Special to the GTA Construction Report
The annual Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) Celebration of Excellence Awards in May 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 OAA said in an announcement
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” says 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 eight million dollars, 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. “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.
Here is a listing of all the awards:
Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Design Excellence in Architecture: Isabel Bader Centre for the Performing Arts, Kingston, ON
N45 Architecture Inc. in association with Snøhetta Architecture Design Planning P.C.
Michael V. and Wanda Plachta Award: Lake Cottage,Bolsover, ON
UUfie Inc.
People’s Choice: Ismaili Centre, Toronto, ON
Moriyama & Teshima Architects in association with Charles Correa Associates
Sustainable Design Excellence Award: Vale Living with Lakes Centre, Sudbury, ON
J.L. Richards & Associates Limited, Consulting Engineers & Architects in association with Perkins + Will Canada Inc.
Design Excellence – Awards:
Echo House, Toronto, ON – Paul Raff Studio Incorporated Architect
Fraser Mustard Early Learning Academy, Toronto, ON – Kohn Shnier Architects
Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport, Toronto, ON – Patkau Architects Inc., MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects Ltd.
Grotto Sauna, Georgian Bay, ON – PARTISANS Architects
Isabel Bader Centre for Performing Arts, Kingston, ON – N45 Architecture Inc. in association with Snøhetta Architecture Design Planning P.C.
Ismaili Centre, Toronto, ON – Moriyama & Teshima Architects in association with Charles Correa Associates
Lake Cottage, Bolsover, ON – UUfie Inc.
Mariinsky II, St. Petersburg, Russia – Diamond and Schmitt Architects Incorporated
Surrey Civic Centre, Surrey, BC – Moriyama & Teshima Architects in joint venture with Kasian Architecture Ontario Incorporated
Vale Living with Lakes Centre, Sudbury, ON – J.L. Richards & Associates Limited, Consulting Engineers & Architects in association with Perkins + Will Canada Inc.
Design Excellence – Honourable Mentions:
14 Division, Toronto, ON – Stantec Architecture Ltd.
Annex Residence, Toronto, ON – Audax Architecture Inc.
Deer Clan Longhouse, Crawford Lake, On – Brook McIlroy Inc.
Fort York Branch Library, Toronto, ON – KPMB Architects
Fort York National Historic Site Visitors Centre, Toronto, ON – Patkau Architects Inc. and Kearns Mancini Architects Inc.
Gold Corp Innovation Suite, Lassonde Mining Building, Toronto, ON – Baird Sampson Neuert Architects Inc.
Judith & Norman Alix Art Gallery, Sarnia, ON – Kongats Architects
Maison Glissade, Town of the Blue Mountains, ON – Atelier Kastelic Buffey Inc.
‘Pit Stop’ Transit Facility, Oakville, ON – Bortolotto Design Architect Inc.
Port Hope House, Port Hope, ON – Teeple Architects Inc.
Concepts:
PRISMATICA, RAW design inc.
The Hole Idea – Now in Technicolour, Weiss Architecture & Urbanism Limited
Dancing Cubbies, Honourable Mention, Denegri Bessai Studio
Landmark Designation:
Belleville City Hall, Belleville, ON – William R. White Architect Limited
Best Emerging Practice: PARTISANS Architects
- Randy Roberts Service Award:
Recognizing members of the OAA for extraordinary service to the members
Istvan Lendvay
Lifetime Design Achievement Award:
Honouring members for career-long contribution to Architectural Design Excellence
Bruce Kuwabara
Order of da Vinci:
Presented to persons who have made a significant and meaningful contribution to the profession of architecture
Leslie M. Klein
