Articles from Canadian Architect

Nova Scotia is prioritizing wood construction and heating in public buildings to support the local forestry sector, reduce carbon emissions, and enhance energy security. The government will focus on using local wood products like mass timber and wood pellets, aiming to foster a circular economy and create jobs. This initiative aligns with the province's goals of a low-carbon future and economic self-reliance. Departments will prioritize wood products in new construction, renovations, and heating conversions for government-funded projects.

McCallumSather has completed a groundbreaking affordable housing project in Hamilton, Ontario, featuring Canada's first use of mass timber construction combined with Passive House certification. The six-storey building, developed in partnership with CityHousing Hamilton, serves as a model for sustainable, high-performance, and replicable housing solutions in urban areas. Its design highlights rapid construction and long-term livability, integrating eco-friendly features like cross-laminated timber and a rooftop solar array. This initiative has been recognized with a third-place award at the Rethinking the Future Awards for its sustainable approach.

Canadian Interiors magazine announced the winners of its 28th annual Best of Canada Awards, highlighting excellence in interior design across various fields without limitations on size or budget. This year, 28 winners were selected, with Leckie Studio Architecture + Design Inc.'s 'Lantern House' awarded as Project of the Year for its contemporary design. The awards also recognized innovative products, including RYSE Inc.'s 'SmartCurtain' for its accessibility features, especially for people with limited mobility. The awards span categories such as Hospitality, Institutional, Office, Residence, Retail, and Products.

The op-ed outlines criticisms regarding Toronto's approach to laneway homes amid the housing crisis. It points out that the pre-approved designs lack customization and quality, do not fully utilize architects' expertise, and often do not meet basic accessibility standards. The article argues for the need for better design processes to achieve sustainable and quality housing solutions and highlights issues such as delayed planning approvals and costs. It suggests that moderate density infill, like six-plex developments, could be more beneficial than the current focus on laneway homes.

The article discusses the controversial redevelopment of Ontario Place in Toronto by Therme, which aims to create a giant spa and waterpark. Despite promising to transplant trees, none were saved when 865 trees were removed. Critics, including local advocacy groups and the Auditor General, have raised concerns about the lack of transparency and the privatization of the public space. The project aims to incorporate ecological features but faces skepticism over its claims of sustainability.

The Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) has written an open letter to Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow expressing concerns regarding the expansion of the Certified Plans Program. The letter highlights worries over the misperceived role of architects in driving up housing costs and emphasizes the importance of checks and balances in the program. The OAA argues that architecture fees are minimal in overall construction expenses and stresses the value architects bring in risk identification and innovative solutions. The letter also discusses the need to address administrative inefficiencies within the City's Building Department.

A report by the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) emphasizes the urgent need for public investment to save Canada's churches and faith-built spaces, which are closing rapidly due to shrinking congregations and rising maintenance costs. The report suggests that with shared governance and reinvestment, these spaces could be adapted for community needs such as affordable housing and educational centers. The loss of these buildings, integral for childcare, food banks, and cultural events, would detrimentally affect communities. The CUI calls for recognizing these spaces as essential civic assets and recommends strategic action to preserve them.

The Eau Claire Plaza in Calgary has officially opened its doors as a central piece of the city's riverfront revitalization. Led by DIALOG, the redesigned urban space aims to facilitate community gatherings with features such as a misting water feature, an urban beach, and spacious pedestrian zones. The redesign integrates with surrounding infrastructure projects, enhancing accessibility and supporting both large events and quiet leisure times. This venture involved community consultations, including Indigenous groups, to make it both a functional and culturally relevant civic space.

Michael McClelland, co-founder of ERA Architects, was honored with the OALA Honourary Member Award at the 2025 Ontario Association of Landscape Architects awards ceremony. Over 350 landscape architects gathered in Ottawa for the event, which encouraged rethinking traditional approaches in landscape architecture. The awards recognized contributions to heritage conservation, urban design, and community revitalization.

The final chapter of the Groundwork series, titled 'With an Acre', has arrived at the Canadian Centre for Architecture (CCA). This documentary and exhibition highlight architect Carla Juaçaba's projects in Minas Gerais, Brazil, where she develops pavilions for a network of sustainable, women-led coffee growers. The project aims to address ecological and social equity, emphasizing agrarian reform and forest conservation. The work is rooted in collaboration with the Flor de Café collective, aiming to create sustainable community spaces and reimagine the region's future.

The Toronto Society of Architects (TSA) has released an open letter expressing its concerns over Ontario's Bill 5 and Bill 17, which aim to accelerate development but at the cost of weakening environmental protections and eliminating green building bylaws. The letter criticizes the Ontario government's expedited legislative process, emphasizing the negative implications these Bills could have on building efficiency and sustainability. TSA argues that while there is a critical need for affordable housing, it should not come at the expense of the environment or long-term building quality.

Toronto's city staff report claims that the new Ontario law, Bill 17, does not impact the city's green standard for buildings, which aims to achieve climate and sustainability targets. The provincial government believes the bill limits municipalities' ability to set standards beyond the provincial building code. The bill has created confusion, potentially deterring other municipalities from pursuing green standards. The climate-focused green standard remains a key component of Toronto's environmental strategies, although there is controversy over its impact on building costs.