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PRESIDENT'S
MESSAGE
Dear Members
and Friends,
Happy New Year! Welcome to 2007. I hope that you all had a
terrific holiday season. Here at the DX, we are preparing
for a fantastic Winter season of programs and events, including
workshops, lectures and exhibits - and I hope to see you all
here.
Over the holidays, my family
traveled to Disney World. Creativity, art and design have
given Orlando an enormous economy. Disneyworld has now spawned
companion and competitive theme parks. The theme park industry
in Florida keeps millions of people employed and has given
an entire region of the state an economy that did not exist
prior to 1970. Whether you like Disney or not, the economic
power of Mickey Mouse is amazing.
January in our household always
reminds me of automotive design - most specifically because
of the Barrett-Jackson car auction. For collector car enthusists,
this is a not-to-miss spectacle of some of the finest collector
cars in the world. Now in its 36th year, the Barrett-Jackson
auction is an overwhelming reminder of how great design creates
an economy - initially and perpetually. Held in Scottsdale,
Arizona, this auction attracts 250,000 visitors over one week
- and millions of television viewers to the Speed channel.
It is not unusual to see American muscle cars (like the ones
I grew up with) from the 50's, 60's and 70's sold for $250,000-$1,000,000.
The aftermarket economy for these cars is enormous and the
auction has spawned an entire economy of it's own.
I believe Canada has to prepare
an economic model for the future. What if soft wood and oil
no longer fed the economic export engine? What happens if
political relationships go awry and the US closes markets?
What is the China effect? What about India and South America?
What can we learn from other countires such as Germany and
the UK? Where can design add value? And which industries are
the 'low hanging fruit' - so to speak. Please write to the
Minister of Industry, Maxime Bernier and demand an answer
- for us and for our future. E-mail: Minister.Industry@ic.gc.ca.
Please copy me on the email and I will collect and send with
a covering letter to the Minister.
Don't be shy. We need
your voice. You often hear me speak about our triple bottom
line: our economy, our environment and our social well being.
Design affects all of these areas for the better. Act now,
your opinion is important.
Sam
DX
BOARD MEMBER PROFILE
JOE
PETTIPAS, VP Hospitality and Retail, HOK Canada
With well over two decades of experience,
Joe Pettipas has a deep understanding of the challenges
faced today within the corporate, hospitality, retail,
and marketing areas of the built environment. As practice
leader of the Hospitality and Retail Focus Group at
HOK Canada, he is chiefly responsible for the ongoing
relationship between the aesthetics of design and the
requirements of producing successful projects on target,
on time, and on budget. His primary focus markets have
been the Middle East and Southeast Asia, as well as
the U.S. and Latin America. His team has completed several
benchmark large-scale projects in countries as diverse
as the United Arab Emirates, Doha, Saudi Arabia, Jordan,
mainland China, Indonesia, Mexico, Canada, and the United
States. Project types have ranged from indoor entertainment
complexes to large-scale shopping environments, and
from an addition to an existing mall that encompassed
five new hotels to the groundwork for a city of 150,000
new inhabitants.
Joe has had several international speaking engagements,
has received numerous design and effectiveness awards,
and has taught within the School of Interior Design
at Ryerson University. A past president of the Association
of Registered Interior Designers of Ontario (ARIDO),
Pettipas is an active member of the Interior Designers
of Canada, the International Interior Design Association
(IIDA), the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID),
and the Institute for Store Planners (ISP). He is a
board member of the Design Exchange as well as the Council
for Interior Design Accreditation (formerly FIDER),
where he currently acts as chair of the board.
Joe was elected to the DX Board of Directors
in May 2006.
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DESIGNER
IN FOCUS
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BORTOLOTTO
DESIGN
Bortolotto Design Architect Inc. is
an award winning, forward thinking architectural and
interior design practice with focused attention and
expertise in the design of government buildings, corporate
interiors and residences. Pushing the envelope, striving
to design in an inventive and creative way and providing
a solution that is unexpected and refreshing while keeping
within budgets and timelines on every project is always
their mission.
Featured at Left:
Virtual + Atrium = Virtrium
Sandford Fleming Building at University of Toronto
The objective is to create an inspiring and dynamic
gathering space, as well as a showcase and laboratory
for the testing and experimentation of leading-edge
engineering and sustainable technologies that will position
the Engineering Society as a creative and forward-thinking
force at the University and between Universities.
http://www.bortolotto.com/ |
The People
Who Need Us Most, Cannot Afford Us! Volunteer in Your Community.
