RICHMOND HILL: Volvo Cars Canada are inviting submissions for a uniquely 2020 design challenge in partnership with the Interior Design Show (IDS): The New Garage Design Challenge.
Open to design enthusiasts of all levels from professional to amateur across Canada, the challenge is intended to re-imagine the often-neglected garage space which, following stay-at-home conditions, has become a new frontier in design. Submissions can be made until December 31, 2020.
In fact, a recent study* revealed that one-third of Canadians feel the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way they view their home and nearly 40 per cent believe their garage is a neglected area of their home.
With 40 per cent of Canadians reporting the desire to create more livable spaces in their homes, the goal of The New Garage Design Challenge is to empower conceptual thinkers, design thought leaders, and ultimately all eligible Canadians, to re-think the entire garage and vehicle relationship into one that embodies livable, innovative and sustainable elements.
The New Garage Design Challenge has been established in partnership with IDS, launching shortly after IDS Vancouver and culminating with an exciting showcase at 2021 IDS Toronto in May, where the winning design submission will be showcased at the 2021 Toronto IDS.
“Alongside safety, sustainability and Scandinavian design are two of our key areas of focus at Volvo Cars, and The New Garage allows us to showcase these elements in new and exciting ways,” says Matt Girgis, Managing Director, Volvo Cars Canada.
“The challenge is inspired by the XC40 Recharge, our first fully-electric vehicle arriving later this year. As Canadians shift toward electric car adoption, we have the opportunity to integrate these vehicles into our lives and our homes in a new way, making them an expression of our personal values.”
“Volvo Cars Canada has been a great partner of IDS for several years,” says Karen Kang, Managing Director & Head of Content, IDS Toronto. eaning of a life well designed.”
Entries will be evaluated by a judging panel of highly regarded Canadian architects and designers hailing from Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, as well as Volvo Cars’ own Head of Design based in Gothenburg, Sweden Interested participants are encouraged to visit the New Garage Design Challenge website, at http://volvoca.rs/TNG, to learn more about submission requirements, evaluation criteria and contest rules and regulations.
• The shortlisted entrants will be announced in February 2021, followed by the winning announcement in March 2021.