EQ3’s capsule collection, Assembly, brings together some of Canada’s most exciting furniture designers.

I love it when large manufacturing companies use their heft to shine a spotlight on local talent (Toronto-based Umbra’s excellent Shift line is one such collaboration; Ikea has also been producing capsule collections with fashion designers). Winnipeg-based EQ3 has released their own capsule collection, Assembly, and the designers involved read like a who’s-who of today’s most interesting makers (not to mention, more than a few past winners of our Designers of the Year awards). Past DOTY champs whose work is showcased in Assembly include Shawn Place, Matthew Kroeker (our first Furniture Designer of the Year, in fact) and last year’s Industrial Designer of the Year—and this year’s judge—Thom Fougere.The pieces are elegantly minimalist, with Kroeker’s among my favourites in the collection. His armchair is an interpretation of the iconic Windsor chair, with a continuous steam-bent back and arm rail, streamlining the chair and improving the structure; it’s made of solid beech wood and available in either a white wash or black finish.Assembly armchair by Matthew Kroeker, $329, available at EQ3.assembly chairs