Montreal is a city of outdoor stairs. While the Quebec metropolis is among the coldest major cities on the continent, its urban fabric is characterized by the romantic — though often icy — swoops, stoops and spirals of innumerable escaliers. Today, they are an iconic part of the city’s architectural heritage, and a fixture of whimsical postcard views. Their origins, however, are decidedly more prosaic. During the city’s late 19th century population boom, the municipal building code mandated a modest setback for new residential buildings. A reflection of the era’s prevailing urban philosophies ..read more

Italy rightfully prides itself on its food culture, and its kitchen industry is a natural extension of that. Every two years, cabinetry design giants like Scavolini and appliance makers like Miele (whose club-like booth entrance is shown above) gather to showcase their latest innovations and new stylistic directions at Salone del Mobile’s EuroCucina exhibition — and 2024 was no exception. Fridges glowed and countertops gleamed, tempting fairgoers to imagine the dough they might knead or the short ribs they might braise in environments like the ones on display. (If they weren’t quite so crowded ..read more

In any living space, the careful layering of scales, textures and proportions is vital to creating a comfortable — and aesthetically coherent — ambiance. When it comes to outdoor living, however, the fine details of residential design tend to become simplified into more durable, mobile, and weather-ready forms. Fortunately, Ligne Roset‘s outdoor collection is a thoughtful exception. From seating and lighting to side tables and accent pieces, the French brand’s growing yet carefully curated — and characteristically elegant — selection ensures that its sophisticated style elevates al fresco sett ..read more

Wall Finishes by Clayworks PHOTO: Edward Sumner When it comes to developing the sustainable products of the future, manufacturers should be looking back as much as looking forward. Drawing on centuries-old knowledge of natural materials, that’s exactly what earth building specialists Adam Weismann and Katy Bryce did when they founded Clayworks, combining traditional methods with field experimentation. The Cornwall, U.K., company is known for its 100 per cent natural, locally manufactured clay plaster wall finishes. PHOTO: Edward Sumner Produced using abundant raw materials (a unique blend ..read more

When Volvo was founded in 1927, passenger safety was the fledgling Swedish automaker’s raison d’être. Compared to the industry’s mythos of brash, world-changing innovation — a lineage that runs from Henry Ford to Elon Musk — it makes for a refreshingly grounded origin story. Even as the car-maker evolved into a global giant, a Scandinavian sense of understatement remained part of the brand identity. In the company’s home city of Gothenburg, the newly completed World of Volvo experience centre distills the company’s tasteful yet trailblazing character into a characteristically tactful architect ..read more

Whether muted or vibrant, graphic or gradated, well-crafted area rugs can amp up the style and personality in any room, while also adding a layer of luxurious softness underfoot. Here, five modern rugs that boast individual charm, inviting texture and incredible warmth.  1 Archiscape Collection by BOMAT Archiscape Gabi in Burnt Brick Translating specific architectural building elements – the lines and textures of brick, tiles and mortar – into the language of weaving methods – warp, weft and pile – the Archiscape collection from Belgian brand BOMAT introduces calming soft surfaces ..read more

Ever since the pandemic left many office buildings empty, cities have grappled with how to revitalize business districts decimated by record-high vacancy rates. Coupled with the ongoing housing crisis, the answer seemed like a no-brainer: turn the offices into housing. Of course, it wasn’t that simple. The logistical challenges, cost and complexity of these renovations have induced well-founded skepticism in commercial to residential conversions. Yet with the right building — and the right firm — it’s not only possible, but the results can be even more remarkable than a new build. Roco, a ..read more

Groupe MONTONI boasts a portfolio of over 700 completed projects. Across Quebec, the company has built wide range of industrial, commercial, institutional, and residential properties, accounting for nearly 300,000 square metres of space throughout the province, with nearly as much still in the pipeline. When it came time to design a new head office, the company sought to celebrate the process of construction (and development) itself — but within a sleek, comfortable, and coherent space. For local designers Sid Lee Architecture (SLA), it presented for a creative challenge. Situated in Laval (a ..read more

If architecture suffers a chronic crisis of public relevance, spare a thought for architectural theory. Designers may bemoan a lack of civic presence, but their work, at least, forms part of the evolving built fabric — if not the cultural landscape. And while most of our country’s 41 million residents would likely struggle to name a single practicing Canadian architect, the discipline’s academics and theorists are even further removed from the public eye. David Fortin is an exception. A Professor at the University of Waterloo’s School of Architecture and a practicing architect, David Fortin is ..read more

Each spring, Milan Design Week sets the industry agenda for the year ahead. Packing no shortage of product launches, personalities and parties into a busy seven-day stretch, the city’s signature furniture fair (Salone del Mobile) and complementary lineup of offsite events (collectively dubbed Fuorisalone) introduce nascent colour and material trends while also prompting deeper reflection about the big overarching themes of the moment. As we plot our itinerary for the 2024 edition of Milan Design Week, we’re already picking up on a few major standouts set to leave a lasting impression long afte ..read more