing more than 400,000 designers worldwide. Its community enables it to implement a wide range of programs, including the biennial designation of World Design Capital, World Design Talks, Interdesigns (including those organized in Canada in 1974 and 2007), and numerous other regional and international initiatives.

Bertrand Derome, General Manager and member of the Executive Committee, is responsible for directing and managing the Secretariat, and for liaising with the Board of Directors. He oversees the various projects in the Board members' portfolio.

WDC 2022 PAVILION, VALENCIA WORLD DESIGN CAPITAL

INTERDESIGN CANADA, 1974

TROPICAL PLANT WHOLESALER P R E S E R V E D M O S S W A L L S

INTERIOR LANDSCAPING LIVING GREEN WALLS SHOWROOM AND GREENHOUSES LIVE AND ARTIFICIAL PLANTS POTS AND ACCESSORIES HOLIDAY DECOR CONSULTATION DESIGN INSTALLATION RENTALS PLANT MAINTENANCE SERVICES

Preserved moss walls

INTRODUCING AN Address

THAT SAYS MORE ABOUT YOU THAN YOU EVER COULD

Upscale Condominiums in the Golden Square Mile starting from the $400’s

Discover an address unlike any other. Located in the heart of the Golden Square Mile, Le Sherbrooke effortlessly blends rich heritage with modern elegance, delivering luxury living at its nest. Rising 25-storeys set back from a 4-storey gatehouse, arrive home in exquisite style with valet service through a private courtyard. Once inside embrace an elevated level of living with exceptional amenities and spacious suites adorned in luxurious features and nishes designed to a ne art.

DANIEL GERmANI

Architect & Designer

Daniel Germani Design danielgermani.com

BY Juli Pisano

EMPATHY IS A DESIGNER’S BEST TOOL

From Argentina to Arizona, Daniel grew to become an architecture graduate, a design firm founder and a spirit hungry for creation as a way to live and breathe. Daniel Germani is a man of a million passions, an open book that hides an enthralling story.

We met the charismatic, curious and candid creator at Cosentino’s recent collection launch designed by Germani himself. Meet the man that does it all… from custom modern furniture to interior design and architectural renovation.

HONEST & INSPIRING

“Good design should always be honest and inspiring,” says the founder of Daniel Germani Designs, with offices located in Phoenix, Arizona. The office’s practice, aesthetics and renowned works are heavily influenced by the principles of Bauhaus, Mies van der Rohe, Le Corbusier and architects and designers such as Oscar Niemeyer and Frank Lloyd Wright.

TO EACH AND EVERY PERSON, THEIR OWN STORY

“Empathy is one of the most powerful tools we all have at our disposal. I never hold back on asking questions to clients or collaborators and on taking the essential time to listen to their own stories.”

THE STORY BEGINS

Daniel’s life story begins in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where he attended a Catholic school for the first twelve years of his academia. “Ironically, my parents were not hardcore religious believers, but they believed in the quality of education the institution fostered.”

“I’ve always felt somewhat marginalized growing up, yet did not let that stop me from being crazy curious! Having a healthy dose of ADD also created detours and distractions… I could be searching online for restaurants and end up spending an hour researching for chairs instead!” Ahhh… but isn’t that part of the magic? Part of the creative process in itself? We dare to say YES!

THE BEAUTY WITHIN

Daniel’s mom was a museum director for many years. Daniel’s father knew to appreciate the beauty and luxury of things in life. “It was an environment that certainly developed my taste for design and architecture.” When Daniel turned 7, the Germani family moved to Milan to accommodate the father’s year-long working mandate, exposing, once again, his offspring to beauty.

EURO TRIP

After earning his architecture degree in his home country of Argentina in 1998, Daniel spent eight years in Europe working in various creative and entrepreneurial endeavors. “In Italy, I found myself. I discovered and experienced Italian design, food and culture first-hand. For once, I was free to be me and I was soaking it all up!”

BACK HOME

After spending eight years successfully collaborating with other creatives in Europe and operating out of Rome and Madrid, Daniel moved back home to Argentina where he spent two years working. “I felt I needed to brush up and spruce up my business management skills to grow in my career so I enrolled at The American Graduate School of International Management in Thunderbird to pursue an MBA in Phoenix, Arizona.”

RISING LIKE A PHOENIX

“The MBA opened my mind to new knowledge and skill sets. And Arizona felt like the perfect setting to open a great architecture and design studio.” That being said, to work as an architect in the States, Daniel would have had to spend another two years in classrooms. “I had already given eight years to the academia so I chose to lean towards industrial and interior design instead.”

FROM ONE TO ELEVEN

The United States felt like home to Daniel, and so, he slowly started to design furniture pieces. “A client expressed interest in a furniture piece he had seen at a dealer I was selling through and contacted me to custom design the furniture of an upcoming restaurant.” That adventure led to designing another ten restaurants with the same owners.

WORLD-TRAVELER

Daniel Germani Designs was born. Although the studio is based in the United States, Daniel is constantly traveling to partner with companies around the world. It is this middle ground between different cultures that has earned the firm its worldwide recognition.

HOMES & OFFICES

While in Rome, Daniel’s offices were in the heart of Rome, in Piazza Venezia. Now in Phoenix, Daniel chooses to work mostly from home, coordinating a team both set in Phoenix and Milan. “The pandemic has completely changed the way we work and I think I found my fit in this new format. Technologies now offer the possibility to collaborate with talents anywhere, anytime. It’s such a fun way to work!”

PIETRA KODE DESIGNED BY DANIEL GERMANI FOR DEKTON / COSENTINO

PIETRA KODE DESIGNED BY DANIEL GERMANI FOR DEKTON / COSENTINO

CHECK-IN / CHECKOUT

Constantly traveling to and from Europe, Daniel has made a home away from home in cities such as Madrid, Venice and Milan in a most peculiar way. “I always stay in the same room at the same hotels in these cities.” In Milan, home is the Palazzo Parigi. In Venice, The Gritti Palace. “These places become a home away from home for me. The whole staff feels like family making my stay such an enjoyable one.”

DINE & DRINK

A man of good taste and well-installed habits surely has a few fine tables to recommend, right? He does! “La libera and Le Specialitá in Milan, la Aciughetta and Bar Longhi in Venice, da Nino, Dal Bolognese and the terrace at Hotel de Russie in Rome” Magnifico!

PIETRA KODE DESIGNED BY DANIEL GERMANI FOR DEKTON / COSENTINO

LIVING THE LIFE

One thing’s crystal clear: Daniel is living his best life, choosing whom to work with and what projects to see through. And so, his firm collaborates with leading global brands around the world.

BEST OF YEAR

As a matter of fact, ASA-D2, an outdoor kitchen designed in partnership with Dekton® by Cosentino and Brown Jordan Outdoor Kitchens, has earned top industry accolades such as the Interior Design 2017 Best of Year (BOY) Award for Outdoor Furniture and was a finalist in the 2017 NYCxDesign Awards, among others.

A FUN RIDE

The collaboration with Cosentino serves as a great example of how Germani approaches life and work. He has created numerous pieces and collections for Consentino for almost a decade now, including the latest Dekton collection: Pietra Kode, the third collaborative collection launched by the leading brand. (See photos on previous pages.)

A SIMPLE HANDSHAKE

“Cosentino is family. The family-run company leads the industry in a beautiful way, truly ecologically responsible and socially involved. It’s an honor to keep growing and learning with the very best in the segment.”

ORIGEN DESIGNED BY DANIEL GERMANI FOR MEMO

ESSENZA DESIGNED BY DANIEL GERMANI FOR RIVA 1920

SOLANAS DESIGNED BY DANIEL GERMANI FOR GANDIA BLASCO

WHAT’S LUCK GOT TO DO WITH IT

“When people tell me: oh, you’re so lucky… I just feel like firing back: F_ _ _ you! I’ve earned and worked my booty off for what I’ve accomplished and I would not have it any other way!”

THE SUM OF IT ALL

“I simply could not imagine living my life otherwise!” Much like Ettore Sottsass, Daniel will design until the day he dies. And that brings a smile to his face, as he adds: “None of it would be possible without the loving support of my husband who holds the fort while I’m away.”

To learn more about the fierce and friendly creator, listen to the Clever podcast on Design/Milk. https://design-milk.com/listen-to-episode-35-of-clever-daniel-germani/

DANIEL GERMANI TEACHING A CLASS AT THE INSTITUTO EUROPEO DEL DESIGN (IED)

ASA-D2, AN OUTDOOR KITCHEN DESIGNED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH DEKTON® BY COSENTINO AND BROWN JORDAN OUTDOOR KITCHENS

TO DREAM NEW DREAMS

by Madeleine Champagne

IInternational superstar designer and artist Jaime Hayon’s Spanish heritage and whimsical sense of humor follow through in everything he creates. I had the unique opportunity to meet up with him in the city he calls home, during the Feria Habitat Valencia, last fall.

Jaime Hayón

Artist & Designer Hayon Studio hayonstudio.com

SEPTEMBER 2022

Lucky me! Invited at the Center Del Carme Cultura in Valencia which hosted until April 2023 a retrospective of Jaime Hayon’s work.

FROM MADRID TO VALENCIA

Born in Madrid, Jaime Hayon has been living the dream in Valencia for several years now.As we all know, he plays with materials and textures when creating his pieces, mixing industrial design with craftsmanship brilliantly. A visionary. And just like Picasso, everything he touches displays a beyond-boundary aesthetic dimension.

THE AURA OF A ROCK STAR

Jaime walks in. Displaying sparkling eyes and a bright smile, he is quickly surrounded by young fans, aesthetes, connoisseurs and designers… the atmosphere is feverish, a rock star is among us!

Let’s be crystal clear. He is one of the great global influences of current design and, he has earned and forged his place at the top. Period.

-

Pablo Picasso

"Everything you can imagine is real".

BOARD ON WHEELS!

“At a very young age, I already knew I was into creativity. I discovered skateboarding, a discipline through which my personal style has defined itself.” An aesthetic often described as relaxed and carefree, full of curves and leaps!

LET’S SPRAY-PAINT THE CITY

In his teen years, Jaime also flirting around with graffiti art, attracted to street culture and urbanity. All the while, he was drawing a lot, drawing everywhere… at home or on friends’ tables even.

THE TRACES OF THE PAST

Traces of his vibrant and intrepid youth can be seen and felt in his work. Many pieces retain the characteristics of graffiti painting, enhanced with odd shapes and bold textures.

He adds: “I was 16 when I first realized that drawing things could actually be a job. I immediately felt drawn to making exploring the idea tool to express creativity and make things.”

THE FORUM / THE HYUNDAI DAEGU

WORLD TRAVELER

“Traveling has always been a great source of inspiration for me. Discovering new cultures that approach things differently, trying new flavors and seeing other colors are things that greatly nourish my work.”

“I’ve always traveled a lot and been interested in worlds forgotten and folklore culture… I’m quite fascinated by these worlds where the imagination reigns. I have always been.”

PASSING THROUGH PASADENA

An eloquent example to prove his point? His vocation to become a designer became clearer when, very young, he undertook a long stay in the United States to study. He met a bunch of upcoming designers at the California University of Pasadena. These designers inspired him on contemporary, even futuristic design, with the use of 3D technology.

DESIGNING WITH JOY

Jaime clarifies: “People insist on borders and definitions, but in my case, they are absurd. My work is nourished by crossing these worlds in complete freedom.” All this, of course, without ever forgetting his Hispanic roots and the admiration he holds for the greatness of Spanish artists such as Gaudi and Dali.

FREEDOM OF CREATION

“It doesn’t matter if I were a painter, a sculptor, a sofa designer, an installation creator, the freedom of creation is the part that interests me the most in the process as a whole. To use what I’ve learned from one design and explore how to adapt it to the next… this creates new challenges that keep me alert and alive.”

EVERYDAY CREATIVITY

“I have always been very active. Naturally restless! I like to skate with my kids, play ball, have fun. Moving around, staying busy.”

“I feel good in Valencia. I felt the Mediterranean calling while visiting the city with a porcelain partner years back and simply fell in love with the seaside city vibe.”

A BACKPACK AND A BIKE

“Unless I need to research materials, I never head over to the office. I let my team take care of business developing and monitoring our projects. Instead, I straddle a backpack, hop on my bike and venture out to various cafes. Every day is a new creative adventure.”

© Cristina Vaquero

"It doesn’t matter if I were a painter, a sculptor, a sofa designer, an installation creator, the freedom of creation is the part that interests me the most in the process as a whole."

ART’OTEL BATTERSEA, LONDRES

FLEE FROM SILENCE

“I run from any and all forms of silence bubbles. I need noise to function! A television left playing, people talking, laughter, music… the sounds of life.”

A BRIGHT FUTURE

Jaime goes on to talk about a most recent project, the Art’otel Battersea, which opened its doors to immersive interiors he created by mixing design and art and blurring the boundaries between art, product and design. It’s o-so-chic that a "visionary" could bring his artistic vision and flair to London.

A LOVELY DETAIL

Notice the check-in counter at the Art’otel Battersea in London. Covered in mirrors, it features a curvy design lacquered in light teal blue and topped with lamps made in Venice. The designer explains the design choice as follows. “It’s no kept secret… checking in is the most boring part of a traveling visitor’s experience. This design was my way to give a little love to guests arriving at the hotel.”

THE TOURNAMENT

THE FORUM / THE HYUNDAI DAEGU

WHAT’S TO COME

“We are working on a new project in Korea, sure to be a very inspiring space. It’s actually currently teaching me what I have not yet imagined. I have no fixed expectations. What I love the most is when a challenge surprises me and stimulates me to dream new dreams…”

P.S.: This is an order by South Korea’s leading department store chain, Hyundai Department Store. The goal? To design a forum space for BCBG millennials… a 4,500 square meter cultural space hosting a coffee shop, an atrium and a sculpture park to host both indoor shows and street performances!

A FINAL PRAISE

Divine, magician, oracle, prophet those of the words that spring to mind in describing the incredibly dynamic and oh-so-friendly creator, Jaime, standing before me.

