Our programme includes exhibitions, publications, collections, and research. Our oral history project contains over 250-recorded interviews with Canadian architects, engineers, and designers. We focus on Modernism, an essential but often-neglected period in our nation’s cultural development.

Founded in 2003 DOMINION MODERN (DOMO) is incorporated as a non-profit charitable organisation. DOMINION MODERN has been funded through private corporate sources and public donations.

The name DOMINION MODERN came about by combining “Modern” and “Dominion of Canada”, the former name for Canada. The name was at once a throwback to historical roots and fresh look at Modernism. The idea was to encompass the modern history of the nation as a whole.

In 2015 DOMINION MODERN opened DOMO design and research studio in Montréal. DOMO celebrated Québec design history, featuring industrial and graphic design. The Montréal Olympics, Métro de Montréal and Expo 67 were features of our first three years. The location opened a café a year later as a means to draw more people to explore.

The building that houses DOMO studio is a Neo-Expressionist block built in 1966 on rue Clark and St. Zotique. Architectural features on the exterior include black and white flecked glased brick exterior, with original canopy, brass window frames, doors and hardware. Original interior features include terrazzo floors dating back to 1966 when such extravagance was normal. Lighting was kept original, as fluorescent lighting was de rigueur.

The block is situated across the street from Little Italy Park, Depanneur Leclerc de Lune, and the Ball Park Restaurant. We share our block with Joe the barber and Dinette Triple Crown to the south.

Our neighbourhood is the Mile Ex and Marconi-Alexandra. In just three years since opening the area has exploded into high-tech Silicon-Valley-ish sector including, GameLoft, Behaviour, ElementAI, Microsoft, Université de Montréal and Facebook.

In three short years DOMO has researched and designed Le Parc olympique and Nienkämper under DOMINION MODERN publications programme. DOMO showcased the best of Québec industrial design, including the work of Michel Dallaire and exhibited, The Art of the Cover, an exhibit on 1960’s Canadian record album cover art of the 1960’s curated by Allan Collier.

DOMO also assisted Canadian manufacturer Nienkämper in relaunching two Canadian industrial design classics; the Expo 67 Chair by Christen Sorensen, and Lollipop seating by Robin Bush. Today these two Canadian design classics are again in current production and made in Canada.