VIVA Vancouver Robson Redux

VIVA Vancouver Robson Redux is a new local competition for design ideas that will temporarily transform the 800 block of Robson Street this summer. In the past we’ve had Pop Rocks loungers, PICNURBIA, and a cedar plank patio and the city is looking for fresh and exciting concepts.

2011. Photo credit: Maurice Li & Maurice Li on Flickr

2012. Photo credit: Ruth and Dave & Jason Gallant on Flickr

The objective of the Robson Redux competition is to select one designer or team to design, build and install a temporary public space installation that will transform the iconic 800 block of Robson St. in downtown Vancouver into a pedestrian plaza for the duration of summer 2014.

This year’s theme is connection: people’s connection to one another and people’s connection to the space.

• This is an open competition; anyone may enter. However, the competition criteria and submission requirements lend themselves to expertise in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, industrial design and other related fields. The competition encourages design teams with diverse skill sets to submit joint entries.
• This is a single-award competition, with the selected design, to be built and installed in time for the Canada Day (July 1) long weekend in 2014. The jury will also select up to two other designs for honourable mention. In addition, honourable mention will also be given to a people’s choice award for the most popular design that will be decided through online voting.
• The winning designer or design team will receive $40,000 to realize the project; this includes all design, construction and installation costs.

This is the first year that a competition process has been used to select the public space installation.

A single winning team will be selected to design, build and install a temporary public space installation for summer 2014. Early bird registration ends February 14, 2014 and the deadline for design team registration is March 3, 2014.

VIVA Vancouver is a public space program that specializes in turning road spaces into people places. Working with various community partners, the program is aimed at re-purposing road space to create temporary or semi-permanent public space. In doing so, VIVA Vancouver lays the foundation for a vibrant public space realm that fosters social connections between neighbours and encourages residents to engage in active modes of transportation like walking or cycling.