Students propose vision for Fanshawe’s London Campus during annual TD Environmental Design Competition

Students from Fanshawe’s School of Design competed alongside their peers from Aeres University in the Netherlands during the annual TD Environmental Design Competition on Saturday, April 1.

This year’s competition, sponsored by TD Bank Group and supported by additional funding from the Fanshawe Innovation Fund, challenged students to develop and present a plan for the future of Fanshawe’s London Campus, with design inspirations that incorporate a sense of place, a welcoming community, and a focus on sustainability. The competition coincides with the College’s efforts to develop a master plan for each campus.

Fanshawe’s entries, designed by students in the Honours Bachelor of Environmental Design and Planning, GIS and Urban Planning and Landscape Design programs, will be shared with Toronto-based consulting firm Brook McIlroy as student-focused inspiration for the future of the London Campus.

The event also featured a keynote presentation delivered by prominent urban designer, Gail Shillingford, focused on creating a welcoming campus for the College’s diverse international, Indigenous and LGBTQ2+ communities.

William Pol, professor of the GIS and Urban Planning program who coordinated the competition, says staff, students, faculty and community partners all embraced the event.

“Everyone really gets behind what is an excellent opportunity for students to apply the concepts they have learned in the classroom to solve real-life community design challenges,” he says.

“Thanks to the Innovation Fund as well as TD Bank Group for its ongoing support and for providing cash prizes to the award winners.”

A panel of judges awarded cash prizes to the first, second and third place and people’s choice entries.

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Bryar Pace from the Honours Bachelor of Environmental Design and Planning program took home top spot for a project titled, “A Place for Everyone: Creating Safe Spaces for Students.”

Noting it was his first time at the podium, Bryar described the competition as “such a unique, unforgettable and truly exhilarating experience.”

“It has been quite a pleasure having the chance to showcase my creativity and perspective about what I see are realistic opportunities to provide every student with a memorable outdoor destination on campus that helps them find a space where they feel safe and comfortable.”

Bryar's "A Place For Everyone" Presentation

The other winning entries from the 2023 TD Environmental Design Competition:

Second place: "People in Motion" by Suraya Humer, Lucan Vastani, Danielie Sikelero Elsenbruch, Julio Sarti Caldeirea, Kelli Peters, Luke Morrison, Morgyn Taylor and Shu On Lai, from the GIS and Urban Planning program.

Third place: "Potential Unlocked" by Jayme Hudyma from the Honours Bachelor of Environmental Design and Planning program.

People’s Choice: "Fanshawe for All" by Benjamin Calderon, Chantal Doyon and Alex Jackman from the Honours Bachelor of Environmental Design and Planning program.