Decorating & Design
May 3, 2021
5 Innovative Garage Concepts Inspired by Sustainable Living
The New Garage, a sustainable design challenge from Volvo Cars Canada and IDS, empowered Canadian design enthusiasts to re-imagine the garage space, which has become a new frontier in design as Canadians spend more time at home.
A panel of highly regarded Canadian architects and designers came together to judge the challenge, including: APPAREIL architecture: Kim Pariseau and Justine Dumas, MSDS Studio: Jonathan Sabine and Jessica Nakanishi, Campos Studio: Javier Campos, and from Sweden, Volvo Cars’ Head of Design, Robin Page.
We’re highlighting the winning submission and shortlist finalist’s conceptual designs, which embody livable, innovative and sustainable elements, and are inspired by the Volvo XC40 Recharge. While designs were received from entrants of varying backgrounds, experiences and regions across Canada, they showed some common themes that could predict the future of garage spaces.
Parking-Parc by Tiam Maeiyat, an R&D Creative Designer based in Montreal, Quebec | Instagram: @tiam_t_mt
The winning submission for The New Garage Design Challenge, Parking-Parc upcycles the garage space and connects the interior and exterior to create a destination for families to spend quality time together in any season. The design of this garage mirrors the lines of the Volvo XC40 Recharge, and considers environmental solutions, like flexible solar panels from this solar systems specialist in Sydney and a green roof, to utilize daylight effectively and save energy.
Nature House by Keillor MacLeod, an industrial designer based in Toronto, Ontario | Instagram: @keillormacleod
Nature House is designed with purpose and beauty, functioning as a garage and greenhouse, and built with sustainable materials. Inspired by the Volvo XC40 Recharge, Nature House lets light in and holds the heat so you can grow food and save energy. This multi-purpose living space is encased in insulated glass, to create a self-contained ecological system.
The Mainspring by Shirley Shen, Travis Hanks, John Roddick, Jorge Roman, Ana Cadena, with Haeccity Studio Architecture in Vancouver, British Columbia | Instagram: @haeccitystudio
Mirroring the Volvo XC40 Recharge’s sustainable and family-friendly design, The Mainspring is a car sharing garage for growing communities. This systems-based approach to garage design features vaulted ceilings, bright interiors and waterproof recycled rubber flooring to make any time the best time to wash car. Plus, the roof collects rainwater for washing your car.
Restore by Sean Solowski, architect in Toronto, Ontario | Instagram: @sean_solowski
Restore is surrounded by and constructed from nature, providing a space to recharge your electric vehicle and mind. This pavilion design embraces technology and the environment to create a charging hub for electric vehicles. The design of this garage is heavily influenced from the Volvo XC40 Recharge’s sharp angles and soft lines and is constructed from wood, natural stone.
Modul by Jerry Liu and Jesse Basran, designer partners with BLA Design Group in Vancouver, British Columbia | Instagram: @bla.designgroup
This sustainable, modular design offers a smart use of space with functional flexibility to revitalize suburban neighborhoods. Modul is built using four modular units and a motorized lift system to make room for parking, storage and a home office. The design would be built from recycled and pre-fabricated materials and available exclusively for electric vehicles, like the Volvo XC40 Recharge.