A year of interesting urban designs, concepts, and ideas

We already highlighted a few exceptional residential designs that surfaced in 2016; now we want to look at some other interesting urban designs, concepts, and ideas that popped up this year that can and did change the streetscape of Toronto.

2016 Winter Stations winners

In the Belly of a Bear

The winners of the second Winter Stations design competition opened to the public on February 14th and stayed standing on the east end beaches until March 20th. The design competition challenges designers, artists, and engineers to come up with ways to transform the lifeguard stations that go unused during Toronto’s winter months.

The interactive installations urge locals and tourists to explore the beach’s winter landscape. The winners included In the Belly of a Bear, a giant black ball with an observation window, and a chandelier-like structure with colourful surfaces that reacted to heat from touch.

Rail Deck Park makes headlines

Via the City of Toronto

In the summer, the announcement of the Rail Deck Park in Toronto broke the internet. Some people thought it was an amazing proposal, while some thought it was unrealistic. The Rail Deck Park would be built above the train tracks, stretching from Bathurst to roughly the Rogers Centre. Hopefully we hear more about the status of this proposal in 2017.

Streetcar Safety Murals

The third NXT City Prize competition was held and a winner was announced! The winning idea was Streetcar Safety Murals, which are meant to beautify the streets while improving the safety of journeys on transit.

The murals would be painted on the road at select streetcar stops, stretching from the curb to the streetcar for the entire length of the streetcar. The murals are supposed to bring attention to the safety zone that cars are not supposed to enter if the streetcar’s doors are open. We chatted with the team behind the idea and as of the beginning of December, they were still discussing the feasibility of the project. A meeting with the City is being set up in the new year.

Ice Breakers coming to Toronto’s waterfront

The founders of the Winter Stations design competition, RAW Design, landscape architects Ferris + Associates, and public art consultancy Curio, have found another way to brighten up Toronto’s somewhat dreary winter.

Another area of the city that doesn’t see a lot of action while the snow is falling and the cold winds blow is the Harbourfront. In January 2017, there will be temporary art installations erected along Queens Quay from Yonge to Bathurst. They will remain standing for a month.

The installations are supposed to encourage people to walk down to the lake during the winter to take in the beauty of Toronto’s winter waterfront.  

We can’t wait to see what becomes of the Rail Deck Park and Streetcar Safety Murals. And we’re really looking forward to checking out the Ice Breakers installations and seeing if there is another Winter Stations competition. Bring on 2017!