Canadian Interiors November December 2024 by IQ Business Media

November December 2024 / CDN $8.95

CANADIAN

INTERIORS

Customizations Grand and Subtle Homes can be an expansive canvas upon which to express and experiment with our personal taste, creativity, and values.

The incredible shrinking condo! PM#43096012

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Colour of the Year & Colour Trends

Cinnamon Slate 2113 – 40 Enduring style meets modern sensibility.

benjaminmoore.com

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STEP IT UP The art of tailor-made staircases for the modern home. By Martha Uniacke Breen

COVER – Soft geometry guides a home renovation, denoted by curved openings, stairs, and double height spaces. Photo by Jeremie Warshafsky

CANADIAN

INTERIORS

11/12 2024

PATTERN PLAY Two designers explore wallpaper as an art form to create interiors that are rich in personality. By Martha Uniacke Breen

8 CAUGHT OUR EYE 10 THE GOODS Paint makers unveil their Colours of the Year for 2025; these new collections not only zhuzh up a kitchen and bathroom but are also practical and energy efficient for the hardest working rooms in the home.

16 SEEN Earthy hues and tactile surfaces at Cersaie 2024 34 GOOD READS Two beautiful new surveys, one explores Mid-Century Modernism, the other coastal British Columbian house design.

TINY FOOTPRINTS, BIG POTENTIAL How compact living spaces can, with the help of a designer armed with the right tools, offer a fresh perspective on urban living, maximizing functionality and livability without compromising on quality of life. By Rhys Phillips

36 OVER & OUT Brutalist architecture and modern design meet in a visual ode to raw beauty and simplicity for a new luminaire collection.

November | December 2024 / V61 #6

Editor in Chief

Peter Sobchak Art Director

Roy Gaiot Contributors

Martha Uniacke Breen, Rhys Phillips Online Editor

Lucy Mazzucco Publisher

Faria Ahmed 416-441-2085 x. 5 fahmed@canadianinteriors.com Vice President / Sales

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circulation@canadianinteriors.com President & Executive Publisher

Alex Papanou

Strata™ PANELS @2024 modularArts, Inc.

Canadian Interiors magazine is published by iQ Business Media Inc. 126 Old Sheppard Ave, Toronto, ON M2J 3L9 Telephone 416-441-2085 e-mail: info@canadianinteriors.com website: www.canadianinteriors.com Canadian Interiors publishes six issues, per year. Printed in Canada. The content of this publication is the property of Canadian Interiors and cannot be reproduced without permission from the publisher. Subscription rates > Canada $38.95 per year (plus taxes) U.S.A. $71.95 USD per year, Overseas $98.95 USD per year. Back issues > Back copies are available for $15 for delivery in Canada, $20 USD for delivery in U.S.A. and $30 USD overseas. Please send payment to: Canadian Interiors, 126 Old Sheppard Ave, Toronto, ON M2J 3L9 or order online www.canadianinteriors.com For subscription and back issues inquiries please call 416-441-2085 x2 e-mail: circulation@canadianinteriors.com, or go to our website at: www.canadianinteriors.com

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sculptural walls in modular components modulararts.com

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Now entirely non-combustible!

info@modulararts.com

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By Peter Sobchak psobchak@canadianinteriors.com

INSIDE

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The Year is [tr]Ending

It used to be that as the year wound down, we would first reflect on the successes and missteps of the year “that was” before looking ahead to our expectations of the next one, and that “looking ahead” part is when consideration of “trends” would come into play. Now, it seems, trend predictions for the following year are announced when we are only halfway through the current year. I can’t blame comms teams: exposure by getting picked up early in news cycles is valuable, and it’s a well-known fact that the media loves trends reports. After all, these clairvoyant experts give us so much to report on: who doesn’t want to know what will happen in the future? What worries me, though, is the danger of expecting “trends” to provide answers on how to move forward. Too many “trend reports” are just surveys of people’s Google search results: does that really qualify as pointing out observable changes in people’s behaviour? No. What’s worse is it becomes fodder for the content streams we are already inundated with, which leads everyone to just repeat whatever is out there. And that is driving me crazy: when everybody says the exact same thing and yet none of that chatter is helping our industry — that has gotten complacent recently — really figure out how to move forward. However, there are voices out there trying to cut through that complacency. I quite like Mark Bryan, Senior Foresight Manager at the Future Today Institute and who appears on the trade show lecture circuit. “We’ve thought that we can’t be disintermediated from our clients, and what we’re finding is that we are becoming a commodity, [and] that we have other players, other competitors, coming to the market that are not as financially constrained as we are, and they’re starting to take some of our market share,” he said during a lecture that was part of NeoCon’s virtual CEU programming this year. “And I think that we’ve gotten stuck in near termism versus challenging ourselves to really think beyond.” The design industry is burdened right now with a sea of sameness, but just identifying trends to ostensibly spark something isn’t an answer. For example, the emergence of AI was identified long ago, yet ask ChatGPT to design a “modern conference room”

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more than once and, as Bryan demonstrated in his lecture, the same results appeared with only slight variations. “The whole thing about AI is it’s fed on data of what is happening already,” says Bryan. “I’m pretty sure that if you walk around the showrooms today, you might start to feel that you’re starting to see some of this today.” It is easy to get caught up in things that are trendy versus an actual trend that addresses long-term patterns indicating a direction of change over time. When a foresight specialist tells us that technologies are converging right now — AI, the Internet of Things, sensors, metamaterials, synthetic biology — that will form a tech super-cycle in the coming years and those technologies are going to impact every single industry and every single way that we practice and we need to be prepared for that now, it is understandable that our reaction is “what do I do with all of that information?” According to Bryan, “The first thing that we need to realize is that it’s the long-term implications that really matter here. Short-term thinking has gotten us to where we are today, but we need to think a little bit more extensively. A lot of us get trapped in three-to-five-year planning cycles, and we really need to be thinking further out in terms of 10 to 15 years.” It reminds me of the conversation I had last year with Dr. Michael J. Berens, author of a Trends Outlook report for the ASID, where through him I asked myself these bigger philosophical questions: for example, where do value-based assessments like “what should happen” fit into reporting “what is happening”? Trend reports are tools for preparation, but the right ones can also be tools for challenging one’s own perspective and catalyzing thoughts about the evolving roles of designers, and that emphasize the importance of empathy, creativity, and emotional connection in design, qualities that set human designers apart from machines and artificial intelligence. Preparing for the future is one thing, but how do “trends” help those who want to create the future? As Bryan stresses, we need to be better prepared. “We need to get out of the near termism and start asking “what if” now, so that in the future we’re not asking, “now what?”

