FISHING FOR IDEAS
The Department of Biosystems Engineering is committed to the establishment of a Sustainability-in-Action Facility (SiAF) at the site formerly referred to as the Alternative Village. The facility will be available to the University of Manitoba community for experiential learning and demonstration opportunities in areas of sustainability.

Somehow hidden away from the heart of the everyday academic life on campus, the facility’s managers welcomed teachers and students to utilize the site as a place for enjoyable experimental research, outreach and hands-on work. The site is bounded by access roads on the east, north and west sides and a row of trees on the south side. In addition, the site is enclosed by a chain-link fence.

The Department of Biosystems Engineering is interested in reimagining the site’s current appeal. The project is to be implemented in a series of practical steps and the building process could be characterized by the application of construction techniques and materials which allow volunteers including students and teachers, of any skill and commitment level to get involved in building, while learning and laughing together. This participatory method opens up new perspectives for the future of the facility. It builds community and inspires focused participation.

The SiAF Student Design Competition was curated by Prof. Danny Mann (Department of Biosystems Engineering) and Prof. Dietmar Straub (Department of Landscape Architecture) in collaboration with Brandy O’Reilly (Faculty of Architecture’s Partners Program). The competition was open to any student enrolled in the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba in the 2020-2021 academic year. Interdisciplinary collaborations were encouraged. Team entries were welcome. Only one design per team or person was allowed. Deadline for submissions was Monday June 14, 2021 at 4:30 pm CT.

A design competition is not a matter of fishing for free ideas. All people involved in the organization of this competition agreed that ‘a good bait’ should attract the catch. The University of Manitoba Office of Sustainability, the Faculty of Architecture and the Price Faculty of Engineering have offered to support this competition with $7,000 CAD in total.

A TRICKY TASK
The task was a site design for the external environment enclosed by the chain-link fence at the SiAF site. The functional and spatial program was kept fairly open. The overall intention was to emphasize the area as an open space that “can be used to demonstrate environmental sustainability (through vegetation and/or other materials) and social sustainability (i.e., Indigenous culture) while allowing flexibility for future ideas and projects. Existing renewable energy technologies (i.e., wind turbine, photovoltaic panels, etc.) must remain accessible by foot and should be featured as ‘places of interest’ within the site. Essentially, the Department of Biosystems Engineering covets an outdoor classroom (attractive gathering place), or learning environment, dedicated completely to sustainability. The terrain was left marvellously open for the designers’ imagination with only a few requirements:

• it should be transformed into a welcoming and appealing place which allows individuals to explore the site and to learn about sustainability technologies featured at the site (including the renewable energy technologies already in place).
• ideally the SiAF site will incorporate electric vehicle charging infrastructure (most likely on the west end of the Strawbale building) to show the linkage between the generation and usage of renewable energy.
• recycling and/or upcycling of waste materials should be featured prominently to provide tangible evidence of the value of reusing waste materials” (competition brief).

One of the trickiest tasks in this context was to design a terrain of a limited size while inventing the playing rules or program. Appealing pictures of the future must be developed, which will subsequently harmonize with both the surrounding campus landscape and the future life of the SiAF site.

Twenty students took up the invitation for this design competition and submitted nine entries. The multidisciplinary jury panel met on Wednesday June 23, 2021. After an extensive adjudication process with lively discussions three prizes were awarded.

The first prize went to Smile Singh for her submission called Sustainability in Action. The core of Smile’s design are two circles, placed around the ‘most prominent sustainable technologies on-site to enhance their importance …’. A snack bar made out of shipping containers creates a spatial closure on the south west corner and offers an additional meeting place. The breeze garden, located on the north edge of the site, provides a calm, resting area.

The second prize went to Cindy Tran and Heber Garcia for their design Snaring the (Sun)Stainability. A snare path leads visitors through the site, connecting parking, an outdoor classroom, a patio area, a Sun Circle, the Green Garage and the new Materials Library. The reduced range of features around the straw bales building leaves room for events, programs and/or temporary exhibitions.

The third prize went to Aaron Bomback for Gardens to E.A.T., Experiment in Art and Technology. This proposal suggests a very diversified, detailed program seeking to engage and inform the public. Numerous attractions are equally distributed throughout. The intention is to inspire and educate visitors meandering through the site.

DESIGNING INDETERMINED SPACES
How may we design appealing spaces allowing participants to inscribe their own stories and dreams? Many interesting elements and features have been suggested by the students. However, the jury decided to award concepts that contribute towards getting people involved by offering spaces of multiple possibilities which can be occupied by different users at different times.

