You know what Ottawa needs? A Stanley Cup on Sparks Street

There are eight ways this could play out, and all of them include some sort of monument to Lord Frederick Stanley’s namesake hockey trophy on Sparks Street.

This week the finalists were revealed for a competition to build the monument. The designs are all some abstraction of the cup, to varying degrees.

Here’s a look at the designs, in no particular order:

** #1 - Coupland/Mills/Leinster design **

Because of contest constraints on using the actual form of the cup Coupland, Mills and Leinster decided to play with our perspectives with a technique called foreshortening. When viewed looking west or east, the cup appears distorted.

From the design explanation :

_ "By rendering the Cup in an elongated form, we are symbolizing “breaking away” from its birthplace at Confederation Square. We also avoid direct use of the copyrighted shape. Through the use of foreshortening, each viewer can find the “sweet spot” that allows the image to be seen as the classic current Cup." _

** #2 - Covit/Nguyen/Norr **

Described as a contemporary approach, this design seeks to be simple and inviting:

_ "There is an element of surprise when first entering the Cup and activating the quiet whoosh of skates on ice, complemented by in depth information on the history of the Stanley Cup and the teams that vied for this prize available through the dedicated website." _

#3 - Beaudoin/Villeneuve

Here’s an interesting one (well, they’re _ all _ interesting!)

Made of curved, tempered glass with an aluminum frame, this monument features engravings of all cup champions, with enough space for future winners until 2109 (when the decision could be made to add more layers.)

Rather than a fountain, the monument uses a fine mist. In the winter, the mist is designed to freeze and form a coating over the glass.

#4 - ** Ja Architecture Studio and Sebastian Errazuriz Studio **

“The Arch of Light” steps away from a focus on the cup’s shape in favour of the contours.

Here’s an excerpt from the website :

_ "The design of the monument was carefully perfected to capture as much light as possible and channel it through its interior shape. Its base was meticulously designed following the position of the sunlight during the calendar year. As a result, as the sun slowly advances, so would the cup, marking on the monument’s floor the different key moments which are celebrated during 2017. And with the passing of the day’s light, the shape of the cup would grow and extend, much like the actual Stanley cup has grown and changed over all these years. The one element that would always remain constant would be the light shinning on its inner edge, illuminating the names, inscribed in metal, of the athletes that have won the Stanley cup over the years." _

** #5 - ** Trutiak/Pellettier/vanderGaast

Don’t be fooled by the model - this structure stands at six meters tall and ten metres wide.\

The simple intent from the designers :

_ "The central concept is both simple and straightforward: to present and celebrate the enduring legacy of Lord Stanley’s gift personified by the man, the cup and two children who represent the next generation of Canadians." _

#6 - North Design Office/Blackwell/Mulvi & Banani International

This design uses nine stainless steel bands, representing both the bands on the actual cup as well as the nine different teams that held the original cup.

It also features a mirror-finish on some of the bands:

_ "The three widest bands will have a mirror polished finish, enticing visitors to approach the monument and see themselves as part of The Cup—the most globally renowned sports trophy—an incredible Canadian legacy to hockey." _

#7 - SPMB/ 1x1 Architecture

The designers actually worked with four-time Stanley Cup winner Ab McDonald on this monument, so must have got pretty useful insight.

It intends to represent the dream hockey players have of winning and hoisting the cup:

_ "In 1950, Ted Lindsay of the Detroit Red Wings became the first captain who, upon winning the Cup, hoisted it over his head in celebration of the team’s victory. Hoisting the Stanley Cup has since become the iconic image of the Stanley Cup champion, a celebratory tradition every NHL hockey player strives to realize and of which every hockey player in the world dreams. Inspired by this powerful tradition, THE DREAM captures the iconic moment of a captain hoisting the Stanley Cup, the celebratory moment experienced by the winning team and their fans, and the deep-rooted desire of players and fans alike to be Stanley Cup champions." _

** #8 - Studio West/EXP. **

According to the group, part of the design is intended to allow for unique photos, using the following as an example:

_ "The modern Cup will allow for excellent photo opportunities. It will be placed at an angle so that it can look like it is being held in victory after winning the Stanley Cup Final. People will be able to stand in front of the Cup and appear to ‘hold’ it for photographers. In the same way people are photographed supporting the ‘Leaning Tower of Pisa’ or other landmarks, these photo illusions will be a fun way to engage with the monument and site. The interactive monument will allow visitors the joy of fulfilling their childhood dreams by hoisting the Stanley Cup above their heads." _

** According to the charity handling the competition, Lord Stanley Memorial Monument Inc., the designs have been submitted for review by “eminent Canadians.” Public input is being taken online until October 7. ** A winner will be announced October 25 and the chosen monument will be finished by December 2017.