Photo Credit (Above): Doublespace Photography 

Location: Beaverton, Ontario

Architecture Practice: Montgomery Sisam Architects Inc.

Chosen by a jury of respected design experts, the 20 projects comprising the OAA’s 2026 Design Excellence Finalists represent a diverse range of building types, including sustainably designed community centres, innovative housing solutions, revitalized academic and cultural facilities, and transformative public spaces. These finalists serve as the shortlist for the OAA’s 10 Design Excellence Winners, which will be announced next month and honoured at the OAA Conference in the Waterloo Region in May. The biennial OAA Design Excellence Awards program offers Ontario practices the opportunity to display the transformative influence of architecture, promoting broader public recognition and appreciation for the field. The following media statement has been supplied by the submitting project team:

Beaverton Heights delivers dignified supportive housing for the Region of Durham, setting a precedent for a transformative and motivated response to homelessness. The modular build was designed thoughtfully to integrate with its rural context, incorporating pitched roofs and a warm wood palette. The inhabitants benefit from a connected community hub that offers social supports to residents and the broader community.

A high-performance building envelope, fully electrified systems, and rooftop solar panels significantly reduce energy consumption and environmental impact. Delivered rapidly and economically, the project sets a new precedent for design excellence in housing for vulnerable populations.

Photo Credit: Doublespace Photography

Photo Credit: Montgomery Sisam Architects

Photo Credit: Tom Ridout

This blOAAg post is part of a series exploring the OAA’s 20 Design Excellence Finalists for 2026, as selected by our jury.