Best in architecture and design showcased as OAA releases 2016 design excellence finalists

Demonstrating the best in architectural design and innovation, finalists of the 2016 Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) Awards feature Canada’s top projects by Ontario architects, ranging from contemporary public libraries to thoughtfully-designed private residences, the OAA says in a news release.

Representing Ontario’s emerging new talent and some of the province’s most established architecture firms, 20 entries have been shortlisted for the prestigious Design Excellence category this year. During the month of March, each of the 20 finalists will be featured on the OAA’s blog at http://www.oaa.on.ca/bloaag.

Winners in categories including Design Excellence, Concepts, Landmark Designation, Best Emerging Practice, G. Randy Roberts Service Award, Honour Roll, Lifetime Design Achievement Award and Order of da Vinci will be announced on April 1.

Selected from almost 200 submissions, the 20 finalists have been recognized by a jury of peers from the design community on the following criteria:

• Creativity: The innovative nature of the design solution.
• Context: The contribution a project makes to its unique location, to neighbouring uses and to community building.
• Sustainability: The contribution the project makes to a sustainable environment. Considers project design merits and the reduced use of raw materials and dependence on fossil fuels, as well as projects that achieve high quality interior environments with regards to daylighting, air quality and material use.
• Good Design/Good Business: The degree to which the project creatively supports and interprets the business and architectural goals of the client through programming and design.
• Legacy: The contribution of the project in establishing a new benchmark for architectural excellence.

Winners across all categories will be recognized and honoured in Toronto on May 13 to conclude the 2016 OAA Annual Conference.

Finalists include (unless otherwise indicated, all projects are in Ontario):

Aga Khan Museum: Moriyama & Teshima Architects in association with Maki and Associates, Toronto
Borden Park Pavilion: gh3 architecture, Edmonton, AB
Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre: MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects Ltd. and HIP Architects in joint venture, Edmonton, AB
Curtiss Kitchen and Dining Facility: ZAS Architects and Jean-Christian Koch Architects in joint venture, Borden
Daniels Spectrum: Best in architecture and design showcased as OAA releases 2016 design excellence finalistsDiamond Schmitt Architects Incorporated, Toronto
George Brown College, Waterfront Campus: Stantec Architecture Ltd. and KPMB Architects in joint venture, Toronto
Go Home Bay Cabin: Ian McDonald Architect Inc., Georgian Bay Township
Grange Triple Double: Williamson Chong Architects, Toronto
Harbord Towns: Superkül Inc. Architect, Toronto
Old Main Academic Building Addition, Thompson River University: Diamond Schmitt Architects Incorporated and Stantec Architecture Ltd. (Associate Architect), Kamloops, BC
Prince Arthur’s Landing, Thunder Bay Waterfront: Brook McIlroy Inc, Thunder Bay
Redstone Winery: Sweeny & Co. Architects Inc., Beamsville

Richard Ivey Building, Ivey Business School, Western University: Hariri Pontarini Architects, London
Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre, University of British Columbia: KPMB Architects & HCMA Architecture + Design in joint venture, Vancouver, BC
Skygarden House: Dubbeldam Architecture + Design, Toronto
Stade de soccer Montréal: Saucier + Perrotte Architectes/Hughes Condon Marler Architects (now HCMA Architecture + Design), Montréal, QC
Surrey Operations Centre and Works Yard Redevelopment: Taylor Kurtz Architecture + Design Inc. and Rounthwaite Dick & Hadley Architects Inc. (Design Architect), Surrey, BC
The Mississauga Public Library Project: Rounthwaite Dick & Hadley Architects Inc., Mississauga
The Waterdown Library and Civic Centre: Rounthwaite Dick & Hadley Architects Inc.,Waterdown

Toronto Public Library Scarborough Civic Centre Branch: LGA Architectural Partners Inc. and Phillip H. Carter, Architect in joint venture, Toronto.