Civitas: Landscape Architecture Firm and Stantec Consulting Ltd will be awarded a design contract with the City of London for at least $200,000 for an inaugural project at the Forks of the Thames, after they were announced as the winning team of the "Back to the River Design Competition".
The announcement was made November 2 in the Covent Garden Market mezzanine following months of competition spearheaded by London Community Foundation in partnership with the City of London and Upper Thames River Conservation Authority. The Back to the River design competition challenged five finalists to present designs that would strike a balance between environmental sustainability, economic development and community/recreational space.
The five finalists were:
Team 1: The Ribbon of the Thames (Civitas; Stantec)
Team 2: Open the Bank (PWL Partnership)
Team 3: g-Radiant City (Janet Rosenberg & Studio)
Team 4: Forest City. River City. London (Dillon Consulting Limited; Stoss Landscape Urbanism)
Team 5: Continuum (Brook McIlroy; Patkau Architects)
Martha Powell, President & CEO, London Community Foundation says the project was initiated by the Foundation as part of its community mobilization strategy.
"We wanted something that would unite our community around a common cause, something that everyone could take pride in," says Powell. "Because of its significance to London, we knew revitalizing the Thames River could have a great impact on our community. I am thrilled with how engaged the community is with this project."
"Today is an exciting day as we celebrate what the future of the Thames will be and how Londoners will re-engage with our river and each other," said Mayor Matt Brown. "Let's join together as we embark on our journey back to the river."
Visit www.backtotheriver.ca to view electronic versions of the finalists' designs.
