The annual Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) Celebration of Excellence Awards on Friday, May 8, 2015 showcased the best in architectural design and innovation by Ontario architects. Twenty new buildings in Toronto, St. Petersburg (Russia), Georgian Bay, Kingston, Bolsover, Sudbury, Crawford Lake, Sarnia, Town of the Blue Mountains, Oakville, Port Hope and Surrey (BC) were distinguished in this year’s Design Excellence category.
The 2015 award-winning projects illustrate how intrinsically important architecture is to building strong cities and communities. “Ontario architects, every year, show their ability to create enduring, beautiful and sustainable buildings” said OAA President Toon Dreessen. “Architecture forms a part of the cultural and social history of Ontario residents. The Design Excellence Awards show that OAA members create value by being creative problem-solvers, increasing the impact that good architecture can have on our physical, mental and social well-being. Architects contribute to the local, provincial and national economy and help create spaces that we all use and appreciate.”
In addition to the 20 Design Excellence awards and honourable mentions announced before the ceremony, three more honours were unveiled during the gala:
• The inaugural Lieutenant Governor’s Award was presented to the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts by N45 Architecture Inc. in association with Snøhetta Architecture Design Planning P.C.
• Michael V. and Wanda Plachta Award, honouring architectural excellence for projects in Ontario that cost no more than $8 million, was presented to UUfie Inc., for Lake Cottage
• People’s Choice, decided by public vote, went to Moriyama & Teshima Architects in association with Charles Correa Associates for the Ismaili Centre
“We are very honoured to receive the OAA Lieutenant Governor’s Award,” says Robert Matthews, partner at N45 Architecture Inc., who took home the award for the Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts in Kingston, Ontario. “The Isabel Bader Centre was designed not only as a beautiful place for the public to enjoy music, but as a versatile space for the students of Queen’s University’s music, drama, film studies and fine arts departments to learn and experiment. We were inspired by Kingston’s geography and wanted to make sure the building related to its environment. The main performance hall is wrapped in wood reminiscent of the rock you see throughout the city.”
The 2015 OAA awards were presented at the OAA Celebration of Excellence Awards and Dinner at Liuna Station in Hamilton, Ontario on Friday, May 8, 2015. The gala was attended by the province’s top architects, building industry guests, clients of the winning projects and those with a passion for architecture.
The Honourable Elizabeth Dowdsewell, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario brought greetings and presented the first ever Lieutenant Governor’s Award. World-renowned opera singer Jean Stilwell was the MC for the evening, and the awards were hosted by OAA President Toon Dreessen.
The winners are as follows:
Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Design Excellence in Architecture: Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts in Kingston by N45 Architecture Inc. in association with Snøhetta Architecture Design Planning P.C.
Michael V. and Wanda Plachta Award: Lake Cottage in Bolsover by UUfie Inc.
People’s Choice: Ismaili Centre in Toronto by Moriyama & Teshima Architects in association with Charles Correa Associates
Sustainable Design Excellence Award: Vale Living with Lakes Centre in Sudbury by J.L. Richards & Associates Limited, Consulting Engineers & Architects in association with Perkins + Will Canada Inc.
Design Excellence Awards: Echo House in Toronto by Paul Raff Studio Incorporated Architect; Fraser Mustard Early Learning Academy in Toronto by Kohn Shnier Architects; Goldring Centre for High-Performance Sport in Toronto by Patkau Architects Inc. and MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects Ltd. ; Grotto Sauna in Georgian Bay by PARTISANS Architects; Isabel Bader Centre for Performing Arts in Kingston by N45 Architecture Inc. in association with Snøhetta Architecture Design Planning P.C.; Ismaili Centre in Toronto by Moriyama & Teshima Architects in association with Charles Correa Associates; Lake Cottage in Bolsover by UUfie Inc.; Mariinsky II in St.Petersburg, Russia by Diamond and Schmitt Architects Incorporated; Surrey Civic Centre in Surrey by Moriyama & Teshima Architects in joint venture with Kasian Architecture Ontario Incorporated; and Vale Living with Lakes Centre in Sudbury by J.L. Richards & Associates Limited, Consulting Engineers & Architects in association with Perkins + Will Canada Inc.
Design Excellence Honourable Mentions: 14 Division in Toronto by Stantec Architecture Ltd.; Annex Residence in Toronto by Audax Architecture Inc.; Deer Clan Longhouse in Crawford Lake by Brook McIlroy Inc.; Fort York Branch Library in Toronto by KPMB Architects; Fort York National Historic Site Visitors’ Centre in Toronto by Patkau Architects Inc. and Kearns Mancini Architects Inc.; Gold Corp Innovation Suite, Lassonde Mining Building in Toronto by Baird Sampson Neuert Architects Inc.; Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery in Sarnia by Kongats Architects; Maison Glissade in the Town of the Blue Mountains by Atelier Kastelic Buffey Inc.; Pit Stop Transit Facility in Oakville by Bortolotto Design Architect Inc.; Port Hope House in Port Hope by Teeple Architects Inc.
In the Concepts category, PRISMATICA by RAW design inc. and The Hole Idea – Now in Technicolour by Weiss Architecture & Urbanism Limited claimed awards, while Denegri Bessai Studio’s Dancing Cubbies took an Honourable Mention.
Landmark Designation was given to Belleville City Hall by William R. White Architect Limited.
PARTISANS Architects won Best Emerging Practice.
Recognizing members of the OAA for extraordinary service to the members, the G. Randy Roberts Service Award was won by Istvan Lendvay.
Honouring members for career-long contributions to architectural design excellence, the Lifetime Design Achievement Award was given to Bruce Kuwabara.
And lastly, Leslie M. Klein won the Order of da Vinci, which is presented to persons who have made a significant and meaningful contribution to the profession of architecture.
For further details, please visit www.oaa.on.ca/news%20–%20events/news/detail/OAA-announces-winner-of-inaugural-Lieutenant-Governor%E2%80%99s-Award,-awards-spotlight-designs-that-shape-cities-and-strengthen-communities/1503