The i3 Design Challenge has now entered its second phase. If you have seen the posters around campus, or the multicoloured scarves worn by challenge participants, you might be wondering what the i3 Design Challenge actually is. So here’s some explanation, i3 – standing for Innovate, Integrate, Implement, is a design competition organized across campus, putting students from all faculties in control of the future of the campus. The project has been spearheaded by Professor Jeff Casello, associate Dean of the Faculty of Environment and faculty member in the Faculty of Engineering.
The purpose of the i3 challenge is to put students in control of the redesign of the southern entrance to campus. The project is focused on two main areas, with distinct implementation time. The Vision Gateway Area covers the University Avenue and Seagram Drive intersection, extending north to the plaza and south to approximately Westmount Road. The Gateway Core area is focused on the actual front access of campus, from the Seagram/University intersection up to South Campus Hall.
The Gateway Core area is specifically focused on making the front of campus a spot that people actually want to go. The big issue addressed is the way the university actually welcomes people to campus. When we have employers coming here for interviews, or prospective students deciding on what university to attend, how do we greet them? With cardboard signs duct-taped to wire and a front sign that is blocked by the traffic lights- I think you get the problem.
The Core area is the location for the ‘immediately implementable’ aspect of the design, which will start construction this fall. The Provost’s office has officially set aside $100,000 for this aspect of the project, which is great for the challenge. This commitment actually gives force to the challenge: this isn’t just some imaginary project that gets put on the shelf – this is actually going to be built.
The Gateway area can include changes to the existing road structure, including realigning roads and intersections, or removing them entirely – of course you have to demonstrate that this is a valid plan. The Gateway area is planned for implementation in the 5-10 year window, allowing grander ideas that will take much more time than the September start date would allow.
Initial registration for individuals to sign up and create a team was extended to match with the first submission date, February 1st. This first submission was meant to show each team’s overall plan for both the Gateway and Core areas, with particular emphasis on the implementable part of the project. Now the next stage is set to start, with ten of the twenty-two teams continuing to the second round, announced on Feb 15. The second round submission will be due March 29th, with the four continuing teams announced on April 5th. Final submissions will be due May 5th, with final selection time yet to be determined. With each stage the submissions will become more focused and technical, shifting from broad descriptions and general photos, to actual schematics and full scale models.
Keep an eye out for more info, watch for the i3 Challenge scarves around campus, and see how the face of the University of Waterloo will be changed for the better in the next few months.
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