Shimmering, “Solair” Installation Reflects Toronto’s Winter

In partnership with Toronto Metropolitan University, the brilliance of Garnica Duraply®’s extreme durability in outdoor conditions shines in this engineering and artistic marvel.

"Solair" is a sculptural pavilion design conceptualized by a team of Architecture students from Toronto Metropolitan University. By harnessing natural elements of light and wind, its reflective panels shift and shimmer, mimicking the rippling waves of Lake Ontario. It is a visual spectacle which captivates thousands of visitors—offering an interactive experience that shows how art, nature, and durable materials can come together in harmony. Visitors can explore the installation at any time of day, thus witnessing the shifting reflections and shadows which bring the structure to life in a mesmerizing display of movement and light.

Challenges:

As an outdoor installation, “Solair” required durability throughout grueling winter weather, fluctuating temperatures and high winds while remaining lightweight and easily assembled. In collaboration with Upper Canada Forest Products, the Architecture students chose Garnica’s Duraply®, a plywood solution which offers premier moisture, fungi, and weather resistance. Unlike traditional plywood, which can warp or degrade when exposed to prolonged dampness, Duraply® retains its structural integrity and smooth finish even after sanding and machining.

By choosing Duraply®, the students were able to construct a sturdy yet striking installation that seamlessly blended artistic expression with engineering precision.

Design Group/Architects: Toronto Metropolitan University Architecture students

Faculty advisor: Vincent Hui

Student designers: Arjun Jain, Jade Wong Yu Tung, Finn Ferrall, Marko Sikic, Nicholas Kisil

Millworker/Woodshop Advisors: Jordan So, Jason Ramelson, Finn Ferrall

Location: Woodbine Beach, Toronto, Canada

Products used: Garnica Duraply® Plywood

Year: February 2025

Photo credit: Toronto Metropolitan University

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