Trevor Kruse

A

A NEW ROLE

It was a first when the IDC (Interior Designers of Canada) entrusted its destiny to a qualified interior designer. Trevor Kruse, the association's new CEO, is currently defining the ins and outs of his new title. And yet, he is already bringing to the table the benefit of his unifying overall vision, his humor, and his optimism - a mari usque ad mare - along with 30 years of volunteer experience for the profession in Canada.

A UNIQUE APPROACH

“I am just a kid that they let into the room. There is no pretense when I'm sitting at a board table. I don't become more corporate or more by the book. I still want people to have a good time. If I'm being a clown and it works to the benefit of the conversation... People invite me back.”

Still, his feet are firmly anchored to the ground. His modus operandi goes as follows: recognize the problem, define it, and try to solve it. Trevor Kruse ensures that all the elements of an ecosystem point in the same direction, because, as he says, “from a clear direction comes a clear result.”

LONG STORY SHORT

Launching his interior design career in 1986, founding Hudson Kruse in 1999, and retiring from his successful practice in 2020, Trevor Kruse developed expertise in volunteering with numerous provincial and national associations, including ARIDO (for some 21 years as director, president and finally as a permanent non-voting member.) Familiar with the workings of committees, his attentiveness, and his ability to

fter thirty-five years of experience in the field, designer Trevor Kruse was appointed as the Chief Executive Officer and manager of IDC in June 2020. Enjoying his role as a “whisperer“ to the board of directors, he oversees the association known to seek the shared interests of interior designers in Canada.get any meeting out of a dead end have earned him the nickname of “board whisperer.”

PRAGMATISM VERSUS IDEOLOGY

“Ideology is to have a preconceived outcome. A pragmatist goes into any conversation or project with no preconceived outcome. A pragmatist will listen patiently, digest and develop a solution. I think this is why I’m invited to sit in meetings I don’t have a vote in. I can see what’s going on, fine-tune the conversations that are taking place and shape them into a great outcome.”

A WORD ABOUT IDC

Founded in Toronto in 1972, the national association of Interior Designers of Canada defends the interests of the industry professionals. It also sees to the integrity and excellence of over 5,000 professionals, which includes interior designers, as well as product suppliers and manufacturers.

HIS LEADERSHIP

“My goals in this position are to ultimately finish the project started in 2010 affecting the restructuring of provincial associations across the country, analyze expenditures of the association to make sure expenses are benefiting the members. Under my leadership, the membership has increased following the decision to make membership complimentary for students, educators, as well as retired interior designers who have an awful lot to provide as far as legacy.”

BY Nathalie Roy

CEO Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) idcanada.org

Toronto, Canada

HIS MENTORSHIP

All the while, Trevor Kruse continues to be involved as a mentor with graduates and students at major design schools. As an invited conference speaker, he argues the value of participation to improve the profession and enrich experiences. After all, volunteering is not only about giving, but also about receiving…

HIS NETWORK

“When I was on the Board of the Professional Body for Interior Design of Ontario (ARIDO), I was the only interior designer that worked in the residential field. On that board, there was a director who practiced in commercial design. She introduced me to the client who was going to be developing a residential project… I ended up doing 25 towers with this client through my career.”

STRONG-WILLED & FOCUSED

His mentor, Susan Wiggins, then Executive Director of ARIDO, and eventually CEO of IDC, encouraged Trevor to embark on a variety of enriching experiences in order not to stagnate solely in volunteering.

“I learned how to mingle, how to talk to people, how to listen, and to become a much more wellrounded person. My volunteering was not always for interior design. I was the chair of the AIDS Walk in Toronto for 11 years and raised 7 million dollars, just by volunteering to sit at a table with people interested in making the world a better place.”

A BIT OF MADNESS

Set in Guatemala City and created 25 years ago, the crazy project of the Apollo Bowl illustrates a journey of the “without-risk-impossible-to-achieve-something-great“ kind. Despite Trevor not speaking Spanish and the architect not being fluent in English, the designer managed to communicate with his interlocutor to develop a brilliant one-of-a-kind bowling alley.

“The architect acted as if we were negotiating. He would do a sketch on a piece of paper and slide it across the table. I would look at it, make changes, and slide it back. This push and pull became our language. On the second day, they gave me a driver and we drove around the city. Whenever I saw something that looked futuristic, we would stop the car, I'd get out and point at it. The driver would think for a minute and then figure out where we could locate the material. The lesson here is that even if it seems that there is no appropriate solution, if you look hard enough, you can always find one“.

PRAIRIE-BORN & RAISED

Born in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, a city of 15,000 people in the 1960s at a time when the region was booming, Trevor Kruse was exposed to construction sites at a very young age. He liked to soak up spaces and buildings and observe how they were built. He started drafting in grade school and at the Swift Current Comprehensive High School, an amazing school that offered many three-year trade programs for high school students who may not necessarily go to college or university, he began to study architecture and interior design.

A YOUNG PRODIGAL

“I did two years of interior design and architecture, so this was really going to be my path. I studied architectural technology where we had machines that would break apart the concrete we had made, and we had to calculate the breaking point. In grade 9 or 10, my parents were going to build a new house, and I ended up doing all the working drawings as a young man of 15 years old! I worked with my father, the builder, and the engineer. I went to the job site every day and learned what problems were and how they had to be worked out, solved, and resolved. This experience was seminal in fine-tuning my goals of where I wanted to be.”

“There isn't a balance. The key is work/ life integration, and if I can have my personal life and my professional life intersect and overlap all day and every day, it actually makes my life easier and even better,“ he tells us about the eternal search for balance in life.

TREVOR KRUSE IN DUBAI FOR A FEDERAL TRADE MISSION WITH A GROUP OF 16 DESIGNERS, SITTING DOWN TO REST FROM THE EXTREME HEAT

A PASSION

Designing to improve people’s lives is a passion that follows Trevor even on vacation, surrounded by thirty-two of his loving family members. While others are relaxing on the beach, Trevor is having fun making layouts, sketches, and plans for a commissioned residential tower interior design. So why work on vacation? Because for him, and I quote, “It’s like doing a crossword.”

“As strange as it seems, my hobby is space planning. Even though I have retired from design I have this almost addiction to all kinds of television shows related to design. I’m particularly into an Australian show called The Block, a competition between couples to rebuild, renovate derelict homes into multimillion-dollar houses. I’m frequently yelling at the TV set because they’re doing it all wrong! So, I go online to find the original floor plans and redesign them just for my own pleasure. I get so much joy from it!“

AN EPIPHANY!

On a trip to Italy with nine of his fellow students from TMU (Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly Ryerson University), a young Trevor is flabbergasted. Strolling in Rome among the ruins, he realizes that what he knows of history has nothing to do with the two thousand years of art, architecture, and alphabets chiseled in stone and traces of this advanced ancient civilization.

“The history I witnessed then and there compared to the history of Saskatchewan where I grew up was night and day. I could think of where my grandparents and great-grandparents emigrated to Saskatchewan in the middle of nowhere, less than 100 years ago, and they were building huts out of sod. There was no frame of reference for my experience with history and what history actually was, and that sparked in me a desire to travel, learn, and appreciate history in a very different way because what I felt daily did not mesh with actual history!”

ARCHITECTURAL INSPIRATION

Trevor now lives in Toronto and mentions the Toronto Reference Library by architect Raymond Moriyama and the atrium of Brookfield Place designed by architect Santiago Calatrava. “Such presence, like the hull of a ship... Noah's Ark!“

LE FORUM ROMAIN, ROME

BCE PLACE ATRIUM DESIGNED BY ARCHITECT SANTIAGO CALATRAVA

THE BASIS

Integrity, ethics, honesty, sincerity and simple positive thinking are paramount personal and professional values of Trevor Kruse.

“I believe that these traits reinforce one's soul and ensure that they are not unintentionally undoing any successes or experiences they have already had. It is almost like protecting one's own legacy.”

A WELL-TEMPERED CHARACTER

From the age of 10 to 20, Trevor Kruse took up competitive figure skating. Rigorous training six days a week, with an iron will to get up at 5 a.m. every morning and participate in midday and evening skating sessions, left a lasting mark on his life and character.

“When you train as an athlete, you have such drive and focus that it teaches you to fit everything else around that focus, not to the detriment of everything, but to their benefit. I attribute the success of that to the upbringing my parents provided, allowing me the opportunity to investigate what I wanted to do, how I wanted to get involved in the world when I was an adult, and showing me all the opportunities and options I had as a child“.

FORM AND AESTHETICS

If the customer relationship comes first, a good design is a problem solved without giving the impression of a solution. To have a design look like it happened on its own reveals a certain gift, according to Trevor Kruse.

“I'm very conscious of organization, symmetry, classic straight lines. It is quite a structured solution but then as far as space planning, and a layer on top of that in aesthetics, I would say my personal style is quite eclectic. You put a gold ballroom chair with a Saarinen tulip table... life is perfect!”

EXTERIOR RENOVATION AND INTERIOR DESIGN OF A YACHT BY TREVOR KRUSE

Making Her Own Luk

BY Juli Pisano

Driven by her passion to create thoughtful and timeless designs through collaboration with clients and creatives, the founder and principal of Lukstudio Design by Christina Luk sees no mountain too high, no river too wide, and in doing so, she has made her own luck in life.

We caught up with her through the efficiency of Web tools as she sat on a balcony in Stockholm, overlooking a waterfront. Sun was up, spring nature was blooming all around, birds were chirping and she was, and I quote her, “as serene as I could ever be.”

THE FOLDED ARCADE, DESIGNED BY LUK STUDIO

THE FOLDED ARCADE, DESIGNED BY LUK STUDIO

THE ROAD TAKEN

Prior to starting her own Shanghai-based design practice, Christina Luk was trained in Toronto, at Diamond Schmitt Architects and B+H Architects. Her career started expanded and diversified when she transferred to the B+H Shanghai office. She then sharpened her skills further at world-renowned design firm Neri and Hu Design and Research Office.

BEAUTY IN COLORS

Christina has always been attracted to beauty and cherishes the memories of attending drawing classes every weekend as a young girl growing up in Hong Kong, China back in the ’80s. “When I was 6, I thought and dreamt of being a painter someday.”

CRAFTY IN THE KITCHEN

What was the last thing Christina made with her own hands, we dare to ask? “Does making yoghurt from scratch count?”, she counters back. “Otherwise, I was sketching a contemporary residence in a Stockholm suburb yesterday with pencils on a notebook. I remember more of the soothing sound the pencils made than the actual sketches I drew, really!”

DINING BETWEEN LINES / LUKSTUDIO EXPLORES THE LIGHTNESS OF THE NOODLE RACK DESIGN AT ITS FIRST SHANGHAI LOCATION

DINING BETWEEN LINES

© Dirk Weiblen

A LITTLE ABOUT HERSELF

One day in Stockholm, the other in Hong Kong where her parents live, Christina Luk enjoys life in the fast lane, with permanent offices overlooking a hectic elevated highway in downtown Shanghai. On her nightstand at home, or in hotels for that matter, lies books, earplugs and her cell phone… charging. Go figure!

What does she own in bulk? “Little black dresses, practical tote bags and flat sandals in all shades,” she answers. Speaking of shades and color palettes, Christina has an inkling for dressing up in neutral tones like white, black, navy and beige but goes for as many natural materials as possible such as wood, stone, clay, and more when making architectural and interior element choices.

STUDY WITH HONORS

The backstory goes as follows. After finishing her A-Levels in England, Christina attended an Art and Design Foundation Course at the Middlesex University. “My teacher Valerie told me that I had a talent in 3D design and encouraged me to think about space and perspective.”

JULY 1, 1997

When the handover of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to the People’s Republic of China happened on July 1, 1997, her family immigrated to Toronto, Canada, and Christina was faced with three choices in applying for university degrees.

OFFICE AROUND A TREE / A FUSION OF NATURE AND WORKSPACE / THE L-SHAPED GLAZED ADDITION BEAUTIFULLY INCORPORATES THE MAJESTIC WINTERSWEET TREE AND THE INVITING OUTDOOR COURTYARD, SEAMLESSLY BLENDING NATURE INTO THE HEART OF THE WORKING LIVES.

© Peter Dixie for Lotan Architectural Photography

OFFICE AROUND A TREE

© Peter Dixie for Lotan Architectural Photography

Behind door number 1: Fine Arts at York University. Door number 2: Interior Design at Ryerson University. And door 3: Architecture at University of Toronto. Turns out, both Architecture and Christina chose each other. Back then, even Christina didn’t know much about what she was getting into.

FIVE STARS

Practicing her craft with passion ever since, she has been blessed with the fortune of designing for new local brands who crave for bold design. Innovative projects like “the Noodle Rack” and the “Assembled Market” got Lukstudio its reputation for injecting new energy into existing typologies. These days, Christina and her talented team are also busy working with global brands such as Nikon and NIO.

CONNECTING THE DOTS

“Getting to improve the quality of a place and hopefully give the occupants a better connection with their environment, others and themselves is truly addictive. I also love how architecture gives me a context to discover the world and connect with all walks of life.”

MISTAKE-MADE PERFECTION

“I like the idea that each mistake is an opportunity to learn and improve instead of a reason to beat oneself up. The irony though is that many of the architects and designers I respect the most are often those perfectionists who seem to never be content with their project’s outcome.”

OFFICE AROUND A TREE / OFFICE IN A LI-LONG – WITHIN THE HISTORIC CHARM OF A LATE 19TH CENTURY SHANGHAI LANEHOUSE, THE PROJECT BREATHES NEW LIFE INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THE SLEEK AND MINIMALIST

ENTRANCE SEAMLESSLY BLENDS CONTEMPORARY DESIGN WITH THE ESSENCE OF TIME, ADDING A CAPTIVATING LAYER TO THIS CHERISHED ARCHITECTURAL TYPOLOGY

© Peter Dixie for Lotan Architectural Photography

LASTING QUALITY

For the past 10 years, Lukstudio Design has built up a portfolio in mostly commercial projects like stores or restaurants and is starting to have opportunities to design boutique guesthouses from ground up. It involves planning, architecture, interior design and soft furnishing specification. There are also a couple of high-end residences in the works. “It does make me happy that our team gets to work on projects that last through better quality.”

