There is a lot to take in at IDS Vancouver 2022, which runs from September 22 — when it kicks off with a gala party presented by Inform Interiors — to September 25. The design fair boasts myriad installations, product launches and talks series that will once again unite the regional design scene in one place for one inspiring weekend. If we have to choose, these are our top five things to spend some meaningful time with.
1 Dappled by Caesarstone
Caesarstone’s installations are always immersive, richly realized environments that put the brand’s quartz material to experimental use. This time around, the central feature will be a plant-filled homage to nature — and our renewed appreciation of outdoor settings that was brought into the fore during the COVID lockdowns — created by Donohoe Living Landscapes in collaboration with wood sculptor Brent Comber.
Projected onto its curated surfaces, the piece will feature a flickering pattern that mimics sunlight through trees.
2 Irina Flore x Native Shoes Remix at Studio North
Ingenious upstarts get the spotlight at the regular Studio North showcase. At IDS Vancouver 2022, Irina Flore will show off the sculptural furnishings she’s created by upcycling post-consumer pairs of Native Shoes.
The brand’s material makeup of EVA and rubber is already eco-conscious, and Flore’s reimagining of it into functional yet quirky pieces brings the product’s life full circle.
3 The Future of Work: A Virtual Experience
This augmented reality booth will allow visitors to experience the hybrid workspaces envisioned by the four finalists of an interior design student challenge led by LIV design Studio in partnership with LaSalle College Vancouver. Attendees of IDS can also vote on their favourites: the grand prize of $8,000 goes to the first place winner.
4 Cedric Burgers at the IDS Conference
As part of IDS Vancouver 2022’s extensive conference program, Passive House: Future Thinking for High Performance Design and Comfort features Cedric Burgers covering everything from design principles and construction knowledge to lived experience — which he has firsthand, having designed Passive House projects for clients as well as himself. You’ll want to take careful notes: not only is the Passive House strategy a sustainable way of embarking on both residential and commercial projects, when its embraced by someone like Cedric Burgers – renowned for his elegant architecture – it’s also beautiful. The talk takes place on Friday at 2:30pm.
5 AZURE Trade Day Talks
On Friday, September 23, the AZURE Trade Day Talks take the stage, with Buster + Punch founder Massimo Buster Minale, Natural Pod creator Bridgitte Alomas and Female Design Council director Lora Appleton all delivering inspiring nuggets of the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
The final keynote of the day will be presented by Alessandro Munge, who will discuss how his firm leads with emotion and purpose — which you can see in everything from his interiors for Georgia Hotel in Vancouver to his Amal restaurant in Miami (shown above). His talk, taking place at 3:30pm, will be followed by a Q&A with Elizabeth Pagliacolo, Azure’s EIC, which will cover his past and future projects.
From Irina Flore’s sculptural furniture and Caesarstone’s central feature to a primer on the Passive House, IDS Vancouver 22 boasts plenty to see and do.