Richelle Sibolboro

One of the reasons I love going to design fairs is because you get to see very specific design solutions to a country and in this case, very city specific problems. The 2024 Toronto Interior Design Show is the kick off to Design Week in Toronto and showcases new trends in the industry, bringing together local artists, new ideas and even getting a glimpse into what our future world could look like. It’s where emerging and established companies can come together and celebrate design.

This year’s show featured, The Future Neighbourhood which posed the question: How will design solve the biggest problems of today?

As we know design is a powerful tool which has a profound impact on how we live. Good design can create solutions to social change and promote well-being, as well as creating beautiful places that inspire and delight.

For this series of installations, The Interior Design Show asked six designers to consider how they see design evolving to improve our lives – essentially presenting solutions to the problems of today. The results address the housing crisis; the ever-evolving crossover of work and living space; ageing in place; the introduction of technology into different interiors; and wellness.

They called it the Future Neighbourhoods to represent the city of Toronto – a city of neighbourhoods. So, take a walk through to explore how design can shape our lives in the future which was curated by Will Sorrel and Joanne Chan.

SAFOURA ZAHEDI – JOURNEY THROUGH GEOMETRY

Following 365 days of travel across historic Islamic regions to study geometric patterns in architecture and handcrafts, Safoura Zahedi presents “Journey Through Geometry” — an immersive installation that explores geometry as a spiritual design tool and invites people to contemplate, connect, and partake in a spatial meditation. This was such a fun installation to see how many different angles I could get in my selfie.

IA INTERIOR ARCHITECTS – BE ANYWHERE. TOGETHER

We are embarking on the creation of an immersive experience that transcends physical boundaries, enabling people to connect and collaborate regardless of their location. The core focus of this transformative experience is to foster meaningful connections, promote conversation, and strengthen communities. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and incorporating bio-based materials, our aim is to craft a sensory oasis that serves as a social hub, bringing people together to co- create in a truly immersive environment.

SDI AND Q4 – TRANSFORM 

We mature, age, and transform; a reality we all know, but rarely embrace. The future of senior-oriented living must challenge the norm. To be ready for the future, we must take ownership and bravely cross boundaries, looking past the framework and context of “now”. As design thinkers, we must lead the way to eliminate antiquated principles, by-laws, and restrictions, opening the doors to creating inclusive, accessible, and technology-driven spaces that prioritize wellness and personalized senior living. We need to transform neighbourhoods, smartly use land, and ensure design is compassionate, dignified and connected. I did love how the carpet represents the neighbourhood to give a tactile experience to the installation.

SVN – HOUSING THE UNHOUSED

Housing the Unhoused is a passion project by SvN in collaboration with Two-Steps Home and CABN that offers a regenerative solution to our city’s ongoing unsheltered crisis. We believe the “Future Neighbourhood” should include the most vulnerable individuals in our communities who face the real dangers of homelessness every single day. This exhibition focuses on those without a safe place to live while showcasing an ambitious pilot program that brings together nonprofits and home builders to supply temporary shelter and community support for those requiring a warm bed while transitioning toward more permanent housing.  

SYLLABLE – MELO: ENVELOP YOUR SENSES

meLo reimagines the workplace as a hub of well-being and support. This space accentuates the multifaceted approach to wellness in our built environment, harmonizing technology, nature, and restoration to create a transformative office experience.

The project provides an immersive experiential journey, showcasing the importance of environmental and emotional responsibility through binaural lighting, scents, sound, and textures, all while striking a balance between technology and nature. The result is an inclusive ecosystem, fostering personal growth and creativity, where the personal and social can intermingle. Join us on this mesmerizing journey to reshape the office experience and promote mental well-being among us.  Once again, being able to touch an installation is such an important aspect when representing the future of materials. I definitely see this being embraced in future spaces.

After looking at these futuristic installations, I can’t wait to see how society will embrace them into their everyday, and future lives.