Architectural and Civil Engineering students from universities across Canada competed last month in the fifth annual TimberFever Design-Build Competition, presented by Moses Structural Engineers and held at Ryerson University. This year, students targeted the design of urban parklets – a focus that has been known in Toronto with multiple installations in recent years – to promote an efficient approach in addressing the concerns of a growing population.

Mentored by industry leaders from across the country, 98 students were placed into 16 teams to compete in the three-day competition from September 13-15, 2019. With limited resources and time, students collaborated in designing an innovative structure composed entirely of wood. TimberFever aims to promote sustainable construction and the positive attributes of wood. The competition allows students to gain hands-on experience and learn how to think outside of the box. With the help of the Carpenters Union Local 27, participants brought their designs to life and fabricated full-scale parklets.

“While many academic programs in post-secondary education focus on the theory of building, TimberFever provides the opportunity to gain hard skills that students can carry through to their careers,” says Neha Patel, co-chair for the competition.

TimberFever was ecstatic to have Canada’s Finance Minister, Bill Morneau, visit and connect with students as they were wrapping up their projects on the final day of the competition.

First, second and third place winners were selected by a panel of judges and received cash prizes at the TimberFever Awards Ceremony. The winner of the People’s Choice Award was selected by the public through online voting. Polls closed with nearly 1800 votes.

TimberFever Design-Build Competition 2019 winners:

1^st Place Winner: Urban Whirlpool

2^nd Place Winner: Floating Garden

3^rd Place Winner: Urban Comb

People’s Choice Award Winner: Contour