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CANADIAN INTERIORS Nov/Dec 2024

CanadianInteriors.com

It’s About People: The Role of HR Systems for Interior Design Firms To ensure firms remain competitive and attract top talent, Janet Candido unpacks innovative and strategic HR practices.

Enhancing Interactions: University of Toronto Experiential Learning Commons Japanese gardens inspire the Experiential Learning Commons’ (ELC) material and architectural gestures.

Waking the Senses: Spa Carré Saint-Louis

This Montréal spa features architecture that blends with soft lighting to create a magical atmosphere.

Paws and Effect: A Design Guide for Dog-Friendly Spaces Natasha Plotnikov provides tips on how to create stylish yet durable spaces for our furry friends.

Sweet Indulgence: Milky’s Fold

The design-savvy Toronto coffee shop’s third location combines creativity and functionality to prioritize guest experience.

All in the Details: Ontario Court of Justice

An intricate hierarchical wayfinding system integrates the interior’s custom wall panels to complement the minimalist architecture of Renzo Piano’s first Canadian building.

Exclusive to our

DIGITAL EDITION

COOL READS A generation of designers shaped B.C.’s architectural identity by crafting stunning homes in a style now known as West Coast Modern, cementing the region’s place on the residential design map.

2024 P House Super double

Visit the expanded digital edition at www.canadianinteriors.com

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Boc 2

TIME TO RISE ABOVE! 28th Best of Canada Awards, the only national design competition in Canada to focus on interior design projects and products without regard to size, budget or location! All winners will be published in the July/August 2025 issue issue of Canadian Interiors.

Submission portal opens January 14th 2025

2024 Project of the Year House on the Park Superkül + Pencil Design doublespace photography

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www.canadianinteriors.com/BoC

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CANADIAN INTERIORS Nov/Dec 2024

Andrew Latreille

CAUGHT OUR EYE

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// 9 Cheers! Reaching 27 feet into the air and visible from everywhere on the IDS Vancouver show floor was Perpetua Bar, designed by STARK from Squamish, B.C. Open on all sides and accessed from any angle, the installation blurred the line between openness and enclosure. Material choices heavily favoured “re-use” and included a sheer curtain made from Pro Clima building membrane provided by 475 High Performance Building Supply, a forest of recycled wood posts fabricated by TAG Panels with structural design by Aspect Structural Engineers, and lighting design by ThinkL with help from Diffusion Lighting. The Light Fantastic To help celebrate its 10th anniversary the Aga Khan Museum in Toronto has initiated a year of programs and experiences that in some way reference the museum’s architecture and history. One example is Light: Visionary Perspectives, a major exhibition that explores the multifaceted impact of light and features contemporary installations by international and Canadian artists, including Anila Quayyum Agha, Olafur Eliasson, Kimsooja, and Anish Kapoor. Among them, Tannis Nielsen’s video looped installation titled mazinibii’igan / a creation, 2020 is a trippy, challenging standout.

Stéphane Brügger

Toni Hafkenscheid

Natural Perspectives A large-scale art intervention was unveiled in the Maison des aînés de Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, a senior housing facility in Québec. Titled Le cycle du présent and created by Canadian artist Yechel Gagnon, the 140-foot bas-relief, made from carved custom-made plywood of tinted and natural veneers, unfolds along the building’s main hallway and features imagery and colours designed to reflect the region’s history, environment, and changing of the seasons. Lying somewhere between abstraction and figuration, this vibrant work helps provide reassuring surroundings for the residents and their caregivers and leaves it up to each individual to connect with it and form a personal interpretation.

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CANADIAN INTERIORS Nov/Dec 2024

By Peter Sobchak & Lucy Mazzucco

Hue’s the Boss? Chosen by their makers as the 2025 Colour of the Year, these warm and moody shades add a bold touch to spaces while encouraging users to embrace self-expression.

Rumors | Behr “We’re seeing people embrace colour like never before,” says Erika Woelfel, vice president of Colour and Creative Services at Behr Paint Company. “Rumors is a modern take on the timeless red that creates an energetic appeal to make a lasting statement in a stunning way.” www.behr.ca Cinnamon Slate | Benjamin Moore “As the use of more saturated colour in design has increased in recent years, we are seeing a growing interest in more nuanced colours, whose undertones add intricacy and dimension,” said Andrea Magno, Director of Colour Marketing & Design at Benjamin Moore. “Cinnamon Slate is an inviting hue that offers enduring style and modern sensibility. Its depth and richness bring an air of approachability and sense of comfort throughout the home.” www.benjaminmoore.ca

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// 11 Midnight Flora | BeautiTone “Midnight Flora speaks to the profound shift toward imagination we’re seeing in colour and design, one that is shaped by a freedom of creativity,” says Kristen Gear, Lead Design & Colour Specialist, BeautiTone Paint and Home Products. “Blending equal parts research and imagination, the BeautiTone 2025 Colour Trends combines what we’re seeing in fashion, design, and culture with colours that work well together and are sure to get Canadians excited to paint.” www.homehardware.ca

Starry Night | Sico “Starry Night invokes the depth and drama of the night sky, while also providing the comfort we get from knowing the same galactic events we see from our backyards are being seen by others around the world,” says Martin Fuchs, PPG senior marketing manager, Sico paint brand. “The Sico Colour of the Year has the authentic ability to connect us more to nature and each other in 2025.” www.Sico.ca Purple Basil | Dulux “Many of our customers want to incorporate a bold colour to transform a space in their home, but when it’s time to make the final selection, they play it safe and revert to neutral, muted shades,” said Mitsu Dhawan, PPG marketing manager, Dulux and BÉTONEL brands, Architectural Coatings. “This year, we’re helping with that final push to go bold and try a dramatic, less expected colour.” www.dulux .ca

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CANADIAN INTERIORS Nov/Dec 2024

By Peter Sobchak & Lucy Mazzucco

THE GOODS

Sleek and Chic

Bathrooms are truly one of the hardest working rooms in the home, so deserve aesthetically pleasing yet practical fixtures that redefine good design.