A major selection criterion was the ability of the physical space to constitute a framework which can be activated and deactivated by the inhabitants, fluctuating freely between permanence and a sense of the temporary. The higher ranked submissions reduced design elements to such an extent as to guarantee spatial openness for a variety of different activities and events conducted by various participants in the future.

This was the first design competition organized jointly between the Department of Biosystems Engineering, the Department of Landscape Architecture and the Partners Program in the Faculty of Architecture. The fruit of cooperation creates an appetite for more interdisciplinary adventures.

Jury

• Danny D. Mann, Ph.D., P.Eng., Professor & Head, Department of Biosystems Engineering, University of Manitoba
• Nazim Cicek, Ph.D., P.Eng., Professor & Acting Head, Department of Biosystems Engineering, University of Manitoba
• Joe Ackerman, Ph.D., SiAF Manager, Department of Biosystems Engineering, University of Manitoba
• Kale Kostick, Acting Director, Office of Sustainability, University of Manitoba
• Shawn Bailey, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture
  Price Faculty of Engineering, Indigenous Scholar, Architect, University of Manitoba
• Suzy Melo, B. Env., MLArch, ft3 Architecture Landscape Interior Design, Landscape Architect, Winnipeg, Manitoba
• Dietmar Straub, Professor, Department of Landscape Architecture, Landscape Architect and Urban Designer, University of Manitoba

Enclosure

“Pure” space is an attempt to depict the (intellectual) construct of human space creation pictorially: space as a self-sufficient, inward-looking structure, characterized by equal, continuously closed boundary walls and a uniform, level surface. Space as a unit. And we are in the middle of it.                                                      (Loidl & Bernard, 2003, p.55)

Francis Ching (1996) observes that “The degree of enclosure of a space … has a significant impact on our perception of its form and orientation” (p.168). I have chosen the word “enclosure” to describe our state of being since March 13^th 2020, when the University of Manitoba executed the shift to on-line learning. In the days and weeks and months hence, we, as a community of scholarship and learning, have experienced many different degrees of enclosure. Some of us already had home offices, but others had to adapt domestic spaces to learning spaces – to studios and classrooms. As rotating degrees of lockdown affected the breadth of our contacts, our communities were reduced to “bubbles” – which suggests connectivity – but for some, only variable access to internet provided a crucial tether to loved ones.

In design we enhance the qualities of enclosure through manipulating and punctuating planes, but in lockdown there were times at which enclosure led to a sense of constraint and confinement. “Complete closure with boundary walls produces the most independent but also the most insulated space… (Loidl & Bernard, 2002, p. 51). The outdoor world became a place of escape for many; parks and open spaces were activated as locations for expansion and for gathering in small groups. During the winter, the rivers became the most dynamic of public spaces, filled with artistic installations, ice gardens and recreational activities such as toboggan runs, walking trails and ice rinks. This was the local setting, but our learning community is international and with many students unable to come to Winnipeg to study, these scenes were repeated in a range of diverse locations and conditions.

“People and space are inseparably linked” (p. 52). There are many ways to alter the experience of enclosure. One can elevate, depress or punctuate planes, materiality can introduce variety through texture and pattern, repetition of elements can produce continuity; in the 2020-2021 academic year, our enclosures were perforated by the digital realm. Except for a brief interlude of in-person teaching, our community of learning existed through the internet. Zoom, Microsoft Teams, UMLearn, Miro, DISCORD, Social Pinpoint – these were the places for the exchange of ideas, the acquisition of knowledge, the fostering of creativity and a passion for design. You may hate the word “pivot,” but this word very concisely captures the rapid adaptation of our community to new forms of communication for sharing ideas and building a culture of design.

For several years, we have gathered at the end of term to rejoice. The Year End Exhibition has always been an event of celebration and pride for our students and educators. It was also the best party in town. While we may mourn our inability to gather, independent of our individual enclosures, the digital platform for the Year End Exhibition means you can visit the exhibition often. You can revel in the amazing creativity fostered within unprecedent conditions. In their confinement, our students and educators invoked new means of advancing design as a solution to the wicked problems we face in the world today. Celebrate and enjoy. Join us online www.yearendexhibition.com

References
Ching, F.D.K. (1996). Architecture: Form, space, and order (2^nd ed.). New York: Wiley.
Loidl, H., & Bernard, S. (2002). Opening spaces: Design as Landscape Architecture. Basel: Birkhäuser.

