5 Must-See Events at Toronto IDS 2022

With the swell of spring weather upon us, and as we ease back into life as normal, it feels like nature is finally healing — and where better to embrace these new beginnings than at Toronto’s biggest design show? IDS (2022) is back this year with in-person programming, and suffice it to say, it’s going to be a hot ticket event. From April 7-10, explore immersive installations, exhibits, and talks with local design experts like Bridget Shim, Batay-Csorba, and Evan Jerry at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

New in 2022, offsite micro-events and virtual seminars will round out the offerings. This year’s theme, New Futures, feels especially fitting given the city’s recent renaissance. Below, we’ve flagged 5 events you won’t want to miss. While you’re in the area, we also recommend stopping by the Designlines booth (#1050) to pick up a copy of our latest issue, of course.

NEO COLOSSEO

For those that don’t speak Italian, let us translate. Entitled New Colosseum, this installation is designed by 2022 International Guest of Honour and hospitality heavyweight Alessandro Munge. But, in place of the Roman amphitheatre’s signature limestone and volcanic rock, the installation experiments with a different kind of stone entirely — Caesarstone, that is. In collaboration with the luxury quartz brand, Munge showcases their newly-launched Pebbles Collection with eight nature-inspired surfaces that complement an immersive sensory experience. If, like us, you can’t get enough of Munge, don’t forget to check out his keynote talk on Thursday, April 7^th at noon.

STUDIO NORTH

Though the catchphrase We The North may have been coined in support of the Toronto Raptors, we think it’s just as apt for this celebration of what’s next in Canadian design. Judged by Elizabeth Pagliacolo of Azure Magazine, Ben Dreith of dezeen, and Byron and Dexter Peart, the duo behind GOODEE, this gallery-inspired exhibit spotlights bespoke, one-off designs from furniture to lighting to décor. With a star-studded roster of alumni, including MSDS and Thom Fougere, look no further to find your next design idol.

PROTOTYPE

Nothing says New Futures like the forward-thinking designs of the next generation. This juried platform within Studio North brings together students and seasoned pros to present concepts for residential products. This year’s whimsical lineup — including a split-level mug, a translucent chair in rosy plaid, and a primordial earthenware side table — offers a window into the future of design.

DARE TO SHARE LOUNGE

Looking for a roommate? You may be looking at the future of housing. In this economy, designers are getting creative with co-living arrangements that cut housing costs and create space for community. But if you’re not sold on the concept, consider checking out the Dare to Share lounge, designed by Toronto firm Picnic Design in collaboration with GOCO, Aya Kitchens and the English Carpenter. Grab a beverage in the “kitchen” and make yourself at home in one of the space’s full-scale vignettes for a taste of the co-living experience.

THE FUTURE OF RETAIL

Call us crazy, but there’s something about e-commerce that leaves a little to be desired in the way of design (sorry, Jeff Bezos). What, then, might the future of retail look like? In the wake of the pandemic, designers are reimagining IRL retail for the technological age while embracing the opportunity to provide customers with a unique experience that makes it worthwhile to leave the house. This panel discussion — with Supreet Barhay of WZMH, Mason Studio’s Stanley Sun, VP of Electric Autonomy Ilana Weitzman and Azure Magazine’s Eric Mutrie  — covers everything you need to know for your next shopping spree, from electric vehicles to mobile retail concepts.