This workshop
brings together a broad range of design professionals,
industry representatives, civic leaders, students and
members of interested organizations to discuss how the
urban and natural environments can sustain each other.
It will explore an
emerging approach to bio-regional planning that emphasizes
the symbiosis between: dense, ecologically sensitive,
convivial development, sustainable commerce and governence,
connected, healthly green spaces.
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WORKSHOP:
The Living City, Ecological Design for the Toronto Region
Presented by the Design Exchange in
partnership with the Sustainable Innovation Network,
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and
the Canada Green Building Council.
Sponsored by: Sustaining Design Fund
of Tides Canada Foundation
Dates: February 23, 2007
Time 9:30 AM-5:30 PM
Location: Design Exchange, 234 Bay Street, Toronto
Cost: $75 per person, $60 for DX Members, Students,
TRCA, CaGBC
for more information: www.dx.org/livingcity/html
Daniela Bryson
Professional Development Coordinator
daniela@dx.org
416.216.2126
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DESIGN
CAN CREATE A BETTER ENVIRONMENT AND CONTRIBUTE TO A
HEALTHIER PLANET. |
DX
TOURS AND WORKSHOPS
Bring your classroom to the DX! Guided tours
by professional educators are available to groups.
In addition to a tour of DX exhibition
spaces, these tours include a historical overview of the architecturally
significant Stock Exchange building, as well as the areas
renovated by KPMB, including the Resource Centre and Chalmers
Design Centre.When available, the stunning historical trading
floor is also included in the tour. This space is a stellar
example of Art Deco and Streamlined Modern Design. Tours last
approximately one hour. To supplement the information presented
in the tours, workshops are available to provide an interactive
experience which allows students to further explore exhibition
themes. Email: education@dx.org
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Plan
Now for SPRING BREAK CAMPS
Conveniently located in the former Toronto
Stock Exchange building at the foot of Bay Street, the
Design Exchange offers camp activities for Young Designers
ages 7 to 12.
In conjunction with the Design Exchange
exhibition Japanese Design Today 100, Young Designers
will experience both traditional and contemporary Japanese
design. Each day of the DX March Break Camp will explore
a different aspect of Japanese culture. From examining
vintage Japanese kimonos to rolling your own sushi,
Young Designers will see, learn, and experience one
of the most exciting and innovative design cultures
in the world.
For more information: education@dx.org
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DESIGN
DRIVES THE ECONOMY AND CREATES A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE.
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Canada
in the Making
This exhibition features
the DX Permanent Collection, and showcases the most
important Canadian developments in modern design history.
Free Admission.
Supported by the Peter Munk Charitable
Foundation
and the McLean Foundation. |
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Japanese
Design Today
February 8 – April 29
Join
us for the exhibit opening on February 8th at 6:00 pm.
This international traveling exhibition
consists of approximately 100 of the
finest examples of Japanese design created between the
1990s and today. The
exhibition focuses on products used in everyday life
and gives a vivid
picture of the hopes and dreams of the Japanese designers
and corporations
who create them. Visitors will learn about recent trends
and characteristics
of Japanese design, and will gain insight into the nature
of contemporary
Japanese culture. Thirteen objects of modern design
are included from the
early postwar years to show the origin of today’s
design. Among the designs
are the Akari Lamp by Isamu Noguchi, the Butterfly Stool
by Sori Yanagi,
A-POC clothing by Issey Miyake, Silent Violin by Masaharu
Ohno and the AIBO
Entertainment Robot by Hajime Sorayama.
Co-presented
with The Japan Foundation.
Presenting sponsor:
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Universal
Design and Orphan Spaces
This exhibit showcases results
of four workshops and charrettes that explored universal design
principles within an urban context, with a focus
on spaces for kids. The four sections include a presentation
of Toronto's Sick Kids Hospital's atrium space through the
eyes of young adult clients, curated by David Theodore; design
team concepts for a proposed parkette south of Bloorview Kids
Rehab and the CNIB headquarters in Toronto; an exploration
of six priority neighborhoods in Toronto with teams of designers
and young adult participants proposing design solutions for
their neighbourhoods; and results of a four-day charrette
with Toronto-Chicago student teams from planning, architecture
and landscape design, proposing solutions for Garfield Park,
Chicago, inspired by the Massive Change project by Bruce Mau
Design and the Institute Without Boundaries.
Welcome
New Members!
