Students and faculty from the Laurentian University School of Architecture recently won the gold medal in an international competition in Bergen, Norway.
The Bergen International Wood Festival is a biennial global competition focussing on the use of wood for its constructive, structural and tactile qualities.
This year, 20 teams of designers, architects, artists and students from around the world competed by building installations in a Bergen park with the theme of Green Transition. The installations will remain on display for one year, to be enjoyed by the city.
Two teams from Laurentian Architecture included: Matt Hunter, Marie Jankovich, Marina Schwellnus, Derrick Pilon, Angela Perdue and Henry Dyck.
Pilon, Perdue and Dyck placed first in the competition with their hexagonal design that adapted to the site. More than 100 hexagons were constructed with an adaptable jig.
The Scandinavia study trip and International Wood Festival teams were led by Laurentian Architecture professor Tammy Gaber. The teams were joined by Laurentian Architecture professor Randy Kober for the week-long competition.
“This study trip to Scandinavia and this wood design competition are incredible opportunities for teaching design,” said Gaber, in a press release.
“The success of our week in Bergen was in the collaboration of our students, their work ethic in a new environment and our conversations about wood design with artists, architects, carpenters and students from around the world.
“The prize is exciting, and as the youngest participants, reinforces the hope and opportunities latent in all design questions. I am extremely proud of them and ecstatic to have led this.”
Prior to arriving in Norway, Laurentian teams spent a few days in Iceland to study key buildings and sites with Gaber. The group will continue on to visit key building sites in the country and then Finland.