A HOLISTIC APPROACH

Lukstudio Deisgn is a multidisciplinary design studio that believes in “change in possible.” Their methodology focuses on maximizing site potentials to create human-centric experiences. Striking a delicate balance between art and functionality, refining each concept with materiality and lighting, the team intends to create maximum effect with minimum intervention.

Each project is tailored to reflect a genuine understanding of the client and brand, respond to the context of the site, draw inspiration from culture, and speak to the history of the space. The result? Designs that are meticulously sensitive and curated with innovation.

URBAN ESCAPE

“Shanghai is a very convenient city to live and work in. It’s full of opportunities, bursting with flavors and its West Bund is a Mecca of cultural venues and events. That being said, like many urbanites, I enjoy getting out of the city as much as living in it.” And so, a break, a breather, a road trip does the trick. Especially when Smile by Nat King Cole comes up on the radio!

THE INTERSTICES

© CreatAR Images

PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE SELF

When asked whom she’d like to spend a fantasy date with, Christina dares to go spiritual on us and candidly answers something profoundly beautiful in our opinion. “I would like to meet myself in past and future lives, to understand what my current life and what our universe is all about.” She goes on to cite Dr. Brian L. Weiss’ book called Many Lives, Many Master that inspired her not to take things too seriously in life. A fascinating book to add to our summer reads.

“I remind myself often that it is more important to be kind in life than to be right. I recently learned that it reads “His Work Lives” on Swedish architect Erik Gunnar Asplund’s grave. I find it quite simple and so powerful. If it could read “She has done more good than harm” on mine, I would die happy.”

THE INTERSTICES / LUKSTUDIO INTRODUCES AN ARRAY OF LIGHT ON THE WALL TO ECHO THE OVERALL SPATIAL CONCEPT – THE INTERSTICES. WITH MIRROR LINING THE ENDS OF THE ROOM, THE RHYTHMIC ORDER APPEARS TO PROGRESS INTO INFINITY

Lead design commissionner Bureau du design

Montréal, Québec

designMontréal.com

Patrick Marmen

The Bureau du design of the City of Montréal, encompassing 30 years of municipal actions in favor of design, welcomes a new leader. Patrick Marmen was appointed as the team leader of the Bureau du design of the City of Montréal on June 4, 2021, succeeding Marie-Josée Lacroix, who held this position for nearly 30 years. This appointment marks an important milestone in ensuring the continuity of efforts undertaken by the Bureau du design to promote quality in design and architecture in the city. With his expertise and commitment, Patrick Marmen is ready to take on the challenges and continue the initiatives that make Montréal a reference in urban design.

BY Madeleine Champagne

Oops! At this very moment, I see him in front of me on the screen, wearing a broad smile and a wise enthusiasm. Confidence sets in... the table is set.

MISSION

The Bureau du design, under the Service du développement économique of the City of Montréal, plays a crucial role in improving urban planning by working closely with designers and architects. Its objective is to create a city where aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability harmoniously combine.

Quality is not a luxury

Proud of its achievements, the Bureau du Design notably contributed to Montréal's prestigious designation as the 3rd UNESCO City of Design in 2006. This recognition attests to the city's commitment to design and its impact on the quality of life for its citizens.

ECOLOGY AND DESIGN

The ecological transition and the climate emergency have led to a profound reassessment of practices and models of urban planning. In this context, Montréal stands out for its bold and innovative actions, which have allowed it to maintain its status as a UNESCO City of Design.

As a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network, Montréal benefits from a unique platform to exchange and share with 43 other cities around the world. This membership is a source of enthusiasm for Patrick as it offers opportunities for learning, collaboration, and mutual inspiration.

CONCRETE ACTIONS

The Bureau du design of Montréal, led by Patrick, occupies a central position as the instigator and mandate holder of the Montréal 2030 Agenda for Quality and Exemplarity in Design and Architecture. This agenda represents a crucial lever for the success of the city's ecological and social transition by fully mobilizing designers and architects as major allies.

In collaboration with stakeholders in the sector, the Bureau du Design promotes the adoption of innovative and sustainable practices in urban planning. Its aim is to promote creativity, innovation, and project sustainability while encouraging social inclusion and citizen participation.

© Mathieur Rivard

LA TROUSSE

The Bureau du Design of Montréal carries out a range of diverse activities and produces valuable and relevant resources for the field. Among its recent initiatives, La Trousse stands out by offering digital tools for awareness and planning to managers, developers, and design and architecture professionals. The objective is to improve the quality and impact of urban projects in Montréal. Inspired by municipal policies and plans, La Trousse is constantly updated to meet the changing needs of the field.

Patrick enthusiastically recommends this resource and loves to quote the iconic phrase from La Trousse: "Quality is not a luxury." This statement reflects the commitment of the Bureau du Design to excellence and emphasizes the importance of upholding high standards in all urban projects. By promoting awareness and effective planning, La Trousse contributes to fostering a comprehensive approach focused on quality and enhancing Montréal's reputation as an exemplary city in design and architecture.

TRANSFORMATIVE POWER

Patrick's first encounter with design dates back to his time at university, where architecture had a profound impact on his life. The privilege of learning through design! Architecture opens the doors to an infinite world of possibilities.

Later, an exhibition by Gaetano Pesce ignited a passion within him and definitively introduced him to the world of design. Witnessing a chair literally come to life like a flower! Defying gravity, a disc four inches thick that, once liberated from its PVC envelope, rose from the ground to transform into a plush armchair. Aptly named “Up,” it was a significant moment.

THERE IS ALSO A HALFTONE PATRICK MARMEN.

He is not attracted to shades of gray, but he adores vibrant colors. From a young age, he was deeply influenced by Underground (1995), a film directed by Emir Kusturica. This immersion in a fantastical universe awakened in him a love for dreamlike atmospheres that continues to accompany him today.

And on weekends? He happily indulges in cooking for his children and partner. And what does he prepare? Delicious quiches... very popular ones.

HIS HOME

Thriving in Montréal, a city he considers a true hub of talent and challenges, he has no plans to settle elsewhere unless it is to return to the place where he lived as a young man: Hanoi. Famous for its centuries-old architecture and the richness of its culture, blending harmoniously the influences of Southeast Asia, China, and France, he was fascinated by the vibrant rhythm of the city and the lively atmosphere of its markets.

UP CHAIR, DESIGNED BY GAETANO PESCE / B&B ITALIA

WORKING IN A CREATIVE COMMUNITY

What can be found on his desk? Nothing, as it is now the era of shared workstations in communal spaces, known as “HOT DESKS”. These unassigned workstations offer more than just convenience and flexibility. They also foster intangible elements such as a sense of community and creativity, which contribute to the success of the offices, according to beliefs. In fact, he loves working in tandem or in groups, stimulated by the exchange of ideas, an approach to work that is encouraged by HOT DESKS!

THE BACKPACK

In his backpack, you will find the essentials for his work: a laptop, phone, pencils, tablet, and so on. He seems to say that it suits him well. But let's imagine now what would be hidden in Patrick's backpack, closer to his heart. You would find the enchanting melodies of Martha Wainwright, a multitude of mouthwatering meringues that literally melt in your mouth, and among the carefully tucked books, you would come across the latest work by Sheila Watt-Cloutier, titled "Le droit au froid: le combat d'une femme pour protéger sa culture, l'Arctique et notre planète" - a lengthy title that ignites Patrick's visionary spirit and reminds him that solutions are already in motion.

Difficult to fit a building in a backpack, but he will finally speak with passion about a building that fascinates him with its architecture and design: the Montréal Insectarium, designed in consortium by the architectural firms Kuehn Malvezzi, Pelletier De Fontenay, and Jodoin Lamarre Pratte. This architectural masterpiece almost dissolves the building itself in favor of nature and its interpretation. He will say with emotion that one remains amazed by this ingenious design, revealing the incomparable adaptations and astonishing behaviors of insects, true champions of nature.

And then, caramba, pardon me, period, there will always be some Gainsbourg - especially his Jazz period, naturally - lingering with gusto in his bag! Fair winds and following seas, Patrick Marmen!

"Patrick is a brilliant individual. He is enthusiastic and possesses an open and international vision. I couldn't hope for a better successor to take over and evolve the mission of the Bureau du design in line with current urban challenges."

MARIE-JOSÉE LACROIX

PATRICK'S WORK ENVIRONMENT IN HOT-DESKING MODE.

The Retail Knight

From Paris to New York, Toronto-based multidisciplinary designer Mardi Najafi, the VP of Retail Strategy and Design for Figure3, Canada’s leading independent design agency, has been immersed in the world of design for over 25 years. His experience bringing branded retail environments to life spans from small businesses to Fortune 500 brands such as Coca-Cola, Adidas, Virgin Mobile, Telus, Penguin Shop, and Versace.

I was fortunate to video-chat with this dark knight, dressed in all shades of black and sporting a vintage graphic tee under a wool blazer, paired with coal black jeans. A blank canvas, all in black, that lets his evident joie de vivre and rebellious, disruptive personality shine through.

A GLIMPSE AT HIS PEDIGREE

Along with his work at Figure3, Mardi is an accomplished speaker, educator, and panelist, actively committed to industry innovation and mentorship through his volunteer work with various professional design advisory committees and higher education institutions. He is currently the president of Retail Design Institute’s Canadian Chapter, the retail industry’s creative professionals collaborative community.

FRENCH & PERSIAN

Born in Tehran, the son of Persian diplomat father and Parisian mother, Mardi spent his childhood moving throughout Europe as the family was stationed in a new location every few years. After high school, he attended the Design Academy of Eindhoven, where he received his master’s degree in industrial design.

A NEED FOR SPEED

“As a teen, I had a need for speed and a hype for heights! Dirt biking, jumping off cliffs, skateboarding, you name it! But in my mind, I also nurtured a passion for creation and envisioned being either an architect… or a pilot like Le Petit Prince’s Antoine de Saint-Exupéry! Part creative, part adventurer!”

DRAW ME A SHEEP

Or a chair, a table, a lamp, for that matter! Back in 1995, Najafi’s first job as an undergrad in industrial product design was for a prominent and well-known European furniture design company. “I was privileged to get the spot

through a design competition at school. At first, it was a dream come true and I was on cloud nine. But in less than a year, I realized I would never be content to simply design furniture all my career and had to move on!”

SPOTLIGHTS & CATWALKS

After his short stint in furniture design, Najafi quickly moved on to the exciting world of exhibit and fashion runway design. “It combined a mix of everything I enjoyed the most: working with creative minds across all brands across all disciplines, encouraging deeper contemplation, and developing a journey through a new world of sensorial pleasure. And above all… it was fast paced!” This need for speed, again!

D-DAY IN PARIS

Back in the early days of his career as a junior designer at Studio 5eme in Paris, Najafi was part of an exhibit and installation design team who were given a brief to create an installation in commemoration of D-Day “Le Débarquement” in the atrium of the popular, chic, and distinguished Galeries Lafayette.

A PAYLOAD OF POPPIES

“My proposed concept was to hang a bomber plane with its back hatch open and filled with poppies – the symbol of war in France, from the World War I poem ‘In Flanders Fields’. The concept happened to coincide and be the perfect complement to the launch of Kenzo’s Poppy Bouquet Eau De Toilette.”

Mardi Najafi

BY Juli Pisano

Vice President, Retail Strategy & Design, Figure3 President, Retail Design Institute Canada Chairperson, Program Advisory Committee, Bachelor of Interior Design Program, George Brown College Member, Professional Advisory Council, Visual Merchandising Arts Program, Sheridan College

© Steve Tsai Photography

The payload of poppies would spill out of the plane and pour over the cosmetics department directly onto the Kenzo kiosk, located in the center of the atrium.” The team thought it was pure madness! And yet, Mardi found a way to pull it off, borrowing a shell of a plane from the NATO air base near Paris; a move that ultimately persuaded Kenzo (a popular luxury brand now owned by LVMH) to contribute to the program budget to realize the concept. Bravo !

THE TALK OF THE TOWN

“A moment that really stood out was when a Galeries Lafayette exec asked: ‘Will this get people talking?’ and I firmly assured him it would. Sure enough, newspaper headlines and TV segments followed.”

I can’t help but wonder… Did Mardi secretly live out his Petit Prince pilot fantasy with the concept he brought to life? I bet he did, and good for him!

FALLING INTO RETAIL

But something was missing. “The exhibit and fashion runway experience set the stage for me to move into the world of retail design. Retail provided the perfect opportunity to create permanent spaces, driven by strategy to influence consumer behaviors. This was a field of practice in which I could shape lasting memories through unique moments and unexpected details.”

E-COM TRUE

Obviously, the wild, wild west of retail design - its reach, its target audiences, its trends - has immensely changed over the course of Mardi’s 25-year experience and counting. “The pandemic forced many retailers to create an e-comm presence in order to remain relevant. Although, some predicted the downfall of bricks and mortar retail in general, we at Figure3 took it as an opportunity to innovate and rethink the role of physical space,” he states.

HUMANS SEEKING SOCIAL CONNECTION

“Retail behaviors are changing, and shoppers are no longer just consumerists; they increasingly value a more individualized experience. Understanding these motivations and behaviors, and then effectively translating them into an innovative and cohesive strategy for the physical space, helps to build a memorable and trusted brand experience.”

“Boring retail is dead,” states Najafi. “Excite your consumer with experiences that matter to them and leave a lasting impression”.

PARALLEL (FORMERLY SURTERRA WELLNESS), FLORIDA

EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCES

“Look at giants like NIKE and Adidas; these brands will choose to drop select products in specific stores to draw people into their bricks-and-mortar locations, and create an event for their customer. Lululemon hosts yoga classes before and after opening hours, as well as grandiose retreats and urban classes around the globe.” A dot.com simply can’t do that. My job, my passion, my mission is to design spaces to allow these human centric experiences to come to life.”

