Dark Horse
Architecture

Manitoba is a coastal province and we aim to expose that in our art and architecture project – Coast-to-Host. We connect Manitobans to their coastline – Hudson Bay – and all begin with the Red River (which connects to Hudson Bay via Lake Winnipeg and Nelson River).

From a distance, a polar bear and beluga whale are visible on the circular structure. Half-tone imagery is used to draw the audience closer, and then the imagery dissipates as they enter the structure.

Inside the structure, the audience is greeted by moving visuals of Manitoba’s coastline: tundra, polar bears, beluga whale, arctic terns, aurora borealis, etc.
Self-sustainability is important, and we’ll use Manitoba’s renewable energy – solar – to power the projector.

The imagery transports you to a different world – an accessible world – and the goal is to give the audience a warm introduction to those unknown places that are within reach.

We present to you the INTERLOCK system, a modular bench idea that not only accomplishes its basic function but also promotes the value of design, demonstrating that, when handled intelligently, simple objects and actions can transform mundane environments into exciting and useful places.

INTERLOCK’s soft, lightweight and weather-proof nature makes it easy to carry around, comfortable to sit and lay on, and durable against harsh environmental conditions. Since the bench units are not fixed to the ground, they can be positioned away from the nearby foot and vehicle traffic as desired. Its soft and spongy surface will accommodate all kinds of body types and sizes. We envision using a custom formed XPS or similar material as the main body, possibly reinforced with a bent metal or fiberglass plating on the inside bottom surface.The modularity of the benches makes them fully customizable, allowing users to organize their own seating arrangements, create a statue like abstract objects and build various play structures. Children can play on and around the groups of these modules safely while they follow their imagination, building colourful towers and forts. People who become intrigued and stop by will enjoy the freedom of creating their own seats, benches, and tables so they can have a rest and chat with others.