IDS Vancouver 2024: Innovative speakers and exciting installations

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The annual interior design show IDS Vancouver runs Sept. 26 to 29 at the Vancouver Convention Centre West. This year’s show is incredibly dynamic, says IDS director Will Sorrell, with many thought-provoking installations and interesting guest speakers.

Here, Sorrell talks about a few show highlights, and we hear from architect Omar Gandhi, principal of Omar Gandhi Architects, and Kate Snyder, co-founder and principal of Vancouver-based Studio Roslyn.

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Stark Architecture and Interiors have designed the show’s main bar, with a stunning 27-ft high, circular, wooden structure that can be seen across the show floor, says Sorrell.

Future Neighbourhood is an installation created by four leading designers to reflect how design can improve our lives. It touches on eco-conscious architecture, adaptive spaces (sustainability and green communities for future generations), and the introduction of AI in interior design.

Brent Comber’s Creatures sculptures will also be on display, says Sorrell.

How will this year’s show be different from previous years?

They have the best selection of furniture this year, says Sorrell. That’s saying something, considering the show has run for over 20 years.

“Visitors can experience product ranges from companies including FFABB, Humble Object, Lock & Mortice, Lazzoni, and Montauk. Newcomers Studio Super Sunday join us from Montreal. Alot Living presents a range of Japanese furniture, and for the first time on the West Coast, international heavyweights Fogia, Hoshina and Ethimo are present,” he says.

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Sorrell says it will be a packed show floor, so make sure you give yourself time to explore every corner. And if you buy your ticket in advance it’s cheaper than at the door, he says.

Architect Omar Gandhi speaking at IDS Vancouver

Gandhi will show attendees his and his team’s work across Canada and the United States.

“We have a small, but tight-knit team spread across two studios. I will be sharing some insights into both our general design methodology and ways in which we have addressed sustainability, resiliency and inclusion,” he says.

It takes a conscious effort to create a strong culture of respect, he says. One example is that they achieve design excellence within (mostly) a 40-hour work week.

“It is important that the team is rested, spends time with their friends and families and has a life outside the workplace. And we’ve proven that it comes as no sacrifice to the quality of the work.”

Although Gandhi is the design director “above all things” in his firm, he says they tend not to follow a “top-down approach” on their projects. Ideas come from everyone on the team, says Gandhi.

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“We try to mix the teams up quite often to get different compositions of talent — and at other times we start with a team design charette, so everyone gets involved from the outset. Egos are left at the door and the best ideas move forward.”

Gandhi believes in reimagining old infrastructure. “Although people try to refute this — the most sustainable approach is to use what you already have. There is an enormous collection of old and dilapidated buildings in the city (Vancouver), and given the housing crisis and the threat of continued sprawl, there should be a concerted effort to reimagine old infrastructure. Adaptive reuse is the answer.”

Kate Snyder shares tips for finding fearless, bold style

Kate Snyder of Studio Roslyn is a keynote speaker at IDS Vancouver 2024, and will be discussing how her (and her business partner Jessica MacDonald’s) fearless style is fuelled by interdisciplinary inspiration, the synergy and influence within their team, their muses and research-driven process, she says.

The IDS Vancouver opening party is always so much fun and feels like a yearly reunion, says Snyder.

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“I love the energy. I am also excited to hear Marianne Amodio speak about the Evolution of West Coast Modern Architecture,” says Snyder.

Snyder will share two of Studio Roslyn’s latest projects — Everwell, a naturopath and cosmetic wellness practice, and Umeglow, a beauty studio focusing on brows, lashes and skin care.

“I will also be sharing two projects in progress we are excited about. Our first house project, where we are leading both architecture and interiors (located in North Vancouver) and a boutique hotel property in the Okanagan focusing on the ancient practice of bathing.”

Check out interiordesignshow.com for more information and to buy tickets.

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