The popularity of farmers’ markets has skyrocketed in the last decade, but most vendors still use generic, light-weight white canopies that have to be creatively anchored to the ground since stakes are not allowed. That could change someday soon thanks to some imaginative architects with new ideas for farmers markets.

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) just selected the winners of the 2014 Pop Up Project Design Competition, developed to re-imagine the farmers market canopy pop-up booths so vendors can more easily transport canopies and produce while attracting new customers through their sleek designs.

The winning design was the “G Model” (right) designed by Bart Shaw Architect. The simple stable structure “provides a platform for custom printed fabric to be wrapped. When transported it serves as a hand truck, so goods and the canopy can be moved simultaneously.”

The project was built on the expo floor of the 2014 AIA National Convention last week and is now being donated to the local non-for-profit partner, Growing Home Chicago, for use by their clients and program participants.

Honorable mention went to “Box It Up” (left) designed by Robin Osler of EOA/Elmslie Osler Architect. A series of plywood boxes serve not only as canopy weights, but also as table, stool, and multipurpose display fixtures. The simple box shape offers maximum flexibility as the elements can be stacked and arranged in various configurations depending on the needs of each farmer. Finally, a colorful canopy of re-purposed billboard vinyl provides shelter from the elements.