See the built designs on Commercial Street in Nanaimo during architecture festival June 8-11
Nanaimo, April 22, 2016 – Three Vancouver Island high school teams have been selected as finalists in the High School Parklet Design Competition. The competition is one of several public events associated with the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) Festival of Architecture taking place in Nanaimo June 8 to 11.
Finalists:
- GISS Junior Design, Gulf Islands Secondary School, Salt Spring Island;
- NC Aspengrove, Aspengrove School, Lantzville;
- Team Monster Club, Saint Michaels University School, Victoria.
Thirty-one teams from across Vancouver Island registered for the architectural design challenge to create a parklet for installation in Nanaimo. A parklet is an extension of the sidewalk, the size of a parking spot that provides a place to stop, sit, and interact with others within the city.
Of those who registered, 19 teams submitted concept designs, from which 11 semi-finalists were selected. Local architects mentored and assisted each team in developing detailed drawings and models to advance to the next round.
The three finalists will see their designs realized and built by the Vancouver Island University Carpentry Foundation Program.
“The competition is an opportunity to engage the community and excite the next generation of architects, said local organizer Angela Quek, MRAIC. ““The students showed innovative thinking and tremendous creativity.”
David Poiron, MRAIC, also on the local organizing committee added: “We are thrilled with the response from the students, and the quality of the designs put forth by the students was excellent.”
The parklets will be installed on Commercial Street in downtown Nanaimo for final judging during the 2016 RAIC Festival of Architecture.
The three teams will be at their parklets on Wednesday, June 8 to discuss their projects, and win votes for the People’s Choice Award! Voting takes place on the site. The winner will be announced at an awards reception at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre on Friday, June 10.
Monetary awards, generously sponsored by the RAIC, will be presented to each team and their schools to recognize their architectural engagement and achievements on Vancouver Island.
The winning team will receive a $900 team prize plus $2,000 for their school, 2nd place to receive a $600 team prize plus $1000 for their school, and 3rd prize will receive a $300 team prize plus $500 for their school.
For more information on the High School Parklet Design Competition and to learn more about the Festival’s free public programming visit the festival website.
“The winning teams will be given the experience of seeing how their creativity and thoughtfulness can affect the quality of the public realm,” says RAIC President Allan Teramura, FRAIC.
About the 2016 Festival of Architecture
The Festival of Architecture will take place in Nanaimo, BC, June 8 – 11. An impressive line-up of industry experts, visionaries and trailblazers will speak at the festival along a CONNEXIONS theme; how the built environment connects a community; how well-designed spaces shape our life experiences, and how architects working together can contribute to solving problems even on a global scale, such as climate change.
About the RAIC
The Royal Architectural Institute of Canada (RAIC) is the leading voice for excellence in the built environment in Canada, representing about 5,000 members. The RAIC advocates for excellence in the built environment, works to demonstrate how design enhances the quality of life and promotes responsible architecture in addressing important issues of society.