AN URBAN TRANSFORMATION

The design challenge for a hectic street corner in the Hintonburg neighbourhood of Ottawa was to transform the site’s disheveled state into a useable public space with a new recognizable community identity.

The design playfully scatters 10 brightly coloured letters of various sizes at the corner. Some letters are upright, and some are not, akin to the toys strewn on the floor of child’s room … in disarray but mirthful.

Because it is not obvious that the letters spell the word HINTONBURG – a bit of a puzzle, the audience of people in their cars and pedestrians waiting for the traffic lights to change, are invited to participate in solving the puzzle … to become engaged with their surroundings.

The children imagine and use the letter “T” as a slide or sit in the “fort” provided by the letter “O”. The adults, more practically minded, use the letters as seats, tables, or something to lean against.

AWARDS & PUBLICATIONS:

City of Ottawa Urban Design Award

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