THE POWER OF ATTRACTION

I hear you. I see your point 100%. And yet, I can’t help but recall most of my recent post-pandemic retail experiences. There seems to be a generalized lack of staff in businesses today, not to mention a lack of competency and retention amongst staff. Here’s where a retailer’s store design can flex its power to attract and fulfill competent, loyal and happy customer-service focused employees!

THE VALUE OF OTHERS

“Apple calls its staff members ‘geniuses’! Disney calls them ‘cast members’! It’s all a question of giving value to the uniqueness of a shared social interaction and acknowledging our common and fundamental need for others.”

320 FRONT STREET, T.O.

So, how does this play out in bricks-and-mortar? Zoom in on the Penguin Random House’s playful, adaptable and oh-so Instagrammable store for literary superfans, located in the lobby of 320 Front Street in Toronto, this 158 squarefoot space proves that size really does not matter!

THE PENGUIN WAY

The objective here was to create a space that would become a brand extension and a way to develop a direct relationship with the publishing house’s consumers. “Inspired by smart storage solutions in small footprint apartments in cities such as Paris, New York and Tokyo - the result was oversized, pantry-style pull-out storage, designed to look like large-scale book spines. Additionally, there are hideaway spots for the POS and pull-out tables and stools that can be used for social events.” A true success story! Penguin Shop has won over twelve national and international awards, including the Best of Canada in 2018.

MULTI-PURPOSE ACTIVATION SPACE FOR PENGUIN SHOP HOUSE CANADA: A UNIQUE, EXPERIENTIAL SPACE IN JUST 158 SQUARE FEET, TORONTO

LIVE & BREATHE

“I live and breathe to design! One day it’s a high-end apparel store, the next, a hip cannabis dispensary… Solving problems with innovative design is as rewarding as it is intoxicating!”

420-DESIGN-FRIENDLY

Figure3 was amongst the first design firms in Canada to work in the cannabis retail sector. Parallel (formerly Surterra Wellness), a holder of one of only five medical marijuana licenses in Florida, looked to Figure3 to help understand the mindset of their shopper, and guide them through the process of entering a new and unproven landscape. With a flagship store in Tampa, successfully followed by a statewide roll-out, Parallel now operates 43 marijuana treatment centers across Florida.

HOME IS TORONTO

“I’ve lived and traveled all over the world, yet chose to make Toronto my home – it’s been 20 years, and it never gets boring. From Chinatown to Little Italy, Little India, Greektown, and Korea Town, you can experience so much culture with just a quick trip on a streetcar. Toronto is simply one of the most diverse, multicultural cities I’ve seen.”

AROUND THE WORLD, AROUND THE WORLD

You may run into Mardi if you’re vacationing in Havana, Cuba, one of his favorite destinations. “Beautiful streets and plazas, and a good cigar and aged rum, where music and a carefree lifestyle are its main attractions! What a perfect place to switch off from my hectic day-to-day life, bask in the sun or take a stroll on the white sand beaches.” A paradise, indeed!

EXOTIC NEWFIE ISLAND

When traveling in Canada, Mardi nods to the genius of Todd Saunders Fogo Island Inn, located on the rugged coast of North Fogo Island, in Newfoundland, Canada. “This luxury ultramodern hotel is perched on stilts atop jagged rocks in a beautiful and remote environment that is simply breathtaking!”

SEEKING HIGHS ONLY

Did I mention that this guy is an adrenaline junkie in every way? “When I get stuck in a creative rut I seek heights (literally) and speed to excite and ignite me!” He’s done it all… and has more than one bruise and injury to prove it. From skydiving to downhill skiing, from high-speed racing to rock cliff jumping, this crusader feels alive in the thrill of not knowing what comes next. It’s in those moments of living life at its fullest that I tend to channel my inner Batman.”

* Find out more in our complementary article, page 131.

“As designers, I feel we’re kind of like professional actors. We’re given a script, a.k.a. our client’s brief, and we run with it”!

3, 2, 1, action!

MARDI'S CHILDHOOD WITH HIS MOM AND SISTER

MARDI'S TEENAGE YEARS

MARDI NAJAFI AND TEAMMATE

MADE IN SPAIN

Vienna Collection

Paris Collection Veco45 Collection

by Juli pisano

Maude Rondeau

The Light

AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

From Monday to Friday, and until very recently even on Saturdays, Maude and her faithful canine accomplice zip over to a former Loblaws grocery store at the heart of Cowansville.

Welcome to Luminaire Authentik’s 55,000 square-foot headquarters… a gutsy move and investment made in 2019, committing 1000% to seizing the light!

TODAY’S ORDER OF BUSINESS

The same as yesterday’s! To fill a gap in the lighting apparel industry by offering a fully personalized client experience like none, a tactile and amusing road to endless possibilities.

WHAT A SUCCESSFUL BET!

The centerpiece? The main attraction? The highlight of the show? Drumroll, ladies and gents, it’s this trademark color bar… " a real adult-catered candy shop"!

The Luminaire Authentik color bar, a one-of-kind client experience like none other, allows them to touch, combine and play around with the various matters and colors at their disposal to create unique lighting fixtures entirely locally made, sourced and designed.

SATELLITES IN ORBIT

Luminaire Authentik’s unique concept of staff-less boutiques is a most innovative way to approach custom shopper experience. Essentially, satellite boutiques now in Montreal and Toronto, Laval and Quebec City, and soon to open in the Western part of Canada,

have a host employee to offer coffee and comfort but all design consultation, included in the offer, are done virtually, through the HQ design consultant team.

“Developed by necessity during the pandemic, this customer approach has proven to be more than effective. We are therefore establishing it as a pilot project in Quebec City to copy and paste in the next steps in our expansion.”

THE DNA OF AN ARTIST

Maude’s mother is an artist. She was born in this world of creation. A child born in this universe of material discoveries, games with colors and error-free trials.

“I’ve always been keen to creating from scratch, blissfully content in building houses out of rocks as a young girl.”

ON TOP OF THE WORLD

Let’s go back to before this all started. By age 33, Maude was conquering the high fashion world of luxury shoe brand representation and traveling east and west.

Rondeau Founder, Designer & President Luminaire Authentik luminaireauthentik.com

Maude

“These international trips, the hotels, restaurants and fabulous places I was privileged to visit reignited my thirst for beauty, architecture and design.”

CAN’T BUY ME JOY

Flying first class, champagne flute in hand, Maude felt at loss of spark, discontent and borderline depressed. She longed for more meaning and joy in life. Step 1: Going from city slicker to country cowgirl.

In this surge of desire to give meaning to her life and find pleasure in her job, a Maude in search of herself takes time off in the comfort of her new Eastern Townships and begins to explore any and all materials.

HANDS-ON FUN

For two weeks, she puts her hands and creative mind to the test and did it all! A first table built in her basement, led to a small series before moving on to lighting fixtures.

“ I flirted around with trying to make a lamp but couldn’t quite figure out how to have the socket hold in place. I met up with a connoisseur and picked his brain on the matter. “

@maxdesb

@niamhbarryphoto DESIGN BY @VALERIEMORISSET DESIGN BY @WESTGROVE

HENRI

© David Boyer

EURÊKA!

Once Maude had grasped the various components and design stages of a light fixture, the sky was the limit! The light at the end of the tunnel!

She went all in! No looking back and no half investing herself. She quit her high paying jet set job and seized a gap in the industry, catering to the niche market of custom quality lighting products.

NO SECRET TO SUCCESS

“There is simply no secret to success. If I have any advice for anyone who wants to pursue an idea, it’s to go all in and go for it no matter what.”

Follow Maude’s lead: Fear not to try, and if you fall, spring right back up!

SERENITY & TRANQUILITY

“Although I grew up in Montreal and lived a very urban and active life, constantly in the 5 to 7 or running the shows, the tranquility of the countryside has won the bet and my heart for 10 years.”

“I only miss Juni’s sushi and some other favorite food joints (that won’t deliver all the way to the Eastern Townships).”

@photographieinterieure

BILLY, MY BUDDY

”My dog Billy brought serenity to my life. Now seven, he came into my life as a puppy with needs and wants. Thanks to him, I found a healthy work-life balance.”

The 7-year-old Bernese mountain dog companion goes to work with Maude daily and adds life and comfort to the work environment. As an added benefit, taking care of his daily needs also ensures a healthy routine to Maude’s daily schedule. A win-win partnership!

FALL SWEET FALL

The fall season is very inspiring to me! Its constant colors changing, a new artwork to witness every day. And my ultimate source of inspiration? Sunsets… the most marvelous sight in the world!

SUNSETS IN SIGHT

“I feel at home in the forest alleys of the Eastern Townships. I swapped tickets for shows in the city for the free and daily spectacle of sunsets, this exceptional beauty, always in motion, which unfolds over the mountains and Brome Lake.”

SLEEPING BEAUTY

And once the sun goes down, what may we on your bedside table, might we ask? " My essentials for my night ritual! »

A body oil and lip balm, a book of poems, a precious stone and a candle to fall into Morpheus’ arms softly…

WHAT DREAMS MAY COME

What are Maude’s dreams in broad daylight, we wonder? To open a satellite boutique, storefront in the heart of New York City and to partake in the one-and-only Salone del Mobile in Milan.

“Both projects are on my three-year-plan radar!” Turn over the hourglass! All bets are in her favor!

THE BEST PART OF WAKING UP

An oat-milk coffee in the morning, “for everyone’s sake,” Maude adds. Apparently, it’s a question of office-site security!

And she’s off to inspire and lead by example! "Let’s do it" as a team and, above all, let’s never forget… "It has to be fun!”

“Lighting defines ambiance. Add music and pleasant aromas and you’ve got the perfect trifecta”.

Jocelyna Dubuc

SEIZE THE ROAD NOT TAKEN!

BY Madeleine Champagne

HER ROOTS

Her childhood years were spent in Tracy, or nicely said, in the municipality of Pierre-De Saurel, this industrial city pleasantly located on the edge of the majestic Saint-Lawrence and Richelieu rivers, and hence, blessed with a beautiful and unique pearly light that shines over it.

HER PARENTS

The son of a village farmer, her father is a truck driver and, from this man, she learns the colossal value of work.

As for her mother, daughter of a rigorous and friendly village butcher, she nurtured a dream above all others of, one day, owning a beautiful and large house. A dream come true by dint of saving the rents of some 20 workers passing through Sorel to whom she offered lodging amidst the family residence of the time. Simple, but comfortable, a bed-and-fed combo that, one day, indeed served to finance her mother’s dream.

MIXED CULTURES

Jocelyna is a frail little girl, slightly reserved, but, above all, curious and intelligent. The little one adored this mixing pot of energy and culture, foraging from one inspiring mentor to the next, always coming out more fulfilled than when she entered the interaction with others.

IN WONDERLAND

Add to the storytelling her incredible Grandmaman Dubuc who cultivated a huge horticultural and vegetable garden of dazzling beauty. It was magical… permaculture before the word even existed! Jocelyna felt like Alice in Wonderland. Her personality was refined, then and there, by discovering this companionship of delicate pink flowers which coexisted harmoniously with these robust radishes and climbing vines on a bed of stones.

A REVELATION

At the turn of the 1960s, to settle a health issue, her mother introduced her to a natural food store. Although more modest than a trade with this vocation is today, they found there the necessary to cure her. This is what Jocelyna would later call the discovery of “medi-foods.”

A CALLING

Flashforward to the 1970s, after a trip to India, Jocelyna saw her life transformed again and attributed to this moment in time, the instant in which it all began. “I felt like I was reborn again. This trip taught me that I could heal myself through body care and food, quite simply. At the time, I felt the need to share this new knowledge with as many people as possible and spread the benefits of this lifestyle.”

Carpe Diem! Firmly rooted in the heart of the Eastern Townships since well into the 1970s, Jocelyna Dubuc illuminates the region with the radiance of her Spa Eastman. But, who is she, we wonder, and where is she going? Let’s find out…

SPA EASTMAN / PISCINE

MAGIC, INDEED!

Enter her spa, the unique and renowned Spa Eastman, that offers gourmet, invigorating and non-inflammatory cuisine called the Tonique Cuisine®. She adores, advocates and is the first to jump into the cold shower onsite in order to give herself some energy and brighten up grayer days. “A magic antidepressant, indeed,” she says, laughing.

COCKTAIL HOUR

Advocating health and balance above all, she is no monk, and likes to honor happy hour with an organic white wine from the Cuvée Spa Eastman. Her life partner and, let's face it, lover of 30 years, Gérard Marinovich, an unrepentant œnophile, oversees the local production of these natural wines, all of which are grown using integrated farming methods and are in the process of becoming certified organic. A pure delight!

A TURN OF EVENTS

While Spa Eastman’s eco-friendly approach was certainly avantgarde in 1977, if not downright against the grain, the spa was and still is a huge success.

Today, let’s roll out the red carpet! Jocelyna Dubuc, named Great Builder 2022 by the Ministry of Tourism, proudly announces a new turn of events: Spa Eastman will grace itself of three new ecological pavilions. Built on its 333 acres, these will offer a breathtaking view of Mount Orford, an oasis in which to sleep, learn, contemplate, meditate and dream. Namaste!

WOW! WOW! WOW!

Thanks to their bioclimatic design and their solar roof, the Oasis pavilions will offer protection, thermal comfort and solar energy independently of the external infrastructures.

IN THE HEART OF THE FOREST

As for the landscaping, it will be inspired by the principles of permaculture and will include edible landscaping and a small nourishing forest furnished with fruit trees and medicinal plants in addition to a small pond to swim in. All this, deployed in the cozy comfort of the forest.

THINKING THE FUTURE

Sleek and timeless, the architecture and design as well as the choice of sustainable, natural and local materials, will offer unparalleled comfort and will require very little maintenance for decades to come.

Staying there will be a quality spa experience, all the while knowing that the surrounding nature will continue to flourish, that the air will be pure, and that the forest setting will always offer a habitat for biodiversity in flora and wildlife. Bravissima!

