On a beautiful Saturday morning in November, Gaggenau hosted a pre-screening brunch at its downtown Toronto showroom, welcoming over 60 guests to celebrate the documentary We the Others, which captures the legacy of Brazilian brothers Fernando and Humberto Campana. The screening, part of Toronto’s recent Architecture and Design Film Festival (ADFF), was co-presented by Gaggenau, with the festival program complemented by a celebration of the shared values between the brothers and the brand.

For Gaggenau, the same craftsmanship, materiality and emotion that shapes the Campana Brothers’ ethos also resonates across the brand’s portfolio. As the film follows Humberto and Fernando through the eclectic streets of São Paulo, the urban landscape is revealed as a deep well of inspiration.  In one scene, bits of wood from a fruit stand become a chair. In another scene, some rope from a hardware store becomes the inspiration for another chair.  Design isn’t merely an outcome or a product, but an ongoing, collaborative dialogue that draws from a rich well of connections.

Guests experienced Gaggenau’s design in an immersive setting — surrounded by the very appliances that embody the brand’s signature precision, innovation and artistry. Led by Chef Michele Pollack, the menu featured an expertly curated selection of dishes, from ahi noir tostadas to cement meringues and squid ink blinis.

The culinary artistry reflected Gaggenau’s design philosophy through thoughtful contrasts — blending texture, form and colour. Each dish incorporated a touch of black, symbolizing refinement and depth, while silver-toned cutlery echoed the event’s metalwork narrative. The flow between culinary presentation, product integration and design conversation made for an immersive sensory experience. Sleek, reflective metals were juxtaposed with the Gaggenau showroom’s signature natural materials, including textured stone and brick.

After brunch, guests were transported to a bespoke screening, complete with custom Gaggenau snack trays— a thoughtful touch that tied the brand into the film. At the TIFF Lightbox, Gaggenau’s Expressive Series ovens were showcased through rich, visual storytelling. The screening opened with Gaggenau’s atmospheric brand spot, offering a preview of the Expressive Series cavity wall ovens, set to launch early next year. Setting the stage for We the Others, the brunch and preview subtly underscored that Gaggenau appliances are not only tools for culinary creation but expressions of design excellence in their own right.

The screening of We the Others was followed by a lively conversation moderated by AZURE’s own Eric Mutrie, featuring Design Lab Founder and OCAD University professor Ranee Lee, alongside 02 Planning and Design principal Ute Maya-Giambattista. Framing the discussion, Mutrie highlighted a quote in the film from gallerist Marc Benda. “That journey and openness sets them apart; it allows for every piece to become what it wants to become,” said Benda. It fits the Campana Brothers — and Gaggenau — like a glove.

This content was published by Azure on behalf of Gaggenau.