Paying tribute to a ‘creative light’: Bench unveiled in memory of architecture student – Dal News
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A new bench was installed in downtown Truro this month, designed by a recent Dal Architecture graduate to commemorate another former School of Architecture student who lost his life to addiction in 2014.
The Approaching Center Bench was designed by Andrew Falls (March ’20) as part of a design competition in honor of Lucas Austin (pictured right).
Lucas, who founded the Lead with your Heart Society to raise funds for mental health just months before his own death, was known in the Dal architecture community as a dynamic and creative young student.
“I knew Lucas, his talent and the life he brought into the classroom, and I know Andrew well,” Roger Mullin, professor at the School of Architecture and chair of the design competition, told a small crowd that eventually became one Unveiling event had gathered weekend.
“I think they would have been friends and I know Lucas would love Andrews design,” he added.
Andrews Bankdesign was selected from seven submissions for The Lead with your Heart design competition, which was launched last summer. The competition was open to Dal architecture students and graduates of the program, who were invited to submit detailed rendered drawings of the bank, site plans, a 100-word description of the design including a name, and more.
The winning design was selected by a jury consisting of members of the Lead with Your Heart, the builders and a representative from the Faculty of Architecture.
“A cocoon formation”
Several members of Lucas ‘family and friends attended last week’s event, which included remarks from Lucas’ mother and Susan Henderson, executive director of CMHA. Both emphasized the importance of supporting the mental health of friends and family.
Friends and family gather on Prince Street in Truro last Saturday for the unveiling of the bank.
Andrew’s concept for the bank – which was installed next to the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) building in Truro – was to create a space for someone to chat in order to alleviate feelings of alienation and loneliness.
A plaque attached to the bank describes it as “a cocooning that encourages open conversation and growth through a focus on a lightness beyond the current state of affairs”.
The bank was built in September 2021 by builders Rob MacCormick and Brad Lowe. It features long wooden boards arranged in a curved shape (reminiscent of a cocoon on one side) with enough space between the boards to let the light through – a nod to Lucas’ “creative light”.
When Lucas and partner Jill Ritchie first started the Lead with your Heart Society, they danced tango on the Halifax waterfront to raise funds. Society has grown over the years and now offers alternative, creative therapies to help people – including classes where people can freely develop and express their emotions in a positive safe space. It also offers a peer mental health support group.
Donations can be made to Lead with Your Heart or the Canadian Mental Health Association.
Explore the bank below from different angles
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