In 2013, Master of Landscape Architecture students Gregory Bunker, Jessica Wagner and David Garcia Gonzales were awarded first place at the 2012/13 Ontario Tire Stewardship Student Design Challenge. The U of T team beat out seven other Ontario design schools in a competition to redesign a space for the YMCA of Greater Toronto that utilized recycled rubber products.

This past November 12, the design — which Assistant Professor Elise Shelley helped them realize — was unveiled outside the YMCA's Yonge and Grosvenor location downtown Toronto.

As reported on Rethinktires.ca, “The OTS Student Design Challenge was created to help revitalize urban environments through creative uses of recycled tire products and sustainable design. The Challenge offers students the opportunity to have their own concept implemented within a meaningful community organization using environmentally progressive products made from recycled tires. The competition helps stimulate ongoing innovation around the use of sustainable materials to meet the needs of our growing communities.”

Global News covered the unveiling of the design in The Morning Show. To view the segment, click here.