Benchmark Launch 2018

Presented by Storefront Manitoba and the Winnipeg Trails Association, the “Benchmark” trails-based placemaking and design competition launched in December 2017 and will offer Winnipeggers a place to rest and enjoy our growing trail network. This is the second year of the competition and will result in a permanent bench installation that will challenge the idea of the ‘common’ bench and become a local landmark. This year’s winning entry is titled GRIDLOCK, a concept that references the ‘weaving’ relationship between the bicycle and the car. “Tension between car and bicycle arise as each commuter tries to coexist throughout the streets of Winnipeg. The driver, stuck in the traffic logged, orthogonal grid of streets and avenues watches while the cyclist is free to weave through and beyond to the ever-growing network of bike lanes and trails. Gridlock is a representation of how these conflicting entities, which battle for the same space, can overlap and intertwine to create a harmonious existence.” – Thomas Nuytten, Designer of GRIDLOCK ‎2018 WINNING BENCHMARK DESIGN HIGHLIGHTS GROWING TRAIL NETWORK “Gridlock” Design Works to Improve Relationship Between Bikes and Cars “Transcona is excited to be the host community for the BENCHmark project this year. Being selected for this unique initiative acknowledges the hard work of the community over the past years, in developing a robust trail network; and recognizes the positive impact the BIZ’s recent public art initiatives have made towards transforming the BIZ Zone into an open air public art gallery. The addition of the benches along our Pandora Pathway will further activate community, add more value to our trails, and become a beacon for our member businesses.” – Alex Morrison, Executive Director, Transcona BIZ Placemaking is an important aspect of transportation, recreation and city building. A design competition to spur creative placemaking ideas is an opportunity to permanently and continually raise awareness of the beauty of Winnipeg’s trails system while providing practical benefit to present and future users. The bench will be unveiled on July 7th along the Pandora Pathway and all are welcome to meet the design team and their creation. Benchmark 2018 is sponsored by the City of Winnipeg and the Transcona BIZ. For more information on Benchmark, please visit: http://storefrontmb.ca/about-benchmark/