In May, architects from across the province gathered in Toronto at the Allstream Centre and Westin Harbour Castle Hotel for the Ontario Association of Architects’ (OAA) annual conference. This year’s theme: Architecture Matters – Shaping the Environment.
The conference featured lunch and learns on topics including the challenges of designing architectural wood structures and the benefits of building with cold formed steel. Other sessions looked at business related aspects such as forward planning with a focus on firm ownership and growth strategies.
Sold out continuing education sessions covered topics including Understanding Durability, the Race to the Top: The Road to Healthier Fees, and Sustainability in Multiunit Residential Buildings.
One of the highlights of the annual event is the OAA Celebration of Excellence Awards which this year showcased nine new buildings located in Toronto, London, Thunder Bay, Georgian Bay, Edmonton and Vancouver recognized in the Design Excellence category.
OAA president Toon Dreessen said in a statement: “This year’s Design Excellence Award honourees stand not only as beautiful buildings, but also as examples of architecture’s ability to creatively problem solve. From multi-generational housing to adaptive reuse of underutilized sites to flexible spaces that can be reconfigured to users’ needs, Ontario’s architects are once again showing their ability to respond to the changing needs of our communities and our society.”
In addition to the Design Excellence Awards, the Lieutenant Governor’s Award was presented to the Richard Ivey Building, Richard Ivey School of Business, Western University by Hariri Pontarini Architects. Brook McIlroy Inc., took home the Michael V. and Wanda Plachta Award for architectural excellence for projects under $8 million for the Prince Arthur’s Landing, Thunder Bay Waterfront project.
The OAA says the People’s Choice Award, decided by public vote, went to the Aga Khan Museum, Toronto by Moriyama & Teshima Architects in association with Maki and Associates.
Here is the complete list of winners:
2016 OAA Awards – List of Winners
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR’S AWARD FOR DESIGN EXCELLENCE IN ARCHITECTURE
Richard Ivey Building, Richard Ivey School of Business, Western University London, ON Hariri Pontarini Architects
MICHAEL V. AND WANDA PLACHTA AWARD
Prince Arthur’s Landing, Thunder Bay Waterfront
Thunder Bay, ON Brook McIlroy Inc.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
Aga Khan Museum
Toronto, ON
Moriyama & Teshima Architects in association with Maki and Associates
DESIGN EXCELLENCE
Aga Khan Museum
Toronto, ON
Moriyama & Teshima Architects in association with Maki and Associates
Commonwealth Community Recreation Centre
Edmonton, AB
MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects Ltd. and HIP Architects in joint venture
Go Home Bay Cabin
Georgian Bay Township, ON Ian MacDonald Architect Inc.
Harbord Towns Toronto, ON Superkül Inc.
Prince Arthur’s Landing, Thunder Bay Waterfront
Thunder Bay, ON Brook McIlroy Inc. Richard Ivey Building,
Richard Ivey School of Business, Western University
London, ON
Hariri Pontarini Architects
Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre, University of British Columbia
Vancouver, BC
KPMB Architects & HCMA Architecture + Design in joint venture
Skygarden House
Toronto, ON Dubbeldam Architecture + Design
Toronto Public Library Scarborough Civic Centre Branch
Toronto, ON
LGA Architectural Partners Ltd. and Phillip H. Carter, Architect in joint venture
CONCEPTS
Planespotting
Dominique Cheng, OAA
Shoreline Commemorative
Paul Raff Studio Incorporated Architect
LANDMARK DESIGNATION
299 Queen Street West Toronto, ON Burke, Horwood and White (original building) Quadrangle Architects Limited (renovation)
St. Mary’s Ukrainian Catholic Church Sudbury, ON
John Stefura and Carl Skerl, Townend Stefura Baleshta and Pfister Architects
BEST EMERGING PRACTICE
Denegri Bessai Studio
G. RANDY ROBERTS SERVICE AWARD
Recognizing members of the OAA for extraordinary service to the members
John C. Cook
HONOUR ROLL
Douglas Cumming Johnson
Brian Curtner
LIFETIME DESIGN ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Honouring members for career-long contribution to Architectural Design Excellence
George P. Baird
Presented to persons who have made a significant and meaningful contribution to the profession of architecture
William N. Greer