September 21–24, 2023 | Vancouver
The West Coast’s largest high-end interior design show, IDS Vancouver, returns to the Vancouver Convention Centre West September 21–24, 2023. This is Canada’s premier showcase of new products and furniture, superstar designers, and avant-garde concepts from North America and beyond.
This edition explores the theme "Moving Parts" of the design world, and how the design community adapts to meet ever-shifting global conditions. Taking place over four days, the show opens on Thursday night, September 21, with an opening night party. Following this, the large-scale exhibition runs in parallel to a stellar program of seminars and keynote talks. Here are the top five things GRAY is looking forward to the most:
GRAY Studios
ABOVE, FROM LEFT: VOLA fixture (GRAY Studios sponsor in partnership with Hastings Bath Collection) to be featured in the New Product Runway Show; speaker Yehia Madkour; Rollout wallpaper Skygazing in yellow and Vancouver map featured in GRAY Studios.
Of course, GRAY will be at IDS! This year we’ve rebranded the GRAY Stage to the GRAY Studios, where we’ll welcome speakers and host demonstrations at two different sets on the show floor. We'll kick off the fair with our New Product Runway Show, featuring some of the most exciting pieces on exhibit at this year’s IDS. GRAY Studio talks will cover everything from how designers can keep up with demand to designing for longevity to hospitality design to AI in design. Speakers include lighting designers Matthew McCormick and Mike Randall; Yehia Madkour, architect, strategist and innovation director at Perkins&Will; Bob Gifford of Hastings Bath Collection; and Jen Hawk, founder of Occupy Design. Exhibitors, media, or attendees can even reserve a studio for their own use!
Speakers
In addition to speakers at GRAY Studios, IDS again boasts an inspiring line up of talks and breakout workshop sessions. Including a few of these highlights:
Michael Ellsworth of Civilization moderates a discussion on the Caesarstone Stage about what defines great design with panelists Nancy Bendtsen of Inform Interiors, and Ming-Lee Yuan of Olson Kundig (above). Corey Klassen of Articulated Design Studio conducts a session on identifying inclusive design. AZURE editor Stefan Novakovic talks about low-carbon, high-performance architecture and design practices on the Caesarstone Stage with panelists Cedric Burgers of Burgers Architecture, and Ellie Niakan of Introba.
Main Entrance
There are many features at IDS but we are especially looking forward to this inspiring install: Obakki is creating an immersive installation in the main entry of the show, which will launch the Obakki Design Incubator Program. The initiative is designed to mentor and support young Canadian talent and showcase their work on a national platform. The first brand selected for the incubator program is Montreal-based Cyrc., a company that creates functional objects for the home made from recycled plastic waste. Together with Obakki, Cyrc.’s design intent for the installation is to bring the natural and human-designed worlds into a shared space... exploring their interrelation and the impact of human-centric design on the natural world.
New this Year: Modern Prefab
IDS invited the top players in the prefab and tiny home industry in the west. Three homes will be available on the show floor to tour. Shown: Aux Box.
Limited-editions
We always look forward to Studio North where IDS curates the most interesting custom work, limited-edition collections, and one-offs. Here, Canadian and international designers of the highest caliber present furniture, lighting, glass, ceramics, textiles, and surface design in an approachable, gallery-like setting. Shown: Cork stool by Pause Company.
There is so much more, come see for your self!
Tickets - pricing from $10, register here