The West End Phoenix and Maytree have launched a design competition!
un/SHELTERED: Toronto Design Challenge is seeking imaginative, innovative built-form designs for people who are homeless and unsheltered.
In Toronto, approximately 1,000 people are unsheltered, which means they are living outside—in encampments, ravines, doorways, and bus stops.
Toronto needs new ideas and new solutions as our housing systems are clearly not working and our emergency shelter system is failing the people who have the most urgent needs. The challenge is to come up with solutions that are practical and feasible; and they must honour every person’s human dignity—their fundamental human right to adequate housing.
Here’s what you need to know:
- This challenge isn’t necessarily intended to address the city’s overall affordable housing needs. Instead, we’re asking entrants to think creatively—but practically—to develop an immediate, humanitarian response for people who are unhoused.
- The competition is open to everyone.
- We will award up to $10,000 in prize money.
Important dates
- *Extended* September 30: Submission deadline
- September to October 2024: Judging
- November 2024: Results announced
Jury panel
- Alex Bozikovic, Globe and Mail architecture critic, instructor at the University of Toronto’s John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design
- Valesa Faria, Executive Director, Development Review at City of Toronto
- Karen Kubey, urbanist and assistant professor at the University of Toronto’s John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape, and Design
- Diana Chan McNally, community and crisis worker in Toronto’s downtown east side
- Steve Teekens, Executive Director, Na-Me-Res