News & Insights - Ontario Association of Architects Announces its 2026 Design Excellence Awards Finalists

2026/Mar/19

Ontario Association of Architects Announces its 2026 Design Excellence Awards Finalists

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The Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) is thrilled to announce the 20 finalists for its 2026 Design Excellence Awards.

Chosen by a jury of design experts, this year's collection features a diverse range of building types, including sustainably designed community centres, innovative housing solutions, revitalized academic and cultural facilities, and transformative public spaces. Spanning from Passive House-certified homes to net-zero energy research centres, these 20 finalists serve as the shortlist for the OAA’s Design Excellence Awards category. The 10 winners will be announced next month and honoured at the OAA Conference in the Waterloo Region this 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 its positive impact.

Selected from 96 eligible submissions, the 20 finalists were judged on criteria such as creativity, context, sustainability, good design/good business, and legacy. Submissions also required disclosure of Energy Use Intensity (EUI) metrics, reflecting the OAA’s dedication to advance climate action in the public’s interest and ensuring sustainable, resilient design remains a critical aspect of every successful project.

The selections, in alphabetical order, are:

225 Brunswick (Toronto, Ontario) by Suulin Architects Inc. (now Suulin Inc.)
Image: Scott Norsworthy.

A modern brick building with large windows and metal cladding, surrounded by tall trees on a residential street corner

Angle of Repose (Algonquin Highlands, Ontario) by Reasonable Projects Inc.;
Image: Jeremie Warshafsky. A dark, geometric building with a sloped roof and diamond-patterned exterior panels, set against a backdrop of tall trees and overcast sky

Beaverton Heights Modular Transitional Housing (Beaverton, Ontario) by Montgomery Sisam Architects Inc.;
Image: Doublespace Photography A modern, low-rise building with dark exterior siding and large windows, shown at dusk

Belfountain House (Belfountain, Ontario) by UUFIE Inc.;
Image: Ema Peter Photography An interior space with exposed wooden beams, a white modern staircase leading to an upper level, and a wooden chair placed against the wall

Carmen Corbasson Community Centre (Mississauga, Ontario) by Diamond Schmitt Architects;
Image: Scott Norsworthy. An indoor swimming pool with lane markings, surrounded by tall glass windows and exposed wooden beam

Hazel McCallion Central Library (Mississauga, Ontario) by RDH Architects Inc.;
Image: Ema Peter Photography. An illuminated modern library entrance at dusk featuring a dark metal façade with large glass panels and bright neon signage reading “Hazel McCallion Central Library,” with a clock tower and surrounding buildings visible in the background

Kìwekì Point (Ottawa, Ontario) by Janet Rosenberg & Studio Inc. (Prime Consultant and Landscape Architect) and Patkau Architects Inc. (Architect);
Image: Doublespace Photography A curved, elevated waterfront overlook with a glowing underside, surrounded by trees and walking paths

Koffler Scientific Reserve (Toronto, Ontario) by Montgomery Sisam Architects Inc.;
Image: Doublespace Photography A geometric building with dark wood siding and angled rooflines, set on a grassy hillside

Landscape of Landmark Quality, University of Toronto (Toronto, Ontario) by KPMB Architects | Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Inc.;
Image: Salina Kassam. A paved public plaza with people walking near a sleek glass pavilion, with trees showing fall colors

Niagara Falls Exchange (Niagara Falls, Ontario) by DTAH Architects Limited;
Image: Scott Norsworthy. An outdoor farmers’ market with vendor tents set up along a walkway beside a building with a sawtooth roofline

Red Lane Housing (Toronto, Ontario) by Steven Fong Architect (now Steven Fong Architecture Inc.) in collaboration with ONE:1 Designs;
Image: Rémi Carreiro Photography. A brick apartment building with a row of bright red ground‑floor window frames and doors

Schwartz Reisman Innovation Campus, University of Toronto (Toronto, Ontario) by Weiss/Manfredi Architecture/Landscape/Urbanism (Design Architect) and Teeple Architects (Architect of Record; now Teeple Architects Canada Inc.);
Image: Albert Vecerka.

The Marianne and Edward Gibson Art Museum (Burnaby, British Columbia) by Hariri Pontarini Architects (Design Architect) and Iredale Architecture (Architect of Record);
Image: Ema Peter Photography. A large window in a sharply angled room with exposed roof structure and tan bricks

Toronto and Region Conservation Authority Headquarters (Toronto, Ontario) by Bucholz McEvoy Architects Ltd., and ZAS Architects Inc.;
Image: Michael Moran.

Toronto Public Library – Bridlewood Branch (Toronto, Ontario) by Ken Fukushima Architecture in association with David Fujiwara Architect;
Image: Doublespace Photography.

UBC MacLeod Building Renewal (Vancouver, British Columbia) by Teeple Architects (Design Architect; now Teeple Architects Canada Inc.) and Proscenium Architecture + Interiors (Architect of Record);
Image: Andrew Latreille.

Ulster House (Toronto, Ontario) by LGA Architectural Partners Ltd.;
Image: Doublespace Photography.

Union Station Revitalization (Toronto, Ontario) by NORR Architects & Engineers Ltd. in collaboration with EVOQ Architecture (Heritage Architect);
Image: Doublespace Photography.

University of Windsor Law Transformation (Windsor, Ontario) by Diamond Schmitt Architects in association with Di Maio Design Associates | Architects Inc;
Image: Tom Arban.

Ziibiing – Indigenous Landscape at Taddle Creek (Toronto, Ontario) by Brook McIlroy Inc.
Image: Tom Arban.