UUfie, an innovative interdisciplinary architecture studio, was established in 2009 by partners Irene Gardpoit and Eiri Ota in Tokyo, Japan. Since 2013, the studio has been headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Specializing in art, architecture, landscape, furniture, and product design, UUfie has gained recognition for its pioneering approach to creating transformative "experiences of transition" inspired by the natural world. The studio is particularly esteemed for its contributions to residential, cultural, and commercial spaces.
Highlighting a distinguished portfolio, UUfie has successfully executed notable projects, including Ports 1961 in Shanghai, Printemps Haussmann in Paris, and the Lake Cottage in Ontario—a project celebrated for its distinctive treehouse ambiance. The studio's accomplishments have been acknowledged through prestigious awards such as the Design Vanguard Award and RAIC Emerging Architectural Practice Award, underscoring UUfie's dedication to pushing design boundaries and delivering outstanding solutions.
UUfie's guiding philosophy centers on open-mindedness, a joyful embrace of the creative process, and a profound connection to nature. Their work is characterized by a commitment to experimentation, diverse material applications, and site-specificity, leveraging advanced digital tools in conjunction with traditional craftsmanship.
At its core, UUfie aims to integrate natural elements into contemporary environments, cultivating moments of contemplation and awe. The studio remains committed to architectural innovation and creativity, consistently pushing the boundaries of design excellence.
AWARDS
2020 Ronald J. Thom Award for Early Design Achievement, Canada Council for the Arts 2019 Emerging Architectural Practice Award, The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada
2019 Emerging Voices Award, The Architectural League of New York
2018 Mies Crown Hall Americas Prize, Nominee, Lake Cottage
2018 Best of Canada Award, Canadian Interiors, Echo Table
2018 Jury Prize, Canadian Interiors, Echo Table
2018 Best of Canada Award, Canadian Interiors, Printemps Haussmann
2017 Design Vanguard Award, Architectural Record
2017 World Architecture Festival Award, Finalist, Printemps Haussmann
2017 American Architecture Prize, Winner of Renovation, Printemps Haussmann
2017 American Architecture Prize, Winner of Small Project, Lake Cottage
2017 Making Model, Art Museum, Winner “Wa-Wa”
2017 Good Design Award, Japan Design, Best 100, Printemps Haussmann
2017 Design Excellence Finalist, OAA, Ports 1961 Shanghai
2016 A&D Trophy Award, Design Excellence Certification, Ports 1961 Shanghai
2016 Canada Council for the Arts, International Residencies Program in Visual Arts
2016 Winners of the MOS Designer Residency Competition
2016 Longlisted for WAN Façade Award, Ports 1961 Shanghai
2016 4th Place, DARC Award, Ports 1961 Shanghai
2016 Shortlisted for Alvar Aalto MUSEO Competition
2016 Designlines Love Tag, Designlines, Breath
2016 Twenty + Change for Emerging Practices
2015 Shortlisted for WoodWork Award, Lake Cottage
2015 Shortlisted for A2 Asia Architecture Award, Ports 1961 Shanghai
2015 Shortlisted for Chicago Kiosk Competition
2015 Canada Council for the Arts, Travel Grants to Professionals in the Visual Arts
2015 Michael V. and Wanda Plachta Award, OAA, Lake Cottage
2015 Design Excellence Award,OAA, Lake Cottage
2015 Juror Choice Award, Toronto Design Off-Site, Sea Grey
2015 Designlines Love Tag, Designlines, Sea Grey
2014 Project of Year, Canadian Interiors, Lake Cottage
2013 1st Prize, Printemps Haussemann Competition
2012 Silver Award, IDS, Peacock
2009 Honor Award, Hokkaido Furniture Competition
LECTURE
2019 Emerging Voices, New York
2018 Midday Talk, University of Toronto
2017 BEAT, Women in Architecture, Toronto, Canada
2017 World Architecture Festival, Berlin, Germany
2017 The Winter Arriscraft Lecture, University of Waterloo
2017 Design Talk, New York, Design Pavilion
2016 Officina Creativa dell’Abitare, Montalcino, Italy
SELECTED PUBLICATION
2019 Canadian Architects, RAIC Emerging Architectural Practice Award
2019 Contract Magazine, Top 100
2017 The Globe and Mail, Toronto architects embrace their contrarian nature
2017 Frame Magazine, Printemps Haussmann Verticalite
2016 Canadian Architect, July 2016
2015 The Globe and Mail, Arts Section, December 5, 2015
2015 Azure, Issue 238 30th Anniversary Issue “Toronto’s Next Generation: UUfie”, May 2015
2015 The National Post, May 16 2015, “A New Fauna of Mirrors”2015 Digital
2014 FRAME no.97
2014 MILK DECORATION no.6
Dezeen, “UUfie makes medical clinic with translucent polycarbonate walls”, May 2016
Archdaily, “Ports 1961 Shanghai Façade/UUfie”
Dezeen, “UUfie updates facade of Shanghai boutique with pixellated grid of glowing glass”
Yatzer.com, ‘Lake Cottage in Ontario, Canada by UUfie” Jan 2015
Today.com NBC Universal, July 2013
ignant.de “Lake Cottage by UUfie”
inhabitat “Tiny Mirrored Cabin Reflects the Ontario Landscape” by Lucy Wang
Dezeen – Lake Cottage
EXHIBITIONS
2018 Vancouver Art Gallery, Vancouver, Canada
2018 MIART, Milan
2018 Galleria Rossanna Orlandi, Milan, Italy
2017 Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design, Toyama, Japan
2017 Art Museum, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
2017 Galleria Rossanna Orlandi, Milan, Italy
2017 MIART, Milan
2017 Themes and Variation, London, UK
2017 Naturkundemuseum, Graz, Austria
2017 Riverside Gallery, Cambridge, Canada
2016 London Design Week, London, UK
2016 Officina Creativa dell’Abitare, Montalcino, Italy
2016 Gladstone Hotel, “Come Up To My Room”, Toronto, Canada
2015 Urbanspace Gallery, “Twenty + Change”, Toronto, Canada
2015 Design Exchange, Toronto, Canada
2014 Bagatti Valsecchi Museum, “Untold” Exhibition, Milan, Italy
2014 Milano Salone Del Mobile, Milan, Italy
2014 Porto Cervo, Sardinia, Italy
2014 Canada Bloom, Toronto, Canada
2014 Guild Design Fair, Cape Town, South Africa
2013 Design Miami/Basel, Miami, USA
2013 Galleria Rossana Orlandi, Milan, Italy
2012 Interior Design Show, Toronto, Canada