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1 Excalibur Toilet Brush | Heller Designed by Philippe Starck in 1994 and named after King Arthur’s sword due to its hand protection as the user cleans and then fits neatly into its holder, reminiscent of the motions of medieval knights. Reintroduced at Maison+Objet, the new version is made of 100 per cent post-consumer recycled polypropylene and available in an updated range of four colours. www.hellerfurniture.com 2 RUBBiSH ReFlow sink | Minarc Some estimates say that washing your hands alone can use up to four gallons of water. To combat such waste, this clever, sustainable sink system repurposes the water used for handwashing to flush the toilet. A minimalist sink base solidly frames a thinly stretched, durable recycled rubber sheet, with water flowing down a gentle slope from the faucet to an anchored drain on the opposite end that empties directly into a toilet tank. www.minarc.com 3 Smart Leak Detector | Moen This standalone sensor can be placed anywhere in a home to alert you when and where it detects moisture to help prevent water damage. Place it anywhere the threat of leaks is considered, such as the basement, laundry room, attic, and if the Detector senses the presence of water, extreme temperatures or high humidity, it will alert you via app, text, phone call or email. www.moen.ca 4 Broderick Bath Collection | Delta Styled after the nuts and bolts of machinery, the pieces in this collection were inspired by exposed hardware and the depth of heritage found in traditional design and aim to serve as centerpieces in the bathroom. New Roman Tub and Tub Filler products offer customization options to create statement pieces with an industrial look and powerful features that redefine functionality and add vintage elements. www.deltafaucet.ca 5 Lexa Collection | Rubi The wide range of matching components in this collection offers arrangement for a complete, coherent bathroom. The materials showcase the Québec-based company’s commitment to quality, and the finishes aim to prioritize beauty in all the details. Each element in this range creates an ambiance for spaces dedicated to well-being and design. www.rubi.ca

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CANADIAN INTERIORS Nov/Dec 2024

By Peter Sobchak & Lucy Mazzucco

Polished to Perfection From appliances to cooktops to surfaces, these collections not only zhuzh up a kitchen but are also practical and energy efficient.

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the release. Here, German engineering attempts to use technology to elevate design while reducing energy consumption to the bare essentials. www.ligre.com

1 KM7000 Series | Miele Following the success of the KM7000 models introduced in 2022 and now finally available in Canada, these new frameless models offer enhanced design and functionality to meet the demand for energy-efficient cooking solutions. KM7000 now includes six models in four sizes; expanded range offers three models with a sleek stainless-steel frame; and three frameless models featuring SmartSelect Controls, flexible frame options, enhanced PowerFlex Zone Printing, a recall function, wipe protection, and Con@ctivity 3.0 wi-fi. www.miele.ca 2 Kintsu Kitchen Collection | Brizo This extension to the Bathroom Collection combines Japanese and Scandinavian influences to embody the beauty of balance. Offering various faucet configurations along with coordinating accessories for any kitchen space, the collection coordinates with Brizo airgaps, air switches and sink drains. Collection highlights include a new two-handle configuration, a black Onyx finish, and knob handles. www.brizofaucet.ca 3 Ligre Youn | Ligre This hypermodern portafilter espresso machine designed by Munich-based Relvāokellermann for German appliance-maker Ligre is in direct opposition to “a two-fold observation: the majority of machines in the market are characterized by retro design and conventional technology with high energy consumption,” says

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4 Le Chic Bohème | Cosentino This new collection continues the brand’s love of bold, veined patterns, now inflected with the essence of Parisian sophistication and bohemian flair in four new colours — Jardin Emerald (shown), Rivière Rose, Château Brown and Blanc Élysèe — and made with patented Hybriq+ technology using 99 per cent reused water, 100 per cent renewable energy, and incorporating a minimum of 20 per cent recycled raw materials in its composition, with less than 10 per cent of crystalline silica, distinguishing it as a low silica product within the category. www.cosentino.com

5 The Heritage Collection | Elmira Stove Works This Ontario-based manufacturer of vintage-style appliances has enhanced their lineup of kitchen ranges with induction cooktops, available in three models. The cooktops feature retro front knob power controls and Flex Zone technology that can heat a rectangular pan with up to 3,700 watts. Additionally, it features a residual heat indicator, pot detection and safety shutoff, as well as a 4.0 cubic foot self-cleaning true convection oven. www.elmirastoveworks.com

6 SmartKitchen | Gamadecor Cook while using wireless appliances on the same surface where you do everything else? The technology to do so is getting better and better, as seen here. An innovative concealed cooking plate, equipped with dual technology, is hidden under the surface, turning the worktop into a hob or wirelessly powering household appliances. A touch screen integrated into Porcelanosa’s porcelain slab countertop controls small compatible countertop appliances, wirelessly powered through proximity to the hidden power source. www.gama-decor.com

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CANADIAN INTERIORS Nov/Dec 2024

By Peter Sobchak

Clay Comfort

SEEN

1 Homey Paper Clay | Ceramiche Piemme With so many booths in so many halls showing off their mastery of digital decorative technology, perfectly replicating the look and feel of some other material, it was actually refreshing to encounter a tile collection that seems to embrace imperfection. It is possible artist Paola Paronetto may be perfectly replicating imperfection here, with a pattern and surface quality that looks and feels as if done by hand, but these days I’m fine with that. www.ceramiche-piemme.com 2 Eik | Ceramiche Refin A delicate and irregular grain evokes the authenticity of real wood and lends an elegant aesthetic effect to the surface, with a noticeable lack of knots and marked imperfections. The light and uniform graphic design, with a homogeneous chromatic appearance, conveys a particularly modern and sophisticated effect. www.refin.com

3 Arialuce | Marca Corona When the purpose of most other collections is to service a wall or countertop, a product that fully embraces three dimensionality is worth a ponder. Here, extruded terracotta volumes come in three forms (Curve, Pertuse, and Asole) and three finishes (Natural, Ivory, and White glaze) and create grid structures for both indoor and outdoor spaces, generating volumes in space while letting air and light filter through (hence its name) and teasing a debate between solids and voids that simple slabs can’t do. www.marcacorona.it

4 Bioterre | Ceramica Del Conca Taking inspiration from the construction technique of raw clay known as “rammed earth” and in the pisé technique, the use of different clays creates dramatic visible layers available in six pastel colours (lime, soy, clay, earth, arctic, amla). www.delconca.com 5 Terrae | Casalgrande Padana This new take on the terracotta tradition pays tribute to the origin of ceramics. In six earthy colours and various formats, the surfaces are natural, anti-slip and enriched with geometric patterns for patchwork effects, mosaics, tesserae, and canneté ribbed decoration. They are also eco-compatible, non-allergenic, fire-resistant, antibacterial and self-cleaning, thanks to a Bios Ceramics technology. www.casalgrandepadana.it

6 Wă | Decoratori Bassanesi Taking cues from her travels to China, designer Federica Biasi was inspired by the roof tiles of pagodas and typical dwellings in rural villages. In these buildings, irregular handcrafted terracotta tiles are layered and stacked atop one another in an interlocking system, forming a pattern which Biasi translated into a design structure.