“We’re perpetually developing. There is always a dream that floats above us and that we chose to nourish…”

A STROKE OF GENIUS

To do this, Quebec’s pioneer of well-being teamed up with Solution Era and entrepreneur Benoît Lavigueur, specialists in the field of “green” buildings.

These splendid sustainable and autonomous pavilions will be designed, built and maintained to be among the most innovative and ecological in Canada, a dream becoming a reality for the entrepreneur that took the road unpaved.

SPA EASTMAN / CUISINE TONIQUE

A SMALL STROLL IN THE 80S

Koen de Winter

Industrial and graphic designer Koen de Winter was a professor at the UQAM School of Design. His talent and his international career have earned him several recognitions.

THE ONE AND ONLY LENA

For 53 years, he was married to the Swedish Lena and lived a perfect love, as he said, of a rare and precious synchronism.

Their days were spent in Saint-André-Avellin in a home near farmland and potato fields. For his wife, these fields were a gentle reminder of her childhood spent in similar landscapes in Sweden. They lived a quiet happiness there.

THE DRAMA

Then, one day, Lena was diagnosed with a neurocognitive disorder. Unfortunately, in addition to her neurodegenerative disease, she also suffered from muscular system failures.

A few years later, these failures would lead to a complete paralysis of the left side.

THE FIRST STEPS

By complying with the medical care policy, Koen is encouraged to keep his wife at home.

Care at home is a choice he is happy to make, and the support provided with this incentive includes the “walker” to induce mobility. It goes without saying that with the adoption of the walker comes a short training period during which one is more tolerant of the product’s failures.

Gradually, Koen observed Lena using it with great difficulty. This is the ferment that will lead him to design and invent a new walker.

Indeed, like the good designer that he is, he inevitably arrives at the moment when he simply does not accept the “tool” as it is, this product intended for people of whom more than 45% also suffer from a form of arthritis. It requires the user to lean on two horizontal tubes, forcing the patient to bend the wrist creating a radial deviation or adduction often combined with a supination or pronation in the opposite direction. For these 45% of users, this effort is painful, and for the others, it is uncomfortable.

EUREKA

Immediately and over a period of several months, Koen began to work on and develop a better solution.

Unlike conventional walkers, this one is not adjustable. However, from a single measurement of the user, it is made to measure… like a shoe to one’s foot.

The reason is simple. The adjustment mechanisms add weight to the product and research confirms that the adjustments are, in most cases, poorly done.

Made of aluminum, it is lighter and easier to lift. The handles are more flexible and they fold in both directions. As a final asset, the walker named Tac, meaning Thanks in Swedish, looks great, with its gray cameo adding a touch of nobility.

THE FUTURE

Unfortunately, Koen was not able to offer this first prototype to Lena as she sadly passed away some time ago. We can nevertheless hope that this new walker, now patented and which will be distributed both here in Québec and in the United States, will be, in a way, the unique legacy of a love story.

A love story…

The product will be available from the second week of July and will be distributed by the New York company Third Age Comfort Products (TAC Products Inc).

STRONG AND SUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURAL PANELS .

INSPIRING SPACES. ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES .

IMPORTANT DATES

16th Edition

August 10, 2023

Stay tuned for the online announcement of the bronze, silver and gold certifications. Gold-certified projects and products become eligible finalists for the Platinum, Grand Winners and Award of the Year unveiled at our 2 galas and in upcoming issues of INTÉRIEURS.

September 22, 2023

Attend the first Gala in Québec City, at the Capitole Theater. Winners of the Architecture, Construction & Real Estate, Landscape & Territories, Art & Photography disciplines will be announced.

October 19, 2023

Don’t miss the second Gala presented in Montréal at the Plaza Centre-Ville. Winners of the Interior Design, Product, and Communication & Branding disciplines will be revealed.

17th Edition

June 15, 2023

The call for entries is officially open! Take advantage of a reduced rate by registering before October 31, and of the regular rate by registering before January 31, 2024.

April 1, 2024

This is no April Fool’s joke, it is, indeed, the final deadline for the call for entries. Be there, or be square!

Learn more: int.design

MEMBERS OF THE JURY

16 th Edition

Now at its 16th edition, the GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN Awards celebrate excellence, the creative talent of professionals and the clients who put their trust in them.

From Beautiful British Columbia to the shores of Newfoundland, from Beirut to Montréal, sought-out and renowned talents are recruited yearly to be part of our International Jury.

Find out more about these architecture and design industry talents, ambassadors and leaders, members of our Jury and make way for revelations and insights sure to inspire.

Join us as we bow down in gratitude to the talented and dedicated members of our International Jury of the GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN Awards.

To learn more about the returning members of the jury presented below, read the Who’s Who section of our INT81 and INT85 issues available for your online read at int.design, and discover the hidden faces of our new Jury recruits in these upcoming pages of this issue.

Ryann AOUKAR United States

Christian BÉLANGER Canada

Jacques BOILY Canada

Léa BOISVERT Canada

Jean-Sébastien BOURDAGES Canada

Jean-François GUIMONT Canada

Claudia HUGE Germany

Filipa FIGUEIRA Portugal

Hans FONK Netherlands

Ahmed DRIDI Netherlands

Jaime BOUZAGLO Canada

Virginia BURT Canada

Laure CAPITANI Belgique

Marina CERVERA ALONSO DE MEDINA Spain

Andre-Yves COENDERAET Belgique

Ximena DIAZ Mexico

Gauthier DE NUTTE Spain

Sara CORVINO United Kingdom

Antonio DE ANTONIS Italy

Matteo DE BARTOLOMEIS Italy

Gabriel LOPES Brazil

Michael MACHNIC Canada

Carlo MARTINO Italy

Christian MATTEAU Canada

Abhishek PATEL Canada

Marc LETELLIER Canada

Patrick LEBLANC Canada

Dominique LANNOY Belgique

Denys LAPOINTE Canada

Sophie-Catherine LAFLAMME Canada

Claudya PIAZERA United States

Rijk RIETVELD United States

María SALVATI Canada

Mark SCHOLLEN Canada

Saule SÉGUIN Canada

Patricia WHEELE Canada

Bryan WIENS Canada

Alain MOUREAUX President of the jury Canada

Christiane TAWIL Lebanon

Nadège TCHUENTE Canada

Banu TEVFIKLER Cyprus

Marco TORTOIOLI RICCI Italy

Alessandro VALENTE Italy

Ingrid ABRAMOVITCH

Executive Editor ELLE Decor USA New York, USA elledecor.com

DESIGNING THE STORY

ELLE Decor Executive Editor Ingrid Abramovitch is an award-winning design and lifestyle journalist and author on design and architecture. Born in Montréal and now based in New York City, she has a Master of Science in Journalism from Columbia University and held many senior editorial positions over the years.

60- MINUTE LIFE CALLING

HOW THE STORY GOES…

Late 80s, early 90s, Ingrid’s first real job in journalism is for the Presse Canadienne in Montréal, covering serious stories such as the Ecole Polytechnique Massacre of 1989 and the Oka crisis of 1990. “I was not cut for hard news.” Switching to cultural stories was a new day! “One of my first feature was to interview Celine Dion on her transition to singing in English. Memorable hours in her kind presence were spent in a restaurant in Laval!”

D&A DNA

Enter the fabulous world of design, decor and architecture, writing and editing! “I love it. There is so much creativity and intelligence that goes into creating environments for living. During the pandemic, many people focused on what was important to them, and the design of their homes was at the top of the list.” That means something…

“I loved writing since I was eight years old, and was passionate to learn about the world—anything and everything.” One day, while watching 60 Minutes with her parents, Ingrid learned there was such a thing as journalism, a.k.a. the profession of meeting people, learning things and writing about them. Eurêka ! Ingrid had found her calling.

A fantasy dinner party? “I would invite the 20th-century Irish architect Eileen Gray, the late American visual artist Alice Neel and Danish mastermind Arne Jacobsen. How I would have loved to meet them… they sounded like fascinating people to hang out with!”

Alain BOUDREAU

DESIGN IS EMOTION

With more than 30 years of experience in the field of commercial and museum design, Alain has also acquired a critical sense and developed skills to pilot immersive, innovative and stimulating experiences while working in various roles, notably at Moment Factory and GSM Project.

TWISTS & TURNS

“A young version of myself wanted to conduct an orchestra someday! I was amazed by the figure standing with his back facing his audience and showcasing the talents of artists with passion. I wanted to be just like that…”

I ONCE WAS TOLD

“To develop an idea, transpose it onto a sheet of paper first. Take your pencil out and start drawing.” Wise words from a university professor. “I quickly knew I wanted to take part in designing projects and planning spaces.”

ENTER DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE

Alain is most proud of a collaboration made with Moment Factory that brought him to work on OAKLEY’s 5th Avenue NYC flagship store and create a massive and attractive multimedia sculptural art piece. Big Apple magic!

PRAISE TO THE GREAT

Congratulations to Frank Gehry for imagining the Louis Vuitton Foundation Museum in Paris. “I was dazzled by the beauty and scope of the project upon its inauguration in 2014. A most memorable moment.”

Designer,

Program Planner, Engineering and Construction Metro Inc. Montréal, Québec, Canada

" How do we make an idea come to fruition? That's a question as old as time, and one that I also ponder upon."

OAKLEY FLAGSHIP STORE NYC, 2014

Cheryl BROADHEAD

Principal BYU Design

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

www.byudesign.com

ONCE IN A BLUE MOOD

Before co-founding BYU Design, Cheryl gained experience in Vancouver and Toronto, where she specialized in hospitality and multi-unit residential projects. She currently sits on the British Columbia Institute of Technology Interior Design Program Advisory Committee.

LOVING EVERYTHING!

What hooks and drives Cheryl about the fabulous world of design? “EVERYTHING! The opportunity to learn and grow daily. I’m passionate about problem-solving and love supporting emerging talents making their way up the ladder.” And that’s not all! She’s also a sucker for construction site visits. Seeing a project come together is such a gratifying experience after all.

NOT SO PRECIOUS

“Design shouldn’t be precious nor pretentious. It should be an evolving and collaborative approach, seeking and striving to better itself along the way.”

BEAUTIFUL BRITISH COLUMBIA

Craving inspiration? Isn’t there a solution to every problem? To change her focus and get the wheels turning again, Cheryl walks away. Her destination? The beautiful British Columbia Pacific rim marvel, Vancouver. “One of the most fabulous places in the world … on a sunny day!” Coming in strong as a top contender for vacation time? La bella Italia!

A DREAM CHAT

How grand would it be to gather Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei, Iraqi-British architect, artist and designer Zaha Hadid, and Danish architect Bjarke Ingels around her table! She’d break the ice and thrown in the topic of design’s contextual function.

* To learn more, read our Up-Close & Personal with Cheryl Broadhead on page 32.

“Ah… colors! I gravitate towards many colors of the rainbow but I do have a sweet spot for blues! It’s always a question of mood”.

Luis CALABUIG

Co-founder, Design Director Odosdesign Valencia, Spain odosdesign.com

HARDSHIP SHARPENS INGENUITY

Image and object creator, the co-founder and design director of ODOSDESIGN in Valencia also shares his time teaching the profession at the CEU Cardinal Herrera University and enjoying his lead role as a father.

GROW AT ALL COSTS

“I used to dream of becoming an inventor. My mother eventually opened my eyes to design,” says the man who opened his own studio in 2002 by age 22 and has been running it with pride ever since. It was the success encountered with the design of Ensombra Parasol, manufactured by Gandia Blasco, that launched his career in meaningful ways.

FEELING GOOD

Nina Simone’s Feeling Good and the color blue… his go-to’s! “New challenges daily, please, and a conversation with someone to bounce ideas off gets me out of a creative rut.”

FLY ME TO THE MOON

Luis dreams of designing a project, any project, for the NASA. Why shouldn’t he? Aim for the moon, right? Back on solid ground, it’s redesigning basic bicycles that he’d like to partake in.

VALENCIA, CUBA & THE MOMA

When in Luis’ hometown of Valencia, have a taste of exquisite Japanese cuisine at Nozomi. Luis recommends any of the scrumptious nigiris on the menu! “Valencia is of perfect size and sunny 90% of the time.” For the other 10%, he simply heads to vacay hot spot, Cuba, and when in NYC, a MOMA visit is a must.

"I admire the British product designer Jony Ive, the Swiss designer Yves Behar, and the Danish architect Bjarke Ingels. They are great!"

PANEL COLLECTION, PLEC, VERTISOL © Odosdesign

Edward CHAN

SPEAK SLOW. PEOPLE WILL LISTEN.

Zeidler Architecture partner Edward Chan’s passion for architecture and city building extends beyond his professional work. He sees architecture as a force for positive change in society.

REMEMBERING THE PAST

“My child version wanted to be an architect and builder. It’s a cliché but it’s true, growing up with LEGOs and making things beyond the instructions led me to creating objects and structures later on.”

FOSTERING THE FUTURE

Today, thought leader Chan plays a vital role in shaping the direction of design discourse and fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration within the industry. “The meaningful change and influences that the right design can do for a society and global climate change is what enchants me the most about the power of my profession.”

DAYDREAMING

Here comes random favorites… we picked up on a few. Hurray for the Sonders Chambers Hotel in NYC where art meets hospitality. “Oh how I admire Architect Renzo Piano and would love to have an espresso with him, someday.” Through the art of zoom calls, maybe, comfortably seated in a perfectly designed Aeron chair.

ARCHITECTURE, INTERIORS & LANDSCAPES

With each experience, Edward has brought his innate drive to learn. His involvement in the Toronto Zoo Welcome Area and Community Conservation Campus is the project that launched his career. “To be involved on a transformational project for a landmark cultural institution is a once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity.”

“Pablo Picasso, Philippe Starck and Jony Ive, come on down! Let’s brainstorm how we can bring more happiness and lessen the frustrations of anything we use in our lives”.

