Offering international designers and emerging artists an opportunity to transform lifeguard stations along Toronto’s winter beaches into whimsical design installations
Winter Stations launched its 11th annual design competition last week and is looking for some fresh ideas from local and international design community to take the event into it’s second decade.
This year’s theme, Dawn, marks the beginning of a new era for Winter Stations as it steps into its 11th year, symbolizing a fresh chapter in its creative journey. Just as the first light of morning breaks through the darkness, the exhibition will explore the moments of profound change that redefine and shape our existence, highlighting the delicate process of shedding old layers to emerge as something new. Dawn embraces the evolving self and the endless possibilities of change and transition, whether it be personal, natural, or spiritual, capturing the raw beauty of growth and renewal.
Dawn represents the shift from night to day, and this year, designers are invited to explore how Winter Stations can evolve, and to consider the future of the exhibition and its relationship with the public and the environment. Through this lens, Dawn challenges designers to explore how Winter Stations can adapt, grow, and metamorphose in the coming years, shaping the urban landscape in imaginative and innovative ways.
Launched in 2014 by RAW Architects, Winter Stations challenges local and international designers to transform the utilitarian lifeguard stations along Toronto’s beaches into works of public art. The competition, which attracts thousands of visitors each year, has seen entries from more than 90 countries.
“We are excited to be entering our second decade as an organization and are using this opportunity to re-think aspects of how the Winter Stations are brought into the world,” says RAW Design architect and Winter Stations organizer Dakota Wares-Tani. “The theme for this year’s competition is purposefully intended to inspire new ideas and new thinking, and to also consider the second life of these stations as we move towards a model that allows for additional exhibitions throughout the year. We encourage anyone interested to submit their design before November 4th.
Registrations are now open for the competition with the deadline for submissions on November 4, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Winners will be announced early January. There is no fee to enter the competition which welcomes entries from all around the world. The winning teams will be rewarded $2,000 (CAD).
All 2025 installations must be able to withstand Toronto’s winter weather for several weeks along the waterfront. Designs must also consider new technical guidelines that will facilitate future exhibitions in other parts of Toronto. The built installations will be unveiled on Family Day Weekend in Canada (February 17, 2025).
For more information on submissions guidelines, please visit winterstations.com/competition
Important information:
Competition Deadline: November 4, 2024
Winners announced: January, 2025
Public Exhibition begins: February 17, 2025 (Family Day Long Weekend)
Where: Woodbine Beach, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
To learn more about Winter Stations, please visit winterstations.com.