Earthy hues and tactile surfaces that mimic natural stone and wood were an overwhelming trend on display at the 41st edition of Cersaie, the international fair dedicated to kitchen and bath ceramics, demonstrating an urge to bring warmth and nature indoors.

www.cora-pr.com

7 Intense | Lea Ceramiche An impressive reproduction of the aesthetic and material characteristics of limestone — a sedimentary stone rich in fossil micro-inclusions and granularity — is available in a broad range of sizes and formats with three-dimensional and tactile surfaces applicable in interior and exterior environments. www.leaceramiche.it

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Metropolitan Waves | Vogue Every year, winners of the Ceramics of Italy Tile Competition are showcased at Cersaie. This international architecture competition rewards the best architectural works made with Italian ceramic surfaces. In the Design and New Applications category, the winner was “Metropolitan Waves” in Chiari (BS) by Alepreda Architecture, which used Vogue tiles. This series of four elements highlight the modularity of simple three-dimensional blue tiles and takes its name from the changing skyline of cities. These small skyscrapers can be used as pedestals, freestanding tables or parts of more complex compositions.

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CANADIAN INTERIORS Nov/Dec 2024

By Martha Uniacke Breen

Step It Up

The art of tailor-made staircases for the modern home.

t’s really fascinating, when you come to think of it, that one of the most complex feats of engineering in the average house is also one of its most familiar: the staircase. If you live in a house, chances are you ascend and descend one multiple times a day. But you may have never considered the intricate series of calculations that have allowed you to make this quotidian journey without falling off, down or out of it, or having the whole apparatus collapse under your weight.

ance between preserving select existing features while incorporating an open plan that fills the interior with natural light,” recalls Soroor.

Staircases also present one of the few opportunities in most projects for designers to let themselves off their leashes creatively, to transcend the strict requirements not only of gravity but of building codes and play a little.

It also became the central manifestation of a recurring, almost symphonic motif. At its foot, the two guardrails curve but also open out gently, as if inviting you to enter and ascend. Railings and mezzanines curve gracefully around and above the stair. And all through the rest of the house, archways and even the rounded edges of the kitchen cabinets, add a few curves of their own.

As the following three projects show, a staircase can be much more than just a way to navigate through a home. It can also become a kind of kinetic sculpture that comes to life the minute you place your foot on the step.

South Hill House The balletic curves and swoops of this staircase in an older midToronto home, designed by StudioAC and engineered and built by GV&Co., are arresting enough. But when you realize that, despite its clean Modernist spareness, the whole interior is actually a more or less faithful reinvention of the home’s early 20th-century bones, it takes on an intriguing new spin. According to Mohammed Soroor and Yu Chu Su of StudioAC, the original stair was also curved, but its graceful lines were obscured inside surrounding walls. “The key to the design was achieving a bal-

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“Keeping the beautiful form of the original staircase was important,” adds Su. “We wanted to carry that curvilinear language throughout the house. Opening it up allowed the form of the stairs to ‘breathe,’ and now it helps you navigate your way around the house, both literally and figuratively.”

Paul Vouriot, partner, design and operations at GV&Co., calls the staircase nothing less than an architectural feat. “The staircase is entirely self-supported, constructed from steel, and broken into two parts spanning two floors. The balustrade is clad in plaster with custom hardwood treads and risers. The sleek steel handrail is illuminated by skylights, allowing natural light to highlight its sculptural form from all angles. “This staircase fits perfectly in the renovation of this home, as its minimalist beauty and intricate craftsmanship are seen at every angle.”

The Clubhouse The overall geometry of the modern home by FrankFranco Architects that houses this staircase is minimalist and fairly rectilinear;

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Jeremie Warshafsky Photography

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Located near Casa Loma in Toronto, South Hill is a renovation, restoration, and addition to an older brick home. Upon entry, one is greeted with a foyer space that frames a new whimsical and softer geometry denoted by curved openings, an elegant three-story suspended metal staircase, and double height spaces.

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CANADIAN INTERIORS Nov/Dec 2024

Scott Norsworthy

Designed as an art installation, the Clubhouse’s central staircase is the principal circulation of the home. Two landings incorporated into the stair composition give guests the opportunity to observe each step towards entering the private quarters. The oscillation between the height of the white oak handrail and the top of the steel guard geometrically combine to create sensual lines.

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Andre Doyon

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Upon entering the two-storey penthouse in downtown Montréal, the central element is a sculptural steel stair that is both a focal point and an organizing element, providing punctuation between the different living spaces.

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CANADIAN INTERIORS Nov/Dec 2024

The positions of each of the two landings was carefully considered, intended to allow the user to stop and look back through the house from particular vantage points. “The idea of two landings lessens the act of climbing; you pause and look out over the house, or through the windows. In effect, you’re starting from different places.” As Di Sarra explains, “I like the idea that, when so many of the things we do as architects are mechanical — and going up and down a staircase is certainly mechanical — that here, we were able to deconstruct the idea of a staircase and create something that appeals to our senses,” he says. “It’s just a staircase, with just these humble materials. But it’s also this wonderful, crafted sculpture.”

Urban Elegance The staircase in this 12th-floor Montréal penthouse, a collaboration between ARCHITEM Wolff Shapiro Kuskowski architectes and Desjardins Bherer is as much a sculpture as it is a structural element. ARCHITEM’s Eduardo Carrera and Andrea Wolff conceived it as one continuous structure flowing from the lower to upper level of the space, in order to minimize interference with the penthouse’s spectacular city view, which had been a drawback of the original circular stair. But in the process, it became much more than this.

the staircase became one of the few opportunities where architect Frank Di Sarra could add a bit of architectural artistry. “The space we had to work with was actually square,” he explains. “So we thought, why not create something more sensuous and curving?” The stair began to take shape in his mind early on as a ribbon, rather than a spiral. The edges of the guards don’t line up exactly with each other; they undulate at a slight variance, which gives the stair a subtle, cascading sense of visual movement. At the top and bottom, the outer edges flare out, then curl inwards; the effect is to turn the hard cold-rolled steel guards into something lighter, almost flowing. Open risers and white Everest quartz treads add to the light, almost dynamic feeling; the stair flows, ribbon-like, between floors. Di Sarra also played with the contrast between the delicate wooden handrail on the inner edge, and the top of the heavy, black-painted steel outer guards. Where the guards are substantial, undulating in a subtle wave pattern as they ascend, the handrail rises modestly, in harmony with the steps.

