design exchange

The Design Exchange

The Design Exchange (DX) is North America's premier design promotional center. DX is not-for-profit, educational organization that is committed to promoting Canadian design and innovation as tools for economic growth and for improving our quality of life.
from DX pamphlet

The Design Exchange is a design promotion center situated in the heart of Toronto's business district within the Toronto Dominion towers. Designed by Kuwabara, Payne, McKenna, Bloomberg Architects, the DX seeks to promote design in all disciplines. The exchange is built within the shell of the former Toronto Stock Exchange, a beautiful art deco building constructed originally in 1937. The original architectural details of the building were restored and integrated with new well-designed elements.

The DX is a precedent because of the way it expresses the merits of good design, from its own architectural expression to the very nature of its program: promoting design awareness. The center plays host to many award programs including the Design Effectiveness awards, "intended to foster appreciation in businesses and the public of design excellence (in many disciplines)." These awards recognize projects that good design equals good business and are helping educate businessmen of the importance of a well-designed product or office.

A second reason the DX is a good precedent is because of the flexibility of its spaces, able to host a fashion show or conference. The original Stock Exchange Trading Floor has been restored and left empty to house a lecture, reception or any other event. Such flexibility is important for a center that must change as the design world itself does.

pictured from left to right:

the building facade and the DX store