As we wrap up another scorching summer, fall offers a great opportunity to reflect on the ongoing impacts of climate change — and the important role that design must play in addressing them. Cue the second annual edition of Azure’s Human/Nature conference. Taking place from October 29-30 at Toronto’s Evergreen Brick Works, the symposium will play host to an all-star lineup of local and international industry leaders with plenty of wisdom to share when it comes to sustainable architecture and design.

The inter-disciplinary conference is devoted to sharing proven solutions and fostering dialogue between architects, urbanists, designers, activists, public servants, environmentalists and business leaders. In that spirit of conversation and collaboration, a key part of the conference programming involves panel discussions that invite thought leaders (including Ecologicstudio’s Claudia Pasquero, shown above) to share their perspectives on the key questions of the moment. These include:

• How can interiors contribute to climate adaptation?
• How do we challenge today’s culture of mass-produced, disposable goods?
• How do climate adaptation strategies intersect with housing, education and recreation?
• What does the future of high-density living look like — and how can mega-developments take advantage of opportunities to create more sustainable communities?

Below, we preview the speakers for the four plenary panel talks at Human/Nature 2025. Tickets are now available, so purchase yours today to secure your spot. See you in October!

1

The Future(s) of Interiors

Forward-thinking interior design projects are imagining exciting new aesthetic possibilities by leveraging the possibilities of material reuse — and exploring entirely new bio-based systems to power and animate our interior worlds. Here, we spotlight three designers leading the charge. Panelists include:

• Measured founder Clinton Cuddington (visiting from Vancouver), who exercises a duty of care to the environment through his continuous pursuit of local, sustainable materials and partnerships with local craftspeople.
• London-based Ecologicstudio co-founder Claudia Pasquero, whose work and research operates at the intersection of biology, computation and design.
• Material Works Architecture founder Dickon Hayward (also visiting from London), whose firm recently completed Sustainable Workspaces, a pioneering, multi-award-winning low-carbon retrofit within London’s historic County Hall.

_{Taking place Wednesday October 29 from 10:00–11:00 am. View the full conference schedule here.}

2

Product Design, from Local to Global

Our three panelists share their perspectives on cultivating meaningful relationships — with collaborators and consumers alike — through the design of thoughtful, long-lasting furniture and decor at a range of different production scales. Speakers include:

• Stephen Burks, a co-curator of this year’s US Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, speaks about embracing artisanal craft traditions — both in his commissions for major manufacturers like Dedon, as well as in gallery pieces like those exhibited in his exhibition this fall at Tokyo’s Space Un.
• Toronto’s Jake Oliveira, best known for his lighting with Boyd, discusses his growing portfolio as well as his role as creative director of Ourse, a new company partnering with Canadian designers that prioritizes local manufacturing.
• Montreal-based Lauren Goodman (who recently took home a 2025 AZ Awards People Choice award, as well as the Editor’s Award for Best Emerging Designer at ICFF 2025) speaks about working with rusted lobster traps to redefine the value of waste.

_{Taking place Wednesday October 29 from 1:30–2:30 pm. View the full conference schedule here.}

3

Climate Intersections – Housing, Education and Public Infrastructure

In this discussion, firms across the continent discuss how housing, education and recreation – some of our greatest societal needs – intersect with climate adaptation strategies. From Montreal’s innovative Lab-Ecole initiative to the Canada National Housing Catalogue, panelists will delve deep into initiatives that are truly making a difference. Speakers include:

• L.A.-based Brooks + Scarpa Architects co-founder Lawrence Scarpa, who is renowned for combining green design and formal experimentation in the creation of affordable housing.
• hcma architecture + design principal Melissa Higgs (visiting from Vancouver), whose work focuses on recreation, arts, and culture facilities.
• Janna Levitt, co-founder of the Toronto firm LGA Architectural Partners, which has sought transformative cultural and environmental agendas in projects like the studio’s three-storey, four-unit residential complex in Harbord Village.
• Atelier Pierre Thibault founder Pierre Thibault (based in Quebec City), whose portfolio includes everything from cafés, restaurants, libraries and boutiques to thoughtful residential projects.

_{Taking place Thursday October 30 from 10:00–11:15 am. View the full conference schedule here.}

4

Toronto: Mega-Development City

Across Toronto, unprecedented mega-developments are re-shaping entire districts. This panel features the firms behind these projects — and delves into the future of high-density mixed-use and sustainable neighbourhoods. Panelists include:

• Hariri Pontarini Architects associate partner Michael Conway, who will share insights into The Well, a 7.7 acre mixed-use development that weaves a new district into the fabric of downtown Toronto.
• Henriquez Partners Architects managing partner Gregory Henriquez, who will discuss Mirvish Village, a 100 per cent rental community with a park, food hall, and restored buildings built on the site of Toronto’s former Honest Ed’s discount store.
• Giannone Petricone Associates co-founder Ralph Giannone, who will offer a preview of The Yards, a site directly adjacent to the Wellington Destructor, a century-old garbage incinerator, that will reimagine a piece of the city’s history with a topography defined by the now-buried Garrison Creek
• Angie Jim Osman of Allies and Morrison, who will discuss Beltline Yards, the upcoming redevelopment of an industrial site into a mixed-use transport-led community.

_{Taking place Thursday October 30 from 1:45–3:00 pm. View the full conference schedule here.}

Wondering who else will be taking the stage? Check out our guide to our Azure Human/Nature 2025 keynote speakers and stay tuned as we outline our workshop programming in the weeks ahead.

Thank you to our plenary panel sponsor Formica, and our workshop sponsors Creative Matters, Evergreen Brick Works and Scavolini. The conference is presented in partnership with MaRS, WRLDCTY, the Canadian Centre for Architecture and the Interior Design Show. The Human/Nature conference is also supported by the City of Toronto.