Laura Azzalini and Michael Uttley, students from the Azrieli School of Architecture & Urbanism, placed second in the 2019 Canadian Centre for Architecture Inter-University Charrette. Their project, Inversion Suburban, asks, “What if all public spaces were designed by the communities they serve?” Students from 10 universities submitted 39 projects. The jury awarded first, second, and third place prizes.

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The charrette was organized by the Canadian Centre for Architecture and McGill University, in collaboration with the Université de Montréal and the Université du Québec à Montréal, and with the participation of Université Laval, Concordia University, Carleton University, Ryerson University, Laurentian University, the University of Waterloo, and the University of Toronto.

Here is the text for the Carleton University winning submission:

What if all public spaces were designed by the communities they serve?

Suburbs are where we live – two of every three Canadians call the suburbs home. But does this model of living always reflect the values of the diverse communities inhabiting the space? Suburban Inversion seeks to address the confinement and social isolation generated by these ubiquitous built environments. Through incremental removal of barriers and sharing of existing amenities, the relationship between the home and public realm would be inverted, redefining perceptions of the “front yard.” A continuous outdoor living room would emerge, linking neighbours and providing a place for meaningful interaction and growth. The serendipitous encounters that strengthen bonds would flourish in a space created and owned by the community.