On Sept. 14, 2023, the CSC Grand Valley Chapter soared to new heights with Connections Cafe, a spectacular event held at Hangar 33 of the Waterloo International Airport. The venue, featuring three World War II (WWII) planes courtesy of the Waterloo Warbirds, created a unique ambiance for the long-awaited reunion of the local construction industry.

One highlight of the event was the announcement of the top four entries in the 10th Annual CSC “Tapping the Future” Student Design Challenge. The 3,716 m² (40,000 sf) hangar provided a stunning backdrop as attendees celebrated the creativity of post-secondary students in Southern Ontario.

The event showcased entries reimagining a historic building in the heart of Cambridge, part of The Gaslight District by Hip Developments. The building, founded in 1859 by the Goldie & McCulloch Company, offered a rich historical context for the competition. Planitar, the creator of iGuide, facilitated a virtual tour of the building, complete with mapping and drawings, accessible on a dedicated website.

Entries for the Student Design Challenge adhered to straightforward criteria: The theme of hospitality; up to four post-secondary Southern Ontario architecture and design students per entry; incorporation of five specified product categories; and the creation of a specification based on one chosen category. With no budget constraints, students were encouraged to explore diverse design and product options, fostering creativity.

Judging criteria encompassed completion of competition requirements, use of the site and existing building, quality of graphic and written material, the specification’s quality, utilization of requested materials, and innovation. The esteemed panel of judges included David Thompson Architect, Susan Tienhaara, quality manager at Govan Brown; and Don Shortreed, specification writer at DGS Consulting.

The winners of the 2023 CSC “Tapping the Future” Student Design Challenge are:

• 1^st Place and People’s Choice Award ($2,000): The District – Ethan Lett, Megan Baxter, Juliana Escobar, Sabrina Schuit – Conestoga College, Bachelor of Interior Design
• 2^nd Place ($1,000): The Engine House – Chloe Wilhelm, Erica Buehler, Gabby Lisac, Karina Popa – Conestoga College, Bachelor of Interior Design
• 3^rd Place ($500): Azzuro Spa & Wellness – Lauren Maul, Katie Reimer, Sydney Lanaus – Conestoga College, Bachelor of Interior Design
• 4^th Place – Honourable Mention: District 50 – Cameron Lawrence and Matthew Houle – University of Waterloo School of Architecture

‘The CSC Student Design Competition is a perennial favourite of mine. It is truly a unique opportunity for post-secondary students to draw on their knowledge of a variety of construction-related disciplines, including architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, interior design, construction management and product specification, all in one design competition,’ said an architect from the firm, David Thompson Architect.