Keilhauer Supports Students of Design with Lounge Furniture Donation to TMU

October 31, 2025 (Toronto) – Keilhauer, an award-winning lounge and collaborative furniture manufacturer, has donated a full collection of design-forward furnishings to help transform the Architectural Student Society (ARC) Lounge at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), which re-opened in September 2025 as a newly imagined community hub for architectural students. The space has been specially designed to foster student well-being, collaboration, and creativity for over 600 students studying in TMU’s Architectural Science Department.

Once a closed-off classroom with no natural light or community purpose, the ARC Lounge has been transformed into a vibrant social hub through creative collaboration between Keilhauer, TMU faculty, and student leaders. The furniture donation from Keilhauer features showroom pieces from their New York and Chicago locations, all prioritizing comfort, flexibility, and community collaboration.

“The ARC lounge has already become a cornerstone of student life in our department. It’s a space where ideas, exploration, and friendships naturally take shape. This collaboration with Keilhauer proves how thoughtful design can directly enhance student productivity and wellbeing.”
– Lisa Landrum, Chair of the Department of Architectural Science

As a collaboration-first project, the TMU student leaders were instrumental in the space’s development and reimagining. Led by Architectural Student Society Principal Christine Ho, with Evelyn Foster, Tiffany Chui, Camila Ramírez Vargas, and Mars Makdissi, the Architectural Student Society created the floor plan, selected each piece of furniture, and collaborated directly with Keilhauer to craft the overall vision. This creative process not only gave students hands-on experience in architectural planning but also ensured the final result truly reflected their own needs and preferences.

“Keilhauer treated us like true design partners from the very start. We weren’t just selecting furniture, we were shaping how future students would experience this space. Seeing our plans come to life has been empowering and inspiring, and it’s shown us how design can have a real, lasting impact on a community.”
– Christine Ho, Principal, TMU Architectural Student Society (arc.soc)

“Supporting TMU’s architecture students was a natural extension of what we value most; using design to improve people’s lives. These students are the future of our industry, and we were grateful to contribute to a space where creativity and community can thrive, side by side.”
– Meghan Sherwin, President, Keilhauer

This donation reflects Keilhauer’s ongoing commitment to supporting education, community spaces, and the next generation of creative leaders in architecture and design. By contributing to a space designed for both connection and comfort, Keilhauer hopes to inspire students to move confidently forward as they shape the future of design.

Learn more about Keilhauer’s sustainable contract furniture solutions and ongoing community initiatives at keilhauer.com.

For over 40 years, Keilhauer has redefined the modern workplace with thoughtfully designed furniture that balances beauty, comfort and sustainability. From our origins as a family-run business focused on quality seating to becoming a globally recognized leader in design-forward contract furniture, our mission has always stayed the same: creating furniture thatʼs good for people and the planet. For more information, please visit keilhauer.com.

Toronto Metropolitan University, formally known as Ryerson University, is a public research university located in downtown Toronto, Ontario. TMU is known for its emphasis on experiential learning and offers over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs across a wide range of disciplines. The university has a diverse student population and is committed to advancing inclusive innovation, sustainability, and real-world impact through education and research.

PHOTOS:
Jorge Cruz Toro