Skip to content Skip to Navigation
Text Size: Default Larger Largest
OAA Directory
|
Transcripts
|
Login

Back

A public library building with a horizontal façade made of vertical metal fins in gradients of green, blue, and purple, large windows on the ground floor reveal bookshelves and interior lighting

2026/Mar/30

Toronto Public Library: Bridlewood Branch

Article (text and images)
Author: Ontario Association of Architects
bridlewood branch|toronto public library|2026 design excellence finalist|oaa awards|design excellence finalist|design excellence winner|2026 design excellence winner|2026 design excellence winners|2026

Photo Credit (Above): Doublespace Photography 

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Architecture Practice: Ken Fukushima Architecture in association with David Fujiwara Architect

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:

This project promotes adaptive reuse by repurposing an underutilized commercial space to create needed, inclusive, and adaptable community space. For Toronto Public Library’s Bridlewood Branch, the exterior storefront is a functional, technologically innovative, artistic expression of environmentally responsive design and of the client’s demonstrable commitment to sustainability.

The vertical solar panel installation with integral programmable LEDs creates a visual reference to rows of books and the power of books, with the books opening up at night into a dynamic dreamscape. The interior is inspired by great spaces of historic libraries and from community history to make the library a unique and relevant expression for the neighbourhood.

The interior of a library space with an undulating metal ceiling and low bookshelves

Photo Credit: Doublespace Photography

The L-Shaped floorplan of the library with an open central space surrounded by offices and smaller workrooms

Photo Credit: Ken Fukushima Architecture

The exterior of the building shown next to a smaller image of the site before the retrofit. A strip mall grocery store has been turned into a sleek and eye-catching public library

Photo Credit: Doublespace Photography; Inset: Ken Fukushima


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

Share
Flag as Inappropriate
Events banner

Events Calendar

Check out our events calendar for a wide array of online and in-person events. Also submit an event using our online form.

MORE
Contracts banner

OAA Contract Suite

Did you know the OAA offers free contracts for its members and the general public? These downloadable standardized contracts make it easier for all to enter into fair, balanced business relationships.

MORE
BLOAAg icon

BlOAAg

Check out the OAA BlOAAg! We are currently featuring our 2026 Design Excellence Finalists.  This year's collection features a diverse range of building types and public spaces.

MORE