This evening, Mayor Olivia Chow, City of Toronto Chief Planner & Executive Director of City Planning Gregg Lintern and members of the design and development community came together to celebrate the winners of the biennial Toronto Urban Design Awards.
The Toronto Urban Design Awards program acknowledges and celebrates those who help improve Toronto’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 towards 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 awards 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:
• 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
• Patrick Saavedra, B.Arch. Sc, M.Arch, MUP, OAA, FRAIC, AIA, NCARB, Assistant Vice President, Planning & Capital Project Management, Columbia University, New York, NY
• 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 Special Jury Awards for Community Activation.
The 2023 award winners are:
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Private Buildings in Context — Low-Scale
• The Drake Hotel Modern Wing, 1150 Queen St. W.
Private Buildings in Context — Mid-Rise
• Summerhill Offices, 1133 Yonge St.
Private Buildings in Context — Tall
• Harris Square, 21 Lawren Harris Sq.
• 81 Bay – CIBC SQUARE Phase 1, 81 Bay St.
Public Buildings in Context
• Tommy Thompson Entrance and Pavilion, 3 Leslie St.
• Scott Street Interlocking Signal Tower Generator, Union Station Rail Corridor
• Wychwood Neighbourhood Branch Library restoration and addition, 1431 Bathurst St.
Small Open Spaces
• Bloor-Annex BIA Parkettes, 320 Robert St., 290 Major St., 306 Brunswick Ave., and 2 Howland Ave.
Large Places and/or Neighbourhood Designs
• RendezViews, 229 Richmond St. W.
Visions and Master Plans
• Downsview Framework Plan, Downsview Airfield Toronto, 123 Garratt Blvd, Toronto, ON M3K 1Y5
AWARD OF MERIT
Elements
• Plant it Forward, 144 King St. W.
• Urban Fire Benches, Bloor Street
Private Buildings in Context — Low-Scale
• Gusto 501, 501 King St. E.
• The Broadview Terraces, 377 Broadview Ave.
Private Buildings in Context — Mid-Rise
• River Street Infill, 41 River St.
Private Buildings in Context — Tall
• Ace Hotel Toronto, 51 Camden St.
Small Open Spaces
• Stackt Market, 28 Bathurst St.
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.
More information on the Toronto Urban Design Awards, the jury report, photos and full project credits for each winning submission are available on the City’s Toronto Urban Design Awards webpage: http://www.toronto.ca/tuda.
Quotes:
“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.”
– Mayor Olivia 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.”
– Gregg Lintern, Chief Planner & Executive Director, City Planning
SOURCE City of Toronto
Leave a Reply