Bloaag Detail - Landscape of Landmark Quality, University of Toronto

Landscape of Landmark Quality, University of Toronto

Author: Ontario Association of Architects

landscape of landmark quality|university of toronto|2026 design excellence finalist|oaa awards|design excellence finalist

Photo Credit (Above): Salina Kassam

Location: Toronto, Ontario

Architecture Practice: KPMB Architects and Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates 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:

The Landscape of Landmark Quality reimagines the historic heart of the University of Toronto's St. George Campus. Five heritage landscapes have been transformed into a unified, pedestrian-focused precinct at the heart of the campus. Led by KPMB Architects with landscape design by Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, the project removes surface parking and vehicular traffic, significantly expands green space, and provides universal accessibility.

A necklace of intimate gardens surrounds the Kings College Circle lawn, mediating between the central green and the surrounding heritage buildings. A glass pavilion to the southeast accesses one level of underground parking and Canada’s largest urban geo-exchange, which was installed to support the University’s climate goals. Landmark has been embraced by the University as its central gathering space, and also by the larger community as Toronto's "Central Park.”