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Because each of these materials worked together to form the structure that supports the stair, each had to be built and assembled to very precise tolerances, especially the glass, which was milled in Europe. “We had to do 3D scans to create an exact template of the glass railings,” recalls Carrera. “One millimetre out of place, and the whole piece could shatter.” The flight from the lower to upper level is high enough to require a landing at the halfway point, but it’s hidden; viewed from the outside, the stair rises in one graceful curve. “Guard rails have to be a certain height for safety reasons, but you are allowed a few inches of variance,” Wolff explains; this allowed them to maintain one smooth arc from the bottom to top of the outer shell. The wooden handrail tucked within straightens out where the ascent pauses at the landing (thus satisfying code requirements that it must be fixed at a precise point above the step for safety and comfort) and simply continues its upward journey when the steps do. As Wolff puts it, “It’s more than just a staircase. It’s a different way of seeing the space. But it’s also dynamic; it unravels as you go up the stairs.”

Maxime Brouillet

Above Crafted from painted steel, glass, and wood, the transparency of the glass guardrail exposes the wood core beyond, blending modern aesthetics with natural warmth. This choice of material not only adds a touch of luxury but also contributes to a cozy and inviting atmosphere.

The stair’s rise is guided by the Fibonacci sequence, giving it an uncanny, idiosyncratic grace, like a leaping whale or a boomerang in flight. It consists of three basic elements: the painted-steel shell that forms the guard and outer skin; the oak woodwork that forms the steps, handrail and liner on the outer edge; and the glass railing on the inner side.

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Thin Brick

Elevation

THIN BRICK

Raising the bar. Introducing a new thin brick that surpasses faux finishes in looks and durability. At only 2-1/4” high, Elevation is an elegant, linear brick in a unique weathered finish. This stylish thin brick comes in lengths up to 23-5/8” and two thicknesses, which can be installed together to create depth and shadows. Like all Arriscraft products, Elevation boasts the durability of quarried stone for premium performance in residential and commercial spaces. Choose from nine standard designer colours, with corner units available to create a full bed look.

solutions@arriscraft.com

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By Martha Uniacke Breen

Pattern Play Two designers explore wallpaper as an art form to create interiors that are rich in personality. Above Among the Brutalist Mix Wallpaper Collection by Alykhan Velji Designs, Dune harmonizes natural tones of sand, pinks, and ochre with organic shapes reminiscent of the desert and Brutalist structures. It captures the starkness of arid landscapes while revealing a softer, nuanced perspective. Right Elements juxtaposes soft forms and sharp angles inspired by Brutalist architecture with natural colours and a subtle linen background, creating a study in contrasts.

Wallpaper is having a moment. Whether one’s tastes run to dainty florals or exuberant cabbage roses, circus-tent stripes or sophisticated abstract designs, it’s a popular form of self-expression in home decorating right now and generally a more interesting way to finish a wall than mere paint. For designers and artists, launching a wallpaper collection is a way to bring their artistic vision to a new medium, expand the business or even add a new dimension to their home design work. For some, it can rise to the level of fine art. In the case of Alykhan Velji, his wallpaper collection was a way of combining the colours of his childhood heritage in Tanzania with his love for the muscular forms of Brutalism. For bespoke wallpaper

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artist Candice Kaye, each commission is a new, unique work of art, designed for a specific client and a particular setting, but no less creatively inspired for that.

Alykhan Velji Designs Alykhan Velji, Calgary-based designer and creative director of Alykhan Velji Designs, initially embarked on his recent collaboration with the Toronto-based custom wallpaper fabricator Rollout with an interest in creating murals for his residential projects. Velji had noticed that murals were becoming more popular in residential and saw creative as well as commercial possibilities in developing his own line. Velji’s early designs were inspired largely, he says, by the colours and visual imagery of his Tanzanian roots. “My Tanzanian heritage often

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Courtesy of Rollout/ Alykhan Velji

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presents itself in some way, shape or form,” he laughs, adding, “especially the red earth of Tanzania, which is a beautiful rich colour, and the waters and beaches of Zanzibar.” He toyed with different designs and a variety of colour combinations but says that his first efforts never quite produced the impact he wanted; so he ended up putting the project aside for a while.

Now, Brutalism has its adherents as an art form, but Velji concedes that seeing it as the inspiration for something as decorative as wallpaper might sound a bit unexpected. “I’m a huge fan of juxtaposing and finding beauty in everything,” he says. “Despite the heaviness of blocks of concrete, I could also see the beauty in its forms and shapes.”

It wasn’t until he happened across some images of Brutalist buildings in a vintage architecture book that inspiration struck again. Brutalism emerged in Europe in the 1950s as a minimalist, blocky architecture style mainly based on steel-reinforced concrete, which was usually left in its raw form after completion (leading to the name, which derives from the French béton brut, or raw concrete).

As he continues, “I would start by doing a broad search of images of Brutalist buildings online, then I’d take the buildings I’d like and start sketching the shapes.” He mentions the recently renovated Glenbow Museum in Calgary as one example.

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Velji’s full collection, available for custom order on the Rollout site, shows both influences, in some cases simultaneously; some of the

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patterns are available in a choice of colourways. Because the papers are made to custom order, he says, they can be scaled to fit a range of interior spaces and work equally well hung horizontally or vertically. They’re also available in a selection of substrates, each of which produces a unique effect: vinyl, grasscloth and eventually, metallics. The complete collection, Velji explains, comprises three designs: Elements, with its subtle linen texture, expresses his take on the soft forms and sharp angles of Brutalism in Tanzanian-inspired natural colours; Dune, which reflects the soft, windblown lines and hues of African desert sands; and Terra, with its big, freeform shapes and breezy, ethereal palette. The subtle linear texture of Terra could be interpreted as resembling lines in trowelled concrete. So far, the designs have found their greatest audience in commercial, office and retail spaces, but he sees these designs as working equally well in a home setting: anywhere you have a larger wall space, from a dining room to a large accent wall. “It’s really about the shapes and forms you see in Brutalism,” he explains. “So the designs aren’t so much about a literal translation of the style, as a starting point.”

