Among the winning projects of this year’s Winter Stations is NOVA, an installation designed by a group of architects students at Metropolitan University (TMU) including Jake Levy, Emily Lensin, Luca Castellan, Nathaniel Barry, Sabeeh Mobashar and Mikayla Burmania.
Nova represents a star that crashed on top of a lifeguard station and illuminates Woodbine Beach at night. The project aims to highlight TMU’s past decade of Winter Stations, inspired by the origami, materiality, and form of Snowcone, Lithoform, and S’Winter Station.
The project also introduces 3D printing, a textile canopy, and a steel pipe connection to create a pavilion with “Resonance.” Additionally, the star pavilion encourages users to engage with their surroundings, and the lifeguard station allows them to access panoramic views of the beach.
“Enthusiastic students were excited to introduce 3D printing, modularity and prefabricated construction to NOVA and create a star that shields occupants from the strong wind and snow gusts experienced on the beaches,” said Levy.
“Being part of the 10th year of Winter Stations was truly incredible. TMU’s enduring legacy in this competition has been pivotal. Over the past six months, students have had the opportunity to explore new materiality and fabrication methods, and we express gratitude for the unwavering support from the University, the Department of Architectural Science, dedicated staff members, professors, and the Winter Stations community.”
Winter Stations was launched by RAW Design, Ferris + Associates, and Curio in 2014. In celebration of its 10th year, this year’s theme for Winter Stations is Resonance, which challenged designers to go on a journey to reinvent and reimagine cherished installations from Winter Stations’ history.
The selected winners saw their visions realized by the support of Anex Works, a Toronto-based fabrication group. NOVA, along with the other public art installations will be on display from now until the end of March and can be found at Woodbine Beach, Woodbine Park, Kew Gardens, and Ivan Forest Gardens.