TORONTO – Workshop Architecture and the David Suzuki Foundation are excited launch the Homegrown Design Challenge today, as part of the Homegrown National Park Project.

The Homegrown Design Challenge is an open competition that challenges Canadians to present ideas for low-cost, easy-to-implement landscape design solutions for front yards, backyards, balconies, schoolyards and laneways within the Homegrown National Park boundary.

“While we expect interest from architects, landscape architects, designers and planners, the competition is open to anyone with innovative green design ideas,” said Helena Grdadolnik, competition organizer from Workshop Architecture. “The Homegrown Design Challenge will provide opportunities to present simple, practical solutions that help improve air and water quality, reduce water and energy use and provide more habitat for bees, birds and butterflies.”

The open competition will gather a range of designs that can provide inspiration for homeowners and property managers and generate awareness about innovative, sustainable improvements that can be made to our urban landscape, one property at a time.

“The Homegrown National Park Project aims to bring nature home to the City of Toronto by spurring a multitude of simple green interventions,” said Jode Roberts, team lead for the David Suzuki Foundation’s Homegrown National Park Project. “Through the Homegrown Design Challenge we hope to find practical designs, like systems for greening balconies, yards and alleyways, that can be adapted for sites throughout the Homegrown National Park — and ideally in urban neighbourhoods.”

The competition deadline is May 26, 2014. The jury will announce winners (including $500 in prizes) in July. The best design ideas will be displayed in an exhibition at the Urbanspace Gallery from July 10 to August 10, 2014 and displayed during Homegrown National Park Project events from June to October 2014. The exhibition will include eight invited submissions from prominent local architects and landscape architects. We will also pursue permissions and funding to build a selection of the ideas as demonstration projects within the Homegrown National Park for the 2014 season.

For further info and interviews contact:
Helena Grdadolnik, Workshop Architecture 647-992-2622, helena@workshoparchitecture.ca
Jode Roberts, David Suzuki Foundation 647-456-9752, jroberts@davidsuzuki.org