We love our corporate, individual
and family members. Becoming a member of the Design Exchange
gives you special privileges such as discounts, networking
events and free admission.
Most of all, your support helps us create and host our education
programs. If you read EXPRESS, but have not become a member
- what's stopping you? Please email Rosa to discuss your ideas
for the DX and to join our community.
Is your company a corporate
member? We have great corporate benefits. This is your chance
to promote your product or service. Email Rosa at membership@dx.org
to find out more.
| ATTENTION
HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS!
The DX wants your participation.
The
DX National High School Competition
invites students from across Canada to submit entries
in the category of their choice.
DEADLINE: MARCH 30, 2007.
For
information visit National
High School Competition.
Presenting Sponsor
ATTENTION
POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS!
Check out this Great Opportunity.
You could win cash bursaries
of up to $5,000! There are design challenges from Canadian
Tire, Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation and CMHC.
DEADLINE MARCH 30, 2007. For full details on
the competitions visit CONNECT
online.
Keep your eye on DX
Education Online for all of the details on our many
Education Programs! |
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IDEAL CITIES AND THE ROLE OF DESIGN IN REMAKING
URBAN SPACE
Dates: June 14-16, 2007
This interdisciplinary
conference, the second presented by the Design Exchange,
Canada’s National Design Centre, explores the
varied and future states of cities - more specifically
the economic, social and cultural lives of societies.
This conference invites papers that explore such topics
as the architectural, design and material culture of
cities, densification, urban renewal, branding, zoning,
adaptive re-use, gentrification and historic preservation.
Similarly, papers are invited that address such related
and relevant topics as green space in cities, infrastructure,
technology, environmentalism and sustainability, brown-site
rehabilitation, climate change, exurban growth, public
transportation, universal design, street furnishings
and disaster preparedness. It is the purpose of this
conference to examine both the historical and contemporary
cultures and contours of urban experience and the status
and promise of the post-millennial, post-industrial
urban fabric. What is our future?
Conference Streams
Mass Media
Sustainability
Transportation and Movement
Technology
Infrastructure
Policy
Deadline for abstracts
and registration: March
1, 2007
Deadline for papers May 7, 2007
Full details on conference registration and pricing
coming in February.
For inquiries regarding
abstracts contact Daniela
Bryson, Professional Development Coordinator, 416.216.2126
Sponsorship opportunities available – contact
Samantha
Sannella, President and CEO, 416.216.2145
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Designs by: Onedge Lounge by Brothers Dressler, Cascade
by Lily Yung Textiles and Gator by Furni.
CALL
FOR PARTICIPATION
Consider participating
in the New Design Canada Program. Opportunities include
showcase in MEXICO and ICFF in New York.
As part of our New Design Canada program, DX presents
contemporary Canadian design in Guadalajara, Mexico,
February 19-21, 2007. A lecture and workshop presentation
along with a small exhibit of Canadian design products,
hosted by the Canadian Trade Office in Guadalajara.
This mission is the first official introduction of
Canadian design in Mexico. DX is seeking small, innovative
design objects to showcase as part of this program.
Interested designers should contact Paola Poletto
(paola@dx.org) with a short description and image
of the proposed work by February 5th.
For more information, visit www.dx.org/newdesigncanada.
Designers participating in the New Design Canada programs,
including Prospect (www.dx.org/prospect) are encouraged
to submit their work for consideration.
The deadline for submission
for exhibiting at the International Contemporary Furniture
Fair in New York is March 15, 2007. The DX is seeking
innovative, emerging, export ready Canadian Designers
to showcase products. Consider submitting your furniture,
houseware, lighting and accessory designs. Contact
Paola at paola@dx.org for consideration.
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YOUR
BEST EVENT IS AT THE DX!
The
DX is a non-profit with a mission to promote Canadian
Design.
All proceeds from your Events go to support Education
Programs.
We
have a great professional events team that can produce
product launches, press events, AGMs, client appreciation
events, social gatherings and even DX weddings.
PLAN
YOUR AGM NOW
Are you planning your
annual general meeting for spring 2007.
Why not consider the Design Exchange? The DX features
the original TSE Trading Floor, a spectacular art modern
space featuring Charles Comfort's murals heralding the
economic drivers of the 1930s. The DX is a splendid
space for such meetings, large enough to accommodate
several hundred stakeholders. We offer in-house audio
visual services for every need and to ensure that your
presentation has maximum impact. Our Meeting & Event
Services would be happy to assist you, so please do
not hesitate to contact us at: 416-216-2140 or Meeting
& Event Services
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INTERIOR
DESIGN SHOW 2007 - REGISTER NOW!
