Twenty submissions received recognition at Toronto’s 25th Urban Design Awards ceremony in September; 13 receiving Awards of Excellence and seven Awards of Merit. There were 90 entries, including a variety of built prjects, visions and master plans, as well as student works.
“Toronto’s urban fabric has some incredible buildings, great public spaces, and interesting architecture.” said Coun. David Shiner (Ward 24 Willowdale), chair of the city’s planning and growth management committee. “The way our city is being shaped is the result of hard work by businesses and people, like those recognized through this awards program. It is important that we recognize the incredible contributions made by those who love Toronto for those who live in Toronto.”
Jury members included Alex Bozikovic, the Globe and Mail’s architecture critic; George Dark, partner, Urban Strategies; Stephen Teeple, Teeple Architects; and Sibylle von Knobloch, principal at NAK Design Group.
The City of Toronto Urban Design Awards provide an opportunity for Torontonians to look at what has changed in their physical environment, and to credit those new buildings and places that are making a positive contribution to civic life, a news release says. “The awards do not recognize these designs in isolation. Rather, the awards pay tribute to architecture, urban design and landscape for the way they work in context – speaking to the built fabric of the city, establishing a sense of place and creating a rich public realm.”
The 2015 award winners:
Elements Category
Award of Excellence: Mirage (Underpass Park)
Private Buildings in Context – Low Scale Category
Award of Excellence: 60 Atlantic
Award of Excellence: Market Street Development
Private Buildings in Context – Mid-Rise Category
Award of Excellence: Fashion House
Award of Excellence: Five Hundred Wellington
Award of Merit: B. Streets Condos
Private Buildings in Context – Tall Category
Award of Excellence: Delta Hotel Toronto
Award of Excellence: River City 1
Public Buildings in Context Category
Award of Excellence: Centennial College, Ashtonbee Campus Renewal
Award of Excellence: Fort York Visitors Centre
Award of Excellence: Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport, University of Toronto
Award of Merit: Fraser Mustard Early Learning Academy
Small Open Spaces Category
Award of Excellence: Barbara Hall Park
Award of Merit: Four Seasons Hotel and Residences
Award of Merit: Shoreline Commemorative
Visions and Master Plans Category
Award of Excellence: Winter Station Design Competitions 2015
Award of Merit: Eglinton Connects
Award of Merit: Lower Don Trail Access, Environment and Art Master Plan
Student Projects Category
Award of Excellence: Snowcone
Award of Merit: Pedestrianizing Blocks of Slab Towers
More information about the awards and/or a copy of the final jury report with photographs and full project credits are available at http://www.toronto.ca/tuda