© Prospettica

Benoit CHAPELLIER

Marketing Director MONTONI Laval, Québec, Canada groupemontoni.com

COLORBLIND, YET INCLINED TO DESIGN

Spanning from Canada to France and for more than 25 years, Benoit's career is characterized by an in-depth knowledge of several sectors of activity and a solid competence in key areas of expertise such as branding and digital marketing.

THANKS BUT NO THANKS

“I got into advertising in the middle of an economic crisis. As ad agencies were closing and advertisers pulling back on investments, I was told: Thanks, but no thanks!” He clung to the dream and imposed his own path…

A SERIAL CEREAL CRITIC

As a boy, Ben used to comment graphic and typographic design choices of cereal boxes while sipping the milk of his breakfast bowl. Since then, although the subjects of interest have expanded, it is an undeniable passion and a formidable experience that Alain has forged in brand design.

TED TO THE RESCUE

A creative stall ahead? A momentary lapse of inspiration?

A TED talk always inspires, regardless of the topic addressed!

THE BEAUTY OF DESIGN

Applause and praise to the Louis Vuitton Foundation, designed by Frank Gehry. “The place is so beautiful that the collections presented, although exquisitely beautiful themselves, are noticed last!”

"Beautiful things make life happier. Practical things make life easier. The guarantee of a good time lies where beauty and practicality meet."

© Luc Brissette

R. Sean CRAWFORD

WORK WILL SET YOU FREE

Sean’s curiosity knows no bounds. Partner at Canadian design firm Zeidler Architecture, he has been crafting thoughtful and captivating spaces for over 25 years, in addition to serving as a Board Member for Interior Designers of Canada (IDC).

ASPIRING TO SUCCESS

“As a kid, I wanted to become successful. At the time, I thought that meant financially. I came to realize service to family, friends, community and clients is much more gratifying.”

A LITTLE HOUSE IN THE PRAIRIE

Sean now lives in Calgary and works anywhere from Toronto to Vancouver, most often in his hometown of Calgary. “I have farming roots and am drawn to the prairie landscape, its subtle beauty and the ever-changing sky. The hues and tones of nature provide inspiration throughout all seasons!”

MY FAVORITE PEOPLE

My children’s grandparents are my true herœs! They are all, in their own ways, incredibly impactful in the lives of MY favorite people in the whole wide world… my kids!”

SOLUTION MODE

Stuck in a creative rut? Push through! “Just start drawing, writing, speaking, brainstorming… the work will set you free!”

“I see the future of the profession leading to the curation of solutions. AI may replace many of the tasks we undertake today, but creative interpretation and curation of that work will persist to be required”.

"Oh! How I would have loved to be the creator of the Womb Chair launched by Knoll in 1949. Bravo to Eero Saarinen!"

SEAN CRAWFORD'S KIDS

Rosanne DUBÉ

Québec Lead, Senior Associate, Gensler Montréal, Québec, Canada www.gensler.com

MAKING DREAMS COME TRUE

Licensed and LEED accredited architect Rosanne

Dubé has over 25 years of experience in the United States and Canada. She has established, developed, and currently leads the Gensler Québec practice and oversees corporate interiors, consulting services, and architecture.

A CHILDHOOD DREAM

“I always wanted to be an architect! It was a certainty in me and I never doubted.” Architecture projects in Canada include the expansion of the Holt Renfrew/Ogilvy store and ground up multi-use real estate developments. In the U.S., Rosanne has led large complex projects for clients such as the United Nations, the City of New York, JPMorgan Chase, as well as other major financial institutions.

LOVE OF MONTRÉAL AND NANTUCKET

“I live and work in Montréal. A city full of architecture that never ceases to amaze and inspire. I’m particularly drawn to Old Montréal, where four centuries of architecture cœxist”. Beautiful… just as beautiful as Nantucket, on the other side of the spectrum, cherished on vacation for its heritage architecture, plentiful beaches, nature reserves, long bicycle paths and picturesque landscapes.

THE POWER OF THE PROFESSION

Rosanne firmly believes in the essential role of the architectural profession within past, present and future civilizations. What role, we ask? That of creating places that contribute as much to the happiness of its occupants as to the richness of the built heritage, by doing so responsibly as to ensure their sustainability.”

“As architects, we hold the power and the knowledge to improve people’s quality of life and wellbeing by creating inspired and thoughtful physical environments”.

Cheryl DURST

Executive Vice President & CEO International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Chicago, Illinois, United States iida.org

PEOPLE EXPERTS

Cheryl has continuously spurred progress, driven change, and encouraged the expansion of the interior design industry. As the Executive Vice President and CEO of the International Interior Design Association, she is committed to achieving broad recognition for the value of design and its significant role in society.

REPRESENT!

With 15,000 members across 58 countries, Cheryl Durst oversees the strategic direction of IIDA, heading its International Board and setting an agenda that leads the industry in creating community, advancing advocacy and continuing decades of work toward equity. Growing up, Cheryl dreamt of being an astronaut-teacher-archeologist and running a museum! “Somehow that all still makes sense to me,” she says!

AN OPTIMISTIC PROFESSION

“Design is inherently optimistic and forward-thinking, and designers are uniquely equipped to problem-solve and meet the challenges presented by the present day as well as the future. That’s why designers will not only continue to create the built environment, but will deepen the competency of crafting the human experience.”

EARTH, WIND & FIRE

In her free moments you might find Cheryl pumping the volume on September, by Earth, Wind and Fire. And while we’re on the subject of nature’s elements, how appropriate is it that Cheryl’s favorite tones are the earthy, saffron-ish, coppery, gold tones of old coins and Tuscan farmhouses. “These colors are so evocative of time and place and exude the exquisite warmth of sunsets”.

YOU’RE THE INSPIRATION

The IIDA Headquarters are located in the Windy City, in a classic Mies van der Rohe highrise, right off the Chicago River, in the heart of a city that stands as a testament to the history, the legacy, the innovation and the beauty of architecture and design. Inspiration, 24/7 !

“Designers are people experts, not just place experts — their work truly makes life better”.

Sandra FIGUEROLA

Designer, Shop Sandra Figuerola Valencia, Spain shop.sandrafiguerola.com

A CARPET BECOMES A CANVAS

THE SPANISH EAST COAST

Valencia darling! “Oh, how I value the almost always blue skies and sunny days and the cheerful nature of valencianos, celebrating the joy of life, a cold beer in hand!”

THE COOL-KID SCHOOL

She entered design through the front door at the vibrant heart of Valencia, which incubates great creativity, thanks to its strong industrial spirit. “Along with creative partners alike, we founded Valencia’s La Nave design studio in 1984 and built a solid experience in the national design scene, eventually becoming a benchmark for Valencian design.” Powerful, daring, slightly crazy and highly creative years…

A DEVIL IN DESIGN

In 1991, came Alessi’s Memory Containers project. The mission was to question the rites of serving and setting the table. The theme I explored was the devil’s representation as a nod to the sin of gluttony, deeply rooted in the Western collective imagination. It resulted in a series of useful and amusing products alluding to the glutton devil.

Sandra Figuerola is a leading figure of the new Spanish design that emerged in the 1980s, around the emblematic collective La Nave. A pioneer in many ways, her almost forty decades of active work, has seen her constantly innovate, create and develop as a professional in the field of design.

BOLD & BRAVE

" I am drawn to creators with brave and personal approaches, fully committed and oh-so-cool!” Sandra’s main trifecta of admired talents is composed of Stefan Sagmeister, Jaime Hayón and Patricia Urquiola. “Impeccable trajectories with proposals that continuously surprise me.”

“Where graphic design meets product design is where I fully identify myself. A carpet, a fabric, a piece of furniture… they can become blank canvases, begging to be painted!”

© Gandía Blasco Group.

Pierre-Antoine GATIER

Chief architect of historical monuments

Agence Pierre-Antoine Gatier Paris, France gatier.fr

SAY A LITTLE PRAYER, RIGHT ARETHA?

Architect Pierre-Antoine Gatier embarked on his career by restoring historical monuments of the first reconstruction after the First World War. In 2017, he was appointed by the SETE to lead the 20th repainting campaign of the Eiffel Tower. Concerned to pass along his commitment to new heritage, he also speaks at universities and conferences in France and abroad.

GATIER’S PARIS

“I live and work in Paris, in Saint-Germain-desPrés, a district infused by a collective memory of intellectual and artistic student life, a district full of galleries, jazz clubs and above all… bookstores”. When stuck in a creative rut, Pierre-Antoine walks on over to the Pompidou Center’s modern art museum to contemplate the collection of contemporary paintings and, voilà, he finds the light again!

IN HONOR OF GUSTAVE

“I’m fully invested in the conservation of historic architecture and heritage as a means to discover, understand and transmit the know-how. A cultural adventure like no other, enhanced by the possibility of creating,” says the man who is currently choosing to have the Eiffel Tower repainted in a brownish-ocher yellow to match the original shade of paint chosen by Gustave Eiffel upon construction.

VENETIAN DREAMS

Having taught at the school of architecture in Venice, the city’s flow of the canals runs through his veins. Oh how amazing it would be for Gatier, some day, to restore a Venetian palace along the Grand Canal. “Living in a city to work on it! And architecture is a source of life. It must be visited, looked at, read. We must strive to study the existing built environment, respect it, and prioritize its preservation over destruction."

I like to imagine what an exchange between three masters of their art, French architect and designer Jean Prouvé, American artist Donald Judd and French post-war artist Yves Klein, would sound like…”

© Agence Pierre-Antoine Gatier

AN ATTENTIVE EAR

" When I was in high school, a researcher came to meet with the students for an informal discussion. After the meeting, I was informed that I had been selected to participate in the television show as an interviewer. The experience was transformative, and that's where I got hooked on communications. "

A FESTIVE & JAZZY SUMMER

Is summer made for playing? Well, if that’s true, it’s all the more true in the heart of a city like Montréal, renowned for its festive summer calendar. “I was studying communications at Concordia and a friend, knowing that I was looking for a summer job, gave me a contact, since she herself was planning on playing in Portugal all summer.”

Caroline JAMET

Executive Director, Audio & Radio CBC/Radio-Canada Montréal, Québec, Canada ici.radio-canada.ca

RAISE UP! SPEAK UP!

A THIRTEEN-YEAR AFFAIR

Caroline joins the communications team for the Montréal International Jazz Festival. She quickly got carried away morning, noon and evening, in the creative frenzy uniting music and events. An adventure and love affair that lasted thirteen beautiful years!

THE TOWNSHIPS & THE ENGLISH COUNTRYSIDE

Ah… the Eastern Townships and its spectacular scenic drives. “The natural light is so soft, especially at the end of the day, when the sun is setting… Such a beautiful region of Québec, which reminds me of the enchantment of the English countryside.”

Caroline Jamet was named General Manager of Radio and Audio for French Services at CBC/ Radio-Canada in 2017. From Gesca, where she handled communications for the press group, from "Éditions La Presse", where she oversaw the publication of more than 200 books, to Équipe Spectra, where she saw the reputation of the Montréal International Jazz Festival and the FrancoFolies de Montréal grow over the years, she has gained solid expertise and an indisputable reputation in the Canadian media and culture industry.

"A post-scriptum?

I say dare to raise your hand and share what you can contribute to a project. Without exception!"

© Laurence Labat

Jean-Christian KNAFF

Partner, Mikka Design Ink, Associate Professor, OCAD University Toronto, Ontario, Canada

WITH HEADPHONES & A SKETCHBOOK

Illustrator Jean-Christian Knaff’s career path has led him to teach art at L’Université du Québec à Montréal, and illustration at Kingston University in London and at L’École de Design Axe Sud in Marseille, France. He is now an Associate Professor at OCAD University, Toronto in the Faculty of Design since 2004 and partner with Claude of Mikka Design Ink.

AS A CHILD

“I dreamt of becoming a veterinarian to relieve cows when calves are born.” Now, his pride resides in a most recent series of tempera art pieces made in Jaipur, India while on Sabbatical. A series of illustrations focusing on the elephant kind’s habitat degeneration and the implication this has on their genes.”

INSPIRED BY THE MASTERS

Knaff has a sweet spot for music. Hieronymus Bosch and Ludwig Van Beethoven (Symphony #9), without forgetting Rammstein for its beat… these are the greats who inspired Knaff daily. Music, drawing, art, creation… it’s all interconnected!

FROM POSTER TO BOOK

Starting off as an illustrator for Chatelaine magazine, it was the posters he drew for the Old Port of Montréal that launched his career. Today, he signs Propos d’Avant-Guerre et autres Contes Africains, a collection of poetic prose written following his visits to Florence and regrouping his reflections over the past ten years.

"I would redesign the Leaning Tower of Pisa… despite its intriguing bent!”

© Claude Miceli

THE BLUE ROOSTER

Trevor

KRUSE

CEO Interior Designers of Canada (IDC) idcanada.org Toronto, Canada

LAUGHTER AS OXYGEN

“I don’t listen to bad advice” says Trevor Kruse, CEO of Interior Designers of Canada (IDC), for whom laughter is a great breath of fresh air.

“Canadian senator Ratna Omidvar was asked once what was the difference between an American and a Canadian. She answered: Americans are exceptional, Canadians are practical. Americans sent a man to the moon, Canadians have healthcare. As for me, I’ve always said: US says: Come in and become one of us, while Canada says: Come in and show us who you are”.

PATIENCE IS EVERYTHING

Early in his career, Trevor Kruse had the opportunity to work in what was then to be the Ritz-Carlton. In the course of this project, the owner changed architectural firms, engineers and contractors halfway through, so much so that he redesigned the 65-storey building four times. Today, the hotel is known as the St. Regis Toronto.

TO REDO OR NOT TO REDO

The age-old question.”It’s kind of a catch 22. When you go into people’s homes as a designer, they are always embarrassed and think you will want to redesign their interior. But I always reassure them that this is not how I approach space. As for a public space, I am more interested in looking into the design solution the architect or designer came up with instead of wanting to redesign the building.”

A FEEL FOR THE CITY

“I live and work in Toronto, a city I love so much. Whenever I return to Toronto my heart explodes of joy. Although I’m not crazy about its climate. I’m always looking at its buildings with the eyes of a child. And I love Canada.”

