Montreal Design Week launches with nine standout projects

Montreal, the first North American UNESCO City of Design since 2006, finally held its inaugural city-wide design week from 28 April to 7 May 2027, anchored by the Index-Design trade fair at the Grand Quay. The event showcased the city's unique design ecosystem, characterized by cheaper rents, a thriving academic landscape, and a rich network of small-scale manufacturers. Notable projects include Ocycle by Concordia University students, who repurposed fabric roofing from the Montreal Olympic Stadium into furniture and wearables under instructor Jeremy Petrus; Bar Extra by Menu Extra and Atelier Zebulon Perron, a temporary bar featuring a futuristic chandelier by Lambert & Fils; Matière Sensible by Nouveau Milieu, Entremise, and Surcy, where 14 designers repurposed pews from a disused convent; and the Index-Design scenography by Humà Design and Architecture, which used reused benches from Quebec sugar shacks. Other highlights include Soft Goods by Double Entendre, curated by Etienne Vernier and Sarah Yao-Rishea, exploring the theme of softness; Passengers by Mold Gallery, featuring works in mycelium, ash, and recycled plastic; 1978 Sq-Ft at Studio Beaumont, with metal and wood furniture by Jeremy Le Chatelier and Stamatios Fragos; Bonus Items' steel shelving made from ventilation offcuts; and Ex-Tension by Procedures, showcasing designers from the Mile-Ex neighbourhood at Atelier L'Abri.