Winning designs of Toronto's Winter Stations 2021 competition

"The Great Outdoors has been where many have found solace, perhaps unexpectedly so, over the past 12 months. A year like no other, but great enjoyment has been found in returning to more holistic roots. From Small Beginnings hopes to seize upon this movement; whilst giving platform and space to embrace new opportunities ahead. Through shelves bearing a future forest, the installation allows visitors to seek refuge from harsher elements, whilst both encountering strangers from a safe distance or simply enjoying a place for quiet reflection. Approaching the exterior, the stained and sombre timber provides stark contrast to the lively Spruce seedlings which are free to the elements. Only upon entering the seating and standing areas of the installation the brighter interior is revealed; symbolic of the opportunities that rise from challenging periods, such as the year gone by. Like the seedlings, which can be replanted locally upon closure of the exhibit, we are all simply at the beginnings of our journeys."

The Epitonium by M. Yengiabad by Shahed M. Yengiabad, Elaheh M. Yengiabad, Alemeh M. Yengiabad and Mojtaba Anoosha, Iran

"Throughout history, humankind has always strived to learn and to be inspired by the nature in order to engage in new experiences and provide a better and more efficient life for themselves and other beings. In fact, nature is the source of inspiration for architects, artists, investors and scientists. Nature is our origin and destination. Nature includes not only the external environments such as clouds, trees, sea, mountains and animals, but also buildings, components and building materials. By building structures with forms familiar to humans in nature, in addition to creating two-dimensional graphics, architecture has thickness, depth and volume; therefore, architecture can complement nature and be a part of it. The Epitonium creates a beautiful and functional landscape. The creation of this idea causes natural shelter to become a refuge. The design of this structure is inspired by epitonium, which is a type of seashell, and the structure is in great harmony with its location."

THROBBER by Heidundgriess by Alexandra Grieß and Jorel Heid, Germany

"The reasons why people seek refuge are as diverse as people themselves. But they all have one thing in common: they wait. The walk-in installation THROBBER consists of 10 small shelters. These trapezoidal rooms, lined up next to each other, each in monochrome but in combination, they form the colour spectrum of a rainbow. Inside the installation, the colours are reduced to grey. From an aerial view, the shelters form the shape of a “throbber”. Anyone who has used computer programs or digital devices (often while waiting) know of this icon. They force you to wait, because there is a superior action. This icon is adopted from the digital to the real world as a symbol for the state of active experience of time, a place of transition, where different perspectives, longings, hopes and motivations come together. The colourful installation is an invitation to perceive the similarities and connections with each other despite individual differences."

Embrace by Colin Laplante, Grace Im, Ziyu Li, Brayden Popke, Nicole Ruiz, Reem Yunis, Bachelor of Craft and Design Program, Sheridan College

"This year, we all need a hug. Embrace represents that universal desire, providing a refuge from the real and imagined winds that buffet our beings. The flowing form, suggestive of a beneficent and humorous character, reaches out to embrace the lifeguard tower and the public alike, protecting all from the environment and standing calmly on the beach in all weathers. The neutral white exterior of the form blends in with the winter beach landscape and provides a contrast with the red/orange interior, evoking feelings of protection, comfort and peace while we nestled in its embrace."

The 2021 Winter Stations jury was comprised of Toronto Mayor John Tory, Krystal Koo, Lisa Rochon, Jacquie Comrie, Norm Li, Evan C. Perelekos, and Co-Chairs City Councillor Brad Bradford and Tiffany Pratt.