Meet the student winners of the 2022 TimberFever Design-Build Competition

Moses Structural Engineers and the Toronto Metropolitan University have announced the winners of its now-returned, in-person, annual TimberFever student design-build competition.

The contest’s seventh edition drew student participants from across Canada and the United States who competed over three days for cash prizes, which this year totaled $1,500, $1,000, and $700 apiece. A fourth Public Vote winner was also included. 

In an interview with the University of Toronto’s Mass Timber Institute (MTI) principal David Moses, he noted to his attendance at Quebec’s 2014 World Conference on Timber Engineering as the inspiration for the competition. He added: "I wanted to give students the opportunity to work with tools, learn about wood, and introduce collaboration between engineers and architects."

"There is more push for sustainable building, and more people are aware of it because of the increase in use and exposure to mass timber," he told MTI Editor and former contest participant Sanjana Patel. "I think that now is an exciting time to be getting into the construction industry in terms of the methods and materials. I hear concern in the industry that there are not enough people in the trades and if there are more people excited about the trades, we will be in a better position moving forward."

This year's list of Judges and Mentors included staffers from Diamond Schmitt, KPMB, and Q4 Architects to name a few. 

1st Place - Team 8: Ascent Garden (Cover photo)

Jury comments: "The team's hard work was acknowledged and evident in the design. The judges were impressed with the team's approach and response to the chosen theme of a Community Garden Pavillion. Despite the challenges of returning back in-person this year, the team's positive attitude and commitment can be seen through their design."

2nd Place - Team 10: Psithurism 

Jury comments: "The team's hard work was acknowledged and evident in the design. The judges were impressed with the team's approach and response to the chosen theme of a Community Garden Pavillion. Despite the challenges of returning back in-person this year, the team's positive attitude and commitment can be seen through their design."

3rd Place - Team 14: Paraboloid Garden

Jury comments: "The team's hard work was acknowledged and evident in the design. The judges were impressed with the team's approach and response to the chosen theme of a Community Garden Pavillion. Despite the challenges of returning back in-person this year, the team's positive attitude and commitment can be seen through their design."

Public Vote - Team 11: Raid the Radish!!! 

Jury comments: "The team's hard work was acknowledged and evident in the design. Their design caught the public eye and won with the most number of votes for their Pavillion. Despite the challenges of returning back in-person this year, the team's positive attitude and commitment can be seen through their design."

To learn more about the 2022 TimberFever Design-Build Competition and its participants, click here.