[LOOK] Toronto Features Weird, Stunning Lifeguard Stations for 2023

Every year, the Winter Stations competition turns Toronto beach lifeguard stations into fun and eclectic structures for a portion of the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere.

As reported first by New Atlas, the winners for the 2023 Winter Stations have now been unveiled and they definitely did not disappoint with their quirky structures.

The 2023 Winter Stations is now in its ninth year at Toronto's Woodbine beach. This season, there are eight winners, comprised of three new student designs from local universities and five designs chosen from hundreds of international applications.

The theme for this year is Radiance, and the designers were encouraged to "celebrate their growth, inner strength, and freedom in defining and showing what Radiance means to them."

Let us take a look at some of this year's winners:

Raccoon-inspired Structure

A raccoon named Conrad perished in the summer of 2015 at the intersection of Yonge and Church. Conrad was but a raccoon, yet he was human enough to arouse sympathy from the locals. This cute and heartwarming structure serves as a memorial in his honor.

A Bright, Kaleidescopic Home

The Scott Shields Architects design team created a simple-shaped pavilion with carved bright-colored walls to create a continually changing experience during the day and night.
Dawn light casts a beautiful kaleidoscope pattern through the vibrant glass and lettering, while twilight offers a totally different experience as the light emanates from within and casts a sculptured glare outward.

Life Line

LIFE LINE alludes to the beach's linear terrain, the waterfront's developed infrastructure, and the horizon line in the distance. In order to make an engaging soundscape for others to enjoy, participants can place a ball at the top of the tube and send it rolling through several wind chimes.

A Unique Pavilion

This pavilion is made up of three surfaces. The first is a pavement that denotes the location of the other two surfaces. The other two surfaces, one smaller than the other, are curving components that use their shapes to structure themselves and provide habitation. The user can gather around or within the pavilion, and then stand, sit, or lay down on the surfaces.

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A Delightful Lighthouse

The delighthouse was inspired by lighthouses in coastal settings throughout Canada and elsewhere. While lighthouses typically serve as warnings, this installation serves as a warm beacon of joy, excitement, pride, and hope, according to its designers Nick Green and Greig Pirrie from the UK.

The lifeguard stations along Toronto's east-end beaches are up for redesign as part of the Winter Stations, which was introduced in 2014.

It featured bout 90 nations submitting their designs to get a chance for installation. It was founded as a collaboration between local firms RAW Design, Ferris + Associates and Curio.