Three Evenings of Conversation, Community and Design
This July, DesignTO partnered with Lutron to welcome Toronto’s architecture and design community to the ‘Summer Salon’, a three-day series of intimate conversations exploring contemporary ideas in architecture, interiors, and placemaking.
Hosted in Lutron’s Toronto showroom, the ‘Summer Salon’ brought together industry professionals and students for evenings of learning, discussion, and connection. Each conversation focused on a distinct building typology, inviting leading practitioners to share their work, exchange perspectives, and reflect on the evolving role of design in shaping how we live, gather, and experience space.
Reflecting on the series, DesignTO Artistic Director Deborah Wang shared:
“The Summer Salon was a gathering of great minds in architecture and design—kudos to our speakers and moderators—that provided a fantastic opportunity to share ideas within an intimate setting of peers. We’re grateful to Lutron for their collaboration and support in bringing to life three days of conversation and connection.”
The spirit of conversation extended beyond the panel discussions themselves. From the moment guests arrived, Lutron’s showroom was thoughtfully transformed into an intimate salon setting. Guests gathered over beverages and bites beneath bright, natural lighting before the room gradually shifted into a warm amber glow for the “fireside” talks. As each evening transitioned into a post-talk social, the lighting evolved once again, bathing the space in vibrant magenta hues and demonstrating the powerful role lighting plays in shaping atmosphere and mood.
The changing environment became a fitting backdrop for three evenings of thoughtful dialogue, each exploring architecture and design through a different lens.
Courtyards & Community: Designing Multiplex Residential Life
The first evening examined the future of multiplex housing and the role of architecture in creating stronger communities. Architects Anne-Marie Armstrong (AAmp), Jennifer Kudlats (StudioAC), and Aleris Rodgers (Studio VAARO) joined moderator Uros Novakovic (Office Ou) for a lively conversation exploring density, building typologies, shared spaces, and new possibilities for residential design.
The discussion generated enthusiastic audience participation, with attendees contributing thoughtful questions and extending conversations well beyond the formal panel. Together, the speakers reflected on how architecture needs to respond to the changing needs of contemporary urban life.
Mood & Material: Luxury Environments & Experiential Spaces
The second evening shifted focus to hospitality, retail, and luxury interiors, examining how atmosphere is created through intentional design. In a conversation moderated by Andrew Sardone of The Globe and Mail Style Magazine, interior designers Caroline Edmondson (Ste Marie), Jayme Million (Studio Author), and Andrew Sun (Atelier SUN) discussed the relationship between narrative, materiality, craftsmanship, and sensory experience.
One theme resonated throughout the evening: luxury is defined not by excess, but by intention. The speakers explored how carefully considered lighting, materials, and spatial sequencing can shape emotional experiences and create environments that feel memorable, immersive, and deeply connected to the people who inhabit them.
As conversations centred on the emotional qualities of interior environments, the salon itself became an extension of the discussion, with Lutron’s lighting subtly transforming the mood of the room throughout the evening.
Hearth & Habitat: Cottages, Craftsmanship and Connection to Place
The final evening turned toward architecture in natural settings, bringing together architects Meg Graham (Superkül), Stephanie Hosein (Omar Gandhi Architects), and Julia Manaças (Julia Manaças Architecte), in a conversation moderated by Elizabeth Pagliacolo, Editor in Chief of Azure Magazine and Executive Editor of Design Milk.
The panel explored the relationship between architecture, craftsmanship, and landscape, considering how thoughtful design can strengthen our connection to place. From designing retreats that respond sensitively to their surroundings to creating meaningful everyday experiences in nature, the discussion encouraged attendees to think about how intentional design can shape their own sense of refuge and belonging.
Beyond the Panel
While each evening centred on a different topic, a common thread connected the series: the value of bringing people together through conversation.
Following each discussion, attendees continued exchanging ideas with speakers, reconnecting with colleagues, and meeting new members of Toronto’s architecture and design community. These informal conversations became an essential part of the Summer Salon experience, reinforcing DesignTO’s commitment to fostering opportunities for dialogue and community-building beyond the annual Festival itself.
“The Toronto design community brought incredible energy and curiosity to our studio, making the evening feel meaningful to all. It was a pleasure to transform our showroom into a salon-style gathering place for thoughtful dialogue, connection, and inspiration alongside DesignTO and the fantastic panelists,” Sasha Denisov of Lutron shared. “We’re grateful to DesignTO for their partnership and excited to continue fostering a community where design conversations can thrive.”
DesignTO extends its sincere thanks to Lutron for their partnership in bringing the Summer Salon to life, as well as to every moderator, speaker, and attendee whose generosity, curiosity, and engagement made the series such a meaningful experience.
Photography by Alla Photography and Ted Chai