Candice Kaye Design As part of a stylish transformation of a New York factory warehouse space into a contemporary loft residence, Canadian-born, L.A.-based bespoke wallpaper artist Candice Kaye created a wallpaper for the powder room that was, in essence, a one-of-a-kind Art Deco-inspired work of art. And in fact, that’s how Candice approaches all her commissions. Bespoke wallpaper, fabric and rug design is not exactly a line of work one might plan to enter as a profession, and in fact she admits her journey to this rarified specialty was somewhat convoluted. While she had always been artistic, developing a keen eye for photography and pursuing a career early on as a dancer, she earned her undergraduate degree in a completely different field. However, not long after graduating, Kaye was travelling overseas and happened to step into a fabric store in Paris. “I was completely blown away. It had never occurred to me that fabric and wallpaper and rugs were actually designed and painted by people! I decided that’s what I wanted to do.” She enrolled in New York’s Fashion Institute of Technology’s textiles program, and on graduation went to work at a well-respected New York textile company, where she was exposed to some of the world’s most prestigious high-end design firms, and learned the finer points of textile design, specifically rug manufacturing. That’s when the next card fell into place, she says: she was asked to design a custom wallpaper for the New York and Toronto restaurant group Maman. “At that time, commercial-grade wallpaper wasn’t that creative; it was even hard to find printers who could do my designs for commercial settings. It was like starting from scratch.” But something about the métier spoke to her. She pulled up stakes, returned to her mother’s suburban Toronto home, and hung out her shingle as a custom wallpaper designer. It was the time of

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Instagram, she says, and the business began to attract attention, almost all of it through word of mouth. “I realized early on that there was no way I was going to compete with the big established wallpaper companies. So, I set out to provide something different: I would only create one-of-a-kind designs and never repeat myself. At the time, people thought I was crazy; how would I come up with new designs for each new client? But in fact, that’s never a problem; inspiration is everywhere.” With the New York loft, inspiration came in the form of one of the exquisite marble floor tiles, with their intricate starburst design and metallic sheen, which the clients had brought to their first meeting. During an early conversation, one of the clients also mentioned a love for Art Deco, and the idea took form. Kaye began researching

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classic Art Deco floral designs and arrived at a range of options which included this one: a spare yet intricately detailed motif of lotus blossoms and stems, which almost seems lit from within.

Stainslaw

The powder room’s fixtures and gold accessories led her to choose a very special paper from Montréal which has a delicately embossed, shimmering surface. The design was then custom printed to order and finished by hand. “Choosing bespoke wallpaper is a very personal thing,” she says. “When people are investing this kind of money, I want it to be something different from anything that’s been done before.

Left and Above The wallpaper design is a celebration of sophistication and drama with each element of the moody greens and reflective gold metallics intricately hand-painted by Kaye. Complementing the powder room’s black toilet and elegant floors, the wallpaper was printed on luxe matte reflective paper using a technique that alternates from gold to tone-on-tone black metallic.

“I think of it as like buying art or a very special antique piece of furniture. You’re investing in it because you know it’s the only one like it in the world.”

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By Rhys Phillips

CANADIAN INTERIORS Nov/Dec 2024

Photography by Scott Norsworthy

Tiny Footprints, Big Potential

How compact living spaces can, with the help of a designer armed with the right tools, offer a fresh perspective on urban living, maximizing functionality and livability without compromising on quality of life.

A recently released study found that within Montréal, there were more residential units built than the number of new household units formed. Why? Because studios and one-bedroom units had elbowed out needed family-size units. However, some argue that demand for more compact units is being driven by both an emerging cultural rethink of what constitutes minimum comfortable housing as well as core demographic trends. Whatever the level of downsizing, from micro-units (ranging from 200-300 square feet) to studios/one-bedrooms (400-650 square feet) to compact family (700-800 square feet), interior designers and architects will require multi-layered strategies for designing increasingly smaller living spaces for an increasingly larger sector of the population. BDP Quadrangle, a Toronto-based architecture firm with an extensive multiple unit residential buildings (MURBs) portfolio, held a “Shrinking Spaces Charette” just one week before the COVID-19 pandemic was declared in March 2020. Even preCOVID, they had concluded that housing costs in Toronto had

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Far left and left For an 850-sq.-ft. apartment in downtown Toronto, Picnic Design focused on making an uber-flexible layout. The original dead-end C-shaped kitchen was removed, enlarged and reconfigured as an L-shape to open spatial flow. At the same time, it is clearly defined by the material used. The kitchen island does double duty as an island with storage and works as an entrance bench with its partial drop. Above With the modules pushed back against the common wall, the visual spaciousness of the enlarged living space is enhanced by the unit’s original wall of windows looking out into trees.

driven down the average size of a typical two-bedroom-plus-den unit from around 1,000 to roughly 750 square feet. Statistics Canada confirms this trend: the average unit size nationwide has returned to levels last seen in 1961 after decades of growth. In cities like Toronto, Vancouver and Ottawa, new units averaged just 700-750 square feet, comparable to or smaller than European averages. With intensification policies pushing for greater density, the percentage of new housing stock represented by MURBs in 2002 to 2023 reached 53 per cent in the Greater Toronto Area; 45 per cent in the Greater Vancouver Area; and 34 per cent in Ottawa, the latter aligning with the national average. Although numerous studies show younger families prefer suburban housing, an increasing minority, especially those with dual incomes, are opting for smaller urban apartments and condos. They are driven by a loathing of the long commute and a strong preference for richer urban amenities, particularly if such amenities are walkable. With the prohibitive cost of urban, ground-based housing, younger households and those below median household incomes are slowly warming to smaller living spaces.

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Demographic trends also show plummeting fertility rates and an aging population. Both herald a potential increase in demand for micro, studios and one- or two-person units. In 1961, only 9.3 per cent and 18.1 per cent of households were single- or two-person households respectively. Today, the percentages have reached 29 per cent and 36 per cent and will climb. Simply put, prices outstripping the rise in median household incomes since the 1980s, mandated intensification through more MURBs, an increasing demand to live in higher-cost walkable urban housing and evolving demographic trends will expand demand for smaller residential units.

From Micro to Small A 2023 whitepaper by Toronto-based real estate consulting firm Urbanation about micro-unit apartments also begins with a cost/ income trend analysis, stating that more micro-units generating significant savings would provide possibilities for many residents currently priced out of the conventional rental and ownership market. But, the report adds, Canada’s major cities have yet to embrace sub-studio living, noting only nine units of 300 square feet or less sold in the City of Toronto from Q3 2022 to Q2 2023.

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Left A broad floor-to-ceiling door closes off what will be the parents’ bedroom until the children take up residency in the two flexible spaces behind the modules. Above When the module nearest the glazed wall is rolled out, a natural light-filled room with storage and book shelves on one side and a Murphy bed with dropdown desk on the other is created. Right When the inner module is rolled out and a generous Murphy bed is lowered, the unit’s second bedroom is created. If the outer module is also rolled out and the heavy curtain drawn, a third space emerges for bedroom, work, reading or play.

This said, there is some history and maybe even a trend. In 2012, Vancouver’s Burns Block quickly sold all 50 of its micro-units ranging from 220 to 290 square feet. Six year’s later, the same firm opened The Prime on the Plaza, a 37-storey tower in Surrey B.C., with 300 micro-units starting under 300 square feet. Slightly larger units in the lower 300s employed layered glass partitions on rails to morph at night into two sleeping compartments.

