winter stations converts lifeguard posts into wintertime playgrounds
image © eamon macmahon

 

 

 

sometimes toronto residents need to be prodded into the outdoors during long winter months. that’s why RAW design, ferris + associates, and curio teamed up to launch ‘winter stations’. the international design competition invited artists, designers, architects and landscape architects to re-image one of toronto’s most unappreciated winter-scapes. using the theme of warmth, competitors were challenged to turn lifeguard stations along toronto’s east beaches into whimsical pieces of wintertime public art. over 200 submissions were received, and the chosen five have repurposed the waterfront into a wintertime hub.

winter stations converts lifeguard posts into wintertime playgrounds
sling swing by WMB studio (london/liverpool, UK)
image © eamon macmahon

 

 

 

‘driftwood throne’ by DM_Studio used salvaged timber to transform the modest lifeguard stand into a strong, faceted sculptural form that provides seating and shelter. ‘sling swing’ by WMB studio, is a playful take on how an iconic deck chair might adapt itself to the cold winter months. meant to huddle beach goers together, the colorful canvases evoke a sense of summer nostalgia, and the never-ending wind ensures a continuously animated installation. ‘hotbox’ by michaela macleod and nicholas croft mimics typology of ice houses traditionally used in northern climates. heightened contrast between in-and-outside allows visitors to experience warmth through visual, auditory, tactile, and associative means. ‘wing back’ by tim olson appropriates the tall, swept typology of a wingback chair. the over-sized structure is designed to gather people together. the tall wall provides shelter from wind while a central fire ring provides a welcome respite from the cold. snowcone, by diana koncan, lily jeon and the department of architectural science at ryerson university is featured in more depth on designboom here.

winter stations converts lifeguard posts into wintertime playgrounds
hotbox by michaela macleod and nicholas croft (toronto, canada) 
image © eamon macmahon

winter stations converts lifeguard posts into wintertime playgrounds
wing back by tim olson (new hampshire, USA)
image © eamon macmahon

winter stations converts lifeguard posts into wintertime playgrounds
snowcone by diana koncan, lily jeon and the department of architectural science, ryerson university (toronto, canada)
image © eamon macmahon

 

 

 

streetcar is the presenting sponsor for the competition, alongside supporting sponsors including: rockport group, urban capital, urbancorp, worsley urban partners, zen homes, reserve properties, the glen condo, ontario association of architects, and fieldgate homes. it was held in partnership with the city of toronto, the beach village BIA, design exchange, and declute real estate inc.

 

installations were fabricated by zone six design build, alexandre wilson and alan johnston, vir prasad, mosher originals, four by eight sign services inc., and the ryerson architectural science program. 

 

designboom has received this project through its ‘DIY submissions’ feature, which welcomes readers to submit their own work for publication. see more designboom readers submissions here.