Right now, Montreal is all about design during the city’s first official Design Week. Under stainless steel domes, at a trade show, at parties in the city’s coolest vinyl bar.
Montreal has so much design and architecture that you can walk right past it without noticing because you’re arguing with your partner via text or because you’ve got your head tucked into your shoulders because of the wind.
And, above all, Montreal has an excellent design school whose graduating students will present their projects at the Design Annual at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM) from May 7 to 20, 2026.
Design, paper, fashion shows
The centerpiece of UQAM’s Design Annual, now in its 12th edition, is an exhibition showcasing the work of nearly 250 graduating students from the university’s School of Design and School of Fashion.
It takes place at UQAM’s Pavillon du Design, a six-story glass-and-metal structure that was awarded the 20th Century Award in April 2026 by the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC).
The pavilion’s six floors will be transformed into an exhibition space for the works and projects of students in the bachelor’s programs in graphic design and visual experiences, environmental design, fashion management and design, event design, and the master’s program in environmental design.
In addition to the exhibition, there will be a fashion show by students from UQAM’s École Supérieure de mode, the launch of a book on women architects, and a magazine focused on design and architecture.
Practical Information
Where? The Design Pavilion at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM) at 1440 Sanguinet Street
When? Thursday, May 7 to Wednesday, May 20, 2026 / Exhibition hours from May 7 to 20, 2026: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Opening / Wednesday, May 6 at 6 p.m., free admission with mandatory registration here
RCxDesign International Symposium / Friday, May 8 at the School of Design (6th floor) from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday, May 9 at the Design Centre from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Fashion Show by the UQAM School of Fashion / Tuesday, May 12 at 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM
Book launch for Women Architects of Change / Wednesday, May 13 at 4:30 p.m., on the 3rd floor of the Design Pavilion
PICA Magazine Launch, Issue 1 “Deconstruction” / Friday, May 15 at 6 p.m. at the Centre Design
How? Free / For more information, click here