* To learn more, read our Up-Close & Personal with Trevor Kruse page 74.

FROM YUL TO THE WORLD

Martin LANDRY

Principal | Aviation Arup Montréal, Québec, Canada arup.com

For more than 30 years, architect Martin Landry has traveled the four corners of the planet, collaborating in the design of airports in China and assigned to the design planning of prestigious airports in London, Dubai, Hong Kong, San Paolo and Istanbul, to name a few.

YUL 1988

Incidentally, his first job in the field was also set in an airport terminal! Montréal’s YUL airport, 1988. Draftsman for Transport Canada was the gateway to aviation for the person who would later oversee the transfer of flights from Mirabel to Dorval in 2004 and the development of the terminal to accommodate new international flights.

BLUE, BLUE, BLUE

The blue of the sky and the sea... As Miro said: "The color of my dreams.” And Martin has always been a dreamer. "As a child, during Sunday masses, I would travel in my mind. I would turn my gaze towards the ceilings of the Sainte-Thérèse d’Avila cathedral in Amos and drift away… ”

FROM BARCELONA TO SINGAPORE

“Strangely, I always knew I would end up traveling the world and working on major projects.” Nods of acknowledgement for the recent construction of the Samuel-de-Champlain Bridge in Montréal, the restoration of the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona and the design of the next terminal at Changi Airport in Singapore.

“DO NOT MAKE ANY WAVES”

Instead of following that advice, in the early 2000s, Martin addressed the elephant in the room and asked Terry Hill, chairman of Arup, about the current lack of a Montréal office. The answer he got. “Do it,” Terry said. And the rest is now history for the proud founding member of the Arup’s Montréal office.

“Ennio Morricone's My Name is Nobody puts me in the right state of mind, come rain or shine... or snow for that matter! I hum it out loud while skiing down the slopes to unwind” .

Fernanda MARQUES

Architect & Founder Fernanda Marques Architecture São Paulo, Brazil fernandamarques.com.br

A CANVAS OF BOUNDLESS CREATIVITY

Brazilian architecture firm founder, Fernanda Marques approaches her clean and contemporary signature practice by integrating the various disciplines encompassed in a project: from construction to interiors, from product design to visual communication and landscaping.

VIBRATIOUS BUSTLING BRAZIL

“I live and work in Sao Paulo, a vibrant and bustling city, home to a diverse range of cultures, cuisines and traditions.” Notice the diversity of architectural styles, with new and exciting buildings cohabiting with the rich heritage of days past. “It truly is an ideal metropolis in which architects may strive to build and shape the future.”

AN AVID ART COLLECTOR

The art enthusiast and collector now sits as a member of the Latin American Acquisitions Committee for none other than the Tate Modern in London. Roll out the red carpet! Speaking of museums, when in her hometown, check out the Sao Paulo Museum of Art designed by veneered architect Lina Bo Bardi. “A must-visit for anyone that’s into art and design—one of the city’s most iconic landmarks!”

TIME-TRAVELING DREAM

“Oh how magical would it be to go back in time and walk around the city with Lina Bo Bardi and Oscar Niemeyer, both deeply rooted in the Brazilian culture and lifestyle and whose impact on the field of architecture and design was, and still is, resounding. “Their ability to blend form and function, all the while incorporating social and political considerations, is truly inspiring and continues to shape the way we think about architecture and design.”

“Today’s tomorrow in architecture and design is exciting and full of possibilities!”

© Bruna Urias

© Fernando Guerra

PROJECT LIMANTOS

Claude MICELI

KEEPING THE FUN IN ÆSTHETICS!

Claude Miceli began her illustrator career in Montréal. She has been published by several Canadian magazines, children’s books and has designed posters for the Montréal metro.

AS A CHILD

“I dreamt of being a pearl diver in Jamaica someday. A job that simply dœs not exist but that a child could very well imagine!”

A DREAM TO REALIZE

She dreams of making a film! Sihanaka, written in collaboration with my Jean-Christian Knaff. A beautiful story for which they have already designed the costumes, the sets, chosen the filming locations and the music. A way to bring together all their common knowledge in a personal work of art.

DARLING ANDALUSIA

“I now live in Spain after regular visits ever since my childhood. I particularly like Andalusia for its red and black volcanic relief plunging into the sea. Always the sea. I couldn’t live without its beauty”.

“I gravitate towards Nessun Dorma, performed by the great Pavarotti. It gives me goosebumps every time!”

Interior Designer & Partner Mikka Design Ink Paterna, Valencia, Spain

TAPIS EN LAINE EN POINTS NOUÉS FAIT AU RAJASTHAN, INSPIRÉ DES PATTERNS DE BRODERIES

Mardi NAJAFI

Vice President, Retail Strategy & Design, Figure3 President, Retail Design Institute Canada (RDI) Chairperson, Program Advisory Committee, Bachelor of Interior Design Program, George Brown College Member, Professional Advisory Council, Visual Merchandising Arts Program, Sheridan College Toronto, Ontario, Canada

WIT & WISDOM

After playing the fields of furniture design, exhibit design and fashion runways, Mardi Najafi dove into retail design some 25 years ago and never looked back.

A firm believer in the value of sharing knowledge, Mardi has also been a professor at several distinguished design schools around the world.

MAN IN BLACK

If this subtitle did not cue you in on the secret already, this man is naturally drawn to black. Why is that, we wonder?“

BORN TO TRAVEL

“The best career advice I live by is to travel whenever possible, it’s the ultimate educator. Travel broadens one’s horizons and offers new perspectives. The inspirations and references I’ve unconsciously picked up over time in my travels are reflected in my sketches, and in between the lines of my concepts”.

AND THE AWARD GŒS TO…

Although he no longer spends his days in industrial design, it’s all praise and admiration for what he deems the ultimate masterpiece of product design… the Juicy Salif, by Philippe Starck. This world-famous citrus reamer, designed by the talented creator in 1990 and displayed in the permanent collections of countless museums around the world, also holds pride of place on his kitchen counter.

SMOOTH OPERATOR

“There’s something suave and hypnotic about Smooth Operator sung by Sade back in 1984. That tune simply puts me in a good mood!”

* To learn more, read our Up-Close & Personal with Mardi Najafi, page 90.

“Maybe because black allows me to slip in and out of the shadows at whim, like Batman! Black encompasses power, elegance, sophistication, mystery, and rebellion. It’s beyond perfection!”

© Steve Tsai

Susan NARDULI

Architect & Artist Narduli STUDIO

Los Angeles, California, United States nardulistudio.com

SENSE THE IRIDESCENCE

Susan is a Los Angeles-based architecture-trained artist whose work meets at the intersection of art, architecture, media and technology.

A QUINTESSENTIAL LATE BLOOMER

“I started as a figurative sculptor, shifted to installation art and consequently decided to study architecture to better understand the engineering for my installation work. Boy was I mistaken! I found out soon enough my true passion laid in the magic of form and space and I kept that flame going ever since”.

THE COLORS OF THE RAINBOW

If iridescence - this property that certain bodies have of diffusing color reflections like a rainbow - were itself considered a color, it would be by far the L.A. artist’s favorite. “I like this changing and unpredictable light.”

TECHNO EVO

Looking towards the future, Narduli Studio continues to develop a growing interest in technology, which is increasingly integrated into the expression of public spaces. “I see a synergistic evolution of physical and virtual environments that will create a new typology of architecture, one that is experiential and responsive.”

IN A NEW YORK MINUTE

While Susan was born and raised in the Big Apple, she fell for L.A. in her twenties and established her life and career on the West Coast. And LaLaLand, seen by Narduli, what is it? It's a happy architectural mishmash reminiscent of real life’s chaos and clutter. A large and constantly changing city that leaves plenty of room for creativity.

“I often seek out materials that reflect their surroundings. There’s an immediacy to iridescent materials, the way they interact with movement and time. Magic!”

VIRTUAL SKY, OKLAHOMA CITY CONVENTION CENTER

Rita PEDERZOLI RICCI

Interior Designer & Property Real Estate Staging Advisor Italy

pederzoliriccieassociati.com ventiventiagency.it

A CREATURE TO LOVE AND FOLLOW THROUGH TIME

Italian Interior Designer and Property Real Estate staging advisor, Rita Pederzoli Ricci deals with consulting for residential, and retail spaces on a daily basis. Real estate development has grown as a natural consequence of her training.

AND… SOLD!

“I’ve always thought that the environment in which we live conditions our existence,” says Rita, who recalls leafing through real estate catalogs as a young child and later valuing a first property in the heart of hometown Bologna and seeing it sold in a day! She was hooked! “I understood, then and there, the perfect combination of my passions, design, architecture and real estate.”

IMAGINATION WINS OVER KNOWLEDGE

“Every project is a creature to love and follow through time.” In Rita’s words, design and architecture are extraordinary tools to influence the life and thought, perception and soul of individuals.

MILANO MIO & BOLOGNA MIA

Rita lives both in Milan and Bologna and enjoys the enthusiasm of the big city just as much as the cultural richness of the historical capital of Northern Italy.

“I would no longer live in only one of the two! The mix is perfect!”

A SCOOP PER CITY

Any hot spot recommendations for our readers? When in Milan, make your way to the Pinacoteca di Brera and to the oratory of Santa Maria della Vita in Bologna, “a small Versailles-like paradise unknown to many Bolognese citizens.”

The creative brainstorm of her dreams?

Leonardo da Vinci, Italian astrophysicist Margherita

"Renaissance polymath

Hack, and French architect and designer Charlotte Perriand - let's mingle!"

© Simone Cappelletti

Jean-Philippe PERROUTY

Regional Director of Technical Services

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group London, United Kingdom

mandarinoriental.com

A BLESSED NOMAD

The seasoned hospitality architect and designer is an outward-looking leader with a career dedicated to hotel design and development. Born in Belgium, he now lives and works in London for Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, where he inspires investors, architects and designers for all new hotels in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region.

CHECK-IN,

CHECK-OUT

“My work requires me to travel more than 50% of the time. I like this nomadic lifestyle where every day, every week, every month is different,” enthuses Jean-Philippe, who evidently never has time to get bored, getting up every morning to the challenge of a new city, a new encounter, a new project.

DREAM OF FREEDOM

A lifestyle that seems to be the logical continuation for this little Belgian boy who dreamed of being a high mountain guide, driven by this idea of freedom, seduced by the call of perpetual motion and ignited by this thirst for adrenaline that reminds us of the blood flowing through our veins.

DESERT OASIS

It was as part of an internship undertaken while studying architecture that Perrouty found himself working one summer, under the radiant Egyptian sun, on the construction site of a luxury hotel. He was entrusted with assisting in the coordination of the construction work and felt his calling! “I’ve been contaminated with the hotel virus ever since…”

“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us…”

Jean-Claude POITRAS

Multidisciplinary Designer, Fashion Creator, Speaker, Lecturer, Mentor, and Artistic Director Montréal, Québec, Canada monpoitras.ca

BUILDING A BETTER FUTUR E

Made Knight of the National Order of Québec in 1996 and promoted to Officer in 2012, Jean-Claude Poitras has had an exceptional career in fashion design. He now devotes himself to the world of design at large, as the leitmotif of a search for excellence, innovation and quest for identity.

A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION

“As a child, I dreamt of becoming a source of inspiration,” says the man who remembers the influence and support of his beloved grandmother in finding his way. Starting off as a salesman at the Eaton department store in 1972, Jean-Claude persists to follow his dreams and never give up. He launched his first workshop-boutique Parenthèse in Old Montréal, his muse Colette Chicoine around his arm, and the rest is history!

AVANT-GARDE STRAIGHT AHEAD!

“I identify with the historical character of Jean Cocteau, recognized for this creativity without borders, an avant-garde of multidisciplinary ranging from poetry to playwriting to filmmaking, designing and so much more!” As per peers he admires?

“I applaud Philippe Starck, Jean Nouvel, David Almond and Yayoi Kusama, among many others!”

REINVENTING THE WORLD

When asked if he envies any landmark and wished he could have thought of it first, Poitras is adamant: the much revered Habitat 67, uniquely characterful of its time and signed by the master Moshe Safdie. A fantasy brainstorm he dreams of? “I would have over Jean d’Ormesson, the Christo couple, Jeanne-Claude and the much-missed Agnès Varda to reinvent the world, together.”

A WORD TO CONCLUDE

Celebrating forty years of an exceptional career, the great Poitras leaves us on this thought…”If you’ve never made mistakes, known failures or fallen off the wagon, it simply means you never dared to act, undertake, create … follow your dreams to the fullest!”.

How fun it is and how proud am I to have dressed Manneken-Pis in Brussels in 2022!”

A little touch of humor to bring a smile on any face!

© François Couture

© Archives Poitras

Scott POOLE

Dean Emeritus and Professor College of Architecture and Design University of Tennessee Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

SHAPING THINKINGS, BUILDERS & SHAKERS

THANK THE FORMER MRS.

“My ex-wife was deep into arts and never failed to remind me that she was the reason I became an architect and now foster such profound interest in art and design,” says the man who remembers launching his career by winning a competition for an art school in Austin while he was still a student.

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU

“I am delighted by the astonishing impact that designers are having beyond their disciplines as a force that can change the world, a force that is changing the world!”

A wish for the future? To see well-designed prefab buildings become mainstream in architecture, and … to see high-speed rails cross the States from East to West, North to South.

TAKING PRIDE

Twice named amongst the 25 most admired educators in America over the course of his career, Poole takes pride in the accomplishments and successes of his former students. “Especially women students,” he adds. Outstanding talents who have made an outsized impact on the design world such as powerhouses Karen Thomas, Managing Director at Gensler, Kirsten Ring Murray, Principal and Owner of Olson Kundig, and Jennifer Downey, Director of Innovation at Turner Construction.

Scott Poole served a decade as dean of the College of Architecture and Design at University of Tennessee. He was elevated to Fellow of the American Institute of Architects in 2016 and, in 2020, recognized by the Design Futures Council as a Senior Fellow.

