Winner announced for The New Garage
The New Garage design contest

Photo By Volvo Cars Canada and the Interior Design Show Toronto

Volvo Cars Canada and the Interior Design Show Toronto announced Montreal-based Tiam Maeiyat as the winner of The New Garage design challenge.

Launched last year, The New Garage aimed to empower conceptual thinkers and design thought leaders to re-imagine the garage space. With a two-month submission period for entries, the design brief challenged Canadians to re-think the garage and vehicle relationship into one that embodies livable, innovative, and sustainable elements. The inspiration for the concept and design also had to complement the key features of the new XC40 Recharge, Volvo’s first pure electric compact SUV.

‘Parking-Parc’ by Tiam Maeiyat was the winning design. It upcycles the garage space into a new form of the family room. Linking inside and outside together with light and transparency, the design creates possibilities for quality family time, regardless of time or season. According to the designer, inspiration, and integration of the fully electric Volvo XC40 Recharge was interpreted through freedom and flexibility.

“I believe that freedom in form results in freedom in the way we live in the space,” said Tiam Maeiyat, R&D Creative Designer. “This freedom brings more opportunity, more attachments and more sense of belonging.” 
Environmental considerations were at the core of Maeiyat’s garage design through a green roof intended to provide a rainwater buffer, purify the air, reduce the ambient temperature, regulate the indoor temperature, and save energy. To utilize daylight effectively, the design used a semi-transparent, photovoltaic glass façade and flexible solar panels.

“Tiam envisioned a garage space that seamlessly connects the indoors with the outdoors,” said Robin Page, Head of Design, Volvo Cars. “The design exemplifies the function, modern Scandinavian aesthetics, and sustainable elements seen within the Volvo XC40 Recharge.”

Maeiyat received a $2,500 cash prize; promotion in House & Home and Maison et Demeure; and his design vision was showcased at the 2021 Toronto IDS.

The runner-up design, ‘Mainspring’ by Shirley Shen, Travis Hanks, John Roddick, Jorge Roman, Ana Cadena of Haeccity Studio Architecture in Vancouver, BC, turns the garage space into a car-sharing opportunity for the whole community.

For more information on the winner, and to view the finalists' design submissions, visit IDS Toronto and IDS Vancouver.
 

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About the author
Michaelle Bradford | Editor

Michaelle Bradford, CCI Media, is Editor of Closets & Organized Storage magazine and Woodworking Network editor. She has more than 20 years of experience covering the woodworking and design industry, including visits to custom cabinet shops, closet firms and design studios throughout North America. As Editor of Closets & Organized Storage magazine under the Woodworking Network brand, Michaelle’s responsibilities include writing, editing, and coordinating editorial content as well as managing annual design competitions like the Top Shelf Design Awards. She is also a contributor to FDMC and other Woodworking Network online and print media owned by CCI Media.