The Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) has announced 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 biennial OAA Design Excellence Awards program offers 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.
Three projects by B.C. architects making the shortlist include:
• The Marianne and Edward Gibson Art Museum (Burnaby, British Columbia) by Hariri Pontarini Architects (Design Architect) and Iredale Architecture (Architect of Record).
• UBC MacLeod Building Renewal (Vancouver, British Columbia) by Teeple Architects (Design Architect; now Teeple Architects Canada Inc.) and Proscenium Architecture + Interiors (Architect of Record).
• Kìwekì Point (Ottawa, Ontario) by Janet Rosenberg & Studio Inc. (Prime Consultant and Landscape Architect) and Patkau Architects Inc. (Architect).
The 10 winners will be announced in April. They will be honoured during the 2026 OAA Conference held in the Waterloo Region this May.
