8 must-see architecture & design events happening this January in Toronto, LA, Chicago, Boston, Paris, New Canaan, and Washington, DC

Kick off the new year right with an eclectic range of upcoming architecture and design events, exhibitions, and festivals this month.

From the roster of ongoing and upcoming events listed on Bustler, here is a brief curated selection of recommendations worth checking out in January.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Maison&Objet Paris 2026 | January 15–19, Paris

"At the crossroads of raw material and contemporary form, a quiet strength emerges. Furniture is no longer just a succession of pieces: it becomes the extension of knowledge, of craft, of memory. What emanates from it goes beyond aesthetics: it is an aura, a breath, a trace of the past carried into the future. Each creation belongs to an organic continuity, a slow, embodied transformation."

Designers of Mountain and Water: Alternative Landscapes for a Changing Climate | January 20 – May 15, Cambridge, MA

"This exhibition gathers leading 'Designers of Mountain and Water' to present their visions of alternative landscapes for a changing climate. Designers of Mountain and Water features more than 45 works of landscape architecture by 23 practices in Asia. These projects are organized by bioregions defined by geography, geology, fauna, flora, and other ecological and climatological characteristics, as well as the population settlements and cultural features shaped by such conditions."

The Interior Design Show | IDS 2026 | January 22–25, Toronto

"The Interior Design Show celebrates and promotes the best in global and Canadian design, from emerging designers to legacy brands. IDS is not just a fair – it’s a total design experience. Celebrate the design industry with beautiful exhibitions, a full seminar and keynote program, networking opportunities and Canada's largest design party of the year."

2026 DesignTO Festival | January 23 – February 1, Toronto

"As Canada’s largest annual design festival, DesignTO transforms Toronto into a creative hub, featuring over 100 free exhibitions and events. Over the past 15 years, the Festival has welcomed over 1 million attendees, showcased 7,000+ creatives, reached billions through media, and generated significant tourism impact. Explore bold and ambitious ideas that respond to the climate crisis, social justice, technology, craft, and more."

Liam Young: Planetary Imaginaries | January 30 – March 16, Los Angeles

"Created by director and worldbuilder Liam Young and expanded through collaborations with acclaimed science fiction authors drawn from across the globe, Planetary Imaginaries presents a chorus of stories that sprawl from the microscopic to the planetary. Across films and fragments, movie miniatures and ceremonial costumes, action figures and speculative architectures, the exhibition maps a constellation of fictional worlds, visions of wonderous resistance and new mythologies for an Earth remade."

Humanity in Architecture Film Festival | January 30–31, New Canaan

"Immerse in a weekend of curated films and one-of-a-kind Grace Farms site experiences designed to honor the pivotal moment when one person commits to designing and building for the benefit of humankind and the Earth. Watch stories of bold, genius dreamers who put seemingly impossible ideas into action in the fields of architecture and design, and enjoy moments to reflect on your own journey through food, music, yoga, and guided walks."

ONGOING EVENTS

Lightness of Strength: The Wave | Until February 8, Washington, DC

"Led by Catholic University of America professor Tonya Ohnstad in collaboration with students and industry partners. The Wave is a full-scale research project demonstrating how material innovation and collaborative fabrication can shape a more sustainable built environment. The exhibition transforms the museum into a place for public discourse and scholarship—inviting visitors to engage with the evolving relationship between structure, material, and design."

Framed Views | Until February 22, Chicago

"Back for its second year, Framed Views presents 60 curated photographs from the Open House Chicago 2025 competition at the CAC, revealing diverse perspectives on the city’s architecture, culture and character. [...] This year we received over 1200 submissions to one of five categories: Interior, Black & White, Exterior, People & Buildings, and Detail. Our curators selected 60 photographs that represent a wide range of experiences and interpretations, and collectively point to the incredibly rich tapestry of Chicago’s architecture and built environment."

Do you have an architecture or design event you want to promote? Submit it to our event calendar via Bustler for review and a potential feature.