On the one hand the kitchen of the Hunter residence is a simple place of gathering, nurturing and warmth, and on the other a marvel of functionality. But it wasn't always that way. When the Hunters bought their property in Toronto's Annex neighbourhood, the three-storey, semi-detached century home had been subdivided vertically into two separate…

Pavillons Lassonde de l'cole polytechnique Montral Saia Barbarese Topouzanov Architectes; Desnoyers Mercure et Associes; Menkes Shooner Dagenais Letourneux Architectes - all Montreal The expansion of the School of Engineering at the University of Montreal was a major project covering 350,000 square feet and involving three architectural firms: Saia Barbarese Topouzanov, Desnoyers Mercure et Associes, and…

Scalar lighting Brave Design, Montreal Scalar is a group of linear asymmetrical lighting fixtures, either surface mounted or suspended, with direct and indirect lighting effects. Designed for the computer user who spends more time in the office than at home, Scalar fixtures are personal, flexible and adaptable. Common elements are a diagonally folded wing-like part…

Text and photos by David Lasker INDUSTRIAL STORM, May 4 An exhibition of black-and-white architectural photography by Paul Till, titled Buildings, Gardens and Statues, opened recently at Industrial Storm on Toronto's Queen Street West 1 Hanson Tan, co-owner, Industrial Storm; Marcelo Monteiro, sales; Anita Sorensen, administration; Gary Flaherty, co-owner. 2 Photographer Paul Till, his wife…

What began as a notion that this country should come together nationally to celebrate excellence in design is now a major design event marking its 10th anniversary. The Best of Canada Design Competition has grown in importance and prestige, and the gala celebrating its winners has been deemed by some (and we modestly agree) one…

Electronic Arts Canada, Burnaby, B.C. MCM Interiors, Vancouver Electronic Arts is the world's leading developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software. The company challenged the design team at MCM Interiors to create its next generation of high-performance workspace, suggesting that if the first EA building, completed in 1999, was version 1.0, then this new studio…

Ravine forecourt, Toronto Plant Architect, Toronto A renovated 1920s six-unit building is the only apartment building on a street of houses in Toronto. Plant Architect was asked to redesign the site, providing eight parking spots, a pedestrian approach, a garbage and recycling area, signage, and a garden that would look appealing from the street, from…

Balloon Party student design Natalie Kruch, University of Alberta, Edmonton University of Alberta student Natalie Kruch was inspired by Brazil's Campana brothers to create her Balloon Party accent table, made of Baltic birch and latex balloons. Kruch says the table combines minimal form with the playful and unconventional use of a familiar object - in…