Twenty finalists for the 2024 Design Excellence Awards—judged on criteria such as creativity, context, sustainability, good design/good business, and legacy—have been revealed by the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA). These finalists serve as the shortlist for the OAA’s Design Excellence Awards category.
The biennial OAA Design Excellence Awards program offers Ontario practices the opportunity to display the transformative influence of architecture, promoting broader public recognition and appreciation for the field. Chosen by a jury of design experts, the collection features a range of building types, including sustainably designed community centres, schools and learning facilities, residences, and an indoor horticultural attraction, along with performing arts venues. Submissions also required disclosures of energy use intensity (EUI) metrics.
The shortlist, in alphabetical order, includes:
- 8 Spadina at The Well in Toronto, Ont., by design architect, Hariri Pontarini Architects and architect of record, Adamson Associates Architects;
- Canadian Centre for Climate Change and Adaptation in St. Peter’s Bay, P.E.I., by Baird Sampson Neuert Architects (now part of WF Group Inc.), in association with SableARC Studio;
- Centennial College A-Building Expansion in Toronto, Ont., by DIALOG Ontario Inc.;
- Center for Computing & Data Sciences at Boston University in Boston, Mass., by KPMB Architects;
- Churchill Meadows Community Centre and Sports Park in Mississauga, Ont., by MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects, Ltd. (MJMA);
- David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center in New York City, New York, by Diamond Schmitt Architects Inc., and Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects | Partners;
- Drake Hotel Modern Wing in Toronto, Ont., by Diamond Schmitt Architects Inc.;
- Harrison McCain Pavilion at Beaverbrook Art Gallery in Fredericton, N.B., by KPMB Architects;
- Historians’ Library in Cambridge, Ont., by Dowling Architects;
- House in High Park in Toronto, Ont., by Ian MacDonald Architect Inc.;
- Lawrence Orton Early Learning & Child Care Centre in Toronto, Ont., by SvN Architects + Planners with E.R.A. Architects Inc.;
- The Leaf at Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg, Man., by the design architect, KPMB Architects, in association with Architecture49;
- Manitou a bi Bii daziigae in Winnipeg, Man., by Diamond Schmitt Architects Inc., and Number TEN Architectural Group;
- Neil Campbell Rowing Centre in St. Catherines, Ont., by MacLennan Jaunkalns Miller Architects, Ltd. (MJMA), in association with Raimondo + Associates Architects Inc.;
- Ontario Court of Justice Toronto by NORR Architects & Engineers Ltd. in association with Renzo Piano Building Workshop S.A.S.;
- Place des Arts in Greater Sudbury, Ont., by Moriyama Teshima Architects and Bélanger Salach Architecture in a joint venture (JV);
- Toronto Public Library–Albert Campbell Branch in Scarborough, Ont., LGA Architectural Partners Ltd.;
- University of Toronto Schools in Toronto, Ont., by Diamond Schmitt Architects Inc.;
- Virgin Vineyard House in North Hatley, Que., by LAMAS Architecture Ltd.;
and
- Whistling Wind Island in Pointe au Baril, Ont., by Atelier Kastelic Buffey Inc.
“I am delighted to be able to share these stunning projects with the public,” says OAA president Settimo Vilardi. “Our architecture community is truly exceptional, pushing boundaries and shaping the landscape of the built environment in Ontario and beyond. Congratulations to the 20 Design Excellence Awards Finalists—your work serves as an inspiring testament to the exceptional talent within our industry.”
Ultimately, 10 winners will be announced in early April. They will be celebrated at the 2024 OAA Conference at the Niagara Falls Convention Centre this May, along with three other Design Excellence awards: the Michael V. and Wanda Plachta Award; the Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Design Excellence in Architecture; and the People’s Choice Award.
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