Shirley Blumberg and Marianne McKenna featured in BUONE NUOVE / Women Architects of Change 

February 13, 2025

“[BUONE NUOVE] globally elevates and reinforces the special and distinctive design talent of women in architecture — it’s a shared vision for space making and community.” – Marianne McKenna 

Founding partner Marianne McKenna attended the opening of BUONE NUOVE / Women Architects of Change at the UQAM Centre de Design in Montréal. 

Curated by Pippo Ciorra, Elena Motisi, and Elena Tinacci, the travelling exhibition showcases and celebrates Italian and global women architects and designers who have changed the field of architecture. 

First unveiled at the MAXXI museum in Rome in 2022, the exhibition has been on display in Stockholm, Doha, New Delhi, and Berlin. Its North American debut at Toronto Metropolitan University, co-curated by Lisa Landrum, introduced 15 Canadian women architects, including McKenna and founding partner Shirley Blumberg.  

Since co-founding KPMB Architects in 1987, Blumberg and McKenna have gone on to design many of the firm’s most acclaimed projects. Both Order of Canada appointees, they have been the recipients of several accolades throughout their careers for their commitment to design excellence. 

Co-curated by Louise Pelletier and Federica Sala, the Québec edition spotlights several Québec-based women-led architecture firms and a collection of furniture by Italian architects from the golden age of design. 

Through images, artifacts, and videos, the exhibition will present the achievements and built works of remarkable women architects and designers. The exhibition is on display at the UQAM Centre de Design until April 6, 2025. 

Read more about BUONE NUOVE / Women Architects of Change