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The Toronto Urban Design Awards program acknowledges and celebrates those who help improve the city’s communities by shaping the physical environment. The award-winning architects, landscape architects, urban designers, artists, design students, and city builders were recognized for their significant contributions toward the look and livability of Toronto.
The awards provide a snapshot of what has been accomplished over the last five years in city building and enable the industry to pause and reflect on how to continue to raise the bar of great urban design.
This year, the program recognizes that urban design work must remain committed to addressing issues of accessibility, inclusivity, reconciliation, and sustainability.
The awards offer an opportunity to receive city wide recognition for outstanding design projects from an independent jury of urban visionaries, professionals, and academics representing the local and international design communities.
The 2023 jury members were:
- Matthew Hickey, OAA, MRAIC, B.Des., B.Ed., M.Arch., LEED A.P., partner, Two Row Architects.
- Juhee Oh, M.Arch, EcoDistricts AP, envision SP, director, climate strategy, Choice Properties.
- Michael Ormston-Holloway, BSc, MScP, GDHort, ISA, MLA, ASLA, OALA, CSLA Landscape Architect, certified arborist, urban ecologist, partner, The Planning Partnership, Adjunct Faculty, University of Toronto (U of T).
- Patrick Saavedra, B.Arch. Sc, M.Arch, MUP, OAA, FRAIC, AIA, NCARB, assistant vice-president, planning and capital project management, Columbia University, New York, Gail Shillingford, B.L.A, urban and landscape design, Principal, B+H.
This year, the jury selected 10 projects for “Awards of Excellence,” eight for “Awards of Merit.” and two for “Special Jury Awards for Community Activation.”
The 2023 award winners are:
Awards of Excellence
Private buildings in context — Low-scale
The Drake Hotel Modern Wing, 1150 Queen St. W.
Architect: Diamond Schmitt
Private buildings in context — Mid-rise
Summerhill Offices, 1133 Yonge St.
Architect: Studio JCI
Private buildings in context — Tall
Harris Square, 21 Lawren Harris Sq.
Architects: Saucier+Perrotte Architectes, and ZAS
81 Bay – CIBC SQUARE Phase 1, 81 Bay St.
Architects: WilkinsonEyre Architects, and Adamson Associates Architects.
Public buildings in context
Tommy Thompson Entrance and Pavilion, 3 Leslie St.
Architect: DTAH Architects Limited
Scott Street Interlocking Signal Tower Generator, Union Station Rail Corridor.
Architect: RDH Architects (RDHA)
Wychwood Neighbourhood Branch Library restoration and addition, 1431 Bathurst St.
Architect: Shoalts and Zaback Architects
Small open spaces
Bloor-Annex BIA Parkettes, 320 Robert St., 290 Major St., 306 Brunswick Ave., and 2 Howland Ave.
Architect: DTAH Architects Limited
Large places and/or neighbourhood designs
RendezViews, 229 Richmond St. W.
Architect: Oliver Geddes, The Fifth Group
Visions and master plans
Downsview Framework Plan, Downsview Airfield Toronto, 123 Garratt Blvd, Toronto, ON M3K 1Y5
Architects: Henning Larsen (urban design); KPMB Architects (architecture); and Urban Strategies Inc. (planning)
Awards of Merit
Elements
Plant it Forward, 144 King St. W.
Artist: John Notten
Urban Fire Benches, Bloor Street
Architects: Dialog, DTAH
Design lead: Mulvey & Banani Lighting
Private buildings in context — Low-scale
Gusto 501, 501 King St. E.
Architect: PARTISANS
The Broadview Terraces, 377 Broadview Ave.
Architect: Studio JCI
Private buildings in context — Mid-rise
River Street Infill, 41 River St.
Architect: Shim-Sutcliffe Architects
Interior Architecture: Shim-Sutcliffe Architects in collaboration with Atelier Ace
Landscape Architect: NAK Design Strategies
Private buildings in context — Tall
Ace Hotel Toronto, 51 Camden St.
Architect: Studio JCI
Small open spaces
Stackt Market, 28 Bathurst St.
Architect: LGA Architectural Partners
Landscape Architect: North Design Office
Student
Building in the ‘JUNKSPACE,’ Parliament Street and Lake Shore Boulevard intersection.
Special Jury Award for Community Activation
The Oculus Revitalization (Award of Merit), South Humber Park, 120 The Queensway
plazaPOPS: Albion Islington Squares (Award of Merit), 2655 Islington Ave., 2627 Islington Ave., 979 Albion Rd. and 950 Albion Rd.
“I am pleased to be part of the announcement of the recipients of the 2023 Toronto Urban Design Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements in urban design that contribute to our great city’s livability, sustainability, and vibrancy. These awards showcase projects that inspire and elevate the quality of life for all Toronto residents. Congratulations to all the winners and their contributions to our vibrant city,” said Chow.
“Toronto’s urban landscape is a canvas of innovation, diversity, and resilience, and the 2023 Toronto Urban Design Awards celebrate the dedication of the architects, planners, and designers who colour that canvas. Not only do these visionary projects represent outstanding design achievements, but they also reflect our commitment to shaping a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive city for future Torontonians,” added Lintern.
