(P)arc: a Warm and Welcoming Experience featured a custom built, interactive tunnel stretching over an Olympic Plaza pathway. (Connor O’Donovan/The Weather Network)
Other winners of this year’s design competition, which is in its third year, include “(p)arc: A Warm and Welcoming Experience,” which was located in Olympic Plaza during Chinook Blast, and “Fancy Meeting You Here: Engaging Place for People to Gather,” which featured an interactive lighting display in Calgary’s Historic Fire Hall #1 Courtyard.
“In winter, people have a tendency to be indoors, and pieces like this encourage people to go out, and I think that’s what the city wants—to encourage people to go out and be active,” Figueroa added.
“So this brings a bit of wonder to your path on the way home or the way to work. And it was created with the sense of creating a sense of community and belonging. You can see yourself when you’re underneath, but you can also see anyone else around you when you look up.”
Figueora says inspiration for 1000 FACES came during the pandemic, and was designed to reflect the idea of bringing people together while they were forced to be apart. (Connor O’Donovan/The Weather Network)
The viewing experience is made further immersive with a soundscape composed by Calgary’s own King Aurorus. It features a five-minute loop played out on speakers built into the array.
