Thursday, April 9, 2026
The Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) revealed the winners of its 2026 Design Excellence Awards, as well as its Service Awards program. These projects, practices, and individuals will be celebrated at this year’s OAA Conference, taking place May 14 in Cambridge.
“The 2026 Design Excellence Awards showcase exciting examples of the quality work being performed by members of Ontario’s architecture profession, as well as the clear impact our built spaces can have on our communities,” said OAA President Lara McKendrick. “This year’s winning projects highlight a diverse range of building types and innovative approaches. By mandating the submission of Energy Use Intensity metrics for all candidates, the OAA is pleased to actively advance climate stability and ensure sustainable design remains a core priority for the profession.”
An esteemed panel of design experts has chosen 10 winning projects for this year’s Design Excellence Awards. The selection process began with 96 submissions, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of 20 finalists. Each winning project was carefully evaluated against key criteria, including creativity, context, sustainability, good design/good business, and legacy.
Submissions also required inclusion of Energy Use Intensity (EUI) metrics, reflecting the OAA’s commitment to pursuing climate stability in the public interest and ensuring sustainable, resilient design remains a critical component of any successful project.
The 10 winners are:
(Jeremie Warshafsky)
Angle of Repose
Algonquin Highlands, Ontario
Reasonable Projects Inc.
Beaverton Heights Modular Transitional Housing
Beaverton, Ontario
Montgomery Sisam Architects
(Scott Norsworthy)
Carmen Corbasson Community Centre
Mississauga, Ontario
Diamond Schmitt Architects
(Doublespace Photography)
Kìwekì Point
Ottawa, Ontario
Janet Rosenberg & Studio Inc. (Prime Consultant and Landscape Architect) and Patkau Architects Inc. (Architect)
Koffler Scientific Reserve
Toronto, Ontario
Montgomery Sisam Architects
Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus, University of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Teeple Architects (Architect of Record; now Teeple Architects Canada Inc.) and Weiss/Manfredi Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism (Design Architect)
(Tom Arban)
The Marianne and Edward Gibson Art Museum
Burnaby, British Columbia
Hariri Pontarini Architects (Design Architect) and Iredale Architecture (Architect of Record)
(Michael Moran)
Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Headquarters
Toronto, Ontario
Bucholz McEvoy Architects and ZAS Architects Inc.
(Doublespace Photography)
Toronto Public Library – Bridlewood Branch
Toronto, Ontario
Ken Fukushima Architecture in association with David Fujiwara Architect
Ulster House
Toronto, Ontario
LGA Architectural Partners Ltd.
The OAA Conference will also fete Brigitte Shim and A. Howard Sutcliffe, joint recipients of the Lifetime Design Achievement award, who are the founding partners of Shim-Sutcliffe Architects.
Other OAA Award winners will also be honoured, including Ottawa/Gatineau-based Juxta Architects Inc., winner of Best Emerging Practice—a biennial award for a nascent firm that demonstrates a clear vision, well-articulated goals, and proven strategies.
Michael McClelland is the recipient of the 2026 Medal of Service, celebrated for his outstanding dedication and leadership as an OAA member. A renowned expert in heritage conservation and adaptive reuse, he has shaped communities through transformative projects like Toronto’s Distillery District and Union Station’s revitalization.
Featured image: Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus, University of Toronto. (Albert Vecerka)
