The Lead with your Heart Society was created by Lucas Austin in 2014. At that time, Lucas and his partner Jill Ritchie were tango dancing to raise money for mental health. Lucas was an architecture student who had completed three terms and sadly lost his life to addiction in November 2014.

The competition is open to current students as well as graduates of the School of Architecture and is to design and name a bench made of wood. The winning design will be constructed by a builder who has been commissioned for the project. The bench will be installed in a small park (20′ x 24′) next to the Canadian Mental Health Association building, 859 Prince Street, Truro, Nova Scotia. There is a $1000 prize for the winning design.

The concept of the bench is to create a space where someone can go for conversation to help with feelings of alienation and loneliness. Lucas was a very dynamic and creative light. As this bench will be a memorial to him, the design should reflect this. Part of the competition includes naming the project in a manner that reflects its purpose.

Please see the competition announcement for more information.