Design education and design services are typically only available to a limited group of people in Toronto. While this minority benefits from the improvements and enhancements to their everyday lives, it leaves the majority living with inefficiencies and latent problems. This phenomenon has left many institutions, buildings, and cities in the past, where the wealthy thrive and the impoverished survive. “Thrive: Design for 100%” explores how we can bring design to 100% of the community, so that everyone can access good sustainably-minded design.

Victor Willis – Executive Director PARC

Willis has been involved in community and mental health initiatives for twenty-five years. His most important achievement is the successful bid to develop a derelict and notorious rooming house adjacent to PARC into 29 units of affordable housing.  Willis will be discussing how to identify inherent assets within communities and how these resources can repurpose and rebuild.

Jordan Edmonds – Hildich Architect

Edmonds is a designer and architectural scientist currently working in Toronto with Hilditch Architect where he investigates opportunities for high performance, healthy and sustainable living within our not-for-profit housing sector. Edmonds will be discussing a number of Hilditch Architect’s housing projects that strive to embody these opportunities.

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Parimal Gosai & Adam Harris – Public Displays of Affection (PDA)

PDA consider themselves designers, artists and community members who hope to encourage their neighbours to achieve positive personal and public change.  PDA will discuss design for all and by all. In providing an outlet for the skills and creativity that exist in our marginalized community we can bridge the gap between who designs a community and who lives in it.

Sandra Brewster, Jorge Dominguez, Rebecca Houston – SKETCH

Sketch is a 12 year-old community arts initiative where young people come to express themselves, build community and respond to poverty and oppression through joyful art-making.  Sketch will discuss how making art is an effective way to respond to poverty. How does it work, what do they do at Sketch and why? Meet some of the individuals who engage in real life through brush, thread, pencil and song.