ADFF Toronto 2025: Lewerentz Divine Darkness

Sigurd Lewerentz did not seek fame. A contemporary of Alvar Aalto and Gunnar Asplund, Lewerentz left behind some of the most profound works in Scandinavian design. But he shunned interviews and avoided public interventions. Instead, he let his buildings speak for themselves in a language of poetic brutality, austere beauty, and reverence for light and shadow.

Lewerentz Divine Darkness (2024) begins decades after the architect’s death, when an unexpected discovery in a root cellar cracks open the mystery of his work. A treasure trove of beautiful black and white film clips and audio recordings reveals fascinating moments between the architect and his friend Bernt Nyberg, guiding us through an unexpected journey into Lewerentz’s singular legacy.

About the Architecture and Design Film Festival

The Architecture and Design Film Festival (ADFF)—North America’s largest film festival dedicated to architecture and design—is coming back to Toronto for another year of great films and insightful discussions! From November 12-15, catch one of their amazing lineup of 13 films, from all over the world. Looking for the full list of films showcased at this year’s ADFF: Toronto? See the complete programme on the festival’s website!

The TSA is proud to once again be partnering with ADFF: Toronto to bring a series of panel discussions and post-screening Q&As that complement this year’s film roster. These panels bring together architects, film-makers, and subject matter experts to further explore the themes of each film and bring them back to our local context here in Toronto.

TSA MEMBERS: Members get discounted tickets to all showings at ADFF: Toronto! Keep an eye out for the code in the announcement of the ticket sales launch.