The second, even broader need is markedly expanding social infrastructure such as libraries, schools, community centres, parks, interactive squares, and even sidewalks, that can substitute for lost space in small residences. “We have another saying for micro-lofts,” Jon Stovell, CEO of Burn’s Block developer Reliance Properties told the Vancouver Sun back in 2014, “a 300-sq.-ft. home with a 3-million-sq.-ft. living room.”

Broadly, there are four programmatic areas for delivering functional and comfortable compact residential spaces. Two, however, step beyond smart interior design interventions. The first is the development sector’s need to rethink building design, which might include higher ceiling heights permitting raised floors that increase mechanical options and add storage to accommodate lofts. DIY “shell” buildings, not uncommon in Europe, could increase owners’ options, while rethinking building amenities could introduce family-oriented communal living spaces. More radically, this could include building shared-living units with micro or studio private space but shared common areas.

Each Client is Different

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More directly applicable for design interventions is first, a very careful determination of the unique functional living requirements and preferences of the specific client, a need magnified for micro and studio units. In the city’s Fort York neighbourhood, an 850-sq.-ft. condo for two professionals and their two children by Toronto-based Picnic Design is significantly smaller than the traditional 1,200 square foot base standard for such a family. In addition to workspaces and ample but flexible living space, over time as the children age, they will need separate sleeping areas until eventually leaving for university. The unit’s existing second bed-

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PARENTS’ BEDROOM

EXPANDED LIVING SPACE

TWO KID’S BEDROOM

GUEST BEDROOM

Above Initially, in the out position, one movable module will create the parents’ bedroom with the two children sharing the walled bedroom. As the children age, they will relocate to two separated bedroom spaces behind the modules. Once the children leave home, the modules can be fully retracted or pulled out individually or together to create a guest bedroom or work/reading areas.

room was ripped out and replaced with two, floor-to-ceiling modular panels that manually slide on cannisters into or out from the wall. On the living room side, the panels contain a media centre, storage and a fold-down desk. Inside, two Murphy beds, separated by a heavy curtain, fold into the condo’s common wall. This allows for multiple spatial configurations.

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Currently, the children share the original master suite while the parent’s sleep in one of the flexible bedroom spaces behind the modular panels. The other module can be left closed or opened to create a private office, reading den or play space. At around eight or nine years old, the children will relocate to the two curtainseparated sleeping areas. Once they leave the nest, their flexible

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bedroom spaces can, separately or together, remain closed or be opened for office/den space or overnight guests.

Designing Micro and Small Residential Units: Towards a Tool Kit Designer tools for making small residences both functional and comfortable are prolific (see sidebar for a summary). For example, BDP Quadrangle’s charrette, available online, produced 15 variations of flexible partition modules that integrate many functions while allowing for multiple space configurations. Digital automation of movement is an option although Picnic Design opted for

“low tech” manual movement. Of course, they operationalized BDP Quadrangle’s idea that “over the long-term, as household needs change, modules can also be completely rearranged, modified or replaced.” Demand for micro-units will increase but likely remain a relatively limited segment of the residential market. Over time, studios and one-bedrooms will play a central role given demographic trends, and compact family units will continue to be critical. Designers, therefore, must be well-armed to ensure small spaces are not just livable, but desirable.

Tools for Designing Small Spaces Open Layouts and Multi-Functional Zones Open floor plans reduce walls, making spaces feel larger and more connected. Multi-functional zones boost adaptability for various activities. Modular sofas or dividers reduce one-big-room feel. Custom-Made and Multi-Functional Furniture Well-scaled, custom-made furniture can serve multiple purposes while Murphy beds, retractable tabletop surfaces and under-bed storage add functionality. Vertical Space Utilization Use floor-to-ceiling shelves, wall hooks, and hanging cabinets. Wall-mounted furniture like foldable desks free up floor space. Mezzanines provide extra storage or sleeping areas. Curtains, Soft Dividers, and Sliding/Pocket Doors Curtains or soft partitions create flexible separations while offering privacy. Sliding or pocket doors remove the clearance required for traditional swing doors. Mirrors and Light Colours for Visual Expansion Mirrors reflect light and make rooms appear larger. Light, neutral colours brighten spaces, creating an open, airy feel. Continuous colour schemes enhance visual flow. Smart Lighting and Maximizing Natural Light Layered lighting that includes ambient, task, and accent lights avoids bulky floor lamps. Maximize natural light through window treatments such as sheer curtains and translucent screens. Indoor-Outdoor Connectivity Connecting indoor areas with outdoor balconies literally makes a home larger. Seamless glass enclosures transform balconies into multi-season rooms. “Boxed” Bathrooms “Boxed” bathrooms (often translucent) integrate better into living spaces. Small showers or round bathtubs fit into compact layouts. Already tried, tested and widely popular in European markets, modern kitchen cabinetry and surface manufacturers are rolling out innovative products that better-utilize the open space created by kitchen islands. Häcker Kitchens, for example, has launched a trio of movable countertop options depending on the shape, size and intended use. The Moving Table (top) can be placed on either side of an island, with a stationary countertop sitting adjacent. The Silent Move (above) acts as an extension of the island with a base and countertop that slides parallel to the existing island.

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Minimalism and Decluttering Minimalism reduces physical and visual clutter. Fewer accessories and appropriately scaled furniture make a space feel more open. A Digital World IoT and smart home technology can make easy space reconfiguration at a touch, even remotely.

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Meet Dais The fluid blend of beauty, function and sustainability.

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By Peter Sobchak

GOOD READS

Modern Love

Left: Atlas of Mid-Century Modern Masterpieces by Dominic Bradbury (© 2024 Phaidon / ISBN: 9781838666934). Above: St Rochus Church, Paul Schneider-Esleben, Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, 1954.

New survey of Mid-Century Modernism revels in the movement’s global impact on urban landscapes.

