JANUARY 23-26, 2025
Metro Toronto Convention Centre North Building
In the Studio with
Noam Hazan
Architect
Welcome to In The Studio,
where IDS asks a series of quick-fire questions to a celebrated member of the design community.
Noam Hazan is the founder of Noam Hazan Design Studio (NHDS), an architecture and interior design studio in Toronto. Prior to starting his studio, Noam worked for world acclaimed architecture firms including; Foster + Partners (London), Richard Meier and Partners (NY) and Make Architects (London) and brings a unique and international perspective to Toronto's architectural landscape. Noam's work has been featured in various publications including Toronto Life, Designlines, House and Home and Dezeen. Noam is also the owner of BLOKK.ca, a sustainable, modular Garden Suite company that launched at IDS in January.
What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to someone starting their career?
The ability to take initiative and problem-solve is more important than technical skills.
What is the most inspiring object in your studio/home office?
A referral letter from Pritzker prize winner Richard Meier (still sealed) and a painting from Artist Menashe Kadishmann, who was so chuffed that I liked his art when I was a student in my early twenties; he gave me two paintings for almost nothing and a signed print.
What has been the biggest change in your work since you started designing?
I've always resonated more with minimalist, contemporary architecture and design, but maximalism is making it's way subtly into my work.
How many people work in your studio?
4
What’s your favourite thing about your studio/home office location?
Being able to collaborate with my team ad-hoc without needing to schedule a Zoom!
Favourite piece of furniture in your home or studio?
My 9ft wide home office desk
Your dream work chair?
Eames lounge chair and ottoman, for when I'm not working, at work.
Favourite piece of stationery that you can’t live without?
My Precise V5 RT black pilot pen
Describe your work in three words.
Contemporary, neoteric, fun
How to you get out of a creative rut?
Sleep on it. I'm most creative late at night when trying to fall asleep.
If you could redesign any well-known landmark, which one would it be?
Kensington Market, it has so much potential! I'd also bring the interiors of every TD branch out of the 80's.
Favourite music artist to work to?
Tom Odell, Dermot Kennedy, Alex Clare
What do you think is misunderstood about the design industry?
Design is not just about what's 'aesthetically pleasing', it's about questioning everything and solving problems you didn't realize existed. It's a process of continuous refinement.
If you had unlimited Lego, what would you build?
I'd build a Lego bank (not out of Lego) with unlimited Lego, for kids that cannot afford Lego.
What fruit is best designed…explain
A tangerine, beautiful when in nature, has a minimal, textured leathery exterior but a complex interior, containing evenly sized pillow segments that house mini pockets of juice.
Strangest thing you have designed (no explanation needed)
A 'mikveh', which is a spiritual bath