Winning designs of Toronto's Winter Stations 2021 competition

Since the Canadian winter typically keeps most people from hitting the beaches, the annual Winter Stations competition in Toronto has been trying to bring crowds back in creative ways: now in its seventh year, four winning designs and one student entry have been selected to be installed as temporary winter art installations in the coming weeks.  Under this year's theme 'Refuge,' design teams had to envision structures that offer refuge from the elements while also incorporating existing lifeguard towers spaced across the city's Kew and Woodbine beaches. "We recognize this year, more than ever, we need to be flexible in how we operate," said Roland Rom Colthoff, founder of RAW Design, one of the Winter Stations cocreators. "Partnering with The Distillery District and the Beach BIA allows us to extend our exhibition by several weeks, while also giving Torontonians a chance to experience the installations in different settings."  Acknowledging the additional COVID-19 health challenges this year, Colthoff went on to say: "We continue to work with city officials on our plan for the exhibit, being mindful of the acute need for safety. Our plans and contingencies are in place and we are committed to launching the installations sometime this year. If that means postponing our event until restrictions ease, we might need to call them 'Spring' Stations, and bring safe, outdoor experiences to our city." From more than 400 competition entries from around the globe, the following submissions have been chosen as the winning designs: ARc de Blob by Aleksandra Belitskaja, Ben James and Shaun McCallum, Austria/UK (cover image) "ARc de Blob is a colorful landmark in the Woodbine Beach landscape: a point of orientation, interaction and refuge. This architectural object creatively mixes physical materials with the ability to digitally interact and connect through a Mixed Reality App. The installation creates incredible virtual worlds - a figurative refuge where we can interact, connect and play. The physical form references iconic architectural composition and elements; and is contrasted with the colorful materials and patterns that create a warm and welcoming shelter. The arch itself acts as a frame for a virtual portal/refuge seen in Mixed Reality – a space of new digital worlds: creative environments designed to encourage visitors to play and interact together in digital and physical space. Ultimately, the piece is an evolving mix of digital art and physical architecture that creates playful interactions between these realities." From Small Beginnings by Jack Leather and Charlie Leather, UK Read the full post on Bustler