This year's Toronto Design Offsite Festival is set to run from January 15th until the 21st, with a variety of different events and exhibits hosted in locations throughout the GTA, such as the Work/Life exhibit in the Umbra Concept Store.
The exhibit showcases the work of 10 Canadian designers and studios, including Geof Ramsay, Ange-line Tetrault, MPGMB, Jacob Mailman, F&Y, Area 91, Allstudio, Char Kennedy, and Mercury Bureau.
Most specially, the Work/Life exhibits examines how designers have responded to the rise in compact urban living spaces, citing the fact that just in Toronto, "average condo sizes have shrunk by over 100 square feet over the last ten years." By keeping this in mind, the Work/Life exhibit shows that "boundaries between work, home, and 'life' are hard to define."
Canadian Homeware Exhibits
The Work/Life Exhibit is a Part of the Toronto Design Offsite Festival
Trend Themes
1. Compact Urban Living Design - The trend of designing for compact urban living and making the most of small spaces is gaining traction, as demonstrated by the Work/Life exhibit's focus on compact living.
2. Multi-purpose Furnishings - The trend to utilize furnishings that serve multiple purposes to maximize limited space is growing, as showcased by the Work/Life exhibit, featuring designers that have responded to the challenge of compact living.
3. Sustainable Materials for Urban Living - The trend towards using sustainable and environmentally responsible materials in urban living spaces is demonstrated by the Work/Life exhibit, highlighting designers committed to responsible production of furnishings for urban living.
Industry Implications
1. Furniture & Home Goods Industry - The need for functional, multi-purpose furniture and home goods for urban living spaces presents an opportunity for innovation and growth for the furniture industry.
2. Architecture & Building Industry - The demand for sustainable and efficient living spaces in urban areas presents an opportunity for innovation and growth for architects and the building industry.
3. Interior Design Industry - As urban living spaces become more compact, designers will need to develop innovative solutions to create functional yet visually appealing interiors for their clients.