Whatever your career goals, Work-Study has a position that can help you take steps in the right direction. Here’s just a taste of the variety of positions Work-Study has to offer. You can also check out our website for more information on job postings and application instructions. The applications open on August 14, 2019, so mark your calendars.

Social Media Assistant: The hours you’ve spent cultivating your Instagram aesthetic might be about to pay off. This year, you could be the voice behind U of M student social media channels. The Marketing and Communications office is seeking a strong communicator with a creative eye who can provide a student perspective to U of M’s social media presence. If you see yourself as a future marketing professional, you could start by coordinating one of the university’s social media accounts this year.

Waste Analyst: Campus is a big and bustling place, and with that comes waste. That’s why we have a work-study position in place to help make change. The Waste Analyst will work with the Office of Sustainability to research on-campus waste and put sustainable solutions into action. If you care about the planet and are considering a career in sustainability, this could be the perfect position for you.

Student Career Services Advisors (two positions): Figuring out the future is a complicated mission for every university student –if you work at Career Services, you’ll be part of the team that helps students find their direction. Shifts in this position will include orienting students to the career centre, facilitating resumé critiques and assessing student needs to make appropriate referrals. This is an excellent position for students considering counselling, social services or human resources.

Ooshka-Abe: Use your knowledge of Spirituality and Indigenous Medicines to act as a student ambassador for Indigenous U of M students. As an Ooshka-Abe, you would work to promote events and support the daily operation of the Indigenous Student Centre. This would include helping Elders with Traditional Indigenous ceremonies. If you love the idea of working with students and sharing your culture, this could be your dream part-time job.

Student Research Assistant – Neuroscience Research Program, Physiology and Pathophysiology: How about trying your hand at neuroscience? The Siddiqui Laboratory is seeking a student to contribute to their research on neurodevelopmental disorders, such as schizophrenia and autism. This will be an intellectually challenging position, perfect for anyone who is fascinated by health research and neuroscience.

If you have questions about the program and to learn more about eligibility, check out our website, stop by the Career Services office at 474 UMSU University Centre or contact the Work-Study Coordinator. We are here to help you figure out your career plans so you can select a meaningful position, write your resumé and nail your interview. The deadline for applications is September 11, 2019, so get started today. Good luck!

Whatever your career goals, Work-Study has a position that can help you take steps in the right direction. Here’s just a taste of the variety of positions Work-Study has to offer. You can also check out our website for more information on job postings and application instructions.

Waste Analyst: Campus is a big and bustling place, and with that comes waste. That’s why we have a work-study position in place to help make change. The Waste Analyst will work with the Office of Sustainability to research on-campus waste and put sustainable solutions into action. If you care about the planet and are considering a career in sustainability, this could be the perfect position for you.

Student Career Services Advisors: Figuring out the future is a complicated mission for every university student –if you work at Career Services, you’ll be part of the team that helps students find their direction. Shifts in this position will include orienting students to the career centre, facilitating resumé critiques and assessing student needs to make appropriate referrals. This is an excellent position for students considering counselling, social services or human resources.

Indigenous Mentor-Helper: Take on a leadership role in the Land and Water Mentoring Program, which provides mentorship to local high school students. Not only will you mentor youth, you’ll also have the opportunity to recruit and train program volunteers. This is a great position for Indigenous students who are interested in working with youth, program coordination or building their leadership skills.

Maintenance Data Analyst: The science of keeping the U of M’s buildings safe and effective is a complex and high tech undertaking. The Maintenance Data Analyst will crunch numbers for Physical Plant, making recommendations about best and most efficient practices for the department. If you have a knack for computers and a head for statistics, this is a great job for you.

International Marketing Coordinator: Use your creative flair to help market the Asper Exchange Program. In this position, you’ll create and enact a strategic marketing plan – from creating social media posts to writing website content to developing contests and events. This is an ideal starting point for a career in creative arts, writing or business.

Research Assistant (Athletic Therapy): If you’re fascinated by the human body, apply for this position in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management. The incumbent will investigate muscles’ force production and movement control – a great opportunity to apply all of the hard work you put into your anatomy and physiology classes. Give research a try and apply your passion for human health to real world problems.

If you have questions about the program and to learn more about eligibility, check out our website, stop by the Career Services office at 474 UMSU University Centre or contact the Work-Study Coordinator. We are here to help you figure out your career plans so you can select a meaningful position, write your resumé and nail your interview. The deadline for applications is September 10, 2018, so get started today. Good luck!

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