The Canadian Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (CPCI) announced the recipients of its Annual Partners Awards of Excellence and Member Awards at the Canadian Precast Concrete Convention in Toronto.
Held annually at the Canadian Precast Concrete Convention, the Awards celebration promotes the precast concrete industry within the regions of Canada, and winners are chosen from the area where the event is held. This year, the CPCI meetings were held in vibrant Toronto, Ont. The awards recognize professionals in the fields of engineering, architecture and real estate development for their outstanding contribution to the Canadian precast prestressed concrete industry in education, innovation, sustainability and change; for positive leadership, industry-altering development and expansion; and for accelerating the growth of the Canadian precast prestressed concrete industry.
CPCI 2023 Partners Awards of Excellence Winners
Roy Willwerth Architectural Recognition Award
The Roy Willwerth Architectural Recognition Award was presented to ABA Architects Inc. Located in Waterloo, the firm’s award-winning work is found in cities and towns across Ontario, predominately in Kitchener, Waterloo, and Guelph. The firm’s scope includes institutional, commercial office, retail and industrial projects. ABA has worked on many precast concrete projects over the years. This includes the notable Circa 1877 in Waterloo, a 19-storey residential building with a 5-storey podium containing parking and commercial uses, as well as the awardwinning South Hill Condominiums, an 8-storey total precast concrete mid-rise condo building located in Guelph.
Real Estate Development Award of Excellence
CPCI’s Real Estate Development Award of Excellence was presented to Killam Apartment REIT. Killam Apartment REIT, based in Halifax, is one of Canada’s largest residential landlords, owning, operating, managing and developing a diverse portfolio of apartments, manufactured homes and seasonal properties. Killam is the developer for Civic 66, a new contemporary residential development in Kitchener. The luxury mixed-use apartment building comprises a precast concrete structure, multiple green features, and ample underground and surface parking. Killam Apartment REIT also owns Saginaw Gardens, a seven-storey total precast concrete apartment building located in Cambridge.
Engineering Award of Excellence
Two firms were selected for the CPCI Engineering Award of Excellence this year.
CPCI’s Engineering Award of Excellence was presented to MTE Consultants. MTE Consultants is an engineering firm providing civil and structural engineering services, building and environmental science, toxicology and land surveying. MTE provided civil and structural engineering services in support of the Platinum condos, an iconic 24-storey total precast concrete tower located in the heart of downtown Hamilton. The building also includes both underground and above-ground parking. MTE Consultants also played an important role in developing the Belmont Trio. The Trio project comprises three apartment buildings ranging from 8 to 14 storeys with a shared above-ground parking garage in Kitchener.
RIZZ Engineering was also the recipient of the CPCI Engineering Excellence Award. RIZZ Engineering Inc. is an award-winning structural engineering-focused practice based in Waterloo. The RIZZ Engineering team has a multitude of experience working with Contractors, Architects, and Developers on various project types and sizes. RIZZ was involved with Dorchester Terrace, a four-storey total precast concrete apartment building located in Niagara Falls. Dorchester Terrace is an example of simple elegance, which was created by using multiple precast concrete elements, dynamic textures and rich colours. The firm also worked on 222 Albert Street, a 12-storey total precast apartment located in Waterloo.
CPCI 2023 Members Award Winners
John Fowler Award of Distinction
The John Fowler Award of Distinction honours individuals or companies who have made a significant contribution or accomplished an outstanding achievement benefiting the Canadian precast concrete industry.
Kenneth Kruse is the longest-serving member of the CPCI Marketing Committee with 19 years of service. Ken brought knowledge, insight, and leadership to CPCI in marketing, statistical analysis, sustainability, technical issues, student education and the board. Ken initiated the first PCI Statistics Market Forecasting Report and was the driving force in developing the CPCI Member Statistics Market Stats Survey initiative for CPCI Producer members. As one of the creators of the “Pathways to our Future” program for CPCI, Ken was a valuable organizer for many CPCI Pathways to our Future sessions. He provided valuable service to CPCI members as a facilitator for CPCI’s early strategic planning process and throughout each iteration of the plan. Ken also received the CPCI 2021 Titan Award.
Malcolm Hachborn’s unwavering commitment and contributions to CPCI’s Lunch and Learn presentations, Learn on Demand platform, AEC Conferences and Trade Shows made these programs the success they are today. He is a longserving member on several CSA technical committees for advanced materials and many technical and quality committees for the Canadian and US Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institutes. Malcolm helped initiate CPCI’s Sustainability, Productivity and Safety Committee and has been a member since its inception in 2007. Malcolm is the Author of the CPCI Architectural Precast Concrete Walls Best Practice Guide and has co-authored and reviewed many CPCI technical publications, including Chapter 5 of the CPCI 5th Edition Design Manual. Malcolm also received the CPCI Fellow in 2017 and the Titan Award in 2021.
Fellow Award of Distinction
The CPCI Fellow Award honours CPCI members for outstanding contributions to the precast industry and CPCI. Services to the industry are considered in areas of education, research, design, production, quality, erection, marketing and management.
Robert Burak was President of CPCI from 2009 to 2022. He was involved with various CSA standards and has represented the Canadian precast concrete industry in Technical Committees of many of these standards. Robert was committed to providing an effective membership retention and recruitment strategy. His work helped guide the industry and the institute on strategic planning and execution. Robert spearheaded the development of the former CPCI Plant Certification program which was later successfully transformed into the CPCQA Certification Program. He was heavily involved with our concrete and cement allies and was one of the leads in initiating the development of our pathways towards decarbonizing our industries. Robert also led the development of the CPCI sustainable plant program and the publishing of our own EPDs.
Associate Member Award of Excellence
The CPCI Associate Member Award of Excellence recognizes outstanding contributions to the Canadian precast concrete industry in all aspects of supply chain management and for performance and partnership that goes above and beyond.
JVI Inc. has been a long-time member of CPCI, PCI and NPCA, among others and has shown tremendous support in the areas of student education, marketing, and membership development. Jim Voss has been instrumental in developing CPCI’s Student Education Committee and its programs, namely the Precast Studios, the annual scholarships, the Student Design Competition and growing Student Memberships. As a member of CPCI’s Marketing Committee, Chuck Magnesio has played a crucial role in developing CPCI’s Marketing Plan for the Building and Transportation Marketplaces, especially in the area of parking structures. A.J. Sassaman is the Chair of the CPCI Associate Member Committee and a member of CPCI’s Student Education Committee. AJ led the charge in completely revamping the sponsorship opportunities for Associate Members to offer a new tiered program.
Featured image: James Lockwood (right), CPCI Board Member, presenting the CPCI Engineering Excellence Award to Kurt Ruhland from MTE Consultants. (CPCI)
