FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nanaimo, June 7, 2016 – Three new parklets, designed with seating and plantings, have been installed on Commercial Street in downtown Nanaimo for public enjoyment.
A parklet is an extension of the sidewalk, the size of a parking spot, that provides a place to stop, sit, and interact with others in the city.
They were designed by three teams of high school students on Vancouver Island who were selected as finalists in an architectural design challenge. The design competition was organized by the Vancouver Island Chapter of the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada. The competition one of several public events associated with the RAIC Festival of Architecture taking place in Nanaimo June 8 to 11.
Everyone is invited to visit and experience these creative installations. Members of the public can vote for the People’s Choice Award which will be presented on Friday at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre.
The student designers will be on hand to talk about their parklets on Wednesday June 8th from 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm.
The finalists are:
- GISS Junior Design, Gulf Islands Secondary School, Salt Spring Island;
- NC Aspengrove, Aspengrove School, Lantzville;
- Team Monster Club, Saint Michaels University School, Victoria.
The parklets were built with the help of instructors at the Carpentry Foundation Program at Vancouver Island University. Sponsors Windsor Plywood and Gorosh Cranes supplied materials and local architects acted as mentors.
Thirty-one teams from across Vancouver Island registered for the design competition. First place winners will receive a $900 team prize plus $2,000 for their school, second place will receive a $600 team prize plus $1000 for their school, and third prize will receive a $300 team prize plus $500 for their school.