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Toronto's Winter Stations Design Competition, now in its landmark tenth year, once again aims to bring warmth and cheer to the bitter cold of February and March. Launched in 2014, this international event invites artists, designers, and architects from across the globe to reimagine the lifeguard stations dotting Toronto's beaches. Born from a collaboration between RAW Design, Ferris + Associates, and Curio, Winter Stations has seen participation from over 90 countries, making it a vibrant combination of global creativity and local charm.
This year's theme, "Resonance," commemorates the competition's decade-long journey. It reflects on the artistic legacies and enduring impacts of past installations, prompting designers to undertake a journey of transformation, infusing fresh perspectives into the legacy of Winter Stations. Participants were tasked with reinterpreting and revitalizing celebrated designs from the event's history.
Four winning installations, selected from hundreds of submissions, will be showcased alongside student contributions from Toronto Metropolitan University, Waterloo Department of Architecture, and Guelph University. The pieces are set to launch on Family Day (February 19) and be on display until the end of March. There are six new stations planned for the east end beaches, while three stations, including two from the Winter Stations Archives, will be found along Queen Street East at Ivan Forest Gardens, Kew Gardens, and Woodbine Park.
We start with a look at this year's winning installations:
We Caught A UFO! by Xavier Madden and Katja Banovic (Croatia and Australia)
Creators Xavier Madden and Katja Banovic draw inspiration from "In the Belly of a Bear," lifting viewers into an otherworldly realm. The installation, ensnared under a net, features glimmering aluminum foil, creating a stark contrast against the winter beach. Its pink plexi windows offer a transformed view of the world, inviting especially the younger audience to explore and reimagine.
A KALEIDOSCOPIC ODYSSEY by Brander Architects Inc (Canada)
Brander Architects Inc. challenges perceptions with this installation, an immersive experience that magnifies the traditional kaleidoscope to a human scale. A reinterpretation of "Kaleidoscope of the Senses" from 2020, it splits the kaleidoscope into two sculptured parts, creating a space where reality blurs into imagination. The deliberate separation invites participants to step into the gap, bridging the two halves and becoming part of the spectacle themselves.
Making Waves by Adria Maynard and Purvangi Patel (Canada)
This installation takes the form of an interactive urban living room. Resembling an exaggerated couch, it is a whimsical interpretation of the ripple effect, where simple actions resonate across time and space. Featuring kinetic elements like moving wooden slats and glowing globes, "Making Waves" is an ode to shared public art experiences, inviting visitors to engage, relax, and connect.
NIMBUS by David Stein (Canada)
David Stein's installation is inspired by the "Floating Ropes" from 2016, characterized by playful shapes and vibrant colours. This piece delves into meteorological themes, juxtaposing severe storms and droughts, prompting visitors to ponder the increasingly pertinent issue of climate change. The saturated blue ropes and bubbly white structure create an engaging visual and thematic depth, resonating with its environmental message.
In addition to those four, below are the installations from student contributions:
Bobbin’ by the University of Waterloo School of Architecture
"Bobbin'" is a collaborative creation by students from the University of Waterloo School of Architecture. It serves as a gateway to nostalgia, blending elements from past Winter Stations like "Sling Swing" and "Lifeline." The installation, made from repurposed materials, encourages visitors to engage with its seesaw-like structure, offering a playful interaction that connects the past with the present.
Nova by Toronto Metropolitan University - Department of Architectural Science
"Nova," designed by a team from Toronto Metropolitan University, is a celestial piece inspired by installations such as "Snowcone" and "Lithoform.” It utilizes modern techniques like 3D printing to create a star pavilion that lights up Woodbine Beach. The structure, reminiscent of a fallen star, offers shelter and a unique vantage point to view the surrounding landscape, symbolizing the university's decade-long contribution to Winter Stations.
WINTERACTION by University of Guelph – Department of Landscape Architecture and Ashari Architects
The University of Guelph’s "WINTERACTION" goes beyond borders, establishing a connection between Iran and Canada, with this dual installation to be set up in both countries. Echoing "OneCanada" and "WE[AR]," it presents a labyrinthine journey symbolizing the quest for inner peace and global solidarity. At its heart, a virtual tree emerges as a symbol of unity, dynamically evolving with interactions from visitors in both nations.
Finally, the two returning stations from the Winter Stations Archives are "CONRAD" by Novak Djogo and Daniel Joshua Vanderhorst, as well as "Delighthouse" by Nick Green and Greig Pirrie.
The Winter Stations Design Competition’s jury comprises Nellie Jalalzadeh, Shaz Nasiri, Aaron Hendershott, Mateusz Nowacki, Paul Bieksa, and co-chair Councillor Brad Bradford. Thanks to the efforts of organizations like Anex Works for installation construction and the support of sponsors like MicroPro Sienna for supply of treated wood, these installations transform Toronto’s beaches into an artistic winter wonderland. There are also plans for further exhibits later in the year sponsored and hosted by Northcrest Developments.
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