Leonardo Bechini - is a master photographer with a Master's degree in same. He lives and works
in Milan, Italy as the Chief Creative Officer for a well known European fashion and lifestyle
 magazine. I met Leonardo when he came to Montréal in the year 2000 to attend a special
graphic design programme at College Inter-Dec.  He was my student in a Professional Practises
and Print Management course. He had already built up a number of years of professional design
credits in various design firms in Europe.  But since our course was totally business-centric,
as his teacher, I had no reason to review or see his portfolio. . . . . until the second to last class.
When he displayed his work to the class we were all, astonished, that this creative giant had 
been in our midst for those many weeks. Being humble and gentle as he is, his credential
never became a part of the conversation.
 We established  a great bond in that course and when he returned to Milan we remained in 
touch, discussing frequently a desire to design, develop, produce a 'really cool' online design
journal. Whenever he visited Montréal we spent tome together ....he became, a friend.
But oddly enough, since I was completely aware of his vast talent, I never found reason to 
re-visit his online gallery. Until a couple of weeks ago......I was doubly astonished.
You will also be, I believe, doubly astonished - for he granted me access to both a fantastic
web-site he had just finished producing (his first, believe it or not) along with access to his
newly revised photographic web-site.

It is in part, his growth, that I refer to in my introductory comments......to view both
simply follow these links.  Match      +       Leomore   And then come back and in concert, lets's            say to him, 'BRAVO maestro!'

designReview•international

Combining the elegance of traditional paper lanterns with the convenience of Bluetooth technology is the new Orilamp, a striking battery-powered mood light designed in Toronto. As the name indicates, it's inspired by origami and is foldable and shapeable, reminding us of an accordion or a slinky toy. Users can adjust brightness, set a timer and monitor battery life via the app, but physically opening and closing the lamp itself also turns it on and off. When not in use, the lamp folds into a compact square that could be mistaken for a thick coaster, while the wood finishes appeal with a natural look.

CARGO ARCHITECTURE : :
CHARLES-BERNARD GAGNON
ARCHITECT, PRINCIPAL AND FOUNDER, OAQ – OAIF – MIRAC
Charles-Bernard is a member of the Ordre des architecture du Québec and the Paris Architectural Order. He has 20 years of experience in the design and construction of projects of all kinds on two continents. As the founder of his own office in Québec City, he directs this dynamic working space with a team of talented people with complementary skills that lead to the creation of spaces and buildings for commercial and residential purposes. Charles-Bernard’s focus is on humanist and functional with an intention of providing occupants with environmentally-friendly, quality-design and well thought out spaces to live, work and play.

á la montréalaise : :
Once a residence for the stable hands responsible for the horses and carriages of a grander home in Montreal, this structure now serves as a modern, minimal family home.
After plans to completely redesign the edifice and interior of this this late-19th-century building were thwarted by city preservation regulations, architect Maxime Moreau was forced to come up with a creative solution. Instead of sacrificing the facade as his clients had requested, Moreau rebuilt the original 1890s wood siding, molding, cornices, and window frames, but proposed painting the entire exterior black. The bold, monochromatic hue served as a nod to avant-garde architecture and satisfied his clients’ wish for an adventurous, contemporary home.

Inside, a flexible open-plan with minimal furniture continues the modern aesthetic. The couple, both art and design enthusiasts, opted to demolish everything inside the existing structure, opening the living space and extending it into an exterior garden terrace that sits on the same level. With what little furniture they have fitted with wheels, the couple can move seamlessly from indoors to outdoors.