Call for submissions to design public space for 800 Robson Street

VIVA Vancouver is launching a design-build public competition that invites emerging and professional designers to submit proposals of their design for this summer’s temporary public space for 800 Robson Street.

Like what has been done over the past several summers, the ‘Robson Redux’ competition has a goal of transforming the 800 Robson Street space into a pedestrian plaza. Installation will occur in the early-summer, with a Canada Day long weekend opening, and will remain until the Labour Day long weekend.

In the past, the temporary summertime public space designs at 800 Robson Street have included landscaped picnic areas, a patio area, and giant bean bags.

The winning team will be given a small design honorarium and up to $37,500 to cover the costs of materials, fabrication, construction, installation, and de-installation for their projects. A panel of judges comprised mainly of local design and architectural professionals will select the winner.

Anyone can enter the competition, however, criteria and submission requirements are suited to those with expertise in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, industrial design, and other related fields.

This year’s theme for the block-long, in-street space is connection: “people’s connection to one another and people’s connection to the space.”

Teams can submit their designs online for a small fee. The submission deadline is March 14, 2014.

Enter the Robson Redux public space design competition.

2011: Picnurbia

2012: PopRocks

Image: krista jahnke kristajahnke.com

2013: Corduroy Road

Images: City of Vancouver

Main image: Krista Jahnke kristajahnke.com