Articles from Canadian Architect

The City of Toronto has launched an international design competition for the new Ramsden Park Community Recreation Centre, aiming to create an accessible and net zero emissions facility near Rosedale subway station. The project will include pools, a gymnasium, and multi-purpose community spaces, with the groundbreaking scheduled for 2028 and completion by 2033. This competition, the first for a community centre in Toronto since 1987, seeks to enhance design excellence and align with the city's sustainability goals under the TransformTO Net Zero Strategy.

Limberlost Place, a new 10-storey mass timber academic building at George Brown College in Toronto, represents a groundbreaking approach to sustainable architecture and education facilities. Designed by Moriyama Teshima Architects and Acton Ostry Architects, this structure is notable for its use of mass timber to achieve long spans while meeting regulatory occupant load requirements. The design includes passive ventilation, a prefabricated façade, and social spaces, contributing to the building's role as a living lab for students. The project embodies a shift towards incorporating community and sustainability into academic settings.

The Canadian Architect Awards has announced its jury for the 2025 awards, including Alison Brooks from the UK, Sonia Gagné from Montreal, Kelly Buffey from Toronto, and photographer Salina Kassam also from Toronto. The jury members are renowned for their achievements in architecture and photography, bringing a wealth of expertise to the awards. The competition recognizes architectural projects still in the design stage and also includes a Photo Awards category. The deadline for entry submissions is September 12, 2025.

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.

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.

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 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.

GHD and SLA have partnered to design the infrastructure and streetscape for Ookwemin Minising, a new island community in Toronto. The project aims to create a sustainable and resilient urban environment, integrating cultural and ecological elements. Drawing inspiration from international examples and Indigenous knowledge, the design will focus on climate-adaptive urbanism and vibrant public spaces. The island is expected to house over 15,000 people, with the first residents moving in by 2031.

The article discusses the role of Canadian architecture educators in addressing housing affordability and how architectural education is adapting to tackle issues of social responsibility, sustainability, and innovation. With insights from educators at the University of Waterloo and the University of Manitoba, it highlights research collaborations and design projects that address the housing crisis, including inclusive design and tiny homes as emergency shelters. The discussion underscores the importance of community engagement and collaboration with professionals to find practical housing solutions.