Citizens in Toronto, Canada have taken to the city’s wind-swept beaches to enjoy the 2016 Winter Stations art festival, which features seven creative architectural installations built around existing lifeguard stations.

A special competition was held last year to choose the winning designs for the festival, with the only stipulation being that the structures had to be in some way interactive and able to inspire Torontonians to brace the chilly winter weather and outside. Over 370 submissions were received and four main winners were chosen to create their installations, alongside three others provided by student-led design teams.

“We could not be more impressed with the calibre of design and dedication from each submitting team," said Roland Rom Colthoff, founder of RAW Design, the design studio which has co-organised the event. "Each of the successful installations brings its own unique story to the beach, demonstrating that, no matter what the temperature, design draws the crowds."

The winning designs are:

In the Belly of the Bear by Caitlind r.c Brown, Wayne Garrett and Lane Shorde

Juxtaposing a dark, charred aesthetic against the bright, stark landscape, In the Belly of a Bear invites the public to climb up a wooden ladder into a domed interior lined densely in thick, warm fur. Within this cozy, warm space, visitors can find reprieve from the cold outside or gaze out the large round window pointing towards the lake.

Floating Ropes by MUDO

Creating a highly sensory experience, Floating Ropes appears as a suspended cube of ropes, offering a playful and porous matrice into which visitors take shelter. At the centre of the multilayered rope forest, the lifeguard chair provides the perfect spot for the public to view the lake from a unique perspective

Flow by Calvin Fung and Victor Huynh

Capturing the transitionary moment between freeze and thaw, Flow re-imagines a single ice crystal as a 3D star-shaped module digitally fabricated through slot-fitting wood connections. While capable of crystallizing into a solid state, the material is able to be easily reconfigured, like a liquid, due to the system's loose bonds.

Sauna by Fox Fernley Landscape Office

Inviting the public to embrace this year's Freeze/Thaw theme, Sauna is a completely immersive art installation bringing heat to the blustery lakeshore. Built from timber, the interior is comprised of tiered seating, the higher the hotter. Meanwhile its transparent exterior walls allow walkers by to get glimpse of thawing bathers within, with solar powered lights illuminating the structure at night.

Translucent lakeside sauna wins Toronto design competition