Organized geographically and packaged in Phaidon’s signature “atlas” format, one which author Dominic Bradbury is a veteran (other titles by the publisher’s go-to “atlas” guy include the Atlas of Mid-Century Modern Houses, the Atlas of Interior Design, and Mid-Century Modern Designers set to be released in spring 2025), the book pairs each structure with brief descriptions, striking photographs, and contextual maps. It also uses icons to provide insights into the buildings’ original purposes, current conditions, and historical significance. This comprehensive approach spans continents, documenting embassies, airport terminals, university campuses, and more. Students of Canada’s architectural history, particularly this beloved architectural movement, may be disappointed by the few

and somewhat predictable Canadian entries: Simon Fraser University; Precious Blood Church; Massey College at the University of Toronto; Toronto City Hall; Ontario Place; and the U.S. Pavilion at Expo ’67. But in fairness, Canada had been in the architectural shadow of other countries for decades, coming to the game late as it were. Something many argue is persistent behaviour even to this day. Overall, the tome aptly highlights the transformative role of Mid-Century Modernism in city-building, but its focus on iconic designs may inadvertently marginalize the grassroots movements and societal challenges of the era. While the optimism and innovation of the post-war period are palpable, a deeper critique of how these designs shaped urban environments—both positively and negatively—could have enriched the narrative. For instance, many Mid-Century developments prioritized monumentalism, sometimes at the expense of human-scale livability. Additionally, the book’s reliance on visual appeal risks overshadowing the nuanced social, political, and economic contexts of these projects. However, its accessible format and global scope are commendable, providing a valuable entry point into understanding how Mid-Century design shaped modern cities. It is a must-have for design enthusiasts but would benefit from a more critical perspective on urban impacts.

GraphyArchy, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International

The newest entry into a genre Phaidon is renowned for — a visually rich tribute to large-scale architectural achievements that will test the structural integrity of your bookshelf — the expansive Atlas of Mid-Century Modern Masterpieces showcases 450 iconic designs from the global post-war boom of the mid-20th century, highlighting the optimism and creativity of the 1950s and ‘60s. Unlike many works focused on residential Mid-Century Modernism, this book examines monumental projects such as Welton Becket’s Capitol Records building; Mies van der Rohe’s Seagram skyscraper; and Kenzō Tange’s Tokyo Olympic gymnasium, alongside lesser-known gems like an Arctic cathedral in Tromsø and a hospital in Libreville.

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From Forest to Foundation A new survey explores the unique language and cultural legacy of coastal British Columbian house design.

Joshua Lawrence Studios

In Reside: Contemporary West Coast Houses, cultural historian Michael Prokopow explores the allure of what he coins the “BC Idiom” and the rationale behind the debate “What is it that makes British Columbian architecture unique?” as posited by the RAIC in 1972. Photographs of each house and a narrative describing the architects’ design process and determination transport the reader through four categories of housing typologies that define contemporary West Coast residential design, Prokopow documents 34 stunning bespoke homes designed by some of British Columbia’s distinguished architectural firms, situated within the region’s natural beauty of abundant lush forests, mountainous steep climbs, vast coastlines, and the urban context of the city of Vancouver — some locations Prokopow describes as unimaginable for home building. Several narratives are explored in the book, including the evolution of contemporary West Coast design vernacular during the post-war years starting in 1940, which led to what Prokopow calls “the culture of house design” and “settler mindset” during a period of great architectural

exploration. Influential factors of regionality, readily available materials, and a passion for modernist thinking prevailed. Design interventions that informed a new vision for house design in the region included international influences in Chinese, Japanese, and Nordic aesthetics characterized by a minimalistic style, wood and concrete construction, post-and-beam design, open space planning, and blurring lines between interior and exterior spaces. Indigenous wood architecture is also respectfully acknowledged as a key influencer and rightfully so, as Prokopow describes the West Coast vernacular as “culturally complex, aesthetically hybrid and arguably original in character.” A love letter not just to the houses but the architects behind them, here Prokopow highlights their respect and awareness of the sensitive inter-relationship between the natural environment, form, materials and clarity concerning “place-making,” key factors that link to the geographic, climatic, and socio-economic realities of the region. Yet he also gives a balancing nod to acknowledging the impact of colonialism, economic privilege, and nationalism on “creativity and criticism” and the culture of house design during the post-war years, when the region was undergoing economic growth and the appeal to a West Coast lifestyle was not only achievable but highly romanticized and desired. Good design was elitist and represented only a small percentage of architects and their patrons who sustained this new house culture. A beautiful book that successfully explains West Coast residential design as an architectural force and movement never seen in Canada before, Reside leaves the reader pondering — intentionally or not — what innovative design solutions are available that can respond better to the new realities of today’s need for affordable housing, place-making, and environmental stewardship. Anna Stranks is principal of STUDIO A Design Collaborative and a professor at Humber College’s Bachelor of Interior Design program.

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CANADIAN INTERIORS Nov/Dec 2024

By Lucy Mazzucco

Javier Wainstein

Lucho Calderon

OVER & OUT

Form and Function Brutalist architecture and contemporary design meet in a visual ode to raw beauty and simplicity.

he Brutalist architecture movement of the late 1970s, particularly the Sydney Masonic Center (SMC) which opened in 1979 in Sydney, Australia, has always fascinated Montréal-based furniture designer Will Choui. “Brutalism, often perceived as harsh or imposing, has a raw beauty that I wanted to capture and reinterpret through a contemporary lens,” says Choui. “For me, it wasn’t just about mimicking the aesthetic but rather about distilling its essence — its focus on simplicity, strength, and functional beauty — and bringing that into the realm of modern furniture design.” Each piece in the new 1979 Collection for d’Armes aims to embody core principles of Brutalism such as bold lines, raw materials and a strong sense of structure through the medium of lighting. Using exclusively recyclable aluminum and steel, chosen for its ability to be both light and structural, allows Choui to create pieces that are substantial yet refined, staying true to the roots of Brutalism while making the designs more functional and accessible. He focuses on creating geometries that play with shadows and light in intriguing ways to bring depth and warmth to the stark, minimalist shapes. “The collec-

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tion is my vision of what Brutalism could look like in the 21st century, with a polished and refined edge that softens its more rigid aspects.” The process involved studying the sharp lines and honesty of Brutalist architecture and transforming those elements into sculptural lighting that enhanced the space it inhabited. “Each piece balances the raw, industrial spirit of the movement with a contemporary approach to form and function,” says Choui. Crafted in the d’Armes workshop in Canada, Alexandre Joncas and Gildas Le Bars, the duo behind d’Armes, understood Choui’s vision for the collection from the start and brought their own expertise and creative energy to further elevate the designs. “The partnership with Studio d’Armes is incredibly meaningful to me on both a professional and personal level,” says Choui. “What stood out to me was their commitment to elevating the original concepts while staying true to my vision. It was clear we shared a creative synergy, and over time, became close friends. I feel like the collection has reached its full potential with their input.”

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NEWTON SERIES

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Meaningful Design to Inspire People’s Lives

LE CHIC BOHÈME COLLECTION RESTAURANT BAR - JARD IN EMER ALD Find inspiration at cosentino.com ô @CosentinoCanada

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