This thesis will investigate the design of Italian diasporic homes in Toronto, considering how these residences reflect and negotiate cultural identity, heritage and adaptation. Asking, what can/do representations of Italian diasporic homes in Ontario tell us about collective and individual diasporic identities?

Through an interdisciplinary approach, combining interior design/architectural analysis, and cultural studies this research aims to offer insight into the ways in which Italian Canadian homeowners design their living spaces to preserve and reinterpret their cultural heritage in a new geographical context.

Toronto has seen significant contributions to its urban fabric from the Italian diaspora. Like other immigrant communities in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), the Italian diaspora has developed a unique design identity, especially pertaining to how they reside. By focusing on interior design elements and spatial arrangements of Italian diasporic homes, this research seeks to understand how homes serve as sites of cultural expression and preservation.