Special Features to watch for at IDS 2018

Tomorrow evening marks the opening of the most anticipated design show in Canada. The 2018 Interior Design Show will start with a gala opening night on Thursday, January 18, followed by a Professional Trade Day the following day, a Globe Style Saturday on the 20th, and a House & Home Sunday on the 21st. IDS will take place at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre North Building, and promises three full days of inspirational exhibits, influential speakers and leading products. Here are some of the special features to watch for at IDS 2018!

Image © IDS & Informa Exhibitions

1. Caesarstone’s collaboration with Snarkitecture

Leading quartz manufacturer Caesarstone has chosen New York-based collaborative practice Snarkitecture for their 2018 Designer Program. The 2018 collaboration will focus on the icon of the modern home, the kitchen island. Over the past 40 years the kitchen has transformed from the private,utilitarian space to the most public space in the home. It has evolved into a place for entertainment, social interaction and performances where we demonstrate our‘professional’ cooking skills, as well as showcase our high-tech appliances. As water is one of the most important ingredients in the kitchen,used for a wide variety of cooking techniques and culinary creations, Snarkitecture will investigate the ‘changing states’of water in the context of the kitchen island,as well as look at natural topography where water exists in these states. This year’s collaboration will present a realistic and practical interpretation of Caesarstone, one that looks at the functionality of the kitchen, while drawing from Snarkitecture’s signature blend of architecture and art.

Image © Snarkitekture

The kitchen space is continuing its journey to the centre of the home and, what used to be the family’s meeting point, is turning out to be a ‘future living room’, a place where we entertain and host.We are very interested in the shifting role of the kitchen space and wanted to be leading this discussion with the help of Snarkitecture, which has been doing exceptional thought-based work at the crossroad of art and architecture.

– Raanan Zilberman, CEO of Caesarstone

2. Canadian by Nature

Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the founding of Toronto’s Interior Design Show (IDS), this exhibition showcases the best Canadian architecture and design today from over 60 emerging and established designers and studios–whether practicing in Canada or abroad. Some commonalities define what Canadian design is–a sensibility favouring restraint over excess, a minimalist approach, and a respect for function, materials and craftsmanship.

Image © Batay Csorba

Some of the showcased designers and studios are: AND Light, Atelier Barda, Atelier Moderno, Batay Csorba, D’Arcy Jones Architecture, Design Agency, Doublenaut, EOOS, Molo, Frank Architecture, Greg Durrell, Hinaani Design, I-V, Jean de Lessard, KPMB Architects, Lebel & Bouliane and Mazen Studios, Libs Elliott, Linda & Linda, Lukas Peet, Microclimat, MSDS, Nienkamper, Omar Gandhi Architect Inc., PARTISANS, Patkau Architects, Philippe Malouin, Public Work, RUF Project, Scott and Scott Architects, Shim Sutcliffe, Ste. Marie Art + Design, Studio AC, Studio Munge, Thom Fougere, Tierney Milne, UUFIE, Worker Bee, Yabu Pushelberg.

3. designboom mart

designboom will showcase 30 creative professionals from all over the world the opportunity to introduce their new products to the Canadian market.

I Kinda Like It Here

designboom mart is a unique interactive platform for emerging and established designers to test their new ideas. Visitors can purchase the self-produced or limited edition pieces directly from the designers.

4. How Bright is Our Future? – An Immersive Architectural Experience

IDS visitors will enter a dark enclosure to encounter a forest of tree-like fixtures. Each of these “trees” offers the viewer a tactile surface printed on the skin of the tree that responds to the viewers touch.  They will be asked to react to the most promising and terrifying changes that will inform our future, and record how they view that topic: either as one of hope or one of fear.

Image © Design Workshop Architects

Data gathered from all the inputs contributes to an illuminated meter that displays where each individual as well as the collective result, puts us on that spectrum of fear and hope. The results are also projected onto a screen where each participant sees how they influence the future – but they must confront the reality that we will all create this future together.

More information

5. Interior Tours

For the first time ever part of the Interior Design Show, you will have the chance to explore three of Toronto’s most compelling interiors with their designers and architects as your guide—a rare chance to meet the talents working at the forefront of interior design, to peer behind the scenes of their processes, and to engage them in illuminating dialogue.

Image © BlackLab Architects

Taking place Saturday, January 20, the tours include: Sunnylea Residence by BlackLAB architects, The Broadview Hotel by Design Agency and Bisha Hotel by Studio Munge.

Limited ticket quantities are available.

Buy Tickets 

6. Maker curated by DesignMilk

Maker returns for its fourth installment at IDS18. Maker features the work of artisanal North American design stars who produce their own work in small batches with limited distribution. This year’s Makers include 1925 Workbench, Atelier Bussiere, Charuk & Ford, Christopher Solar Designs, Kastella, Kroft, Luxi Studioworks, Miles & May, Objects and Ideas, and PELLE.

Image © Kastella

7. Ontario Wood

Ontario Wood is an initiative to help consumers identify and purchase locally made Ontario Wood products. Ontario’s forests offer a wide variety of wood species with characteristics suitable for many needs. Local manufacturers produce everything from structural lumber to flooring, furniture, log homes and artisan goods. Ontario Wood is the natural choice for designers seeking to achieve the balance between function, beauty, versatility and performance.

Image © Denegri Bessai Studio

Denegri Bessai Studio will bring their forward-thinking design techniques and rethink the use of wood in the IDS18.

8. Studio North

One of the most exciting features each year, Studio North and Prototype represents the marketplace to showcase custom work and limited-edition collection. Over 65 Canadian and international designers of the highest calibre present one-off and custom collections of furniture, lighting, glass, ceramics, textiles and surface design in a gallery-like setting.

Studio North and Prototype participants are provided with the opportunity to have their work reviewed by a panel of international industry leaders and design experts. Past judges have included designers Tom Dixon, Eero Koivisto, Nipa Doshi, Arne Quinze, Gord Peteran, and Patricia Urquiola, as well as Paul Makovsky of Metropolis, Jesse Ashlock of ID, Kelsey Keith of Dwell Magazine, Giulio Cappellini of Cappellini, Anne Vos of MOOOI USA and Ben Watson of Moroso.

Image © Atelier C.U.B

There is no other marketing opportunity in Canada that provides emerging designers and independent studios with such a high-profile platform to network with potential clients, manufacturers, trade professionals, buyers and media.

Learn more about Studio North and Prototype in this short film by no hands. Find out more nohands.ca.

*All information courtesy of IDS & Informa Exhibitions.