Dates: February 22-25, 2007
Location: Direct Energy Centre, Exhibition
Place, Toronto
STORE
DESIGN COMPETITION FOR STUDENTS
Freedom Clothing Collective is holding a competition
to redesign their store interior and work room. They are inviting
students in interior design, architecture or other related
programs to present their ideas.
For full details on submitting, and to obtain an application
form contact Freedom
Clothing or phone: 416-912-3867
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Things the DX Loves!
Kushies makes great
things for babies.
Canadian Design for
the Future of Canada
http://www.kushies.com/
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COLLECTION
NEWS
The DX is seeking Clairtone items, documents,
photos, films and archives. If you have Clairtone objects
that you are willing share with the DX for an upcoming Clairtone
book and exhibit, please contact Samantha at sam@dx.org.
COMMUNITY
NEWS
The Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and
Design at U of T is hosting lectures on Feb. 6, Feb. 27th,
March 6th, March 20th, March 27th and April 3rd. www.ald.utoronto.ca
for more information.
An Evening of Sustainable Style - featuring
Frog Pond, Grassroots, Linda Lundstrom, Preloved, Roots, Yogaguri
and many more. January 30th, 7:00-9:00 Reception and Fashion
Show, the Berkely Church, Ticket Price $40. Proceeds go to
WWF-Canada. Hosted by Gillian Deacon and George Stroumboulopolous.
www.greencarpetseries.com
If you have news and want to contribute to
EXPRESS, please email sam@dx.org for consideration.
VOLUNTEER
YOUR TIME AND LEARN ABOUT DESIGN!
The DX has programs, lectures and many
activities for the public, and we need your help! We are always
looking for new people to join our volunteer corps. Whether
it's working on an event, graphic or web design, or assisting
in our admin. office, you can be sure your time and help will
make a difference! Your energy and imagination will help us
deliver our programs! So visit the
DX Volunteer Program and find out how to register
- or send your information to
Volunteer
Coordinator Daniela Mason.
SUPPLIERS
AND VENDORS, CONTRIBUTE IN-KIND TO THE DX!
Calling all design suppliers!
The DX is looking for suppliers and vendors to help keep our
facility on the leading edge of interior design. If you have
products that you would like to showcase, we can help each
other! We are always looking to update our areas with the
newest products - carpeting, flooring, paint, lighting, equipment,
furniture, signage, etc. Over 250,000 people see our spaces
each year so this is a great opportunity for you. As well,
we can promote you via this Express newsletter and on our
website. If you are interested, please don't hesitate to call
Samantha Sannella @ 416.216.2145.
JOB
OPPORTUNITIES
Industrial Designer at Accenta.
Requirements: Bachelor or Diploma in Industrial Design, 3
Years Working Experience, Excellent written English, French
an asset, Specializing in Retail Furniture, POP, Displays,
Merchandisers, Kiosks and Exhibits. Email nm@accenta.com.
THE
DX
PET PEEVE!
New to DX Express is our Pet Peeve,
a monthly blurb about environments, objects or experiences
that really need a
major design overhaul.
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This month's Pet Peeve
is the TTC - the Toronto Transit Commission.
Not only are the subway stations absymal, dark, filthy
and dated, the entry stairs are unsafe during the winter
and are problematic for the elderly, pregnant women
and youth - actually for anyone not wearing hiking boots
or snowtread shoes. Why would we ever have an uncovered
entry into a subway station in a city that gets ice
and snow for several months a year? Common sense, eh?
Only 40% of services are accessible
and the lack of good wayfinding makes those services
almost impossible to locate.
Moreover, the subway cars, a relic of the days long
ago, promote the idea that Toronto is stuck in the past.
And for us germaphobes, and there are many of us, can
only imagine that ridership will decrease unless the
TTC cleans up its act (literally).
Cities must be competitive in order
to attract top talent and strong businesses. A realistic,
thorough feasibility plan must be created for the TTC
that is forward thinking, and does not use lack of funding
as an excuse for non-action.
Message to new TTC Chairman Adam Giambrone, we are here
for you! The DX would love to help you gather new ideas
for making our transit system the best in the world.
There is a flicker of hope with the
TTC. For those graphic designers in the audience - apparently,
there is a website makeover in the works. Keep your
eyes peeled for a potential web contract popping up
at the TTC. Contact: ttc.ca.
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