© Diane Fox

"I have enduring admiration for the Finnish architect, educator, author, and dear friend, Juhani Pallasmaa. He truly embodies the ethos of renowned Finnish architect Eliel Saarinen, designing at many scales from furnishings and graphics to housing and city centers. "

Henry POUILLON

PHD UCLouvain Havré (Mons) Belgium

“DRAW WITH A PAINTBRUSH…”

The Belgian artist and historian, a doctor in archaeology and art history, dedicated his thesis to the study of the Namur architect Roger Bastin. He is a lecturer at UCLouvain in the Faculty of Architecture, Architectural Engineering, and Urbanism.

IN MEMORY OF MENTORS

Born in 1960, little Henry discovered the incredible world of the arts at a very young age, introduced by father and poet Alain Cléry. He picked up a paint brush later on and was blessed to meet mentors such as Belgian writer Marcel Moreau and the Belgian sculptor René Harvent who gave him the dearest advice of his entire career… “We may also draw with a paintbrush…”

THE MAN FROM BERLIN

Henry particularly cherishes the German city of Berlin. “The man from Berlin,” as Edith Piaf used to sing! He cites the Berlin Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, designed by architect Peter Eisenman as the building he would have thought of himself! Brilliant! A true masterpiece and a perfect tribute to lives robbed and lost.

TO DRAW OVER WITH A PAINTBRUSH

Conversely, if there is a building that shocks him enough to want to redesign each time he sees it … well, he cites the “Caprice des dieux,” also known as the European parliament, located in Brussels.

NEVER SURRENDER!

As for personal achievements of which he is very proud, his participation in the Seoul 2022 Expo is at the top of the list! A final word? “Never surrender!” And if and when a breakdown of inspiration awaits us, do like Henry and change the medium!

" I have a bit of difficulty being smooth. " (Isabelle Huppert)

Meghan PREISS

Manager of CX Design Integration

Delta Air Lines

Atlanta, Georgia, United States

UP!, SINGS SHANIA!

NEVER LISTEN TO THOSE WHO… Belittle you when you’re inexperienced and still starting out in your career, those who tell you to be cautious in reaching out to leaders, movers and shakers. Bonkers! “My age, my experience, my gender, my background, these are never things that should stop me from reaching out to another human being for advice or guidance.”

A SNAPSHOT IN TIME

Meghan’s passion to provide new paths for future generations to impact the world around them is what led her to become the youngest board member of the World Design Organization in its 60-year history.

“I had a high school teacher, Christopher Barrett, that not only shaped my love of film photography but also completely opened my eyes to a career in design. A way to combine my love of art and craft with business that gave me tools to change people’s lives in subtle ways. I was hooked” … and on board and upwards from there!

A DESIGNER IN THE WHITE HOUSE

“I see the future of the design profession leading to the highest level of leadership, a.k.a. the government. I foresee a future President of the United States as someone with a design background, it might even be one of my peers one day! I dream of country leaders, UN representatives, policymakers, all being designers.” Voilà!

IT’S JUST A BEGINNING

“I am already privileged to see designers in the C-suite and even in CEO positions of major corporations,” says Meghan recalling her experience under Jim Hackett’s leadership at Ford Motor Company. “We also are only at the beginning of seeing the value of design in government, with programs like World Design Capitals, Design Policy Conferences, and companies likes Good Design Australia.”

“The skill sets and mindsets of designers are exponentially sought out. Our most progressive and world-changing companies are seeing the value of design strategy and mindsets”.

© Tanner Preiss

Phan Nam THO

A NEW CIVILIZATION OF MATERIALITY

FROM GRANDFATHER TO GRANDSON

“For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted to be an architect,” he says, remembering the day he asked his mother what career path led to the ultimate best life. She answered without the shadow of a doubt: “Your grandfather’s profession, my son. An architect”. By third grade, the boy worked an internship in a Korean architectural firm and went uphill and onwards from there!

WHERE GREAT ARCHITECTS GO TO STUDY

Tho graduated at the top ranks of his class from the University of Architecture, in Ho Chi Minh City, a city known as a Southern Vietnam cradle for the architectural academia, and set out to chart his own path, a promising yet unsettling one to embark on.

A CONSERVATION APPROACH

Nearly a decade has passed since he first turned the key to atelier tho.A, founded in 2014. Leading a diverse team of architects, researchers, designers and craftsmen, he strives on building an architectural ecosystem that promotes a conservation approach. While young and still emerging, the firm’s earnest and consistent designs have earned a distinctive place in the Vietnamese architectural landscape.

PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE

Tho cites the FA House as the project that “put him on the map,” while the AR House, a highly commended concept elaborated for the House 101 project, is the one he is most proud of. “I can explore my limits through architecture. I can work to make my dreams come true, those of reinventing a new civilization of materiality for my fellow Vietnamese.” Full speed ahead!

Pham Nhan Tho is an architect of the late 8x generation, hence those born in the late ’80s, at a time when renovation projects were booming in Vietnam that was starting to open up to the rest of the world and experiencing tremendous economic growth. Like other young contemporary Vietnamese architects, Tho strived on this opportunity to access a more vibrant environment in the development process of the country.

“Happy to quote my architect grandfather for these words of wisdom: “The most important feature of architecture is its building technique, not its form”.

Architect Atelier tho.A Hô Chi Minh, Vietnam atelierthoa.com

Marie-Hélène TROTTIER

Co-founder & Creative Director

Jump&Love Design

Montréal, Québec, Canada

www.jumpandlove.com

CREATIVE & CHEEKY, THAT’S WHAT SHE SAID!

With over a hundred awards, distinctions and publications to her name, and 25 years of experience, Marie-Hélène is a reference in the Québec design industry. Time after time, her projects seduce and generate emotional capital.

HEADS OR TAILS

Design or fashion, that was always the question! When Trottier was accepted in both design and fashion schools, she flipped a coin to choose. Heads, it was. And so, she headed into design and fashion tailed along, never far behind.

PRETTY IN PINK

The co-founder and creative director of the studio Jump&Love’s passion is simply contagious, not to mention, she simply loves color with all her heart! “ Ballerina pink is my all-time favorite.”

METZ SCHOOL OF LIFE

“ Frédéric Metz [1944-2014] was my teacher and mentor. When SidLee wanted to create a student scholarship in the form of an internship, Frédéric referred me and it became my first job in the field.” She also worked with him on the rebranding of UQAM’s logo, forging an unforgettable friendship with the dearly departed ambassador and shaker of the graphic design industry.

CRAZY

LOVE

A special shout out to Wes Anderson’s Prada Foundation Luce Bar in Milan. A space filled with madness, generosity and creativity. “One loses track of his points of references!” R-E-S-P-EC-T to Marimekko and British designer Orla Kiely. “Both serve to prove the unbelievable seductive power of graphic design.”

“ I have always dreamed of opening a concept store. The Colette boutique in Paris was by far my favorite place, a melting pot for all art forms. StyleDesignArtFood was its slogan. Perfection!”

FIGURINE DE BOIS DE ALEXANDER GIRARD, VITRA, SALONE DEL MOBILE, MILANO, 2018

Surya VANKA

Founder Authentic Design Seattle, Washington, United States

UNLEASH THE POWER!

Surya Vanka has made it his mission to see to the advancement of industrial design in its broadest sense and across sub-disciplines. Along the road, the founder of Authentic Design, and director of IDSA, was Director of User Experience at Microsoft, a tenured design professor of industrial design at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and a fellow at the Center for Advanced Study.

AS BUCKMINSTER FULLER USED TO SAY…

“I always remember what Bucky Fuller said: “When I am working on a problem, I never think about beauty, but when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.”

UNLEASH THE DESIGN THINKER

The project Vanka cites as being most proud of is creating the method called Design Swarms that has become widely used around the world. “Design is a service profession and my life mission is to find ways to unleash the design thinker inside every single human so they can help take on some of the challenges that we face in the world today.”

THE POWER OF DESIGN

In Surya’s knowledgeable yet humble opinion, the potential of design as a 21st-century profession lies in democratizing a thought process that was once exclusive to a select group of creatives and utilizing it to address crucial global challenges.

HIS WORDS, NOT OURS

“Our world is riddled with complexities, as our species and eight million others confront existential threats from climate disasters and daily hurdles such as housing, food, water, justice, and overall well-being. These deeply interwoven issues are challenging to resolve, as tackling one often results in new complications. Design Thinking has proven its efficacy in addressing such interconnected problems through its comprehensive perspective and ability to reveal inventive solutions.”

I have only praise and admiration for a team of 15-year-old girls and boys from Sierra Leone. They used Design Swarms to take on the intractable problem of gender-based violence and were awarded the Frontier Design Prize in doing so. Bravo!”

Claudia VILLENEUVE

Team Leader, Landscape Architect City of Montréal Montréal, Québec, Canada

BEAUTY IS INDESCRIBABLE…

Awarded a medal of excellence by the Association of Landscape Architects of Canada at the end of her 1997 University of Montréal bachelor’s degree, Claudia has first accumulated over fifteen years working in landscape architecture and urban planning firms, before making the leap to the City of Montréal in 2013. She is now team leader at the Service des grands parcs, du Mont-Royal et des sports.

A COLORFUL CAREER

London 1996 is where and when Claudia first interned in landscape architecture. Today, Claudia heads landscaping projects for the City of Montréal. “Hail praise for blues, the blues of the St. Lawrence River, the blues of Greece that make one dream… the immensity of the blue sky… freedom!”

HAITI, MY BEAUTY

A source of pride? The master plan created for Champ de Mars in Haiti. Eleven public squares being rehabilitated around the National Palace. "These public spaces, designed for the community, bring a breath of change and a sense of pride to the heart of Port-au-Prince, a culturally rich city."

SUNDAY BLUES?

Calling ABBA’s Dancing Queen to the rescue! You see, music has this power to get her out of a creative breakdown every time. Her hero in the profesionnal field? The late Brazilian landscape architect Roberto Burle Mark (1909-1994) that she would have loved to meet… alas, in another life, maybe.

DANCING IN THE STREET

For starters, Claudia would focus on redesigning the streets and sidewalks of her city where life is good … but that’s only where her ambitions begin! “A special shoutout to Frank Lloyd Wright’s Pennsylvania Fallingwater project… a dream house!”

“I wish to see landscape architects become essential and integrated parts of all projects that affect, directly or indirectly, the territory, both urban and regional.”

FALLINGWATER (FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT)

Marie-Chantal VILLENEUVE

Showroom & Marketing Manager / Designer L’Atelier Studio d’Électroménagers / MCV design Montréal, Québec, Canada

MAGENTA IS A FORCE OF LIFE!

After studies in psychology and art history, Marie-Chantal turned to design and launched her own practice, MCV design, by the beginning of the millennium. With design running in her veins ever since, she wakes up repeating to herself: “What a chance I have to live my passion in my everyday life.”

LITTLE MISS BALLERINA

“As a young girl, I used to dream of, one day, becoming a classical dancer,” recalls Marie-Chantal, an unconditional admirer of the Latvian-American dancer, choreographer and actor Mikhail Baryshnikov, a key and preeminent figure of the ’70s and ’80s.

AFTER THE STROKE OF A BRUSH

At 26, Marie-Chantal, a paintbrush in hand, was refreshing the living room walls of her boyfriend at the time. He walked in, took a glance at the scene and said: “It’s not a painter that you are, it’s a designer!” Ah, really? In 1999, she unearthed her first mandate, and a major one too. The complete redesign of a house in Ville Mont-Royal, owned by a house party hosting CEO, incidentally the father of her good friend. One thing led to another… skip forward to Marie-Chantal still living out her passion daily decades later.

LIVE IN THE PRESENT

“The here and now is my inspiration, always! I never live in the past. I fuel off daylight and energy, and strive to always push forward new ideas. Her leitmotif? " Even in a stormy sky, the sun is near!"

A CHANGE OF MIND SPACE

To cheer herself up, she spotifies Alan Parsons’s tune Time, and to recharge her batteries, a 5-to-10-kilometer run or a one-on-one session with her cello is a perfect remedy. She could also opt for a yoga session, wich she has been praticing for over 20 years.

“Oh how marvelous of a dream would be to bring together Freud, Le Corbusier and Chanel to bounce off ideas and brainstorm concepts for the ultimate perfect home”.

Khoi VO

CEO

American Society of Interior Designers (ASID)

Washington, DC, USA

A PASSIONATE PEOPLE PERSON

Meet the cutting-edge global executive leader Khoi Vo, CEO of the American Society of Interior Designers. Khoi has built a remarkable career of transforming organizations and generating multimillion-dollar revenue growth. Here’s how the whodunnit!

MENTORING IS REWARDING

"Having worn many hats in the field of design, I am most proud of my work as an educator. Seeing former students succeed in occupying leadership positions in the design field is the greatest reward of all!"

LONG-LASTING FRIENDSHIPS

“I have made so many lifelong friendships and gained great mentors from exercising this fabulous profession. It is a field filled with kind and generous talented people who are excited to see others succeed as well”. A truly inspiring and creative global village.

GEORGIA ON HIS MIND

Khoi divides his time between Savannah, Georgia, and Washington, District of Columbia. “I love both cities for very different reasons. Savannah is the quintessential Southern experience filled with genuine and kind people, incredible landscapes and a sense of hospitality like no other place. Washington allows me to get my "big city" fix with all of its amazing art and cultural institutions, a richly diverse community and great food options”.

THE DOG DAYS ARE OVER

“The best way to survive an economic crisis is to make yourself irreplaceable. Make sure to finish your work and then go and help others in the office with their projects. Always out hustle everyone else!” says Khoi.

“I wish that the Interior Designer profession become more inclusive and equitable in all aspects of the workforce”.

KHOI WITH HIS SON AND WIFE KRISTEN

© ASID

Experience Exceptional for Yourself

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF EDITORIAL CONTENT SHOWCASING TALENTS, TRENDS AND NOVELTIES IN DESIGN, ARCHITECTURE AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT.