May/June 2025

Canadian Interiors May – June 2025

Issue Focus: Scaling Up: Taking design (and design business) to the next level.

FIRM PROFILES

Many interior designers struggle to scale their careers and their practice to the next level. In this issue we profile two wholly women-owned companies who have successfully accomplished this feat using different strategies.

The first is Sansa Interiors, a small all-female boutique interior design studio based in Toronto whose founder, Jude Kamal, launched a thriving design business in the midst of a global pandemic and grew it in just a few years.

The second is Creative Matters, a Canadian-based, globally renowned rug and wall coverings design company who share their strategies and insights on best practices for scaling up a design business in Europe.

PROJECT SPOTLIGHT

Durham Spine & Pain Institute, Ajax, Ont. / Galt Health, Cambridge, Ont.

Two medical clinics were recently designed using themes of wellness and health restoration to reimagine the healthcare experience, creating a warm, empathetic, and uplifting environment for both patients and staff.

ASSOCIATION FOCUS

In this issue we unveil our inaugural ARIDO Journal, a collaboration with the Association of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario intended to draw attention to issues the association is addressing within the industry. This edition discusses the Mutual Recognition Agreement signed by ARIDO and Association professionnelle des designers d’intérieur du Québec (APDIQ) that will ensure reciprocity and recognition of qualified members in both Ontario and Québec.

SHOW COVERAGE: Malaysian International Furniture Fair, Kuala Lumpur

A round-up of the findings at the 2025 edition of Southeast Asia’s largest B2B home and office furniture trade show, which spans across 100,000 square metres and 17 exhibition halls in two venues and attracted 19,556 trade visitors from 120 countries and regions, including 5,606 international buyers.

Editor’s Notes: The Gospel According to Southby

Walk into any conference session that advertises to be about the evolution of “work,” as I did while attending SxSW 2025 (South by Southwest, or “Southby” in local argot) in Austin, Texas, and the sermons are unified: we are witnessing profound transformations driven by evolving workforce demographics, shifting work behaviours, and emerging technologies — that last point being catnip for congregants of SxSW, who are avowed technologists and futurists.

But what does it mean for the built environment? Their homilies are unified on this topic too: businesses must adapt their interior design strategies to create environments that foster engagement, productivity, and well-being. With Gen Z and Gen Alpha becoming dominant forces in the workforce, organizations must rethink traditional office designs and align them with the values of flexibility, sustainability, inclusivity, and technology integration.

The workforce will be highly diverse and multi-generational, comprising Baby Boomers who choose to remain in the workforce, Gen X leaders in executive positions, and Millennials and Gen Z workers who expect flexibility and purpose-driven work environments. Additionally, the rise of Gen Alpha, the first AI-native generation, will introduce new expectations regarding technology integration and work-life balance.

The choir at SxSW all agree that hybrid work models are here to stay, with employees demanding greater flexibility. Remote work, digital nomadism, and alternative workspaces will become commonplace, requiring offices to serve as collaborative and cultural hubs rather than mandatory daily workstations. That idea of “meaningfulness” was central and takes many forms, particularly sustainability. Younger generation employees expect organizations to commit to environmental responsibility through sustainable materials, energy-efficient lighting, air purification systems, and AI-driven climate control.

 Common scripture heard throughout conference sessions was, unsurprisingly, how much AI and smart technologies will play a central role in shaping workplace experiences. AI-powered design tools will enable personalized office environments; predictive analytics will optimize energy use; and generative AI will enhance collaborative work processes. AI-driven wayfinding, digital assistants, and holographic communication will create frictionless workplace experiences, making interactions seamless and intuitive. Immersive digital environments will also redefine office spaces. The concept of the “infinite workplace”—where physical and virtual workspaces merge—will become more prevalent, allowing employees to interact with digital elements layered over real-world settings. AI-powered assistants will help employees navigate these hybrid environments, enhancing productivity and engagement.

Of vital importance to the flock in Austin was prioritizing inclusivity and well-being in new workspace design. Safe spaces, or “seen spaces,” will be critical in fostering a sense of belonging. These environments—whether physical or digital—will allow employees to express their identities without fear of judgment. Acoustic pods, flexible workstations, and adaptive lighting will cater to different sensory needs, while AI-driven personalization will enable employees to customize their workspace settings based on their preferences. Mental health and reducing burnout should also take centre stage if employee engagement and retention is important. Wellness-focused features such as meditation rooms, circadian lighting, and ergonomic workspaces to promote holistic employee health are of course a good idea, but so too is joy and play in the workplace, at least to these parishioners. While traditional “fun offices” with slides and bean bags may be outdated, intentional design elements that encourage spontaneity and socialization will be crucial. Themed lounges, creative breakout areas, and multi-sensory workspaces will allow employees to recharge, collaborate, and find inspiration in unexpected ways.

Despite being surrounded by so many hints as to what a near-future workplace could look like, orators at SxSW preached what A+D professionals already know: that successful workplace design hinges on a deep understanding of employer and employee expectations and behaviours. Organizations (and by extension the designers who they hire) must see office design not just as a functional necessity but as a strategic advantage that can attract and retain top talent. Through innovative space planning and fostering a culture of adaptability, inclusivity, and joy, companies can create workplaces that not only meet the demands of a changing workforce but also inspire and empower employees for years to come. And if all else fails, just take the team out for some tacos!