McGill University students to design triangular “Growing our Community” garden pavilion in Ottawa

Architecture grad students Luis Alvarez, Wai Kan Chan, and Di Wang from McGill University had the winning proposal for the “Growing our Community” student design competition, which is part of Canada's 150th anniversary celebration. The Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC) and Just Food invited students across Canada to propose ideas for an outdoor pavilion at the Just Food farm's new community garden in Ottawa.

The winning proposal, “Through the Rye”, competed against 50 other entries and then advanced to become one of five finalists, which went up for a public vote. Through the Rye racked up 5,000 votes. As a public gathering space, the pavilion is meant to reflect the “shared Canadian values of inclusion, diversity, dialogue, and community building”, the AKFC website says. 

Designed to appear like a field of rye, the triangular structure will be built from reclaimed wooden beams at various heights to create a playful pattern of light and shadow. The interior is divided into two sections: the gallery and the multi-purpose stage.

“The gallery offers space for exhibitions on local and global issues as well as circulation,” the design team describes. In the stage area, height-adjustable benches allow for various configurations for different functions, such as performances, a cafe, or a grocery store for the garden's produce. Its gallery corridor can also provide space to display art and event flyers

The winners, who received a $5,000 cash prize, will have their design realized for Just Food's inauguration event of its new garden in September.