• AHJ Event Preview – IDS Vancouver 2026 •
Words by Himan J.
A forest takes shape indoors. Twelve-foot timber arches frame a place to pause, gather and meet; beyond them, new objects and emerging ideas point toward what design might become next. As IDS Vancouver returns to the Convention Centre West for 2026, the show’s most compelling thread may be the conversation between British Columbia’s landscape, its materials and the spaces we make for living.
From September 24 to 27, IDS brings together installations, talks and exhibitors from across the design community. We’ll be attending, meeting our community, looking for the details, makers and ideas that linger after the show floor clears.
Top Things to See at IDS Vancouver 2026
STILL/not still – Experience the Central Bar by Synthesis Design. A sense of place, built into the show.
At the centre of the experience is STILL/not still, Synthesis Design Architecture’s immersive forest installation and Central Bar. Organizers describe soaring, interlocking arches made entirely from British Columbia wood, a dramatic frame for the bar and a celebration of local forestry, craftsmanship and design innovation.
This sculptural environment embodies a captivating paradox: though structurally static, it comes to life with visual movement. As visitors navigate the space, the forest of arches reveals itself differently from every vantage point, offering an ever-shifting perspective that mirrors the dynamic nature of a living woodland; both still and not still.
Reflection – Walk Through Stark Architecture’s Entrance Feature.
IDS Vancouver’s entrance feature, Reflection, designed and built by STARK, invites attendees to explore the interplay between light, stillness, and self-awareness in a thought-provoking installation that defies singular interpretation. Reflection refuses a single definition, existing simultaneously as the light returning, the moment of stillness before a thought takes shape, and what a surface quietly reveals about the one standing before it.
STARK returns to IDS Vancouver after creating the celebrated Perpetua Bar in 2024, a 27-foot circular beacon on the show floor that earned an Award of Excellence in the 2025 IDIBC awards and garnered widespread media attention.
Nature Adopted – Discover a New Landscape Installation by Andrew van Egmond.
“The world around us is a tapestry of complexity, shaped by the constant, dynamic forces of life. Nowhere is this more evident than in the ever-changing world of plants.
In this part of the world, pure nature is always close at hand. The raw landscapes of British Columbia are immense, stirring the imagination. We visit these landscapes, we immerse ourselves in them, yet we often push them to the edges—outside our city grids and daily lives.
With this installation, we move beyond rigid, mathematical layouts. Our goal is to celebrate plant communities in their most natural state—adopting nature as it truly is.”
Hear from Global Design Leaders on the IDS Vancouver’s Keynote Program, bringing together some of the industry’s most influential voices like;
- Michael Sørensen, Global Market Director, Henning Larsen
- Nancy Bendtsen, Inform Interiors
- Chad Falkenberg and Kelly Reynolds, Falken Reynolds
- Tommy Smythe in conversation with Kelly Deck
- May Globus – Recording live episodes of ‘The Craft’
- James Harry, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Artist and Designer
Ideas for the way we live and work
The program moves from emerging tools to enduring human needs. Friday’s seminars include “AI Won’t Replace Designers — But Designers Who Use It Will,” “Designing for Neurodivergence,” and “Designing for Wellbeing: Biophilic Design and the Power of Exposed Wood”, with more to follow on later days, main-stage conversations range from workplace design to housing and the future of hospitality, and we’re excited for all!
Discover Tomorrow’s Designers at Studio North.
Experience the pinnacle of contemporary design at Studio North, an exclusive showcase of custom work and limited-edition collections from Canada’s most distinguished designers and acclaimed international talent.
In an elegant gallery-like setting, discover extraordinary one-of-a-kind pieces and bespoke collections spanning furniture, lighting, glass, ceramics, textiles, and surface design. Each work represents the highest level of craftsmanship and artistic vision, offering collectors and design connoisseurs access to truly exceptional pieces that transcend trends and define spaces.
See Ideas Before They Hit the Market at Prototype.
Prototype is a platform within Studio North, featuring products not currently in production and addressing new ideas for the residential market. Past prototypes have featured both to-market and conceptual works.
Shop Emerging Brands in The District.
Discover IDS Vancouver’s premier curated marketplace, where innovative design meets exceptional craftsmanship. The District Design Market showcases fresh, elevated collections of distinctive products that transform your living spaces with style and sophistication.
This exclusive annual destination brings together talented designers and discerning consumers, offering a carefully selected range of home décor and lifestyle products
Explore IDS Vancouver’s 2026 Features
Some independent work and names which caught our attention that you should definitely seek out,
BC WOOD at #1207, K2 Stone at #310, Hollis+Morris at #1230, Hush Acoustics at #940, and Andrew van Egmond at #802. James Harry is listed at #1124. The directory also lists KOHLER and Sherwin-Williams, some of our favourites among the show’s sponsors.
Booths and listings may change; see the Official Exhibitor Directory for latest details.
A weekend of design
The IDS Party opens the show Thursday, September 24, from 7–10 p.m. Friday is Professional Trade Day, with the show floor open 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Trade and public visitors can attend Saturday, September 26, from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sunday, September 27, is open to the public from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. The venue is Vancouver Convention Centre West, at 1055 Canada Place.
For us at AH Journal, the draw is not only what is new, but how it is made, what it is made from, and how it might change the way we experience a room. I’m looking forward to meeting the designers and makers behind this year’s work and sharing impressions from the show.
But before it all, the IDS Party Returns!
Which installation, talk or maker are you most looking forward to seeing?
Share your pick in the comments, and subscribe to AH Journal for more!
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