Ontario Construction News staff writer
The City of Toronto has announced the winners of the biennial Urban Design Awards, recognizing architects, landscape architects, urban designers, artists, design students and city builders.
The awards are considered “a snapshot of what has been accomplished over the last five years” in city building and enable the industry to reflect on “how 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 2023 award winners are:
AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Private Buildings in Context — Low-Scale
The Drake Hotel Modern Wing, 1150 Queen St. W.
- Architect: Diamond Schmitt
- Landscape Architect: Alexander Budrevics + Associates
- Structural Engineer: Blackwell
- Mechanical and Electrical: BK Consulting
Private Buildings in Context — Mid-Rise
Summerhill Offices, 1133 Yonge St.
- Architect: Studio JCI
- Structural Engineer: WSP
- Mechanical Engineer: The Aquila Group
- Electrical Engineer: Scheinman Group
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.
For 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.
