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Architects across Ontario were honoured at this year’s Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) Celebration of Excellence Awards on May 13th, 2016. Ontario's best architects, industry professionals, and clients of the winning projects were all attendees at the gala. Nine buildings were awarded before the ceremony, including buildings in Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver among others. In addition to these, 3 new awards were announced at the gala.
2016 OAA Awards – List of Winners Unveiled at Gala
Lieutenant Governor’s Award for Design Excellence in Architecture
Richard Ivey Building, Richard Ivey School of Business, Western University
London, ON
Hariri Pontarini Architects
The Ivey School of Business, designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects, is a asymmetrical series of pavilions that are anchored around a quadrangle. This building was also awarded a Design Excellence award in an earlier round of awards. The design was highly researched, as Hariri Pontarini had workshops and suveys of 60 top business schools in order to achieve the optimal design to encourage exchange and foster growth.
Michael V. and Wanda Plachta Award
Prince Arthur’s Landing, Thunder Bay Waterfront
Thunder Bay, ON
Brook McIlroy Inc.
Situated on the North shore of Lake Superior, the City of Thunder Bay commissioned a design team lead by Brook McIlroy Inc. to renew their downtown core and waterfront areas to extend to the edge of Lake Superior. This multi-use waterfront village also won an OAA Design Excellence award this year. Included in the revitalization project is a waterfront park, a skating rink and several trails. According to the architects, the design of Arthur's Landing reflects the local culture of Thunder Bay.
People’s Choice
Aga Khan Museum
Toronto, ON
Moriyama & Teshima Architects in association with Maki and Associates
The Aga Khan Museum is a gateway to the world of Islamic and Iranian art and culture, designed by Moriyama & Teshima Architects in collaboration with Maki & Associates. This building also received an OAA Design Excellence award in the first round of awards this year. The angular white Brazilian granite exterior allows the sun to animate its walls, giving the building depth. The light-filled courtyard is surrounded by etched walls that mimic Islamic mashrabiya screens, creating an ever-moving pattern on the interior white walls as the sun moves throughout the day.
The 2016 OAA awards focused on architecture that allows spaces to adapt and renew themselves with time. According to OAA President Toon Dreessen, "this year’s Design Excellence Award honourees stand not only as beautiful buildings, but also as examples of architecture’s ability to creatively problem solve."
To learn more about the OAA Awards, visit their website.
