Winter Stations Competition 2021

Winter Stations may be a single-stage international design competition held annually in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Participants are tasked with designing temporary winter art installations which incorporate existing lifeguard towers spaced strategically across the city’s Kew and Woodbine beaches. The structures (not in use within the wintertime) must not be ignored within the design and may be used as either an armature for the installations, a central feature, or other- wise linked to the installation.

As in previous years, Winter Stations intends to create approximately four winning proposals for a six-week exhibition along the waterfront, funding permitted. While Toronto beaches aren’t typically also visited within the colder seasons, Winter Stations has captured the imagination of the town . Designers can expect their designs to be well-visited, and will anticipate public interaction. The competition is hospitable everyone within the world. there’s no fee to enter.

2021 Theme: Refuge
For the Winter Stations 2021 edition, we may reflect back on the year we’ve left behind and consider what refuge means to every of us: a shelter; an area of comfort and security, a sanctuary. As a community we may offer refuge. As individuals, we may protect each other , providing respite from danger or insulation from harsh realities. Refuge evokes discovery and therefore the idea of exploring foreign places . It reflects a renewed appreciation of the outside , while highlighting the importance of our safe spaces.

Each Winter Station practically acts as a refuge from the weather , so this year we propose design competitors play with the literal and figurative, exploring what refuge means as we re-examine the importance of public space. How can we evoke refuge in an exhibition which will necessitate physical distance between visitors? and the way can we promote interactivity when our ability to relate with the stations may need to omit physical touch within the name of safety.

The Lifeguard Stands

The lifeguard stands are essentially identical. they’re sturdy steel structures to which the installation are often fastened. the tactic of fastening is up to every competitor, however it must not end in any damage to (or modification of) the structure.
Please assume minimal security and therefore the possibility of vandalism or just wear and tear from the curious. There would be no power or utilities available. Installations shouldn’t propose use of electricity or fire. Proposals should indicate how materials would be disposed of, recycled and/or repurposed at the top of the display period.

Submission Guidelines

The entries must be submitted electronically as two separate PDF files not exceeding 7MB each. Each entry should contain, in order, the following documents (in English):

Page One – 11 x 17” (279mm x 432mm) – Project Summary
- 1 page maximum
- A maximum of 150 word text describing the project and presenting the experience offered by the visitors
- Layout of selected images and drawings describing the project
Page Two – 11 x 17” (279mm x 432mm) – Images and Drawings
- 1 page maximum
- 4 main views or elevations of the installation indicating size and specification of materials

Entrant is free to choose the scale.
A perspective showing the design in its entirety.
Rough-order-of-magnitude cost for artwork installation.

Notes: Each document must include the name of the project however there must be no information on page one or two of the design proposal that would identify the entrant. Only single-page PDFs will be accepted. Proposals may be landscape or portrait format.

Please be aware that submissions will be reviewed by the jury as hard-copies (i.e. do not attempt to attach hyperlinks, videos, or any other digital content to the pdf files).

Submissions by email will not be accepted; if you wish to submit, please do so electronically through this website by signing up, logging in, and following submission instructions.

Budget

Proposals should adhere to the following budget for submissions:
$5,000.00 CAD for materials
$10,000.00 CAD for labour
Honorarium

An honorarium will be provided to winners and allocated as follows:
Design Fee – $3,500.00 CAD
Artist Travel and Expenses – $1,500.00 CAD (if applicable).